Speakers

Andrej Kiska is the former President of Slovakia (2014–2019), entrepreneur and philanthropist whose career spans business, charity and public service.

Early life and entrepreneurship
Born in Poprad in 1963, Kiska moved to the United States in 1990, shortly after the fall of communism. In New Jersey, he worked 100-hour weeks cleaning floors at a gas station for just $4 per hour - a formative experience that instilled in him the value of perseverance and hard work. Upon returning to Slovakia, he co-founded Triangel and Quatro, two hire-purchase finance companies serving over one million customers and becoming among the country’s most successful non-bank lenders.

Charitable work

In 2006, Kiska co-founded the Good Angel Foundation, a non-profit that channels small monthly donations from the public to families facing serious illness. Leveraging his business expertise, he helped scale Good Angel into one of Slovakia’s largest and most effective charities, later extending its operations into the Czech Republic.

Presidency
Elected on 15 June 2014 as an independent candidate, Kiska was the first Slovak president without ties to the former communist regime. At a time of deep political polarization, he made rebuilding public trust and “bringing humanity back to politics” his hallmark. Within two years, his approval rating climbed to 75%. From his first act - opening the Presidential Palace to seniors, orphans and the homeless - he focused every day on policies and initiatives that put people first.

ROMADE and ongoing initiatives
In late 2023, Kiska co-founded ROMADE, a non-profit European project launched to celebrate and promote Roma culture through fashion and design. After the project came to an end at the end of 2025, he returned to the Good Angel Foundation, where he now fully focuses on supporting families facing serious illness.