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Magnus Brunner
Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration
European Commission
Magnus Brunner is responsible for strengthening Europe’s internal security, designing and upgrading EU legislation, policies and operational responses to meet the many threats we face and ensure every European citizen’s basic right to feel safe is met.
He also oversees the Commission’s efforts to deliver a stronger, more agile and fully digitalised common border and is also responsible for migration issues. On that front, he will work together with Member States and EU agencies to manage migration effectively, firmly and fairly.
Igor Taro
Minister of the Interior
Estonian Ministry of the Interior
Igor Taro is responsible for the organisation of activities related to the country's internal security, public order, border guards, rescue services, emergency notifications, citizenship and migration.
He also manages population procedures, citizenship policy, as well as civil society and religious affairs.
Rene Vihalem
Chair of the Management Board
eu-LISA
Rene Vihalem was elected to chair eu-LISA's Management Board in March 2024, after previously having been Deputy Chair.
Mr Vihalem is an advisor in the Estonian Ministry of the Interior, where he also worked as EU IT projects coordinator, head of the IT policy department and project manager for the national implementation of the Schengen Information System (SIS), managed by eu-LISA.
He held several management roles within the Estonian Forensic Science Institute and the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board.
Marili Männik
Executive Director ad interim
eu-LISA
Marili Männik became eu-LISA's Deputy Executive Director on 16 August 2024. She has also been appointed interim Executive Director by the Agency's Management Board, a function she will hold until a new Executive Director takes office.
Ms Männik has an Executive MBA from the University of Oxford, and also holds degrees from TalTech (BSc), EBS (MSc), and EM Strasbourg Business School (Dual MSc), with a background in business, technology and finance.
She has extensive experience in consulting and audit, having held senior roles at PwC and EY, with expertise in public sector management, digital transformation and internal management.
Johannes Tralla
Moderator of the eu-LISA High-Level Conference
Johannes Tralla is a journalist at Estonian Public Broadcasting who started his career reporting on technology and culture.
He was the Brussels based EU correspondent from 2012 to 2018. From the autumn of 2018, Mr Tralla has been hosting a current affairs program “Esimene stuudio” and a foreign news program “Välisilm” on ETV. He is also anchoring and reporting the news for “Aktuaalne kaamera”.
Tiina Uudeberg
Secretary General
Estonian Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs
Tiina Uudeberg has held the position of Secretary General, the highest-ranking civil servant, at the Estonian Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs since March 2025. She brings extensive experience from the Estonian Ministry of Defence, where she held senior positions starting in 2011, most recently serving as Undersecretary for Defence Planning. Prior to that, Ms Uudeberg led the Defence Planning Department, worked on strategic development plans and the defence budget, and represented Estonia in NATO resource policy matters.
She holds a Master’s degree in Political Science from the University of Tartu and an MSc in National Strategy and Defence Resource Management from the National Defense University in the United States.
Philippe Van Damme
Deputy Director-General "Digital Services"
European Commission
Philippe Van Damme is leading the European Commission Directorate-General for Digital Services (DG DIGIT), a department responsible for digital services that support all Commission departments and other EU institutions in their daily work and that help public administrations in EU member countries.
In his previous function as Director Digital Workplace and Infrastructure he was in charge of the Commission's ICT infrastructure services such as data centres, cloud, network and telecommunications facilities and the engineering and support of the institution's digital workplace.
Between 2009 and 2014, Mr Van Damme was head of unit in the Informatics Directorate-General managing the portfolio of administrative information systems for human resources, salaries, pensions and sickness insurance management for staff members of the European institutions.
Maria Bouligaraki
Head of the Programme and Engineering Department
eu-LISA
Maria Bouligaraki is the Head of the Programme and Engineering Department in eu-LISA, driving a diverse portfolio of products and services. She has been with eu-LISA since the first day of the Agency’s operations.
Ms Bouligaraki is an experienced leader with almost 25 years of experience in leading multidisciplinary teams and driving digital transformation programmes within EU and National administrations, under different policy contexts.
She holds a BSc in Information Systems and a MSc degrees in EU Law, Information Systems and Artificial Intelligence. Her latest study focused on the impact of AI in EU Law. Ms Bouligaraki is also a member of the ‘Women in Tech’ initiatives aiming at a more diverse and inclusive tech industry.
Ott Velsberg
Government Chief Data Officer
Estonian Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs
Dr. Ott Velsberg is a renowned Estonian IT specialist and government official, known for his expertise in data governance and data science. As the current Chief Data Officer of Estonia, he is responsible for driving the country’s data and AI policy and initiatives related to the use of data in the public sector.
Under his leadership, Estonia has gained a reputation as a trendsetter in data governance, open data, and artificial intelligence.
Linnar Viik
Member of the Board
Mobi Solutions
Linnar Viik was one of the founders of the Estonian e-Governance Academy and Programme Director of Smart Governance. Mr Viik has advised the Estonian and other governments on ICT and innovation policy and is recognised as an IT visionary.
He currently serves as a member of the NATO Advisory Group on Emerging and Disruptive Technologies, and is a lecturer on innovation management at the University of Tartu. In 2019, Mr Viik was elected Chairman of the EIT Digital Council. He is a former executive at several mobile communications, broadband, and software companies such as Skype and Fortumo, an advisor at the Nordic Investment Bank, and a Board Member of the European Institute for Innovation and Technology.
Mr Viik is also co-founder and member of the board of the mobile services and software development company Mobi Solutions and of start-up Pocopay.
Samuel Marchal
Research Team Leader
VTT
Dr. Samuel Marchal leads the research team for Cybersecurity Engineering and Automation at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland. He received his engineering and M.Sc. degrees from TELECOM Nancy, France, and a Ph.D. degree in computer science from the University of Luxembourg.
Mr Marchal has over 13 years of academic research experience in system security, network security and AI security. He has led and contributed to multiple collaborative research projects with organizations such as Intel, Huawei and McAfee.
Before joining VTT, he led AI security research at F-Secure and WithSecure, developing approaches for the security assessment of AI systems. His current research interests lie at the intersection of AI and cybersecurity, namely using AI for cybersecurity, the security of AI systems and the use of AI in cyberattacks.
Rui Martins Lourenço
Team Leader
European Union Intellectual Property Office
Rui Martins Lourenço is Team Leader of the IT Governance Team at the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), where he leads IT project planning, delivery, and financial management within the Digital Innovation Department. He has managed several core business IT projects at EUIPO, including the development of modern tools for managing intellectual property rights, process automation, and operational efficiency improvements.
Previously, Mr Lourenço served as Head of IT at the Portuguese Institute of Industrial Property (INPI), where he defined and implemented key digital initiatives. With over two decades of experience in IT strategy and project management, Mr Lourenço brings a comprehensive perspective to IT governance and innovation in the intellectual property sector.
Matthias Oel
Director for Societal Resilience and Security
Joint Research Centre, European Commission
Matthias Oel is the Director for Societal Resilience and Security at the Joint Research Centre (JRC). He was acting Deputy Director-General from March to July 2025.
Beforehand, he worked in DG HOME as Head of Unit Asylum, Director for Migration and Security Funds and Director for Schengen, Borders, Visa and Innovation. From 2010 until 2012 he was Special Adviser in the Cabinet of the President of the European Council.
Mr Oel started his career in the German Federal Ministry for Economics and joined the Commission in 1995 as National Expert in the Cabinet of Commissioner Wulf-Mathies. In 1997, he moved to the Permanent Representation of Germany as Counsellor for Industry and Regional Policy. In 1999, he became a Commission official and worked as Assistant to the Director General of DG ADMIN and as Member of the Cabinet of Vice-President Verheugen covering Industry Policy. In 2006, Mr Oel was seconded to the German Federal Ministry of Interior where he worked as EU-Director until joining the Cabinet of President Van Rompuy.
Tobias Broser
Head of Unit for Information Management and Innovation
Europol
Tobias Broser is the Head of Unit for Information Management and Innovation at Europol, overseeing the Europol Innovation Lab activities. In this role, he manages activities that drive law-enforcement innovation across the EU, coordinating with Member States and EU institutions to ensure that Europol remains at the forefront of technological and operational development.
During 2018-2022, Mr Broser served as Head of the German Liaison Office at Europol. Prior to this, after completing Law Studies and subsequent Senior Police Academy Training in 2006, Mr Broser served in senior roles at the German Federal Central Police force, Bundeskriminalamt (BKA), where he worked on the areas of Counter Terrorism, Serious Organised Crime & on the Training of Special Forces.
Uku Särekanno
Deputy Executive Director for Information Management and Processes
Frontex
Uku Särekanno oversees the implementation of the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) and interoperability framework. He is also in charge of Frontex’s crises management and corporate functions related to ICT, financial management, security and facilities.
Mr Särekanno has worked in the European Commission and various Estonian public administration positions during his 19-year-long career, including serving as Deputy Director General of the Estonian Information System Authority and as Director of Law Enforcement and Criminal Policy at the Ministry of the Interior.
Before becoming one of three Frontex Deputy Executive Directors in 2022, Mr Särekanno was Head of Cabinet at eu-LISA, where he oversaw the coordination of the EU agency’s key activities.
Lena Düpont
Member of European Parliament and
Member of the Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs Committee
Lena Düpont studied political science and Christian journalism and has an MBA in Public Affairs & Leadership. Before becoming an MEP, she worked in the EP and the German Bundestag as research assistant to different MPs, as well as consultant for EU affairs. She is Member of the European Parliament since 2019, serving her second term.
Ms Düpont sits in the Committees on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs, the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, and the newly established Special committee on the European Democracy Shield.
Since the beginning of 2025, she is chairperson of the Schengen & Border Scrutiny Working group, underlining one of her main working fields asylum and migration.
Fanny Coudert
Deputy Head of the Supervision and Enforcement Unit
European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS)
Fanny Coudert is a legal expert in data protection and privacy, currently serving as Deputy Head of the Supervision and Enforcement Unit at the European Data Protection Supervisor (EDPS). Since joining the EDPS in 2017, she has overseen the supervision of EU bodies operating in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice, including the processing of sensitive and operational data by agencies such as Europol, Eurojust, and the EPPO.
Ms Coudert also coordinates the Coordinated Supervision Committee of the European Data Protection Board, fostering cooperation among supervisory authorities to ensure consistent oversight of EU-wide systems and large-scale IT infrastructures.
Prior to her role at the EDPS, she was a researcher at KU Leuven’s Centre for IT & IP Law (CiTiP), focusing on privacy, surveillance, and the legal implications of emerging technologies. Ms Coudert brings extensive expertise in EU data protection law, cross-border enforcement, and the interplay between technological innovation and fundamental rights, making her a key voice on the rule of law and autonomy in strategic technological choices.
Kristi Täht
Head of the Human Resources Unit
eu-LISA
Kristi Täht is leading the Human Resources Unit in eu-LISA across three Member States (Estonia, France, Belgium). She has extensive experience in Human Resource management in the public sector, having been Head of HR for Estonian EU Presidency, building the team and coordinating the preparations for the EU Presidency in HR field.
Ms Täht has worked as Human Resources Manager in the Ministry of Justice, leading HR, planning and organisational development. She holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) and a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from Tallinn University.
Arnaud Castaignet
Vice President of Government Affairs & Strategic Partnerships
Skeleton Technologies
Arnaud Castaignet is Vice President of Government Affairs & Strategic Partnerships at Skeleton Technologies, a global leader in graphene-based high-power energy storage for AI data centres, grid, and defense applications.
Mr Castaignet has been working in government and public affairs for 15 years, having previously worked for the French President Francois Hollande and as Director of Political Outreach of DIGITALEUROPE, Europe’s largest tech lobby. Additionally, he is also a mentor in start-up incubators such as NATO DIANA Accelerator and BRAVE1, and an Advisory Board Member of Euro Créative, a French think tank specialised in foreign policy.
Arne Ansper
Chief Technology Officer
Cybernetica
Arne Ansper is a consummate professional with extensive experience in software development. He has been designing and building security-critical distributed systems since 1995 and government information systems since 2001.
Among other systems he designed the architecture of the Estonian governmental backbone X-Road. The founding principles were first described in his MSc thesis and later refined and implemented in X-Road, by far the most successful e-Government project in Estonia.
In recent years he has been involved as security and system architecture expert in most of the development projects of Cybernetica, as well as the consoritum lead of the Secure Digital Military Mobility project involving 11 EU countries.
Laura Halenius
Senior Lead, Growth from Critical Technologies
Sitra
Laura Halenius leads the Growth from Critical Technologies initiative at the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra. This flagship project boosts Finland’s innovation and resilience through strategic funding and partnerships in emerging technologies such as AI, quantum, and defense.
Mailis Pukonen
Head of the Strategic Planning and Directorate Unit
CEPOL
Mailis Pukonen is a senior EU official with more than 25 years of experience in strategic planning, governance, and international cooperation, currently serving as Head of Strategic Planning and Directorate at CEPOL. She has held senior leadership roles in EU agencies, including Deputy Director and Head of Operations at CEPOL (2018–2023) and Head of General Coordination at eu-LISA (2012–2018), where she was part of the founding team establishing the Agency.
Between 1997 and 2010, Ms Pukonen held senior posts within the Government Office of Estonia, serving as Deputy Director for EU Affairs, where she coordinated key elements of Estonia’s EU policy agenda and supported EU Presidency preparations.
Her earlier career includes serving as Counsellor at the Estonian Permanent Representation to the EU, as well as international assignments such as Team Leader of an EU project in Kosovo and High-Level Adviser to the Finnish EU Presidency. She has made significant contributions to Estonia’s EU integration process, EU law enforcement cooperation, and capacity-building in the enlargement and external relations context.
Theofanis Syrigos
Head of the Programme and Solutions Management Unit
eu-LISA
Theofanis Syrigos is the head of the Programme and Solutions Management Unit at eu-LISA. He previously chaired the EES-ETIAS Advisory Group, leading and coordinating the activities of the Working Group for the ICT solutions of the Member States with external Land and Sea borders.
Mr Syrigos is an ICT engineer with more than 25 years of experience in the field of large-scale IT Systems in the area of Justice and Home Affairs. He served in numerous Diplomatic Missions of his home country, he was the Head of the Schengen Sector in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as a seconded National Expert at the European Commission, Directorate-General for Home Affairs.
Lorenzo Rinaldi
Head of the Business and Stakeholder Relations Unit
eu-LISA
Lorenzo Rinaldi is in charge of eu-LISA’s relations with EU Agencies, external institutions, national authorities and other stakeholders, from business management to external relations. He is also responsible for supporting the governing bodies of eu-LISA and for the Agency's internal and external communication activities. Before joining the Agency, he was the Chairperson of the eu-LISA Eurodac Advisory Group, between 2018 and 2023.
Mr Rinaldi held various positions in the Italian Ministry of the Interior, focusing on biometrics and face recognition, e-documents, digital forensics, information exchange and identity management, as well as projects related to SIS, VIS, and the new architecture of the EU IT systems.
He holds a degree in Physics, a PhD in the field of Information Engineering, and has completed police training in law enforcement, immigration and asylum matters, and judicial and international police cooperation.