Speakers

Political Roles: Since June 2022, Leonore Gewessler has served as the Deputy Federal Spokesperson for the Green Party. From October 22, 2019, to January 6, 2020, she was the Deputy Chairwoman of the Green Parliamentary Club, representing the Green deputies in the National Council, Federal Council, and European Parliament. Additionally, she is a member of the advisory board at the Green Education Workshop.

Professional Career: Leonore Gewessler has been the Federal Minister for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation, and Technology in the Nehammer government since January 7, 2020. Prior to this, she was a Member of the National Council from October 23, 2019, to January 7, 2020, during the XXVII legislative period. From 2014 to 2019, she served as the Managing Director of the environmental organization Global 2000. Between 2008 and 2014, she was the Founding Director of the Green European Foundation (GEF) in Brussels. Earlier in her career, from 2006 to 2008, she led the office of the District Administration in Vienna-Neubau.

Since 1997 and until December 2023, Mr Ruijters held several positions in DG MOVE, as Director, Head of Unit, advisor to the European Coordinators, and in different roles  developing the road safety policy. Before joining the Commission, he held various positions in The Netherlands related to transport. Mr Ruijters holds degrees from Nijmegen and Amsterdam Universities in both French literature and European Studies, and was post-graduated at the Centre Européen Universitaire in Nancy, in European Law, and in Business Studies at the University in Leuven.

He held a number of management positions at ÖBB and its subsidiary companies in the fields of railway infrastructure projects, human resource, finance and controlling as well as asset management. Under Andreas Matthäs’ leadership, ÖBB became a leading railway company in Europe in terms of passenger satisfaction and the biggest share of frequent travelers. Also, with the ÖBB Nightjet, he positioned ÖBB as the market leader for night trains in Europe.

Supporting women in their careers is a project close to Silvia Angelo's heart. For her tireless commitment to the advancement of women and her visionary management achievements, she not only received the "WU Manager of the Year 2021" award from the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration, but also the Minerva Award from SHEconomy.

Since 2019, Schellnhuber has focussed his scientific work on the transformation of the built environment and the climate remediation potential of regenerative architecture. He is the founder of Bauhaus Erde and a member of the New European Bauhaus High-Level Roundtable. Schellnhuber has published around 300 scientific articles and books in the fields of fundamental physics, analysis of complex systems, climate change research and other areas. He is listed by Clarivate as a ‘Highly Cited Researcher’ (Cross Field). 

From 2011-2014, Philipp Nagl worked for the Austrian Railway Company ÖBB as head of business development for the passenger division. During this time, he successfully implemented new strategies in areas such as timetable, vehicle, night train, and distribution management. In his initial role with DB Fernverkehr AG, he carried out various initiatives and projects aiming at international growth, with a particular focus on the Germany-Austria-Italy connection via the Brenner tunnel.

Mr Nagl holds a PhD from the Vienna University of Economics and Business, where he also held a position as a lecturer as well as various research and consulting roles during his time there.

His past roles have included Head of International Government Affairs for Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane (FS), cabinet member of Italy’s State Holding Minister, adviser to the Romanian Minister of Industry and contributing to the worldwide business section of Leonardo Finmeccanica. 
Alberto Mazzola is also active in the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) since 2015.

She also managed and marketed the engineering activities of European engineering group Europengineers EEIG from 1999 to 2004, before being made Secretary-General of ERFA in January 2005.

He also founded and managed the Joint Sector Group for the ERA Task Force post the Viareggio accident in 2009. Between 2011 and 2018, Jens served as Head of Corporate Management & Evaluation Unit at the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA), with special focus on preparing the Agency for its new tasks under the 4th Railway Package.  In 2018, Jens founded railiable GmbH, active in consultancy and predictive maintenance technology. Since 2020, he also acts as the ‘European DAC Delivery Programme’ (EDDP) Co-Programme Manager for the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking.

Former CEO and Chair of ADIF, the Spanish Railway Infrastructure Manager. During this period, the company has consolidated the liberalization process for HS passengers, managed the execution of the Next Gen Fund (6 billion €), and commissioned more than 200 km of new high speed lines.
Previously, during her 26 years at ADIF, she has held various management positions, such as General Director of Strategy, Planning and Projects, and Director of Studies and Projects. With a background of Civil Engineer Master’s Degree, she has been involved in the development of the Spanish High Speed Network since the beginning. 
Absolutely convinced of continuous training, she holds a Degree in Law. She is an Ad Honorem Professor at the Polytechnic University of Madrid, teaching classes in different master’s degrees and postgraduate courses.
Strong involvement in “Women in Transport” initiatives and mentor for university women in STEAM disciplines.

Between 2002 and 2007 he served as Economic and Financial Advisor to the Prime Minister and, from 2008 to 2010, he worked as Chief Financial Officer at the Caisse des Dépots.  Alain Quinet is also chairperson of the French Committee on the Value of Carbon and the author of articles and reports on climate change, long-term investment and infrastructure. 

SBB Infrastructure is also responsible for developing and expanding SBB’s electricity and rail network.Peter Kummer joined Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) in 2007 as Chief IT Architect. In 2009 he was promoted to CIO and Member of the Executive Board at SBB. In this role, Peter Kummer led SBB’s entire IT department and was responsible for the successful digital transformation of the company. Prior to joining SBB, Peter Kummer was responsible Head of Enterprise Architecture & IT Strategy at Die Mobiliar (Swiss insurance company). Before that, he worked for various companies as IT Architect, Project Leader and Consultant.Peter Kummer holds a master’s degree in business administration and information systems (University of Bern). He lives near Biel (Switzerland) with his wife and four daughters.

From 2013 to 2014, he was responsible for Planning and Service Development in Rete Ferroviaria Italiana. From 2014 to 2017 he held the role of Director of Commercial and Operations in RFI. From 2017 to 2018, he was Director of the Long Haul Passenger Division at Trenitalia. From 2018 to April 2022, he held the position of Director of Strategy, Industrial Planning, Innovation & Sustainability at Mercitalia Logistics S.p.A. In April 2022, he was appointed Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of  Mercitalia Logistics S.p.A., a position he held until May 2023. In the past, he has held additional roles such as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of TX Logistik; President and CEO of AFA Autostrada Ferroviaria Alpina Torino; Member of the Board of Directors of Mercitalia Shunting & Terminal and Alpe Adria; Member of the Executive Council of FERMERCI; CEO of Quadrante Europa Terminal Gate; Member of the Board of Directors of Strutture Trasporto Alto Adige – STA. He currently holds the role of President of AGENS – Agenzia Confederale dei Trasporti e Servizi (Confindustria) and President of CIFI – Collegio Ingegneri Ferroviari Italiani

He gained managerial experience in both international companies, a State Treasury company as well as private business. He has been professionally associated with the railroad industry for many years. He is a graduate of the Warsaw School of Economics. He holds a diploma from the international ACCA organization, which brings together professionals dealing with finance, accounting, and management. He began his professional career in 2001 at the audit Ernst & Young Company. Then between 2013–2016 he worked for PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A. in the positions of the Management Board Representative and Management Board Member – Director for Infrastructure Maintenance. Later between 2017–2021 he worked in managerial positions at Thales, and most recently in the Management Board of the Kross S.A. Company.

Miguel Cruz has been invited professor at the Portuguese Catholic University and Universidade Autónoma de Lisboa, where he is Associated Professor, since completing his Ph.D. Previously, he was a teaching assistant at the Portuguese Catholic University. Since 2017, Miguel Cruz is Ambassador for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure - ODS Alliance Portugal - UN Global Compact Network Portugal.