International Baltic Road Conference 2025

Christian Kromme is a futurist, disruptive technology expert, and author of the bestseller "Humanification: Go Digital, Stay Human." He explores the parallels between biology and technology, helping leaders navigate rapid change.

In 2002, he founded Artificial Industry, working with companies like Philips, Toyota, and Adidas. After selling his company in 2015, Christian now writes, speaks, and develops AI solutions through the SymbioSys platform.

Alexander Ståhle is an urban researcher and urban planner with a focus on sustainability. He is one of the Scandinavia's most used lecturers in urban development, construction and traffic. Alexander has lectured in most Swedish and Norwegian urban municipalities, for the large construction companies and property owners, as well as at several large conferences on sustainable cities and property development. He is appreciated for his fun, easy-going and educational way of talking about how we can develop the cities of the future.
Alexander Ståhle is a PhD in urban planning at KTH and CEO of the architectural firm Spacescape. He is a trained landscape architect and received his doctorate with a thesis on densification and public green spaces. At KTH, he has researched how cities and urban plans create attractiveness, sustainability and justice. Alexander's heart issue is precisely sustainable urban development.

Sustainable Development, Urban Mobility, and Project Management
- He was secretary-general of the International Transport Forum (ITF) at the OECD (2012-2017)
- He was Professor at the school of Engineering of the University of Lisboa (1992-2012), creating and leading its Transport Infrastructure, Policy and Systems research group
- He was referenced as one of the top 2% of worldwide scientists across all domains, based on the impact of publications (Stanford University, 2022)
- He was project coordinator of some 12 EC (DG7, DGMove) research projects
- He has worked as advisor to several Ministers of Public works and Mayors of large cities in Portugal, and been a consultant to the Presidents of RATP and SNCF in France
- He is Permanent Ambassador of the UITP
- Currently he is Chairman of the Board of TIS.pt, a Portuguese consultancy on Transport system, which he founded in 1992

Kjell gives an overview of the economic landscape and how to develop and optimize your business. With Ghandi-like charisma and a unique ability to predict the future, Kjell A. Nordström is one of the world’s most loved and sought-after lecturers. Dr. Nordström bases his observations and predictions on reliable research, the latest movements on the global market and his unparalleled experience and insight.

Emanuela Stocchi is President of the PIARC (World Road Association) since 2025.
Emanuela is an expert in EU legislation and policies and she is Director of International Affairs for AISCAT (Associazione Italiana Società Concessionarie Autostrade e Trafori), the Italian Association of Toll Highways Concessionaires Companies. In this role she ensures the Association’s contacts with the EU Institutions and other European and International organizations active in the transportation field.
Emanuela is Vice Chair of the ASECAP (European Association of Toll Highways Concessionaires Companies) Permanent Committee of Road Safety, Environment and Sustainability.
Emanuela is currently serving as Past President of IBTTA (International Bridge, Tunnel and Tunrpike Association), being member of the IBTTA Past Presidents Advisory Council, as well as of the International Committee, the Nominating Committee, the Toll Immersion Program Task Force, the Sustainability and Resilience Task Force and the Women in Tolling Council of IBTTA. She served IBTTA and its members through work on several committees before being appointed to the board of directors in 2011. She also served a two-year term as international vice president, a one-year term as second-vice president, a one-year term as first vice president, a one year term IBTTA president in 2017, under the theme she had chosen for her year "International Mobility Connections".

Currently acting as the CEO of AB “Via Lietuva”. Martynas is an infrastructure strategy and management expert with more than 15 years of experience in the transport and infrastructure sector. He graduated Vilnius Gedimino Technical University with a Bachelor’s degree in Road and Railway Engineering and a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering. He has been working as the Head of Infrastructure Support and Development at AB “Via Lietuva” for a long time, where he is responsible for the development of road network strategies, implementation of innovation and digitalization solutions. Previously, he headed the Strategic Infrastructure Department at AB “Litgrid”, where he formed the company’s strategy and managed the infrastructure investment portfolio. He was also a member of the Board of UAB “Voestalpine Railway Systems”, President and Chairman of the Board of the Association “GELPA”, where he represented the interests of the sector in the process of legislative and standards development. As the Head of the Technical Development Department at AB “Lietuvos geležinkeliai”, he developed and implemented technical, technological and digitalization strategies, and represented the group of companies internationally. While working as the Executive Director of UAB "Railway Construction Center", he strengthened the efficiency and competitiveness of the company's operations.

Prior to joining ICDS at the end of 2008, he served at the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL), as the deputy director of the College’s Institute for Defence Studies (2001-04) and then the dean of academics (2005-08). In 1998-2001 and 2005, he was with the Defence Policy and Planning Department of the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence, including as the department’s deputy director and head of the defence transformation task-force. Since 2017, he has been a visiting professor at the Natolin Campus of the College of Europe in Warsaw, teaching a course on terrorism and hybrid warfare, and, since 2024, has been involved with the EU Diplomatic Academy at the College of Europe main campus in Bruges. He is also an associated fellow of the Latvian Institute of International Affairs (LIIA). At the ICDS, he deals with various aspects of defence policy and strategy, regional security and defence cooperation in the Baltic area, impact of emerging disruptive technologies on security and defence, energy security and societal resilience. Articles written or co-authored by him appeared in Defence Studies, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, and RUSI Whitehall Papers as well as in the publications of Johns Hopkins University, US Joint Special Operations University, American Academy in Berlin, Latvian Institute of International Affairs, ARES-Armament Industry European Research Group, and NATO Science and Technology Organisation (STO). He has been quoted in such media outlets as The Economist, The Financial Times, The Times, The Telegraph, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, La Monde, La Figaro, El Pais, La Stampa, and others. He holds a BA in political science from Vilnius University, an MA in war studies from King’s College London, and an MBA from the University of Liverpool.

Poland Acting General Director for National Roads and Motorways. A graduate of the Warsaw Military University of Technology in the field of general construction and a graduate of the Częstochowa University of Technology in the field of construction technology, organisation and management. Prior to his appointment as General Director for National Roads and Motorways, he worked at the Mazovian Provincial Roads Authority as Director of the Road District in Grodzisk Mazowiecki. Prior to that, he had worked as a construction manager and engineer, as well as an investment execution specialist.