Alex Gordienko was born in Russia. He graduated in economics and management from N. Novgorod University. After his graduation, he worked in banking in Russia and the UK. In 1999, he joined Stemcor. In 2009, he began working at Celsa Group where he currently continues his career as an export director.
Ioannis Manessis is a principal of Hellenic Halyvourgia S.A., a Greek steel producer established in 1963. Over the past 25 years, he has held several senior roles within the company, including Export Director, Managing Director, and Vice President of the Board of Directors. Through these positions, he has developed extensive technical and commercial expertise in the long steel products sector In addition to his work in the steel industry, Mr. Manessis is actively involved in dry bulk shipping activities. Mr. Manessis holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Harvard University (1998).
With 26 years of professional and academic expertise spanning security, defense, and strategic foresight, Velina Tchakarova is a geopolitical strategist and founder of FACE — For A Conscious Experience. Her work centers on translating geopolitical complexity into actionable intelligence for corporations, institutions, and policymakers navigating Cold War 2.0, the rise of Middle Powers, and the structural shifts reshaping the global order. Through FACE, Velina develops bespoke strategic assessments, scenario planning frameworks, and foresight workshops for clients across the public and private sectors. Her approach combines rigorous analytical methodology with deep regional expertise, enabling decision makers to anticipate risks, identify opportunities, and act with strategic clarity in an environment of accelerating uncertainty. In 2024, she earned a certification in Mastering Foresight: Scenario-Based Planning from the George Washington University Center for Excellence in Public Leadership (GW-CEPL), complementing her long-standing practice as a strategic foresight facilitator
Speaking Opportunities
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