PFI Talks Prague Finance Institute

Paul Krugman is a Neo-Keynesian economist, Nobel laureate, academic, author, and media columnist, known for his work on international trade theory and economic geography.

Considered one of the world's most influential economists, Krugman is renowned for redefining existing theories of international trade and either founding or co-founding several new disciplines in international economics, from New Trade Theory (NTT) and New Economic Geography (NEG) to models of financial crises and exchange rate movements.

In 2008, Krugman was the sole recipient of the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences for his analysis of trade patterns and location of economic activity.

Mojmír Hampl je již více než dva roky členem Národní rozpočtové rady, jejímž úkolem je strážit české veřejné finance. Od července 2022 tomuto nezávislému orgánu předsedá. Mezi lety 2006 až 2018 byl součástí bankovní rady České národní banky, z toho více než deset let v pozici viceguvernéra. V minulosti působil v ČNB také jako analytik. Před nástupem do NRR pracoval jako ředitel služeb pro finanční sektor v poradenské společnosti KPMG. Jako jeden z předních českých ekonomů často zasedá v odborných poradních orgánech, jako je například NERV, pravidelně přednáší na vysokých školách a publikuje.

Michal Kuděj je absolventem Vysoké školy ekonomické v Praze. Specializuje na firemní finance a restrukturalizační procesy. V oblasti firemních financí, fúzí, akvizic se pohybuje od roku 1991. Je zakládajícím partnerem poradenské společnosti Tarpan Partners, v níž působí od roku 2010. Působí také na katedře strategie Fakulty podnikohospodářské Vysoké školy ekonomické jako odborný asistent a člen vědecké rady Centra restrukturalizace a insolvence Harryho Pollaka. V expertní pracovní skupině Ministerstva spravedlnosti se rovněž podílí na implementaci evropské směrnice o preventivní restrukturalizace do národní právní úpravy. Je autorem řady odborných publikací.

Maros founded LitFin in 2018 after spending several years as a business director of a successful property development company in Manchester, the United Kingdom. As LitFin’s managing partner, Maros handles its day-to-day activities, business strategy and investments. Lately, his primary focus revolves around LitFin SICAV, a recently established fully-regulated fund, perhaps the first of its kind within the EU area focused on the litigation finance industry.

In 2019, Maros was honored as part of Forbes' 30 Under 30, a testament to his entrepreneurial skills and influence in the business world. Furthermore, Maros is a Chambers-ranked individual for 2023 in the EU.

Maros' education includes graduating with distinction in law, which he studied in Manchester (the UK) and Lund (Sweden). His international educational background has played a crucial role in shaping his career and business strategies.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Maros enjoys a variety of personal interests. He is known for his love of swimming and traveling, however, most of all he cherishes spending weekends at his countryside mansion nestled in the hills, where he can relax and unwind from his busy work schedule.

Perry Mehrling is a Professor of International Political Economy at the Pardee School of Global Studies, Boston University, where he teaches courses on the economics of money and banking, the history of money and finance, and international money.

Perry is the author of The New Lombard Street: How the Fed became the dealer of last resort (Princeton 2011), Fischer Black and the Revolutionary Idea of Finance (Wiley 2005), and The Money Interest and the Public Interest (Harvard 1997).

He currently serves on the Academic Council of the Institute for New Economic Thinking (New York) and the Committee on Global Thought (Columbia University), and has served as visiting professor at the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, University of Nice, Paris X (Nanterre), and the Sloan School of Management, MIT.

He has a BA from Harvard College, an MSc from London School of Economics, and a PhD from Harvard University. Professor Mehrling’s areas of expertise include money and banking, political economy, history of monetary and financial thought, and global money.

He also teaches the popular "Economics of Money and Banking" MOOC on the Coursera website.

Mr. Joseph Wassel is the Executive Director (CEO) of the First Responder Network Authority. He is responsible for overall management of all FirstNet Authority operations and the organization’s strategic direction, to include its unique public-private arrangement to deploy and enhance the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network.

Prior to joining the FirstNet Authority, Mr. Wassel served as the Executive for the Cyberspace Operations Directorate within the Defense Information Systems Agency. He is also the former Director of C4 Resilience & Mission Assurance in the Department of Defense (DoD) Chief Information Officer’s office. He was also the founder and chair of DoD’s Public Safety Communications Working Group, where he led the Services, Joint Staff, National Guard, NORTHCOM, and other DoD partner activities for the Department’s public safety communications efforts, including Next-Generation Public Safety Wireless capabilities, Next-Generation 9-1-1 implementation, and Enterprise Mass Warning and Notification capabilities for DoD. Prior to assuming his former positions, Mr. Wassel served as the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Communications and Deputy Chief Information Officer for the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

A retired Air Force Officer, he has commanded troops during several tours in the United States and overseas and deployed as a reservist in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as the Chief of Command and Control Operations for the International Security Assistance Force at the Combined Joint Operations Center in Kabul, Afghanistan. Mr. Wassel Joined the Senior Executive Service (SES) Corps in 2019. His military and civilian decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, and the Secretary of Defense Meritorious and Exceptional Civilian Service Medals. He was decorated for his actions during the attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001.