One Big Network: JA Alumni Europe’s 2023 Conference

September 1, 2023

Under the theme “One Big Network," JA Alumni Europe held its 2023 conference in Vilnius, Lithuania from August 23–27. Hosted by JA Alumni Lithuania, the conference brought together members of the JA Alumni Europe community, building connections, overcoming challenges, and envisioning the future. Alumni attended thought-provoking keynotes, inspiring workshops, and interactive sessions, and enjoyed myriad networking opportunities.

““Alumni dvasia” means “alumni spirit” in Lithuanian. The alumni spirit is the opportunity to create, grow, and connect with a network of motivated people to get inspired to build YOUR future.”
— JA Alumni Europe

Marisa Xuereb, Vivien Wysocki, Johan H. Andresen (owner and chair of Ferd, member of the JA Europe board), Robin Røed, Malthe Ludvigsen, Salvatore Nigro (CEO of JA Europe), Irena Matraku, Matěj Kapošváry and Moris Vandevyver (President of JA Alumni Europe).

Day 1: FERD’S List Ceremony

The conference kicked off with the annual announcement of the FERD’s List honorees. An initiative of JA Europe, FERD’s List recognizes inspirational young entrepreneurs and leaders from around the continent, all of whom are JA Europe alumni. These individuals, said Johan Andresen, Chairman of FERD, are “inspirational innovators who create value and leave lasting footprints.”

Meet this year’s honorees:

  • Matěj Kapošváry from Czechia

  • Malthe Ludvigsen from Denmark

  • Irena Matraku from Albania

  • Robin Røed from Norway

  • Vivien Wysocki from Germany

  • Marisa Xuereb from Malta

Day 2: One Big Person

Day 2 of the conference focused on the individual, specifically in the realm of entrepreneurship. Attendees examined how an individual can make a difference, create an impact, and create something bit. Alumni heard from an array of speakers, including performance coach and former Olympian Inga Stasiulionytè and Wixx.com Lithuania manager Monika Laukaitè.

Day 3: One Big Business

Day 3 was all about business with a focus on those established in Lithuania. Alumni heard from Linas Ramanauskas, CPO of Tech Zity, Europe’s largest tech campus, located in Vilnius, as well as speakers from Innovation Agency Lithuania, Lithuanian marketing startup Omnisend, and Lithuanian unicorn Vinted.

Day 4: One Big Network

The final day of the conference was all about the power of our network and the power of JA alumni. Sarah Rapp, JA Worldwide’s Director of Alumni and People Engagement, opened the day with a keynote speech about the importance of human connection within the JA network and the scale of the JA alumni network globally.

Regarded as the highlight of the day, the JA alumni entrepreneur panel featured Love Dager (Sweden), CEO and Cofounder of Stockholm Fintech and COO and Cofound of Hack for Earth; Leonardo Luchini (Italy), Cofounder of Startupper for a Day; and Linda Sonnichsen (Denmark), Cofounder of JobSquad; and moderator Eleni Kisiri, Partnerships Manager for JA Alumni Europe.

The conference wrapped up with a gala and awards dinner, which featured the official handover of the JA Alumni Europe board:

Outgoing board members

 Incoming board members

 Congratulations to the new board.

2023September, Region-JAEurope, Featured, AlumniJA Worldwide