ABIS Annual Colloquium 2023
ABIS is excited to welcome you to our 22nd Annual Colloquium focusing this year on “Navigating multiple transitions”. We will reflect on the complexities, competing priorities, wicked problems that decision makers in business, business education and policy makers must face and the creative solutions needed to make transitions towards sustainability a reality.
Date | 14 - 15 November 2023 |
Host | ABIS - The Academy of Business in Society |
Venue | Kozminski University |
Focus | Navigating Multiple Transitions |
Event Report
Speakers
Joanna Wis-Bielewicz
Head of Market Development, Ørsted

Joanna Wis-Bielewicz
Head of Market Development, Ørsted
Joanna Wis-Bielewicz is a journalist and climate policy expert who has been professionally engaged in environmental protection for nearly 20 years. Her focus is on water stewardship, biodiversity protection, and climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Joanna worked for leading non-governmental organizations and think tanks including WWF and Right to Play in Ethiopia. She led the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) in Central and Eastern Europe, provided advice to businesses and investors on potential climate change mitigation strategies, and worked with local governments across Europe to implement local climate action plans while employed by Adelphi Research, the largest sustainability think-to-do-tank in Europe.
Currently Joanna holds the role of the Head of Market Development at Ørsted Poland — the world's leading offshore wind investor and most sustainable energy company in the world — and supports Poland’s energy transformation working on the development of the biggest renewable energy project in the history of Poland offshore wind farm Baltica 2+3 (2,5GW). Rooted in deep ecology in 2023 Joanna had co-translated Active Hope-unique, provoking and profound book by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone and leads workshops based on The Work That Reconnects methodology.

Paweł Nizinski
CEO, B Lab Poland; CEO, better; Partner, NOW.Partners

Paweł Nizinski
CEO, B Lab Poland; CEO, better; Partner, NOW.Partners

Leon Wijnands
Head of Sustainability, ING NL

Leon Wijnands
Head of Sustainability, ING NL
Léon Wijnands is the Head of Sustainability ING NL and has been at the forefront of setting sustainability as a strategic priority for ING and building into the purpose of the company for over decade. He was previously Global Head of Sustainability and set a new direction in 2017 focussing on integrating sustainability more into the core business of ING and accelerating two themes where ING can have an impact on society: financially empowering people and navigating sustainable transitions for businesses.
Léon has more than 25 years of experience in banking, particularly in the field of sales and marketing. Prior to his current position, Léon led the ING Bank Customer Contact Centers and the Customer Intelligence team. Over the years he was responsible for the 21 branches in the “District Amsterdam” and has led many marketing initiatives as well as change programmes.
Léon holds a master degree in business economics, business administration and financial economics. He joined ING in 1990.

Michal Kurtyka
COP24 President, former Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment for Poland (2016-2021)

Michal Kurtyka
COP24 President, former Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment for Poland (2016-2021)

Maria Andrzejewska
Director General, UNEP/GRID-Warsaw

Maria Andrzejewska
Director General, UNEP/GRID-Warsaw

Milla Unkila
Senior Researcher, Turku School of Economics

Milla Unkila
Senior Researcher, Turku School of Economics

Bart Cambré
Associate Dean, Research and Valorization and Professor, Antwerp Management School

Bart Cambré
Associate Dean, Research and Valorization and Professor, Antwerp Management School

Ewelina Sasin
Cofounder, TerGo - It pays to go Green

Ewelina Sasin
Cofounder, TerGo - It pays to go Green

Giorgia Calvaresi
Vice President, Junior Enterprises Europe

Giorgia Calvaresi
Vice President, Junior Enterprises Europe

Bolesław Rok
Professor, Sustainability Management and Director of Positive Entrepreneurship Lab, Kozminski University

Bolesław Rok
Professor, Sustainability Management and Director of Positive Entrepreneurship Lab, Kozminski University

Joan Fontrodona
Professor of Business Ethics, IESE

Joan Fontrodona
Professor of Business Ethics, IESE

Joanna Radeke
Executive Director, FUTURE Institute for Sustainable Transformati on, ESMT Berlin

Joanna Radeke
Executive Director, FUTURE Institute for Sustainable Transformati on, ESMT Berlin

Anna Górska
Director, Women and Diversity in Organizations Research Center and Assistant Professor, Kozminski University

Anna Górska
Director, Women and Diversity in Organizations Research Center and Assistant Professor, Kozminski University

Ivo Matser
Chief Executive Officer, ABIS

Ivo Matser
Chief Executive Officer, ABIS

Waldemar Karpa
Professor, Kozminski University

Waldemar Karpa
Professor, Kozminski University

Matylda Szyrle
Founder, Listny Cud, an urban vertical farm startup

Matylda Szyrle
Founder, Listny Cud, an urban vertical farm startup

Franjo Mlinaric
Professor, Head of Finance and Accounting Programs, Kozminski University

Franjo Mlinaric
Professor, Head of Finance and Accounting Programs, Kozminski University

Justyna Kulawik-Dutkowska
Key Account Manager / Strategy & Funding Expert, EIT Food

Justyna Kulawik-Dutkowska
Key Account Manager / Strategy & Funding Expert, EIT Food

Laura Maria Ferri
Associate Professor, Business Economics and Management, ALTIS Graduate School of Sustainable Management

Laura Maria Ferri
Associate Professor, Business Economics and Management, ALTIS Graduate School of Sustainable Management

Robert Sroka
Partner, Abris Capital Partners, Value Enhancement, ESG

Robert Sroka
Partner, Abris Capital Partners, Value Enhancement, ESG

Jacqueline Kacprzak
Responsible Business Conduct, Business and Human Rights, Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy, Poland

Jacqueline Kacprzak
Responsible Business Conduct, Business and Human Rights, Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy, Poland

Krzysztof Kaminski
Sustainable Investment Forum Poland, CEO; Millennium TFI S.A., Board Member

Krzysztof Kaminski
Sustainable Investment Forum Poland, CEO; Millennium TFI S.A., Board Member

Robert Adamczyk
ESG Adviser, EBRD; Member EFRAG TWG ESRS

Robert Adamczyk
ESG Adviser, EBRD; Member EFRAG TWG ESRS

Monika Sonta
Assistant Professor in the Department of Networked and Digital Society, Kozminski University

Monika Sonta
Assistant Professor in the Department of Networked and Digital Society, Kozminski University

Grzegorz Mazurek
Rector and Professor, Kozminski University

Karolina Sobczak
Knowledge Manager

Karolina Sobczak
Knowledge Manager

Programme
- 13 November
- 14 November
- 15 November
Welcome Day
16:00 – 17:00 |
ABIS Board Meeting |
17:15 - 18:30 |
ABIS Annual General Assembly |
18:30 - 19:30 |
Welcome reception |
8:30-9:30 |
Registration and Welcome Coffee |
9:30- 9:40 |
Welcome speeches - Anna Górska - Assistant Professor and Director of the Women and Diversity in Organizations Research Center, Kozminski University |
9:40-10:10 |
Opening Keynote: Transforming business and integrating sustainability in its DNA - Paweł Nizinski - CEO B Lab Poland; CEO, better; Partner, NOW.Partners
|
10:10-11:10 |
Panel: Multiple Transitions Compass: Embracing Transformative Approaches - Leon Wijnands - Head of Sustainability, ING NL - Laura Maria Ferri -Associate Professor, Business Economics and Management, ALTIS Graduate School of Sustainable Management Entrepreneurship Lab, Kozminski University - Karolina Sobczak - Knowledge Manager, ABIS (moderator) |
11:10-11:45 |
Networking Coffee Break |
11:40-13:10 |
In depth dialogues #1 These sessions aim to allow for more focused discussion as well as more direct and active participation of the audience 1.1 Ethical and DEI Transition: Embedding a strong ethical culture and diversity, equity, and inclusion in business - Joan Fontrodona - Professor of Business Ethics, IESE - Anna Górska - Assistant Professor & Director of the Women and Diversity in Organizations Research Center, Kozminski University (moderator)
1.2 ESG Transition: the evolving landscape of responsible business and ESG regulations (hybrid) - Jacqueline Kacprzak - National Contact Point for Responsible Business Conduct, OECD; Counsellor to Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy, Poland - Laura Maria Ferri - Associate Professor, Business Economics and Management, ALTIS Graduate School of Sustainable Management - Bolesław Rok - Professor of Sustainability Management and Director of Positive Entrepreneurship Lab, Kozminski University (moderator)
|
13:10-14:10 |
Networking Lunch |
14:10-15:40 |
Research presentations (tracks) Track A: Transitioning to sustainable energy and business models Track B: Reshaping business practice and education |
15:40-16:00 |
Networking Coffee Break |
16:00-17:30 |
In depth dialogues #2 These sessions aim to allow for more direct and active participation of the audience, using a fishbowl or open space format
2.1 Climate Transition: Tackling the Climate Emergency Proactively - Michal Kurtyka - COP24 President, former Minister of Climate, Energy and Environment in Poland (2016-2021) - Monique de Ritter - Research Specialist Sustainability, Accenture
2.2. Just Transition: restoring biodiversity and shifting food systems to ensure social justice (hybrid) - Justyna Kulawik-Dutkowska - Key Account Manager/Strategy & Funding expert, EIT Food - Matylda Szyrle - Founder, Listny Cud, an urban vertical farm startup |
19:30-21:30 |
Gala Dinner |
8:30-9:00 |
Registration and get together |
9:00-9:05 |
Welcome speech |
9:05-9:30 |
Keynote: Towards a Decarbonized & Regenerative Economy: Charting the Path Forward - Joanna Wis-Bielewicz - Head of Market Development, Ørsted
|
9:30-11:00 |
Research presentations (tracks) Track C: Exploring the impact of artificial intelligence and digital technologies Track D: Investigating sustainability transitions across sectors and geographies (online) |
11:00-11:15 |
Networking break |
11:15-12:30 |
In depth sessions #3 3.1 Business Model Transition: Making Businesses the Best for the World - Paweł Nizinski - B Lab EU Country Partner PL, CEO better, Partner, NOW.Partners - Joanna Radeke - Executive Director, FUTURE Institute for Sustainable Transformation, ESMT Berlin - Monika Sonta - Assistant Professor in the Department of Networked and Digital Society, Kozminski University - Boleslaw Rok - Professor of Sustainability Management and Director of Positive Entrepreneurship Lab, Kozminski University (moderator)
3.2. Financial Transition: Tools for Financing the Sustainable Finance Shift - Franjo Mlinaric - Professor, Head of Finance & Accounting Programs, Kozminski University (moderator) - Krzysztof Kaminski - CEO, Sustainable Investment Forum Poland; Board Member Millennium TFI S.A.
|
12:30-13:25 |
Closing Plenary: Transformative Education for Sustainability: Shaping the Future of Learning - Grzegorz Mazurek - Rector and Professor, Kozminski University - Giorgia Calvaresi - Vice President, Junior Enterprises Europe - Ivo Matser - CEO, ABIS (moderator)
|
13:25-13:30 |
Closing remarks |
13:30-14:30 |
Farewell lunch |