ULI Poland Conference 2026: MATRIX OF REAL ESTATE

When

2026-04-15 - 2026-04-16

Choose Your Calendar

    Where

    Event Hall, Fabryka Norblina Will open in a new window ul. Zelazna 51/53 KRS: 0000468103 Warsawa 00-841 POLAND
    Registration is closed! We're sold out!

    Pricing

    Standard Pricing Until April 16 Members Non-Members
    Private €410.00 €545.00
    Public/Academic/Nonprofit €205.00 €273.00
    Student €103.00 €136.00
    Under Age 35 €205.00 €273.00

    Registration is closed! We're sold out!

    The upcoming 2026 ULI Poland Annual Conference will take place on 15–16 April 2026 in Warsaw, starting with Site Tours and the Opening Conference Dinner on 15 April, followed by the conference sessions on 16 April. 

    In today’s rapidly evolving world, real estate is no longer a static asset class—it is a dynamic, interconnected system influenced by technology, capital flows, sustainability imperatives, and shifting human behaviors. During this year conference with a theme “MATRIX OF REAL ESTATE” we'll invite you to step beyond the surface and explore the patterns shaping our cities, real estate, and investments.

    Conference highlights:

    • MARK BRZEZINSKI, former U.S. Ambassador to Poland will open the conference with Geopolitical Outlook by looking beyond the surface of headlines and examining the deeper forces shaping power, capital flows, and long-term strategic decisions. He will be then joined LEJB FOGELMAN, Senior Partner of Greenberg Traurig Poland for a fireside chat.
    • SARAH AMSTRONG-SMITH, Executive Director, Secure Horizons, former Chief of Security at Microsoft in her keynote - The Boardroom Blind Spot: When Cyber Threats Target Trust and Decision Making - will debate on how cyber threats increasingly undermine trust and leadership decision making, driven by geopolitics and AI enabled attacks that target people rather than systems.
    • ANDREW BAUM, Emeritus Professor of University of Oxford in his keynote - Cycles, shocks and tech waves: what next? - will explore how recurring cycles, external shocks, and accelerating technological waves - from past political turning points to today’s AI revolution - are once again reshaping real estate and raising the question of what comes next.
    • DITTE LYSGAARD VIND, Chief Science & Innovation Officer, BLOXHUB in her presentation - Cities That Compound: Resilience as Competitive Infrastructure - will show how Copenhagen's aligning planning, policy, and investment turns resilience into a driver of competitiveness, offering a roadmap for similar systemic change in Poland.
    • KIRSTY WILMAN, Chair of the Investment Committee & Chief Operating Officer, Rebalance Earth in her closing keynote - The Real Foundation: Nature’s Hidden Role in Real Estate Value - How nature - from trees to soil - becomes critical infrastructure shaping the value, resilience, and risk profile of real estate investments.

     

     SITE TOURS          

    CONFERENCE AGENDA

    Full list of speakers at the bottom of this page
     

    If you are not a member, you can consider three options to participate.

    1. Register at a non-member conference rate
    2. Join free 90-day Trail Membership - it gives you the opportunity to register at the member rate ➡️ Sign up here first: https://uli.org/trial-membership/, then register at the conference website
    3. Register at Join & Go option (12 month ULI Associate membership plus a conference ticket at hugely reduced rate - see table below). If you are interested in Join & Go option please contact Weronika.Kasprzak@uli.org or EuropeMeetings@uli.org . 

    Thank you to the ULI Poland Conference Partners!

    Event Hall, Fabryka Norblina ul. Zelazna 51/53 POLAND

    view map Will open in a new window

    Speakers

    Keynote Speaker

    Mark F. Brzezinski

    Ambassador (ret.),

    Ambassador (ret.) Mark Brzezinski has a distinguished career in public service and the private sector. He currently is President and CEO of Brzezinski Global Strategies, a boutique strategic consulting firm. Mark served as U.S. Ambassador to Poland from 2021-2024. This was a period when Poland hosted over 13,000 U.S. troops, and President Biden announced the first permanent U.S. military installation in Poland. Mark spearheaded the selection of American-firms Westinghouse and Bechtel to build’s Poland’s very first civil nuclear power plant, a $30 billion deal. During his time as U.S. Ambassador to Poland, Poland underwent a process of democratic renewal. For his service, Mark was awarded the Commander's Cross of the Order of Merit by the President of the Republic of Poland. During the Obama Administration, Mark served as the United States Ambassador to Sweden between 2011-2015. This was a period in which the U.S. Embassy in Stockholm was recognized for spearheading innovative new approaches to advance U.S.-European trade and landing key Swedish investments, including Volvo's decision to invest $1 billion to build a factory in South Carolina, the first time ever Volvo will have an auto assembly plant in the U.S. During his tenure as Ambassador, U.S. commercial diplomacy efforts in the Nordic region were consolidated in the U.S. Embassy in Sweden. Mark arranged the first-ever U.S. Presidential visit to Stockholm in 2013, which brought together all five heads of governments of the Nordic countries for a summit that galvanized a U.S.-Nordic strategic approach on energy, innovation and sustainability. For his service, Mark was awarded the Royal Order of the Polar Star by the King of Sweden, a high honor rarely bestowed on a foreign ambassador. In 2015, Mark was asked by the White House to lead a strategic effort on the Arctic. As the first Executive Director of the White House's Arctic Executive Steering Mark F. Brzezinski Ambassador (ret.) Committee, Mark spearheaded President Obama's historic engagement in the Arctic and was the driving force behind the White House's hosting of the first-ever Arctic Science Ministerial. His leadership resulted in new markers being set for commercial development in the fragile Arctic region. From 1999 to 2001, Mark served on President Clinton's National Security Council staff, first as a Director for Russia and Eurasia, and then as a Director for the Balkans. In the private sector, Mark was a Managing Director of Makena Capital Management where he spearheaded the firm’s sustainability efforts and assisted in responding to the growing demand for environmentally and socially responsible investment portfolios. Before joining the Obama Administration, Mark was a partner in Washington, D.C. at McGuireWoods LLP, where he helped build the law firm's international compliance practice. Mark received his BA from Dartmouth College, his JD from the University of Virginia (where he was a member of the Law Review), and a Doctorate in Political Science from Oxford University. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), where he has served on the board of advisors of CFR's Corporate Program. Mark was a Fulbright Scholar in Poland in 1991-93, and in 2010 President Obama named him to the U.S. State Department's Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board which oversees the Fulbright and other U.S. government exchange programs. In January 2018, Mark served as a University of Virginia adjunct professor, co-teaching the “World of Investing” course at the McIntire School of Commerce. Mark has published articles in the Financial Times, NYT, Washington Post, WSJ Europe, Int'l Herald Tribune, POLITICO, Huffington Post, and has been interviewed on NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, FOX, MSNBC, BBC and others.

    Keynote Speaker

    Sarah Armstrong-Smith

    Executive Director, Secure Horizons

    Sarah Armstrong-Smith is one of the most influential cybersecurity leaders in the industry With three decades of front-line experience, including roles as Chief Security Advisor at Microsoft and Group Head Crisis Management at The London Stock Exchange, Sarah delivers transformative strategies to help organisations build resilience to digital disruptions and global crises. In 2022, Sarah published her debut book ‘Effective Crisis Management’ which explores the traits and leadership skills required to thrive in the face of adversity. Her second book is Amazon best-seller ‘Understand the Cyber Attacker Mindset’, which dives deep into the psychology of cyber warfare. As a global advocate and trained PR spokesperson, Sarah has appeared in multiple industry publications, media outlets, and global conferences, as a keynote speaker, panellist and conference chair. This includes NATO, World Energy Council and Sky News. Sarah’s engaging style is trusted by Fortune 500 companies, government agencies and industry leaders worldwide. Book a specialist like Sarah for your next event to experience market-leading insights from one of the industry’s most captivating voices. Sarah’s website: https://www.saraharmstrong-smith.com/ Sarah’s LinkedIn profile: Sarah Armstrong-Smith

    Keynote Speaker

    Andrew Baum

    Emeritus Professor, University of Oxford, Said Business School

    Andrew Baum is Emeritus Professor of Practice at the Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, where until 2021 he led the Future of Real Estate Initiative. He is Chairman of Newcore Capital Management, a real estate fund manager focussed on sustainable investment in social infrastructure, and advisor to several property organisations. He holds BSc, MPhil and PhD degrees from the University of Reading, and is a graduate of the London Business School investment management programme, a chartered surveyor and a qualified member of the CFA institute (ASIP). He has held senior positions with Grosvenor, Nuveen, CBRE Global Investors and others. Baum’s PropTech 3.0: The Future of Real Estate was the most downloaded Saïd Business School report in 2017.In 2021 he was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University College of Estate Management. He is the author or co-author of six real estate finance textbooks with combined sales of over 75,000. He is a qualified member of the RICS and the CFA Institute. He is founder and former president of the Reading Real Estate Foundation, an educational charity established to support real estate education. He was elected Academic Fellow of the Urban Land Institute in 2001, the first such election outside the USA, and Honorary Fellow of the Society of Property Researchers in 2002.

    Keynote Speaker

    Ditte Lysgaard Vind

    Chief Innovation & Science Officer, BLOXHUB

    Ditte Lysgaard Vind is Co-lead & Chief Innovation and Science Officer at BLOXHUB a Nordic hub for sustainable urbanisation, and author of A Changemakers Guide to the Future (Lendager ‘18) & Danish Design Heritage & Global Sustainability (Routledge ’24).

    Keynote Speaker

    Kirsty Wilman

    Chair of the Investment Committee & Chief Operating Officer, Rebalance Earth

    Kirsty Wilman is Chief Operating Officer at Rebalance Earth as well as chairing the Investment Committee. She has over 20 years’ experience across private markets operations, finance, governance, and audit, with a particular focus on institutional real asset strategies. She spent over 14 years at Federated Hermes, holding senior roles including Real Estate Chief Operating Officer, Private Markets Head of Operations, and Director of Finance & Operations for Real Estate. Across these roles, Kirsty was responsible for building and operating institutional fund platforms, supporting investment committees, overseeing complex fund structures, and ensuring robust control, reporting, and governance environments. Kirsty is a Fellow of the ICAEW, holds the Investment Management Certificate, and has over eight years’ experience in audit and financial control roles, providing deep expertise in assurance, valuation oversight, and operational risk management. She also serves as a Non-Executive Director of Tritax Big Box REIT plc, a FTSE 250-listed company, and a member of the Audit Committee and Management Engagement Committee.

    Moderator

    Dorota Wysokinska-Kuzdra

    Senior Partner, Colliers Poland sp. z o.o.

    Dorota joined Colliers in 2018 as Director and Senior Partner, Head of Corporate Finance and Living Services for CEE. She leads a team of real estate professionals with proven experience gained in private equity and investment banking as well as broader living sector. Dorota is responsible for comprehensive financial advisory, including debt financing, mezzanine financing, raising capital and gaining capital partners, and offering support in acquiring companies and entering the stock exchange. Heading living services department, she specializes in advisory, transactions and operations targeting apartments for sale (Built To Sell), flats for rent (Built To Rent) private dormitories (PBSA), co-living, senior living, micro apartments, serviced apartments and other types of housing schemes. Under Dorota’s leadership Colliers was part of all major living and equity transactions in Poland and CEE. Before joining Colliers International, Dorota Wysokinska-Kuzdra spent 11 years as Senior Partner at Griffin Real Estate, where she was responsible for the Group’s management and investments, and for the first mezzanine fund operating in Poland. Recently, she has been involved in the creation of a logistics platform co-managed by Griffin. Earlier, as CEO at Griffin Premium RE, the first REIT fund, she successfully launched the fund on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. She was a member of the team responsible for acquiring shares in Echo Investment SA, one of the biggest transactions on the Polish real estate market, in which she was responsible for due diligence and financing the acquisition. Before joining Griffin, for over 10 years, she held director positions in the HypoVereinsbank / UniCredit Group, and in their subsidiaries, monitoring real estate investment banking and managing real estate. Dorota Wysokinska-Kuzdra has graduated from SGH Warsaw School of Economics, the University of Cologne and the University of Duisburg-Essen. Dorota was chairperson in the Polish branch of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) between 2018-2021 – the international non-profit organisation that supports responsible planning and developing of cities, which functions as a platform of knowledge exchange between experts and participants in the real estate market, both in Poland and abroad. In 2020, in addition to the Polish role, she has been elected to join the Executive Committee of ULI Europe and is now creating ULI CEE HUB. She is a Global Governing Trustee for ULI Global.

    Q&A Moderator

    Lejb Fogelman

    Senior Partner, Greenberg Traurig Warsaw Office

    Lejb Fogelman is a Senior Partner at Greenberg Traurig’s Warsaw office with over 40 years of professional experience. His practice focuses on complex, often multi-billion dollar domestic and international transactions, including M&A, privatizations, company reorganizations, joint ventures, transaction financing and public offerings of shares. Widely regarded as Poland's foremost M&A lawyer, his leading position is reflected in international and national rankings, such as Chambers Global, Chambers Europe, Legal 500, and IFLR1000, in which he regularly occupies the highest positions. He has also received prestigious industry titles and awards, including the Lawyer of the 30 Years award, confirming his long-term impact on the development of the legal services market in Poland.

    Moderator

    Søren Olsen

    Managing Director of Logicenters Poland, Urban Partners

    Søren established Urban Partners' office in Poland in 2021 and leads Urban Partners’ logistics business development activities in Poland, with focus on investment sourcing, asset mgmt., and key relationships with co-investors and large tenants. He has over 20 years’ experience in the Polish market having previously held senior mgmt. positions in Bank Austria Creditanstalt, HVB Group, Aberdeen as well as 10 years with Cushman & Wakefield where he was a Partner and Head of Capital Markets. Søren is renowned and highly respected industry expert with substantial international business network, keynote speaker, panelist, conference moderator, and mentor. He holds an MBA from University of Westminster and sits on the Board of ULI Poland.

    Speaker

    Simon Durkin

    CEO, ULI Europe, Urban Land Institute - Europe

    Simon Durkin was appointed Chief Executive Officer, Europe, of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) in 2026. He brings more than 20 years of experience across real estate, applied research and global capital markets, with a career shaped by analytical rigour, commercial insight and long-term thinking. Simon joined ULI from BlackRock, where he was Global Head of Real Estate Research and Strategy. In that role, he led the firm’s global real estate research agenda across market cycles, capital flows and asset performance, while also serving on the Global Investment Committee and engaging extensively with the BlackRock Investment Institute and institutional investors worldwide. Before joining BlackRock, Simon held senior leadership and investment roles at BNP Paribas and DWS. He began his career in real estate data, research and index development at IPD and Property & Portfolio Research (PPR), contributing to some of the industry’s foundational work in performance measurement and benchmarking. Throughout his career, Simon has focused on connecting insight with action, ensuring that research informs real-world decision-making. He has spoken internationally on macroeconomic trends, market cycles, structural change, and the evolving relationship between capital, cities and the built environment. As CEO of ULI Europe, Simon is focused on strengthening the organisation’s relevance and clarity of purpose, sharpening its value proposition for members across the full built environment ecosystem, and reinforcing ULI’s role as a trusted, independent platform for convening leaders, sharing knowledge and supporting long-term, responsible value creation across Europe’s cities and places.

    Panelist

    Katarzyna Gruszecka-Spychala

    Former Deputy Mayor of Gdynia, Member of Task Force on Cities at the Committee for Spatial Economy and Regional Planning of the Polish Academy of Sciences (PAN), Member of the University of Gdańsk Council Katarzyna Gruszecka-Spychała specializes in urban governance and the transformation of port and waterfront areas. A qualified legal advisor, she gained her administrative experience during a decade of service as Deputy Mayor of Gdynia, where she was responsible for spatial planning, entrepreneurship development, and corporate governance oversight. She later served as Vice-President of the Port of Gdynia, contributing to the strategic direction of one of Poland’s key seaports, integrating legal, municipal, and business expertise. For more than a decade, she has focused on the city–water interface, viewing the waterfront as a strategic development asset characterized by a high level of managerial complexity. She also holds a degree in Italian studies and draws inspiration from Italian culture, aesthetics, and spatial thinking. She is particularly fascinated by the roots of the extraordinary rise of the Italian city-states in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, which she sees as offering ready lessons for today’s strategists

    Panelist

    Maciej Fijałkowski

    City of Warsaw

    Maciej Fijałkowski is the Secretary of the City of Warsaw, appointed to this position in 2024 by Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski. He has been associated with the Warsaw City Hall since 2007. Before taking up the position of secretary, he headed the European Funds and Development Policy Department, where for over a dozen years he was responsible for obtaining and accounting for EU funds and for strategic planning of municipal investments. Previously, he worked at the Ministry of Regional Development. As city secretary, he oversees three key departments: European Funds and Development Policy, Investment Policy and Legal. His main tasks include coordinating Warsaw's investment policy, developing public transportation system, cooperating with neighboring municipalities within the Warsaw Metropolitan Area, supervising the legal services, and implementing investment projects, partnership initiatives in cooperation with external stakeholders. He manages part of the city budget worth over 4 billion EUR in 2026-30 period. Maciej Fijałkowski played a key role in the development and implementation of the “#Warszawa2030” development strategy , as well as the „Strategy for the development of the Warsaw metropolitan area until 2040”. He has extensive experience in the area of the urban economic development and innovation ecosystem support based on external funding and cross-sector partnerships.

    Panelist

    Nebil Șenman

    Griffin Capital Partners Sp. z o.o

    Nebil Șenman is the Co-Owner and Managing Partner of Griffin Capital Partners, along with Maciej Dyjas. Before joining Griffin in 2014, Nebil held senior roles at Oaktree’s private equity and real estate funds, where he originated and oversaw investments and operations worth several billion euros in Europe focusing on Germany and Poland. Prior to Oaktree, he spent eight years at Ernst & Young Real Estate (formerly Arthur Andersen), holding various managerial positions in real estate and corporate finance advisory services. Nebil is a Turkish-German citizen and a graduate of universities in Berlin (TU Berlin, EBS), Paris (ESCP Europe) and London (LSE), and holds an MBA and Master’s degree in Civil Engineering. He also holds a post-graduate diploma in real estate management (EBS) and is a Chartered Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, MRICS.

    Panelist

    Piotr Staniszewski

    Pinsent Masons

    Piotr Staniszewski is a leading expert in non-contentious construction and development in Poland. His track record is backed by premier industry recognition, leadership roles, and involvement in ESG legal thought leadership. He focuses on real estate, corporate and commercial law. Piotr is experienced in advising domestic and international investors on development and re-development of properties in the data center, retail, office, logistics and residential sectors – advising clients on construction, planning and permitting as well as on negotiation and enforcement of construction contracts. Piotr is also involved in real estate transactions and lease projects, including office and industrial investments and shopping mall developments. Piotr has acted for international financial institutions in the context of financing real estate investments.

    Panelist

    Renata McCabe-Kudla

    Grupo Lar Polska

    Brought up in multicultural environment Living in Poland since 1995 Studied at Warsaw School of Economics ACCA certified Working in real estate since 23 years, first in Bouygues Immobilier, followed by 20 years in Grupo Lar Poland, initially as Finance Director, and as Country Manager since 3 years.

    Panelist

    Paco González

    Core Capital Investments

    Paco González is Founder & CEO at Core Tech Capital, a digital infrastructure investment company, operating platforms like Quetta Data Centers in Spain and Portugal, currently building its first two facilities in Madrid and Barcelona; cartagon.ai, a sovereign European NeoCloud; and several other projects in different geographies, including a platform in France that will be announced soon, backed by nuclear energy. He has founded several companies including Cartagon Cloud, a well-established cloud company in Spain, and has been President of EuroCloud Spain and EuroCloud Europe between 2014 and 2017. Paco has also been active in the academic world, having lectured at some of the most prominent digital business schools in Europe, including MIT Professional, ISDI, and The Valley.

    Panelist

    Dagmara Kryskiewicz

    Agenox Living

    Dagmara is an expert in regulatory compliance with a legal background and extensive experience across European financial and investment markets, combining her expertise with a focus on longevity and the evolution of the senior living sector. She is a co-founder of Agenox, which integrates preventive healthcare with cutting-edge scientific advances. Agenox focuses on early diagnostics, proactive health management, and comprehensive anti-ageing strategies, promoting longevity as a high quality of daily life through personalised, evidence-based approaches. Our living environment is where longevity begins. As an Associate at MI – Multiple Impact, a boutique consultancy in operational real estate and alternative assets, she supports the development of next-generation housing models for older adults aged 60+ across the Benelux and CEE regions, creating communities that encourage activity, positivity, and purpose – essential for long, fulfilling lives. She is a member of the Senior Housing and Healthcare Association (SHHA), actively engaged in shaping healthy ageing residence concepts aligned with the wellness real estate trend, blending health, design, and community.

    Panelist

    Adam Czerniak

    Vice President, Krajowy Zasob Nieruchomosci

    Adam Czerniak - Deputy President of the National Real Estate Stock, an associate professor at the SGH Warsaw School of Economics and head of the Institutional and Political Economy Unit. Between 2013 and 2024, he helped to develop the Polityka Insight center for policy analysis, where he served as chief economist and then also as director for research. Until 2012, he worked as a banking economist, previously he cooperated with the World Bank and the FOR Foundation, he was also a Ronald Coase Institute scholarship fellow. He authored dozens of publications in the field of housing studies, comparative capitalism, and political economy. He is the Polish representative to the European Master in Official Statistics Board (term 2021-2023 and 2024-2026).

    Speaker

    Pawel Olszynka

    Head ICT & Digital Market Analyst w PMR by Hume’s | COO, PMR

    A leader in ICT market research | Enthusiast of new technologies and innovations supporting business growth. I have over 20 years of experience in managing complex research projects and ICT market analyses in Poland and Central Europe. I specialize in identifying and quantifying technological trends, developing multidimensional analyses and forecasts, and building data-driven strategies that help companies make informed decisions in the area of digital transformation. At market research and consultancy PMR, I serve as COO and lead a team of ICT sector analysts, ensuring high-quality, strategic market insights across cloud computing, data centers, AI, cybersecurity, and telecommunications services. I actively support clients in making business decisions. I also enjoy sharing my knowledge as a speaker, moderator, and industry expert. Graduate of the Krakow University of Economics and a scholarship recipient at Grand Valley State University (Michigan, USA).

    Panelist

    Wojciech Wrochna

    Secretary of State, Ministry of Energy

    Government Plenipotentiary for Strategic Energy Infrastructure; He is a lawyer and energy expert. He specializes in energy law, European law, and European economic law, with particular emphasis on competition and regulation, including state aid and regulatory matters, as well as investments and transactions between entities operating on regulated markets. He studied at the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Silesia. He holds a degree with a specialization in International, European, and Comparative Law from the Robert Schuman University in Strasbourg and also completed an LL.M. in European Litigation at the International University Institute in Luxembourg. For almost 15 years, he has been advising on investment projects in energy generation, including renewable energy and nuclear power, as well as the use of hydrogen in energy and transport. He provides legal support for strategic energy projects in Poland, including gas, grid, and other critical infrastructure projects, as well as the construction of industrial installations and greenfield factories. He has been involved in most of Poland's key energy projects. He has experience in European institutions and government agencies. He is an academic lecturer, author of articles on EU and energy law, and co-author of a commentary on the Treaty establishing the European Community and Energy Law.

    Panelist

    Magdalena Uler-Kłeczek

    Chief Investment Officer, 7R SA

    Magdalena Uler-Kłeczek is a Board Member and Chief Investment Officer (CIO) at 7R, where she also leads the Capital Markets team. In her role on the Management Board, Magda focuses on shaping the company's strategic direction, providing crucial input to ensure 7R's continued growth and success. She is involvement in strategic planning to help position 7R to seize new opportunities and strengthen its market position. As CIO she is responsible for securing equity financing for 7R's logistics development projects, managing relationships with investors, and overseeing the disposal of existing assets. Since joining 7R in April 2023, she has led disposals amounting to approximately EUR 100 million and secured equity partners for several projects in Poland and Czechia, totalling over EUR 100 million. Magdalena has more than 12 years of experience in commercial real estate. Before joining 7R, she spent 11 years at top advisory firms JLL and Colliers, focusing on the logistics and office sectors and advising on deals totalling over €2.5 billion. She was named the 2024 CEEQA Rising Star Industry Professional.

    Panelist

    Aleksandra Smith-Kozlowska

    Director, Research, ULI Europe, Urban Land Institute - Europe

    Aleksandra is a director in Urban Land Institute’s research team, and she specialises in sustainable built environment. Her role is to advance the C Change programme in Europe, supporting the real estate community to speed up the decarbonisation process and scale up initiatives. She is also working with the Randall Lewis Center for Sustainability at ULI’s HQ in the United States, focusing on the business case for green buildings by tying carbon reductions to increased asset value.

    Panelist

    Marcin Cieplinski

    Director of Strategy & Development, ORLEN Synthos Green Energy sp. z o.o.

    A graduate of the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Warsaw. Active in the energy sector since 2004, with professional experience at Polskie Sieci Elektroenergetyczne S.A. and PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna S.A. Since 2007, involved in work related to the implementation of nuclear power in Poland, and from 2009 served as Director of the Nuclear Energy Department at PGE Polska Grupa Energetyczna S.A. From 2019, associated with PGE EJ 1 sp. z o.o. (currently Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe sp. z o.o.), including serving as Director of the Program Coordination Office. Since 2022, employed at ORLEN Synthos Green Energy sp. z o.o.

    Panelist

    Konrad Wilczak

    Associate Director / Senior Banker, EBRD - European Bank Reconstruction & Development

    Konrad Wilczak holds the Deputy Head of Poland position at the EBRD’s Warsaw office. An accomplished corporate finance professional, Konrad has more than 15 years of experience at the EBRD, where he has played a key role in business development and project delivery in Poland. He was instrumental in originating and structuring projects across the Corporate sector, contributing to over EUR 2 billion in signed investments. Prior to working at the EBRD, Konrad honed his financial expertise as an Investment Associate in BZ WBK (Santander), focusing on capital market transactions. His earlier career at EY involved advisory and financial modelling for infrastructure projects, public-private partnerships, and restructurings. Konrad is a member of CFA Institute and holds the CFA charter.

    Q&A Moderator

    Brett Hartle

    Head of Business Development CEE, WiredScore

    Brett leads WiredScore's global certifications for digital connectivity and smart building technology across Central and Eastern Europe. Based in Warsaw, he works with investors and property developers to increase asset value and long-term competitiveness through the implementation of WiredScore and SmartScore standards. Throughout a 15-year career with Skanska, WeWork, and in PropTech, Brett has overseen complex developments across the US, Nordics, and CEE. With a degree in Construction Management from the University of Washington, he brings a rare global perspective to how physical building construction must work in tandem with technology to drive long-term commercial success in modern real estate.

    Panelist

    Thomas Kächele

    Director, Head of Germany and CEE, M&G Real Estate

    Thomas opened the German branch of M&G in 2013. Since then, he’s responsible for Acquisition and Asset Management for Germany and CEE, mainly Poland. Before he took over CEE, Thomas was responsible for the Netherlands and the Nordics. Working for several M&G funds, the focus is not only on Residential Assets but all Asset Classes. Before joining M&G, Thomas was responsible for the Asset Management within ING Real Estate in Germany and thereafter he worked for a family office in several functions to oversee their real estate activities and project developments. Thomas started his career in the construction business as a civil engineer, managing several big turn key projects, mainly logistics warehouses and office properties.

    Panelist

    Marta Sekulska-Wronska

    CEO, WXCA Sp. z o.o.

    Architect, President of the Warsaw Branch of the Association of Polish Architects (SARP) (2019-2023), Member of the SARP Competition Judges College, and the Chamber of Architects of the Republic of Poland. She has played a key leadership role in numerous award-winning projects in prestigious competitions, including the Polish Pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai and one of the largest museum complexes in Europe at the Warsaw Citadel, housing the Museum of Polish History and the Polish Army Museum. Together with the team, she has been twice nominated for the Mies van der Rohe Award, for the Geological Education Center in Chęciny and the Palmiry Memorial Museum. She specializes in the design and development of complex public and commercial projects in architecture, urban planning, and landscape architecture. In her practice, she combines a deep understanding of natural and social contexts, leading her team in creating projects that serve as integrative platforms for dialogue. She is involved in creating a vision for a new district on the revitalized site of the former Passenger Car Factory (F.S.O. Park), spanning over 60 hectares, as well as the project to reconstruct the western façade of Piłsudski Square, including the Saxon Palace and Brühl Palace. She is also a frequent speaker at architectural events, and business conferences. She holds a degree from the Faculty of Architecture at the Warsaw University of Technology.  

    Host

    Marcin Juszczyk

    Managing Partner, Capital Park sp. z o.o.

    Chairman of Urban Land Institute in Poland since October 2023. Managing Partner and Vice President of the Board of Capital Park Group with over 20 years of professional experience in the real estate sector and with over 10 years experience in running of the company listed on Warsaw Stock Exchange (WSE:CPG). Played strategic roles in Capital Park since its formation in 2003, starting as CFO and then as Head of Investment Department since 2006. Within Management Board responsible for areas of strategic business development, M&A, joint ventures and finance areas. Took part in over 100 transactions involving properties all across Poland, secured over €700m in bank financing and raised over €100m in bonds and shares issues on Polish capital market. Local partner to leading Private Equity Real Estate fund managers such as Patron Capital Partners and Madison International Realty on Polish market. Developer of Norblin Factory in Warsaw - the winner of ULI European and Global Awards for Excellence in 2022. Before joining Capital Park - CFO in Communication One Group / Call Center Poland SA – a leading Polish call/contact center outsourcing group. Until 2001 worked as management and information systems consultant and project leader. Member of the REIT Poland Association, the Polish Chamber of Commercial Real Estate (PINK) and the Foundation for Education and Research on REITs. Interested in large scale sustainable urban development projects, mixed-use, premium residential, conversions, brownfield regeneration and revitalization projects.

    Facilitator

    Marcin Zebrowski

    Research, Ecosystem, Knowledge Lead, Urban Partners

    Urbanist | Podcast Host | Knowledge & Editorial Lead | BD & Marketing Strategist Marcin is the Knowledge & Editorial Lead in the Public Affairs Team at Urban Partners, where he shapes the firm’s urban partnerships and strategic positioning across Europe. He leads the Urban Partnerships workstream, coordinating collaborations with C40, Ramboll, Arup, BLOXHUB, and other major urban organizations. His work includes steering knowledge production, editorial strategy, and cross-sector engagement. Marcin manages flagship publications and dissemination efforts—most recently The Copenhagen Way, a major joint study capturing Copenhagen’s urban transformation and its lessons for European cities. His role brings together research, partnerships, communications, and stakeholder relations to enhance Urban Partners’ contribution to resilient, sustainable, and competitive European urban regions. Alongside this, Marcin is the founder and host of Urbcast, a leading bilingual podcast on architecture and urbanism with 250+ episodes and listeners in 130+ countries. He is recognized for making complex urban topics engaging and accessible through clear, compelling storytelling. With a background in business development and marketing—previously at Henning Larsen, where he supported major urban and architectural bids across Europe, Australia, and the Middle East—Marcin has a strong record in strategic communication, partnerships, and project positioning. As an experienced moderator and event host, he has led conferences, spoken to audiences of 1,000+, and supported organizations in communicating their urban vision with clarity and impact. Skills: Urban Policy • Knowledge Production • Editorial Strategy • Partnerships • Urban Development • Public Affairs • Strategic Communications • Podcasting • Stakeholder Engagement • Event Moderation • Sustainable Cities

    Moderator

    Joanna Wojnarowska

    Senior Partner, Global Deputy Head of Real Estate, DWF Poland Jamka s.p.k.

    I’m a transactional lawyer with nearly 30 years at leading international firms, advising on high-profile real estate and construction projects across all major asset classes. As Deputy Global Head of Real Estate at DWF Group and Head of Real Estate in Poland, I focus on acquisitions, disposals, forward funding and the development and commercialisation of complex assets. I am regularly recommended in Legal 500 and Chambers Europe, was shortlisted for Property Week’s Inspiring Women in Property Awards 2025, and was recognised by My Company Polska as one of the 15 most influential women lawyers in business. The DWF (Poland) Real Estate team I lead was recognised with the Local Law Firm of the Year award at the 15th Annual CEE Investment Awards. I’m a Global Governing Trustee at ULI and a member of the ULI Poland Executive Committee, contributing to mentoring, thought leadership and cross-sector collaboration to shape the future of cities.

    Speaker

    Maximilian Mendel

    Managing Partner, SPHERE Asset Management Sp. z o.o.

    Together with three partners, I have founded SPHERE Asset Management – an exciting new chapter that opens up opportunities for collaboration in the Polish living sector and beyond. Before SPHERE, I was Managing Director of ZEITGEIST Asset Management, managing the Polish branch and all related SPVs. Prior to this, I was Senior Director and Head of Living Investment at JLL and beforehand one of the partners of REAS | Residential Advisors. Overall, I have 20 years of experience in the real estate sector, especially in investor relations, transactions, asset management, property development, leasing and operations, advisory, and research. I hold a master's degree in urban planning from TU Dortmund, Germany, and a PhD from the Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization of the Polish Academy of Sciences. I am Member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS) and member of the Urban Land Institute where I am co-chairing the ULI Urban Living Product Council in Poland.