Day 1: Tuesday, October 22
In an era of rapid technological advances, female leadership in the postal sector is essential to driving innovation and fostering inclusive, collaborative growth. This panel will spotlight prominent women leaders from global postal organizations, discussing how they are advancing gender equality and ensuring their organizations stay ahead in a digital-first world. The session will also align with key themes from the UPU World Leaders Forum, such as customer trust, AI and cybersecurity, offering insights into how women are steering the future of post through visionary leadership.
Ivana VrviscarMember of the executive managementPosta Slovenije
Slovenia
Mariella BuissonCEOSeychelles Postal Services
Seychelles
Siobhan MacDermottHead of global advisory business8 Degrees East
Switzerland
Moderator:
Simona Bratusa, advisor, international mail, Posta Slovenije, Slovenia
Be part of a milestone celebration as the Universal Postal Union (UPU) marks 150 years of facilitating global communication, postal development, and cross-border commerce. Join us for a special reception, sponsored by UPU Consultative Committee member Beyon Connect, to honour this legacy and explore the future of postal technology and logistics. Connect with industry leaders, share insights, and raise a toast to a century and a half of postal innovation and partnership.
Marjan OsvaldDeputy director generalUPU International Bureau
Switzerland
Tony RobinsonChairman and founderUKi Media & Events
UK
13:45
Edgar BarrosoProfessor of innovation and public entrepreneurship at Tecnológico de Monterrey and CEOHorizons Architecture
Switzerland
Next-generation technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) have become a source of both inspiration and anxiety for businesses and entire industries. Our keynote speaker will delve into some of today’s most pressing questions on the topic of AI. This session will provide insight into whether the postal and logistics sector is embracing AI effectively com¬pared to other industries globally, consider whether we are overestimating the impact of intelligent solutions on our business, and examine ways in which AI might help us to define a roadmap to success for the sector.
14:15 - 15:15
Coffee break at the UPU stand
Inspired by the keynote session on AI, leaders from posts and technological partners will dive deeper into how the sector can apply intelligent solutions to better anticipate and meet customer needs. They will examine ways in which posts and wider postal sector players can use AI to optimize their collaboration.
15:15 - 16:00
Dr Vinaya Prakash SinghSecretary-generalAsian-Pacific Postal Union
Thailand
Christian OestergaardLead visionary/senior group strategist of IT production - IoT/AIPostNord
Sweden
Farah AkoumSenior director, product management and digital shopping experienceNordstrom
USA
Dr Valeria SadovykhTechnology strategistMicrosoft
Germany
Moderator:
Edgar Barroso, professor of innovation and public entrepreneurship at Tecnológico de Monterrey and CEO, Horizons Architecture, Switzerland
16:00