Advisory Board

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Founder and CEO of Answear.com, since 2011. Answear.com is a leading fashion ecommerce, currently operating in Poland, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania and Hungary. Simultaneously, he’s holding the position of President of the Board Management at ‘Brandbq’ Co. Ltd. – owner of the fashion brand Medicine.

His story with fashion has its beginnings in 1992 when he cofounded “Artman”, launching two fashion brands during the next years: HOUSE and MOHITO. As the President of the Board Management at “Artman”, he was responsible for areas related to strategic management, marketing, brand and product creation, locating production in the countries of South East Asia. Together with his business partners, he led the company to IPO in 2004 and finally sold the company to ‘LPP’ S.A.

Additional information:

• Graduated from Master of Environmental Engineering and Land Reclamation Faculty at Agricultural University in Cracow.

• Graduated from development program management skills Management 2008, Harvard Business School.

• Stock market investor,
• Member of Investment Committee in GD&K Group
• Interested in: e-commerce, strategic marketing, branding.
• Hobby; sport, travel, politics.

Co-founder and President of ACTION S.A. – a company that has been in business for more than 32 years. Under the leadership of Piotr Bielinski, the company has grown from a Polish distributor to a global enterprise that owns online stores with a diverse range of products, i.e. bron.pl, sferis.pl, krakvet.pl, 1.pl. As part of its development strategy based on moving away from the classic distribution model, developing an offer of thousands of products from more than 20 industries, the company is constantly looking for new prospective e-commerce projects. In addition, ACTION S.A. is a specialized distributor and manufacturer of Actina computers and Activejet home and office consumables.
On the market, Piotr is an icon of IT distribution in Poland and a charismatic leader. His business achievements have been time and again acknowledged both by the industry (two-time winner of ‘IT Person of the Year’ title) and independent institutions, including EY (shortlisted in the ‘EY Entrepreneur of the Year’ contest).

From 2007 associated with Barlinek SA, previously with Kronospan. Involved in the development of the long-term sales strategy of Barlinek SA Group. He is responsible for managing sales to 60 countries, including Poland, Scandinavia, Russia, Ukraine, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Italy, the Balkan countries, China as well as South and North America. Coordinates the work of a 120-person team. Manages anannual budget. He graduated from Wyższa Szkoła Biznesu – National Louis University in Nowy Sącz.

Head of the International Marketing and Distribution Department at the University of Łódź. For 26 years he has been the director of Polish-French MBA Management Studies, carried out together with the University of Lyon III in France. He specializes in marketing strategies for large retail chains. Author of over 200 publications published in Poland and abroad on marketing strategies and modern forms of distribution. Award of the Minister of Science and Higher Education for the book Trade Development Strategies (2006). He has been a visiting lecturer at prestigious French, Spanish, Portuguese and Italian universities. He is also an independent coach and advisor to Polish and foreign companies.

With over 10 years experience in the IT industry, 7 of which have been at Veritas (and Symantec). Lukasz has long service with the company and insight into both Channel and End User facing sales in 3 different European countries.
Lukasz has worked In the UK, Ireland and Poland most recently in various roles from Inside Sales, to Product Specialist, to End-user Sales and Channel Manager.
Apart from Veritas, Lukasz has also worked directly for Oracle and Symantec but also indirectly indirectly for CA Technologies, Dell and Lenovo.
Recognized with several awards during his career. Including UK Channel Partner of the Year in FY15 and Partner Success Manager of the Year for the Emerging Region in FY18

Professor, field of sciences: economic sciences, discipline: economics, specialisation: consumption economics. Since 1979, she has been employed at the Faculty of Human Nutrition and Rural Households (currently the Faculty of Human Nutrition and Consumer Sciences) of the Warsaw University of Life Sciences; currently at the Department of Organization and Consumption Economics. Research interests: consumer behavior in the food market; their determinants and development trends in the food market; in this area, she carried out many studies financed from both domestic and foreign sources. Over 150 articles in Polish and foreign journals and over 15 monographs. Since 1979, she has been actively involved in the implementation of classes in the field of: consumer behavior research and problems of household and food market functioning; participates in the dissemination activity, which she has been conducting since 1987 in close cooperation with agricultural advisory centers, and in particular with the The National Agricultural Advisory and Development Center. She conducted about 300 hours of lectures for nearly 3000,000 inhabitants of rural areas. Head and co-author of the program of postgraduate studies on Entrepreneurship in rural areas in the process of integration with the European Union, lecturer at postgraduate studies Rural tourism. Currently a coach in a project co-financed by the European Union within the frames of the Social Fund “Human-being the Best Investment ” titled The Future of Food Development, under which she conducts workshops on the Challenges of the Food Research Market in Poland. Case study on cooperation between science and business. Organizational activity: Vice-Rector for Didactics at SGGW (2005-2008, 2008-2012), Dean of the Faculty of Human Nutrition and Consumption Sciences (2000-2003, 2003-2005, 2012 – currently), Vice-Dean for Development (1984-1987), Vice-Dean for Didactics (1993-1997), Dean’s Plenipotentiary for extramural studies in the field of human nutrition and rural household (1984-1987), Head of the Department of Consumption and Household Economics (1997-1999), Head of the Department of Consumption Research (since 2000). MA in sociology – Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Warsaw, PhD in agricultural sciences – Faculty of Economics and Agriculture, SGGW; dr hab. economic sciences – consumption economics – Faculty of Economics and Agriculture, SGGW; professor of economic sciences.

Maciej Herman – CEO of Wedel, the owner of E.Wedel brand. Has been with the company since 2008. Associated with the FMCG market for over 20 years. He gained his professional experience occupying positions in commercial departments of companies such as Kompania Piwowarska, Frito Lay as well as Procter and Gamble.
Over the past few years, Wedel has become one of the fastest growing confectionery companies in Poland and is currently among the 3 largest producers of the Polish chocolate industry. Since 2018, the company`s product portfolio includes also ice cream on a stick and ice cream buckets. For their bold and revolutionary approach to communication strategy, the company has received numerous awards, including golden Effie award for the campaign “W kuchni z Wedlem” (eng. In the Kitchen with Wedel) or a bronze award in Złote Spinacze contest for “Wedel Up!” project. Wedel is also a multiple winner of prestigious product competitions, plebiscites and rankings.

Kamila is responsible for driving cashless payments acceptance, business development and relations with retailers, acquirers, local governments and public administration.

Kamila supports acquirers in expanding Mastercard branded card payments into new verticals with targeted innovative solutions, enhances merchant value proposition with Mastercard services and acts as trusted strategic partner and solution provider for public sector.

Kamila has wide experience in implementing transit solutions in Polish cities with acquirers, operators and urban communication companies.

Kamila joined the company in 2000 and has since worked in Technology, Account Management, Banking and Product Development areas. She was responsible for business development with majority of banks operating in Poland. She has also contributed to launch of Mastercard premium cards and World Mastercard Rewards loyalty program.

Prior to joining Mastercard, Kamila worked in banking sector in Poland in retail, payments cards, electronic banking and foreign operations business divisions.

Krzysztof Kośmider specializes in implementing projects for companies in the retail sector. He has over 20 years of experience in optimizing business processes and implementing IT solutions based on best business practices supported by latest technologies. He has extensive experience in IT transformation on both Polish and international markets.

Corresponding member of the Polish Academy of Sciences, full professor, economist and sociologist, author of over 47 books in the field of management, published in various languages. Lecturer at Polish and foreign universities, promoter of many eminent scholars. He has chaired the supervisory boards of companies. Co-founder and the first long-term Rector of the Kozminski University, currently its President. Decorated, among others with Knight’s Cross, Officer’s Cross and Commander’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta. Doctor Honoris Causa of the University of Szczecin (2015) and ESCP Europe Business School in Paris (2017).

Manager with many years of experience in the cosmetics, food and children’s categories. During his career, he was associated with companies such as: L’Oreal, Samsung, Danone-Nutricia, Unilever. Currently at Unilever, he is responsible for e-commerce sales and content in Poland and Eastern Europe. He builds a sales strategy and communication with the shopper in modern Internet channels: pure players, omnichannel, market place, e-grocery sales platforms.

He holds over 22 years of experience in the field of retail, purchase and merchandise. For the first 10 years of his professional career worked as a Purchasing Director in Auchan Polska. He spent the next decade working at Pepco Poland, first as a Purchase Director, then as a Member of the Board, which he still holds to this day. From June 2017 – as the Managing Director of Dealz CEE – he is responsible for the launch and expansion of Dealz in Central and Eastern Europe.

Co-owner of the Dr Irena Eris Group. Vice-president of the Management Board of Dr Irena Eris SA – a “mother” company managing three entities: Dr Irena Eris Cosmetics Laboratories, Dr Irena Eris SPA Hotels and Dr Irena Eris Cosmetic Institutes. Associated with the Lewiatan Confederation: since 2000, Chairman of the Main Council of the Lewiatan Confederation, from 2018 chairman of the Presidium of the Council of Family Businesses at the Lewiatan Confederation. The founder and long-term President of the Polish Union of the Cosmetics Industry. In the years 2006-2011 co-founder and acting as the Chairman of the Board of the Association “Local West Mazurian Tourist Organization”. Member of the UN Global Compact Polska Advisory Board. Decorated with the Knight ’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta (2004). A graduate of the Faculty of Transport at Warsaw University of Technology.

Michał Pieprzny – CEO Poland. Expert in customer value building in B2C and B2B markets. He has an extensive experience in designing and improving business cooperation models, as well as in developing and implementing sales stimulation programs, optimizing product portfolio and company operational effectiveness.
Prior to joining PAYBACK, Michał worked at McKinsey & Company, supporting company boards of multiple companies in Central and Eastern Europe. He also worked for Avon Cosmetics where he was co-responsible for the company’s strategy on 23 markets in Central and Eastern Europe.

Managing Director at TOMRA Collection Poland, which provides solutions for recycling machines that facilitate the return of aluminum, plastic and glass beverage packaging for reuse. From May 2022, he is responsible for the commencement of operational and commercial activities of TOMRA Collection in Poland. For over 20 years working in sales and business development, including the last 12 years working in companies operating in the circular economy area. During these years, he developed a closed-loop logistic carrier pooling solution for global and European leaders, helping to build sustainable supply chains in the CEE region.

In Lidl Poland since 2013. As Head of Corporate Affairs &CSR, she is responsible for coordinating activities in the area of external communication, corporate social responsibility, internal communication and PA. Previously, she dealt with PR, SoMe and training for healthcare sector units. A graduate of the Warsaw School of Economics, the Poznań University of Economics and the Medical University in Poznań.

From January 2021 Anita is acting as the Country Communication Manager for IKEA Poland. She joined IKEA in 2018 as the Public Affairs Manager. Anita has over 20 years of experience in public service and international cooperation. She was responsible for implementation of EU cross-border cooperation programmes in transport, tourism and education. As a Polish diplomat she was developing Polish-Dutch political and economic relations in the Netherlands. Other topics in her portfolio were privatisation, foreign investments or situation of economic migrants.
Anita is fluent in Polish, English and German and has a good command of Dutch. Her background are German Philology, post graduates studies in Management and the Polish School for Public Administration. Privately she enjoys travels, horse riding, jazz and lusophone music. Since lockdown she is a volunteer helping migrant children in Poland in online learning.

Michał has 19 years of banking experience. Over that time he was responsible for (i.a.) development & relationship management with strategic corporate clients, business teams’ management, development & implementation of the sectorial strategies (Food&Agri and TSL). He gained his experience in Rabobank Group, where he worked in Poland (Rabobank Polska and BGZ) and as well as in the Netherlands (bank’s HQs and Corporate Network). In the process of BNPP and Rabobank/BGZ merger was responsible for integration of the strategic and multinational corporate clients, and subsequently Michał became head of Large Corporates Department. He worked also in Corporate Division of Santander Bank, where was responsible for development of TSL sector strategy. Currently is responsible for Food&Agri sector strategy and growth for BNPP Group’s bank in CEE & Turkey. Michał graduated from Krakow University of Economics.

Robert Stobiński – member of the Management Board at the Amica Group responsible for digitization, logistics and goods management. A graduate of the University of Technology in Poznań and Cranfield University in Great Britain. For almost 25 years, he has been dealing with the issues of managing international supply chains, both in terms of distribution logistics and production management. He is particularly interested in the problem of “trade-up” between the expected level of customer service and the cost of providing it. Co-author of the book “Logistics decisions with Excel” awarded with the J.M. Rector of the Poznań University of Economics. Author of many articles in the trade press and speaker at conferences in logistics and production management.
Before taking up the position of the Chief Digital Officer (CDO) responsible for digital transformation at Amica Group, he was the General Director of Amazon centers in Poznań, London and Szczecin. Previously, he worked, among others positions at Bundy Refrigeration as Operations Director in Europe, at Samsung Electronics Poland Manufacturing as Vice President Operations and Amica Wronki as Operations Director.

Sales Manager with over 12 years of experience in Insurance, CFM, Marketing SaaS and Logistic Industries​. Joined InPost in 2016 as Business Development Director​ and till today challenge with roles of Global Commercial Director and Interim Managing Director of UK Market.
Currently ​Global Accounts & SME Market Sales Director​ responsible for Polish “long tail” market and Strategic International Partners.

He commenced his professional career with EdS-PL a subsidiary of the Belgian industrial group TRACTEBEL / WATCO, participating in the start-up of the waste management operation of the group in Poland. His responsibilities included, among others, the preparation of new projects.
He was subsequently connected with the launching of a recycling project in few towns in Poland and became member of the Board in the appointed recycling company.
As of 1996 Commercial Director in the first company in Poland processing hazardous wastes into alternative fuel for cement plant.
Connected with the Polish recovery organization – Rekopol Organizacja Odzysku S.A. from 2001 and as of September 2005, Member of the Board of Rekopol. Rekopol is member of ProEurope. In 2014, he was appointed as President of the Management Board of Rekopol Packaging Recovery Organization SA

For over 20 years, Kinga Wyganowska has been involved in technologies that support optimization and development of trade and production in a holistic value chain approach, covering S&OP, Category Management, Supply Chain, Pricing, Promotion, and Workforce Management. She has successfully delivered dozens of projects for clients in Poland and across Europe. Her professional satisfaction stems from consistently delivering real business and environmental value by utilizing the latest and proven technologies. Currently, she is responsible for the business development of RELEX Solutions in Poland and the CEE region.

Economist and statistician. A graduate of the Warsaw School of Economics, PhD in Economics (UW), a Fulbright (USA) scholarship holder. From July 2017, chairman of the Institute of Forecasting and Economic Analysis scientific foundation. Former president of the Central Statistical Office, long-term vice president of the Institute for Market Economy Research and an employee of the Institute of Economics of the Polish Academy of Sciences. World Bank consultant. A guest lecturer at many universities. Expert of the Public Finance Committee of the Sejm, deputy editor-in-chief of the “Ekonomika i Organizacja Przedsiębiorstwa” monthly. He cooperated with many institutions in the country and abroad, chaired the advisory bodies of several ministries, managed research teams, wrote two books. Author and co-author of several hundred reports and articles. Economic columnist.

Karolina holds nearly 20 years of professional experience from various product and commercial roles within the global market research company NielsenIQ working with consumer attitudes, retail sales and shopper trends within FMCG. For the past 6 years prior to stepping into the Managing Director role, she served as a Vice-President within Nielsen BASES with responsibility for international analytical team consulting on new product launches ideation, optimization and activation.

Graduated from the Koźminski University in Warsaw with a degree in Marketing, Management and Finance & Banking. His wide-range knowledge in the field of strategic management he acquired at the School of Economics and Management at Lund University in Sweden. Moreover, he accomplished International Consulting training in Audencia Nantes Management School. He gained his experience i.a. at Frosta A.G. in Bremerhaven, where he reported directly to the Marketing Director. He performed functions of general director of the Association of Frozen Foods, that brings together dozens of biggest producers of frozen food on Polish market, including representatives of global brands such as: Unilever, Farm Frites, Bonduelle. While working in the Warsaw International Fair he has contributed to organisation of three editions of the largest motor show in Poland – Warsaw International Motor Show. Subsequently, he worked in Expomedia Events Warsaw, where he held the position of director for business development and sponsorship relations. The next stage of his career was transition to conference sector.

Economist and financial market analyst. He worked as an analyst and economist at Bank Przemysłowo-Handlowy and at BPH PBK following merger, Chief Economist at the financial consulting company TMS and TMS Brokers, Chief Economist of Internetowy Dom Maklerski, and a lecturer at the Toyota Academy. Currently a lecturer at MBA and post-graduate studies at the WSB Academy and at the Kozminski University; lecturer at postgraduate studies at SGH; lecturer at the MDDP academy. He chaired and currently chairs over a dozen supervisory boards. He was the head of economic advisors to Prime Minister Kazimierz Marcinkiewicz, awarded with the prestigious “Political advisor of the year” award. Since 2003, he runs his own business in the area of submitting proposals to finance projects, preparing macroeconomic and market forecasts, analysis of enterprises and financial management. An active investor, also in startup projects. His comments on economic issues regularly appear in the leading media. A graduate of the Cracow University of Economics and the AGH University of Science and Technology in Kraków.

At Visa, Katarzyna manages a team responsible for relations with acquirers and retailers, and acceptance growth in the region of Central Eastern Europe (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary). She has more than a dozen years of professional experience in such sectors as banking, cashless payments and loyalty programs, and also in the FMCG industry. During her career, she has held a number of directorial positions with companies including Raiffeisen Polbank (formerly Polbank), POLCARD, and Premium Club. Most recently she was the President of the Management Board of Paymax S.A., a company providing a solution which enables card acceptance via payment application installed on a phone / tablet and mPOS Paymax card reader.