AmCham in Brief

Focus area: Technology

Board Mission:

As a company, we believe the next wave of this country's growth depends on larger and more effective investment into research and development. I want to use our recent experience to help shape policies to increase the proportion of private research investment to public research investment, and to share best practices among high tech manufacturers so that the country's manufacturing capabilities are among the best in Europe.

AmCham Priority:

• Effective R&D collaboration between industry & academic sphere

• Transformation of Czech economy from low-value assy operations into high-value research & mfg .

• Addressing lack of high-skilled labor force

Focus area: Prague, Tourism

Board Mission:

"We are facing the greatest two challenges to the economy of the Czech Republic since its founding in 1992: a lingering pandemic and Russia’s violent attack on Ukraine. We know the virus will force major changes to the sources of our prosperity, but we do not know exactly what will be transformed, and whether those changes will last. I would like the AmCham board to serve as central point for gathering information, analyzing it, and advocating solutions based on evidence that will accelerate our path to prosperity."

AmCham Priority:

• Advocacy– General Economic Recovery

• Advocacy– Generating more national wealth through tourism.

• Best Office– Improving practice and the country’s mage in costumer service.

Focus area: Brno

Board Mission:

"Working for many years in area supporting research, development and engineering I would like to influence and use position of AmCham to influence development of “innovative economy” – economy with advanced and high quality production. I also believe in even distribution of economy and research activity evenly in all country and want to promote development of regions."

AmCham Priority:

Continuous work with Innovative companies on platform developed in recent years and combining it with effort by Innovation centers in Moravia. Work on system of improving transfer of research results into economy results. Increase networking within industrial and technology companies and research Universities and institutions.

Focus area: Technology

Board Mission:

"I see Czech Republic as a country of innovative, courageous, skillful and hard working people. We have been facing challenges and risks, longterm and recent and I believe that the only way forward is to see opportunity. I want to continue working on improving our business climate and quality of life for Czechs through digitization, nurturing innovative workforce and increasing the added value created in through strategic technology research and development. Through Y Soft CSR, I am also supporting fact based journalism to protect our liberal democracy."

AmCham Priority:

Digital Transformation of Czech Society and Business ecosystem Digital Transformation of Czech Society and Business Ecosystem with focus on how easy it is to conduct business between US and Czech Republic Drive Mutual Investments and deliver US Market opportunities to Czech Startups leveraging my network and venture capital experience Prevent Czech Republic to become yet another chop shop for foreign entities Leverage the opportunities stemming from our Czech craftsmanship, technology foundations and R&D ecosystem (such as AI, Robotics, Electronics and Biotech) and presently by Covid-19 pandemics

Focus area: Macreconomics

Board Mission:

"Having served on the AmCham board and as its President, I have direct experience on how business associations can serve as a voice of economic reason and how important that voice is in a world increasingly nervous about the future. I will continue to make attracting value-added investments my priority, as well as engaging with political decisionmakers and social influencers about the country‘s direction."

AmCham Priority:

• Strategy – debating the economic direction of the country with other stakeholders.

• Advocacy – implementing action plan of AmCham-US Embassy investment program. 

Focus area: Market Intel, Manufacturing

"Manufacturing in the Czech Republic faces a major transition. As compensation climbs, production lines will need to become more efficient and more productive. Global commodity prices will disrupt supply chains, and an increased political volatility may disrupt it even more. New technologies, such as additive manufacturing, can enable producers to innovate their way around some obstacles. As a board member, I will continue to help identify trends, and promote solutions that will keep the Czech manufacturing globally competitive."

AmCham Priority:

• Country Manufacturing strategy

• CNB Monetary policy.

• Cooperation with other countries Chambers of Commerce

Focus area: People

Board Mission:

"Workforce is the major challenge and the major opportunity for the Czech Republic. We need utilize immigration to drive Czech income growth, and provide greater economic security. At the same time, our education system needs to adjust to the reality that automation will completely change the type of jobs in the market. I would like AmCham to help the government put the country ahead of the curve of technological change."

AmCham Priority:

• Workforce

• Cooperation with other countries Chambers of Commerce

Board Mission:

"We have had an interesting two years in human resources. Our regular HR calls started with the usual concerns about engagement, but quickly became a “how-to” forum for working from home, constructing pandemic policies, and figuring out how to keep people motivated as the virus wreaked havoc on our daily lives. As the Chief People Officer in Avast, I feel I have much to contribute to the Czech Republic as an HR Professional, as a senior female executive and working for Avast as the first CEE entrant into the FTSE 100. My background within global businesses within the government, NGO and private sectors means that I am well placed to support the chamber in its efforts to support economic growth in the Czech Republic. I would be particularly interested in supporting the promotion of the technology sector and being a champion for contemporary working practices and diversity within the country."

 AmCham Priority:

• Human Resources.

"As a Board member, I would like to build upon more than two decades of work of previous managing partners of KPMG in contributing to AmCham active role in enhancing the local business environment. AmCham has a strong record of achievement and KPMG is proud to have been an active member. Our contributions have included, in particular, the very active involvement of my predecessors, Jan Žůrek, František Dostálek and Charles Randolph in the area of tax policy, sustainable development, and good government.

As a lawyer by background, I intend in particular to focus on the legal and tax reforms of the new government and their impact on the business environment. I would also like to continue to strongly support development of transparency and ethics in the Czech business and public environment. Government and the public sector in general remains far from efficient and operates below its potential. I am convinced that AmCham as an independent, reputable and respected representative of the business community can play a key role in promoting best practice in this area."

Board Mission:

"Since the early days in my professional career I tended to take part in public debates – as a (part time) journalist, as advisor, as participant in various task forces in governmental and NGO sector. Today, AmCham is probably the best place for an intelligent public debate. The atmosphere of openness, level of engagement and quality of contributions in AmCham debates significantly exceeds the current standards. The most recent political and security development in in Central and Eastern Europe and in Czech Republic in particular, AmCham can and should play a role in preserving Czech Republic as a member of Western security and political structures."

AmCham Priority:

• Economic Development

“We have been living in times that will try and define us. In Camus’ The Plague, a character declares that the only good response to the disease is decency. We haven’t been living through a plague fortunately, but some of the implications, emotions and laws of nature apply as though we were. Regardless of whether we will be facing more adversity from current pandemic till our life gets back to a new normal, what is certain is that we will benefit from having a shared purpose and joint work to get through it with minimum negative impact.

Since its start in 1992, AmCham has been providing a great platform to drive positive impact in the market, and I would be proud to contribute in this endeavor as a member of the board of directors.“

Board Mission:

"My priorities, as AmCham Board Member, would be to promote the Czech Republic as preferred destination for investments and business. Considering Citi’s unique position of serving communities, institutions, and governments, in more than 100 countries and jurisdictions globally and a history of over 200 years’ globally and a presence of 32 years in the Czech Republic, I am convinced we can work to the benefit of the country and support AmCham objectives at our best. With over 30 years of international banking experience and an extensive industry expertise in Central Europe, Africa, and Asia, I would like to focus primarily on the development local and international businesses and environment, facilitate the transformation to ESG solutions and support the growth of the digital economy and Fintech ecosystem in the country and region."

AmCham Priorities:

• Improve investment climate and opportunities

• Advocate and support ESG implementation

• Promote and support growth of Digital & Fintech economy

Board Mission:

"The American Chamber of Commerce has a unique position in the Czech business environment. I am honoured to serve for the continuous success of AmCham and I am again ready to dedicate my experience and energy to further enhance AmCham’s position as trusted and respected partner to both business community and state authorities. I would like to focus on AmCham priorities, especially Competitiveness, Healthcare and Transparency." 

AmCham Priority: • Strategy – debating the economic direction of the country with other stakeholders. • Advocacy – implementing action plan of AmCham-US Embassy investment program. 

Board Mission:

"AmCham always has pursued policies and investments that will help the Czech Republic increase GDP per capita by 60% by 2025. The pandemic not only puts that goal in doubt, but may change some fundamental aspects of the global and Czech economy. During my time on the board and as president, I have been involved in many initiatives that have helped shape our business environment. If re-elected, I would very much like to continue being a part of this effort with a focus on how we can restore and accelerate our path to prosperity.

 AmCham Priority:

• Good government

• Legal Reform

• Cooperation with other countries Chambers of Commerce

Board Mission:

"AmCham aims to continuously improve competitiveness of the Czech Republic. However, dynamic evolution of the business environment and technologies drive major changes. This has been confirmed by a European Commission report which estimates that in the near future, 90% of jobs will require some level of digital skills.

I participated in the presentation of the new innovation strategy at the US Chamber in Washington. Its implementation will be one of my priorities. My focus will be on attracting strategic research investments, assisting Czech tech start-ups to succeed on the US market, and ensuring we digitize our society securely. I believe that AmCham is the right platform to support improvements in education and security – two key drivers of business grow." 

AmCham Priority:

• Ensure security of the Czech cyberspace

• Establish a strong partnership with academia and businesses

• Improve the level of Czech digitization

Board Mission:

"Over the next two years I would like to devote my energy to three areas:

1. Contribute to revive Prague’s hospitality, convention event & food & beverage industries in the “new normal“

2. Help to increase the level of Czech Republic´s attractiveness for retaining the best brains in service excellence, innovation & digitalisation as the foundation for the future.

3. Hold discussions among AmCham leaders about the responsibility of business to lead in solving some of the challenges threatening our path to a better society."

AmCham Priority:

• Economic Development—Czech Competitiveness 2030/2040

• Economic Development— Meetings, Incentives, Congres

Board Mission:

"Honeywell believes Czech Republic with its strong industrial heritage and word class academia is great place to grow our R&D capabilities. We will use our experience from key industries of advanced mobility, digitization, and sustainability to help Czech government and municipalities to define strategies for faster transformation into high tech economy."

AmCham Priority:

• Transformation of Czechia into high tech economy with clear focus on megatrends and key industries.

• Effective R&D collaboration between industry & academic sphere

• Addressing lack of high-skilled labor force. Improving entrepreneurship education.