Past, Present, Pride — the annual Pride Business Forum conference

Event Details

Evan Davis

Presenter, BBC

Evan Davis hosts a one daily news programme on BBC Radio 4, called PM, but is also well-known as the presenter of the BBC2 business reality show Dragons Den. And on Radio 4, he hosts a weekly business discussion programme the Bottom Line.

In his long career at the BBC, he has presented other programmes, such as Today on Radio 4 and Newsnight on BBC 2. Between 2001 and 2008 he was the Economics Editor of the BBC, the most senior economics reporter in the corporation.

Before joining the BBC in 1993, he was an economist at the Institute for Fiscal Studies, and at the London Business School. He has written numerous papers, articles and newspaper and magazine columns as well as the book, Public Spending, (published by Penguin in 1998). He is also a co-author of the Penguin Dictionary of Economics and the New Penguin Dictionary of Business.

His latest book is called Post Truth: Why we have reached Peak Bullshit and what we can do about it which sets out to explain why there is so much mendacity and nonsense in public discourse and why it became more of a concern in 2016.

He studied at St John’s College Oxford (1981 to 1984) and at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University (1986 to 1988).

Evan has won numerous awards. In 2017, he was the Television and Radio Industries club (TRIC) News presenter of the Year. In 2015, he was Attitude magazine’s Man of the Year.

Nicolas Franco

Global Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Novartis

Nicolas is currently a global DEI leader at Novartis, with over 20 years of experience in HR and DEI across Latin America, USA, APAC, and EMEA. He has worked at global, regional, and country levels in industries such as Retail, Consulting, Pharma, and Tech. Known for leading complex transformations with a data-driven, agile mindset, Nicolas combines strategic thinking with a deep commitment to inclusion. His passion for DEI drives him to empower others, build trust by “walking the talk,” and create lasting impact through inclusive, people-centered leadership.

Gerry Jansen

Vice President and Head of Operations

Gerry has extensive work experience in the field of Cloud Services and Procurement. Currently, Gerry serves as the VP, Head of Procurement Services EMEA-MEE, Finance & Spend management at SAP, where he is responsible for the successful delivery and management of SAP services for large public and private companies in the EMEA and MEE region. Prior to this role, he held leadership positions at Maersk and Capgemini.

Tereza Kadlecová 

Executive Director, Pride Business Forum

Tereza Kadlecová is the Executive Director of the Pride Business Forum Foundation and an expert in the domains of education and human rights. She has many years of experience in managing human rights, education, and awareness-raising projects at Pride Business Forum, Prague Pride, and People in Need. In addition to her management work, Tereza's enduring commitment lies in fostering direct engagement with individuals through leading and facilitating educational workshops, courses, and lectures. Tereza takes immense pride in her role as a devoted mother of two sons, whom she raises alongside her life partner.

Pavlína Kalousová

Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Asahi Europe & International

 Pavlína is a member of the Executive Committee of Asahi Europe & International and serves as Corporate Affairs Director at Plzeňský Prazdroj. She leads the company’s sustainability agenda, public affairs, and communications. With over 20 years of experience in sustainability and diversity, she has worked with leading companies across the CEE region on their ESG strategies.

She is the founder of Business for Society, which she developed into the Czech Republic’s most prominent ESG-focused business network prior to joining Asahi. She also established the European Diversity Charter, bringing together major Czech employers to advance diversity and inclusion. A recognized diversity champion, Pavlína actively promotes women in leadership and has been a long-standing ally of the Pride Business Forum.

Jan Kotík

Škoda Academy Project Coordinator, Škoda Auto

At Škoda Academy, Jan focuses on developing strategic skills and an agile mindset. He believes that lifelong learning is the key to innovation and meaningful human connections. Jan serves as an Advisory Board member for the D&I Shapers platform, a lecturer for OPIM’s DEI Academy, and teaches Diversity Management at Škoda Auto University, helping companies and individuals create inclusive work environments. Jan also gained experience with DEI programs at the Spanish car manufacturer SEAT, S.A.

Jan is a co-founder of the employee resource group Škoda Proud, actively promoting LGBTQ+ representation in both the workplace and public space. In 2023, he received the Pride Business Forum Hero award, and in 2025, he was recognized as one of Europe’s 25 LGBTQIA+ Role Models as part of the European Pride Business Network Awards.

Eva Krajčovič

Finance Partner, Vodafone

Eva is a financial specialist with over sixteen years of experience at Vodafone. Throughout her time there, she has held various positions, but it was the field of finance that drew her in the most—an area where she has been applying her skills for more than a decade. She combines technical proficiency and an analytical mindset with the world of finance, always seeking creative solutions that make a real impact not only on company operations but also on customers. She alternates between the corporate and non-profit sectors. Recently, she took on the role of financial manager for the Prague Pride festival—an organization close to her heart. Eva is known for her optimistic outlook and active lifestyle, qualities she brings into her professional environment as well.

Monika Ladmanová

Head of European Commission Representation in the Czech Republic

From 2014, she was a member of the cabinet of the Commissioner for justice, consumer protection and gender equality in Brussels, and in 2019, she joined the cabinet of the European Commission Vice-President for values and transparency. A lawyer by training, she has long-standing experience of working in the NGO sector as well as in a global corporation. Throughout her professional career, she has been promoting European values and working in the field of European integration. After graduating from the Faculty of Law of Charles University and Columbia University in New York City, she worked for the Czech Helsinki Committee, a non-profit organization advocating for human rights. She then spent 10 years at the helm of Open Society Fund Praha, a foundation focusing on strengthening democracy, eliminating discrimination and fighting corruption. She then worked at IBM Czech Republic as a corporate social responsibility manager.

Poornima Luthra

Associate Professor, Copenhagen Business School

Dr. Poornima Luthra is a renowned author, TEDx speaker, and expert in talent management and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. With three impactful books, including “The Art of Active Allyship” which was named one of the 10 best management books of 2023 by Thinkers50, she leverages eighteen years of research and teaching experience across Asia and Europe. Poornima has her fourth book, ‘Can I Say That’ releasing in May 2025. Holding the position of Associate Professor at Copenhagen Business School, Dr. Poornima combines academic rigor with real-world application.

Alex Machala

Product Manager, Decathlon

Alex is a Product Manager for Decathlon and a management student pursuing a master's degree at the Prague University of Economics and Business. He has been with the company for over six years, during which he has risen from a Sales Assistant to leading customer service solutions and digital tools that enhance the shopping experience in many countries. In addition to his work and studies, Alex volunteers with Sbarvouven.cz, a peer mentoring organization where he offers support to LGBTQ+ individuals, ensuring they don't have to face their challenges alone.

Ondřej Majuk

Psychotherapist, coach

Ondřej is a therapist, lecturer, and coach. He received his psychotherapy training at the Prague College of Psychosocial Studies (PVŠPS) and is a member of the Czech Association for Psychotherapy (ČAP). In his private practice, he focuses on helping clients overcome personal and interpersonal challenges, always respecting the uniqueness of each individual. He supports clients in dealing with issues related to identity, acceptance, relationships, and other life challenges. His approach, based on Daseinsanalysis, offers a deeper understanding of one's existence and the meaning of life.

He has over 15 years of experience in teaching so-called soft skills, such as communication skills, assertiveness, conflict resolution, leadership, stress management, and time management. He has long-term collaborations with Continental Automotive Czech Republic s.r.o. and the Prague College of Psychosocial Studies.

Markéta Matějová

Recruitment & Development Specialist, GasNet

Markéta is a psychologist working in HR. While still a student, she founded the first university course on LGBTQ+ psychology at Charles University, and her thesis focused on minority stress in the workplace. She currently works at GasNet, where, in addition to recruitment, psychodiagnostics, and employee surveys, she helps promote mutual respect as one of the company’s core values. She is also a member of the Czech Ornithological Society, as she considers birdwatching the best mindfulness exercise.

Theresa Necker

Head of Transformation, Škoda Auto

Theresa has over 15 years of experience in the automotive industry within the Volkswagen Group. She has held various roles across Germany, Italy, and the Czech Republic, gaining broad expertise in production, compliance, and human resources. Currently, she serves as Head of Transformation for the People and Culture area at Škoda Auto. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family in nature, staying active through sports, and exploring new cultures through travel.

Maya Novak

Head of Real-Time Platform Automation, Barclays

Maya is a passionate developer and technology leader who began her journey as a junior developer and quickly grew into a tech lead, driven by curiosity and a love for innovation. She is committed to improving the quality of the environment around her—both technically and culturally. Maya actively leads and supports initiatives within the Prague ERG group, fostering inclusion and community. Her story reflects the power of purpose, growth, and leading with authenticity.

Photo: Pavla Keltnerová, Charles University

Michal Pitoňák

Assistant Professor, Charles University / Researcher, National Institute of Mental Health / Chairman, Queer geography

Michal Pitoňák, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Humanities, Charles University, a researcher at the National Institute of Mental Health (NUDZ), and a research collaborator at the Faculty of Education, Charles University. He is also the founder and chair of Queer Geography, a research and science communication association dedicated to interdisciplinary dialogue on LGBTQ+ issues.

His research is internationally recognized for its contributions to LGBTQ+ psychology and minority stress research, as well as pioneering studies in the geographies of sexualities in Czechia. He has led and co-authored key national studies on the societal position and discrimination of LGBTQ+ people in the Czech Republic, significantly shaping policy discussions and public health strategies. His interdisciplinary approach examines heteronormativity, cisnormativity, and structural stigma in Central and Eastern Europe, bridging psychology, human geography, and sociology.

Susanna Romantsova

Founder of DEI Consulting

With 11+ years of experience, Susanna helps organizations build high-performing, inclusive cultures that drive business success. A TEDx speaker, LinkedIn Top Voice, and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, she previously led DEI at IKEA, creating a transformative three-year strategy. Susanna runs an independent consultancy, supporting global organizations and leaders in fostering inclusion, collaboration, and psychological safety. She holds a master's in clinical psychology and is a certified Fearless Organization Scan practitioner.

Dinah Richter Spritzer

Director, Inclusion Stars

Dinah is the director of Inclusion Stars, a consultancy that provides strategy and training for organizations seeking to boost profits through employee satisfaction. Inclusion Stars focuses on transparent communication, change management, and team cohesion. Her clients have included JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, L’Oréal, and the U.S. White House. 

Dinah is also a top-ranked journalism professor with more than two decades of experience in reporting and teaching. As a journalist, she covered minorities, gender, and politics in Europe for The New York Times, USA Today, and The Jerusalem Post. 

A native of New Jersey, USA, Dinah is also the author of Global and Intercultural Communications, a 434-page interactive academic book used by business students at universities worldwide.

Marie-Anne Valfort

Senior economist, OECD

Marie-Anne Valfort is a senior economist in the Social Policy and International Migration Divisions within the OECD Directorate for Employment, Labour and Social Affairs. 

She leads the OECD’s work on LGBTIQ+ inclusion which addresses three main topics: (1) the life situation of LGBTIQ+ individuals (and the economic returns of improving it); (2) whether laws and policies critical to foster LGBTIQ+ inclusion are in place; and (3) the monitoring and impact evaluation of member countries’ strategies to achieve LGBTIQ+ equality, to ensure they engage in actions that are fully effective. 

She is also co-leading the OECD’s work on the inclusion of racial/ethnic minorities. Prior to joining the OECD, she was a Professor at the Paris School of Economics. She holds a PhD in Economics from Ecole Polytechnique and a Master of Science in Management from HEC.

Czeslaw Walek
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Pride Business Forum

Czeslaw graduated from the Law Faculties of Jagiellonian and Central European universities. He worked in both the government sector and the non-government sector. As the Czech Deputy Minister for Human Rights, he was responsible for creating, adopting, and implementing domestic policies on human rights protection. Between 2011 - 2022 Czeslaw chaired Prague Pride, the leading organization focusing on LGBT+ rights in the Czech Republic. Until 2015 Czeslaw was the managing director of the Prague Pride festival, making it the biggest Pride festival in post-communist countries.

In 2016 as a part of the Fulbright Scholarship, Czeslaw was a Global Fellow of Out & Equal Workplace Advocates, where he implemented a Global program of the organization. After returning to Prague, he started to manage Jsme fér, the marriage equality campaign, and Pride Business Forum, a platform focusing on LGBT+ equality in the workplace. In 2011 Czeslaw was awarded Alice G. Masaryk Human Rights Award for his dedication to promoting human rights.

Date: 06/06/2025

Start time: 09:00

End time: 18:00

Venue: Hilton Praha (Pobřežní 311/1, 186 00, Praha 8-Rohanský ostrov)