School Advisory Boards

The UNYP Business Advisory Board meets twice a year to review progress and guide future developments within the School of Business and IT. While it evaluates all aspects of the department, it focuses especially on ensuring the quality of undergraduate and graduate curricula.

The board includes eleven distinguished members from academia and business, chosen for their expertise and experience. Alongside UNYP’s academic leaders, the board benefits from the insights of respected business professionals from both the Czech Republic and abroad.

Jan Havel

Jan, born and based in Prague, is the founder of ACTUM Digital, which he started at 21 and continues to lead, focusing on corporate strategy and long-term direction. He holds a degree in Finance from the Prague University of Economics, a Ph.D. in Economic Theory, and has completed the General Management Program at Wharton. Jan has taught strategic management and marketing at several Czech universities, including the University of New York in Prague (UNYP) and Charles University. A marathon runner and former national ultimate frisbee player, he is also a tech and sci-fi enthusiast, a scholar of the Austrian School of Economics, a board member of the Czech Liberal Institute, and a former advisor to the country’s central bank.

Petr Havelka

Petr is the General Manager and Vice President of PLEX Operations EMEA at Rockwell Automation, overseeing the regional customer base and expanding the reach of the PLEX Smart Manufacturing Platform. With over 25 years of experience in the IT industry, he specializes in enterprise software, cloud computing, and SaaS, with a focus on customer success and digital transformation. He previously held leadership roles at DHL, Global Payments, Deloitte, and SAP Ariba. Petr holds a degree from the Czech University of Life Sciences and an MBA from UNYP. He’s a proud father of three, an avid skier, and a motorcycle racing enthusiast.

Josef Karásek

Josef has over 25 years of experience in the FMCG industry across Central Europe. As Managing Director at The Coca-Cola Company, he led operations in the Czech Republic, Slovakia, the Baltics, and Slovenia for 13 years, driving business turnarounds and building high-performing teams. Under his leadership, Coca-Cola’s market share in carbonated soft drinks doubled in the Czech Republic, and per capita consumption grew significantly in the Baltic countries during a declining market. His expertise spans strategic planning, marketing, commercial leadership, revenue growth, and talent development.

Diana Rádl Rogerová

Diana Rádl Rogerová has been with Deloitte since 1996, bringing over two decades of experience working with major banks, real estate firms, and financial institutions. She has served as an Audit Partner for 12 years, as well as Real Estate Industry Leader for Central Europe and Financial Services Industry Leader for the Czech Republic. Since December 2016, she has served as the Office Managing Partner at Deloitte Czech Republic and is a member of the Executive Committee for Deloitte Central Europe. Diana holds a degree from the University of Economics in Prague and speaks fluent Spanish and English.

Hadi Salavitabar

Dr. Salavitabar holds a Ph.D. in economics and finance and has dedicated nearly 35 years to higher education. His distinguished academic career includes serving as a professor, department chair, business school dean, and ultimately as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Throughout his leadership roles, he has been instrumental in advancing academic programs, fostering faculty development, and promoting institutional growth. In addition to his work in academia, Dr. Salavitabar brings his expertise to the financial sector, serving on the Board of Trustees of a major U.S. bank, where he contributes strategic insight and oversight based on his deep knowledge of economics and finance.       

Ivana Šedivá

Ivana is a seasoned C-level executive with nearly 30 years of experience on the boards of top companies, including Johnson & Johnson and McDonald’s. Since leaving the corporate world in 2020, she has mentored for over 1,000 hours and supported more than 500 startups globally. A certified Flow Consultant and accredited trainer for Google’s Founders Lab, OKR, and Storytelling Lab, she also mentors other mentors. Ivana’s mission is to help driven individuals find purpose, create impact, and avoid burnout. She holds an MBA and a postgraduate degree in Artificial Intelligence.

Blake Wittman

Blake Wittman is the European Business Director at GoodCall and a shareholder in the Good Group, which includes GoodCall, Recruitment Academy, and Datacruit—companies focused on transforming the HR and recruitment industry. With over 20 years of experience spanning Fortune 100 corporations and startups, Blake has built a career rooted in strong relationships, ethics, and purposeful impact. He began his career in recruitment after a brief stint at Citibank, later founding and expanding SpenglerFox across Central Europe. He also held a key HR role at Philip Morris International and played a pivotal role in scaling the VC-backed startup Lime&Tonic.

The UNYP Communication and Media Advisory Board provides strategic guidance to ensure the university’s programs stay aligned with industry trends. Comprising seasoned professionals from key sectors, the board advises on curriculum updates, course content, and skill development to prepare students for today’s media landscape. It also supports partnerships, internships, faculty recruitment, and research priorities, serving as a vital link between academia and the professional world.

Lenka Tungova

Lenka Tungová is a seasoned PR professional with over 20 years of experience across both in-house and agency environments, specializing in the entertainment, services, and hospitality sectors. For the past decade, she has been with The Walt Disney Company, overseeing communications across the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Ukraine. Since the 2022 launch of Disney+ in the region, she has led its publicity efforts in Czechia and Slovakia. Lenka holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Mass Media from Empire State College and UNYP, and a Master’s degree in Mass Communication Studies from Charles University.

Mladen Grebo

Mr. Grebo has over 20 years of experience in marketing and advertising, having worked with top global agencies on major brands like McDonald’s, P&G, Volkswagen, Pepsi, and UNICEF. He later co-founded his own agency, Goodkin, where he focuses on brand and communication strategy for both local and international clients. Starting in digital marketing, he grew into a strategic planning role. He holds a BA in Communication and Mass Media from Empire State College and UNYP, as well as an MA in Media and Communication Studies from Charles University. He’s also a proud father to baby Iskra and a dedicated football fan.

Daniela Nemcova

Daniela Nemcová is a seasoned Corporate Communications strategist and manager with 20 years of experience across the private and non-profit sectors. She has served as a director and now works as a consultant for various non-profit organizations, with a strong focus on responsible and sustainable business practices. Known for her thoughtful and values-driven approach, Daniela combines her professional expertise with a deep interest in philosophy and naturopathy, which enriches her holistic perspective on communication and leadership. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Mass Media from Empire State College, State University of New York, and a Master of Arts in Professional Communication from La Salle University in Philadelphia.

Viktorie Janackova

Viktorie Janáčková is a Senior Internal Communications Specialist at SAP, supporting the Global Finance & Administration board area. She manages internal communication channels, creates content, supports leadership communication, and leads project and change communications. Previously, she gained experience in PR, event management, employer branding, crisis communication, and media strategy in both corporate and agency settings. Viktorie holds a BA in Communication and Mass Media from Empire State College and UNYP, as well as an MA in Corporate Communications and Reputation Management from the University of Manchester.

Darina Sieglova

After earning a BA in Communication and Mass Media from Empire State College and UNYP, Mgr. Darina Seiglová began her career in newspapers before joining the food magazine Apettit, where she remains today. She later completed a master’s degree in marketing and management and has led or contributed to numerous projects. These include founding and selling an ad agency, appearing regularly on Czech Television’s Sama Doma and various radio shows, recording podcasts, acting in the TV series Pohlreichův Souboj Restaurací, and producing ads and advertorials. She also teaches entrepreneurship and life skills to young people.

Martin Pavlicek

Martin Pavlicek is a PR and communications professional with 15 years of experience in client and consultancy roles. He had the opportunity to participate in sizable 360-degree communication projects that ranged from product launches to brand-supporting campaigns, from crisis communication to public affairs efforts, and from developing social responsibility programs to advising companies on merger and acquisition plans. Martin leads large communication teams, works with agency support, and talks to media behind the scenes, on camera, and in TV studio settings. Martin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Mass Media from Empire State College, a Master’s degree from La Salle University, USA, and an MBA from Institut Universitaire Kurt Bosch, Switzerland.