About the Conference
May 14, 2025
Online
Join us virtually on May 14, 2025, for the Warsaw Freedom Institute’s inaugural global convening — a first-of-its-kind event dedicated to exploring the future of U.S.–Poland cooperation through the lenses of security, energy, business, and shared democratic values.
This high-level virtual conference will feature expert panelists including policymakers, industry leaders, and scholars, engaging in strategic dialogue on the most pressing transatlantic issues of our time. The event is expected to bring together over 1,000 participants, including U.S. and Polish government officials, NATO representatives, CEOs from the energy and tech sectors, journalists, and academics.
The Event starts in:
Warsaw 15:30 (CEST)
Washington D.C. 09:30 (EDT)
Key Areas of Focus
Explore the core pillars shaping the future of Poland–U.S. cooperation.
Security & Defense
- Addressing both conventional and hybrid threats
- Poland’s evolving role as a key NATO ally and military player
- Shared priorities in cybersecurity, defense spending, and industrial cooperation
- Importance of coordinated deterrence strategies and co-production of military equipment
Energy & Strategic Infrastructure
- Strengthening energy security and independence
- Transatlantic cooperation in LNG, nuclear energy, and renewables
- Evaluating the geopolitical role of the Baltic Sea region and the impact of great-power rivalry on infrastructure
Business & Democratic Values
- Enhancing economic ties rooted in democratic principles
- Poland as a job creator in the U.S., and vice versa — through strategic procurement and investments
- Promoting innovation, manufacturing cooperation, and resilient supply chains
- A renewed partnership model based on mutual trust and democratic alignment
Speakers
LtGen. Karol Dymanowski
Vice Chief of Defence
Maj. Gen. Matthew J. Van Wagenen
SHAPE’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations
Tom Suozzi
Congressman, Democrat, New York
John Cornyn
Senator, Republican, Texas
Rafał Modrzewski
Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of ICEYE
Rafał Brzoska
Chief Executive Officer and Founder of InPost
Jacek Siewiera
Former Chief of Poland’s National Security Bureau
Maj. Gen. Karol Molenda
Commander of the Cyberspace Defense Forces
Yaroslav Trofimov
Chief Foreign-Affairs Correspondent, The Wall Street Journal
Olivia
Gazis
CBS News
Izabela Albrycht
Director of the Cybersecurity Centre and Rector’s Proxy for Krakow DIANA Accelerator at AGH University of Krakow
Marcin Przydacz
Member of the Polish Parliament
Michał Kobosko
Member of the European Parliament, Polska 2050 Szymona Hołowni party, member of Renew Europe, the centrist-liberal force of the EP
Justyna Orłowska
Business Relationship Manager at the City of Boston’s Department of Innovation and Technology
Doug Stevenson
Vice President of Europe and NATO, Requirements and Capabilities, Raytheon
Alex Whittington
International Affairs at Cheniere Energy, Inc.
LtGen. Krzysztof Król
The General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces
Ryan Evans
Founder of War on the Rocks
prof. Marcin Piątkowski
Economist, Professor at Kozminski University, Warsaw
R. David Edelman
Director, Project on Technology, Economy & National Security at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Kamil Majczak
CEO of QEMETICA Group
Amb. Daniel Fried
Weiser Family Distinguished Fellow, Europe Center, Atlantic Council; Former US Ambassador to Poland
Jakub Grygiel
Ordinary Professor of politics at the Catholic University of America
Igor Janke
Founder and head of the Warsaw Freedom Institute. Activist, intellectual entrepreneur, journalist, writer.
Andrew Michta
Senior Fellow, Geostrategy Initiative at the Atlantic Council of the United States in Washington, DC
Marek Magierowski
Former Poland’s ambassador to the United States and Israel, director of the “Strategy for Poland” program at the Freedom Institute
James Carafano
Senior Counselor to the President and E.W. Richardson Fellow at The Heritage Foundation
prof. Jim Mazurkiewicz
Professor at Texas A&M, Regents Fellow and TALL Leadership Program Director
Conference Program
9:30 AM – 10:15 AM EDT
15:30 – 16:15 CEST
Opening Session
10:00 - 10:30
Welcome, opening remarks
Igor Janke
Founder and head of the Warsaw Freedom Institute. Activist, intellectual entrepreneur, journalist, writer.
10:00 - 10:30
Why Warsaw Freedom Instutute?
prof. Jim Mazurkiewicz
Professor at Texas A&M, Regents Fellow and TALL Leadership Program Director
10:00 - 10:30
Why Polish - American relations are important today?
Marek Magierowski
Former Poland’s ambassador to the United States and Israel, director of the “Strategy for Poland” program at the Freedom Institute
Andrew Michta
Senior Fellow, Geostrategy Initiative at the Atlantic Council of the United States in Washington, DC
10:00 - 10:30
Keynote Speech
Maj. Gen. Matthew J. Van Wagenen
SHAPE’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations
LtGen. Karol Dymanowski
Vice Chief of Defence
10:00 - 10:30
Q&A session
Igor Janke
Founder and head of the Warsaw Freedom Institute. Activist, intellectual entrepreneur, journalist, writer.
Maj. Gen. Matthew J. Van Wagenen
SHAPE’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations
LtGen. Karol Dymanowski
Vice Chief of Defence
10:15 AM – 11:30 AM EDT
16:15 – 17:30 CEST
Can Poland Play the Role of Bridge Between USA and Europe?
10:30 - 11:30
Moderator
Marek Magierowski
Former Poland’s ambassador to the United States and Israel, director of the “Strategy for Poland” program at the Freedom Institute
10:30 - 11:30
Panelists
Tom Suozzi
Congressman, Democrat, New York
John Cornyn
Senator, Republican, Texas
Michał Kobosko
Member of the European Parliament, Polska 2050 Szymona Hołowni party, member of Renew Europe, the centrist-liberal force of the EP
Marcin Przydacz
Member of the Polish Parliament
11:30 AM – 11:45 AM EDT
17:30 – 17:45 CEST
American D.O.G.E. and Polish WE-CHECK-YOU: How Can We Boost Our Economies?
11:30 - 11:45
Special Guest
Rafał Brzoska
Chief Executive Officer and Founder of InPost
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM EDT
17:45 – 18:45 CEST
Can We Build a Great Polish-American Business Bridge?
11:45 - 12:45
Moderator
Justyna Orłowska
Business Relationship Manager at the City of Boston’s Department of Innovation and Technology
11:45 - 12:45
Introduction
prof. Marcin Piątkowski
Economist, Professor at Kozminski University, Warsaw
11:45 - 12:45
Panelists
Rafał Modrzewski
Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of ICEYE
Alex Whittington
International Affairs at Cheniere Energy, Inc.
Doug Stevenson
Vice President of Europe and NATO, Requirements and Capabilities, Raytheon
Kamil Majczak
CEO of QEMETICA Group
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM EDT
18:45 – 19:45 CEST
Security – The Role of the Northeastern NATO Flank and the USA in the New Security Architecture
12:45 - 13:45
Moderator
Olivia
Gazis
CBS News
12:45 - 13:45
Panelists
Andrew Michta
Senior Fellow, Geostrategy Initiative at the Atlantic Council of the United States in Washington, DC
Jacek Siewiera
Former Chief of Poland’s National Security Bureau
LtGen. Krzysztof Król
The General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces
Ryan Evans
Founder of War on the Rocks
Yaroslav Trofimov
Chief Foreign-Affairs Correspondent, The Wall Street Journal
1:45 PM – 2:45 PM EDT
19:45 – 20:45 CEST
Hybrid Warfare – Lessons from Russian aggression
12:45 - 13:45
Panelists
R. David Edelman
Director, Project on Technology, Economy & National Security at Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Maj. Gen. Karol Molenda
Commander of the Cyberspace Defense Forces
Izabela Albrycht
Director of the Cybersecurity Centre and Rector’s Proxy for Krakow DIANA Accelerator at AGH University of Krakow
2:45 PM – 3:45 PM EDT
20:45 – 21:45 CEST
Closing Session
14:45 - 15:45
Moderator
Igor Janke
Founder and head of the Warsaw Freedom Institute. Activist, intellectual entrepreneur, journalist, writer.
Marek Magierowski
Former Poland’s ambassador to the United States and Israel, director of the “Strategy for Poland” program at the Freedom Institute
14:45 - 15:45
Panelists
Jakub Grygiel
Ordinary Professor of politics at the Catholic University of America
James Carafano
Senior Counselor to the President and E.W. Richardson Fellow at The Heritage Foundation
Amb. Daniel Fried
Weiser Family Distinguished Fellow, Europe Center, Atlantic Council; Former US Ambassador to Poland
3:45 PM – 4:00 PM EDT
21:45 – 22:00 CEST
Farewell Remarks
15:45 - 16:00
Igor Janke
Founder and head of the Warsaw Freedom Institute. Activist, intellectual entrepreneur, journalist, writer.
Marek Magierowski
Former Poland’s ambassador to the United States and Israel, director of the “Strategy for Poland” program at the Freedom Institute
Partners of the Event
Watch the Conference
About Us
The Warsaw Freedom Institute, based in the United States, operates as a vital extension of the well-established Freedom Institute located in Warsaw, Poland.
The Warsaw Freedom Institute is committed to strengthening democracy, leadership, and civil society. Founded in 2024, our mission is to enhance the transatlantic bond between the United States and Poland by promoting shared values of freedom, democracy, and leadership development.
Our Mission
To strengthen the geo-strategic alliance between the United States and Poland, fostering shared values of freedom, democracy, and security through leadership development and collaborative initiatives.
Our vision is to establish a significant intellectual presence in America, supporting Poland’s role as a pivotal European leader and developing leaders who can navigate and influence the Three Seas region.
Our Programs
Our flagship programs include:
Leadership Development
We focus on empowering the next generation of leaders through our Leadership School.
Strategic Convenings
Hosting lectures and convenings and engaging in policy discussions in the U.S. to foster dialogue and collaboration.
Organizer
Warsaw Freedom Institute
1015 15th Street NWSuite 1000
Washington, District of Columbia 20005
www.warsawfi.org
mvjoe@warsawfi.org