About the NALB forum
The North American Lithuanian Business Forum is an annual event fostering robust business connections between Lithuania and North America.
It convenes policymakers (ministers, ambassadors), potential investors, business executives, and innovators to explore critical topics at the intersection of technology, innovation, and transatlantic commerce. The forum provides a dynamic platform for networking opportunities, engagement through interactive workshops, and insightful keynote addresses and panel discussions. Connecting leaders across diverse sectors, the forum has a strong track record, with previous events held in Philadelphia (2022), Chicago (2023), and New York (2024).


Agenda
Hosted by Goodwin, 100 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA
1pm – 5pm
Welcoming remarks
Dovydas Špokauskas, Consul General of the Republic of Lithuania in New York
Business opportunities in Massachusetts
Jeevan Ramapriya, Executive Director Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment (MOITI)
Legal Basics for Tech and Life Sciences Companies to Consider in Order to Attract U.S. Investors
Kristopher Brown, Corporate Partner in the Technology & Life Sciences Group at Goodwin
How to work with the US governmental institutions
Dhimiter Cobani, Venture Consultant, FedTech
Lithuanian Professional Diaspora: Talent Intelligence for the Modern Workforce
Michael Beygelman, Executive VP, Product, Claro Analytics
Cocktail reception (Sponsored by Goodwin)
Offices of Goodwin, 100 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA
Hosted by Goodwin, 100 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA
9am – 1pm
Welcoming remarks
Egidijus Meilūnas, Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania in Canada
Unlocking Opportunities for Lithuanian Businesses in the Canadian Market
Al Pace, Founder and Chair, Pace Law
Nick Simone, President and CEO, Pace Law & Pace Global Advantage
From Lithuania to the US: The 100-Day Playbook for Winning the Market
Gerald Kasulis, Director at Nord Security
Lessons Learned: Navigating the North American Market – Successes, Stumbles, and Lifeboats
Vilius Smalinskas (Telesoftas)
Agnius Savičiūnas (Teltonika)
Skaidra Puodžiūnas, Council of Canadian Innovators (CCI)
Moderated by Karolis Karalevičius
Coming to America: What to Keep in Mind When Setting Up U.S. Operations
Mayan Katz, Corporate Partner, Technology & Life Sciences Group at Goodwin
6:00pm - 8:00pm Networking event at Lithuanian Club, 368 W Broadway, South Boston, MA
Venue: 75 Amherst St, Cambridge, MA 02139
8:30am - 9:30am Registration, Welcome Coffee
9:30am - 12:00pm Main Stage
8:30am – 1:30pm
Welcoming remarks, video message
H.E. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda
Welcoming remarks
On behalf of the Governor of Massachusetts Maura Healey, Jeevan Ramapriya, Executive Director Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Investment (MOITI)
Introduction of Minister Savickas
Lithuanian Ambassador to the US Audra Plepytė
Presentation “Strategic Economic Partnership: The U.S. and Lithuania in a Changing Global Landscape”
Lithuanian Minister of Economy and Innovation Lukas Savickas
Keynote speech “From Breakthrough Science to Scalable Business”
Vladimir Bulovic, MIT professor, Founding Director of MIT.nano
“Lessons in Leadership: A Fireside Chat with prof. Vladas Bumelis”
Prof. Vladas Algirdas Bumelis, Founder and CEO of Northway Biotech
Interviewed by Monika Paulė, CEO of Caszyme
“Voices from Canada: Innovation, Impact, and Insight”
Al Pace, Founder and Chair, Pace Law
Nick Simone, President and CEO, Pace Law & Pace Global Advantage
Discussion panel “The Race to Lead: Shaping Tomorrow's Technology Landscape”
Dr. Greg Autry, Associate Provost for Space Commercialization and Strategy, at the University of Central Florida
Oleksandra Afanasieva, Futorology
Tadas Vizgirda, Shift4 Lithuania, Chairman of the Board at the American Chamber of Commerce in Lithuania
Simonas Černiauskas, CEO at INFOBALT, Secretary of the Board of Directors at American Chamber of Commerce
Moderated by Tony Maciulis, GZERO Media
12:00pm - 1:30pm Lunch
1:30pm - 5:00pm Breakout sessions
Room I
Cooperation in Energy innovation. Powered by MIT MISTI Lithuania
In response to increasing global electricity consumption, this panel explores the key strategies and insights for significant progress in renewable energy, advanced storage, and grid modernization – advancements critical for both economic prosperity and energy security. To illustrate the power of international collaboration in achieving these goals, we will highlight partnerships such as the one between Lithuania and MIT, which fosters innovation and cultivates future energy leaders.
Panelists:
• Vladimir Bulović, Professor at MIT, Founding Director of MIT.nano
• Rana K. Gupta, Executive Director of MIT Deshpande Center for Technological Innovation
• Darius Milčius, Professor and Director of Research and Innovation at Vytautas Magnus University,
• Violeta Motuzienė, Professor at the Department of Building Energy Systems, VILNIUS TECH
• Vytautas Bitinas, CTO of Lithuanian Railways
Moderator: Gediminas Urbonas, Professor of Program in Art, Culture, and Technology at MIT
Navigating the AI Shift: Technology, Innovation & Transatlantic Collaboration
This panel will explore strengthening US-Lithuania IT ties in cybersecurity and AI. Experts will examine transatlantic collaboration through case studies, discussing technical, regulatory, and cultural barriers and strategies to overcome them, such as joint research, talent exchanges, and public-private alliances. The discussion will identify critical factors for effective cooperation, including harmonized standards and shared threat intelligence, aiming to provide attendees with a roadmap for resilient, AI-enhanced cybersecurity and a vibrant US-Lithuania IT ecosystem.
Panelists:
• Geoffrey M. Odlum, Advisor for International Programs at FedTech
• Vaida Greičiūtė, Co-Founder at Corner Case Technologies
• Gerald Kasulis, Director at Nord Security
Moderator: Kęstas Barzdaitis, CTO at Signal Technologies
Defense Innovation for the Future of Security
In today’s rapidly evolving security environment, strengthening defense innovation and dual-use collaboration between allies is not just an advantage — it’s a necessity. This panel brings together military, government, and industry leaders from the United States and Lithuania to explore how operational needs, technological innovation, and international partnerships can be aligned for greater resilience and deterrence.
Panelists:
• Agila Barzdienė, Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Economy and Innovation
• Col Kevin Dellicker, Pennsylvania National Guard (PANG)
• John Griffin, Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)
• Paulius Vaitkevicius, Head of Innovations at Novian Pro
Moderator: Kelly Becker, Director of NATO DIANA Program at MassChallenge.
Room II
Startup Mentors Lab
This session will offer a dynamic mentoring session where startups rotate between tables hosted by investors and mentors every 10 minutes. Startups will pitch, ask questions, and receive feedback, while investors and mentors provide targeted advice and contacts to each startup. The session aims to offer startups actionable insights and introductions, and help investors identify promising opportunities, fostering enhanced networking and relationship-building.
Mentors:
• Ira M. Lubert, CEO at Belgravia Management LP Family Office
• Tuan Ho, Venture Partner at Xfund
• Philip H. Beauregard, Managing General Partner at Impellent Ventures
• Apolinaras Sinkevicius, Principle at Scalability Ventures
• Ruta Laukien, Vice President at US Capital Global,
• Kęstas Barzdaitis, CTO at Signal Technologies
Cutting Through the Longevity Noise: Science, Investment, and Global Collaboration
Longevity and biotech are one of today’s most ambitious scientific frontiers, but cutting through the hype to spotlight real progress is essential. This panel brings together leading voices in gene therapy, investments and AI-powered healthcare to explore the breakthroughs to redefine aging.
Panel will also focus on U.S.-Lithuania collaboration in biotech areas, with an open invitation to continue the dialogue at BIO Convention the following week and at Life Sciences Baltics in Lithuania this September.
Panelists:
• Jose Navarro – Betancourt, Scientific Director of QuadraScope
• Jamie Heywood, CEO and Founder of Alden Scientific
• Monika Paulė – CEO of Caszyme
• Eligijus Čivilis – General Manager of Invest Lithuania
Moderator: Goda Sadževičiūtė – Certified Practitioner & Health Innovation Speaker
Arts on Prescription: An Innovative Approach to Well-being and Social Change
Explore how creativity is reshaping healthcare and community wellbeing. Massachusetts is leading the way as the first U.S. state to launch a statewide art prescription program. Join leaders from the creative industries, healthcare, business, and government as they dive into cross-sector collaboration and real-world solutions to major health challenges like social isolation, anxiety, and depression.
Panelists:
• Chris Appleton, Arts Pharmacy CEO
• Laurynas Žakevičius, Chairperson of Board of Directors of Creative Industries Lithuania
• Jonas Liugaila, Secretary General @ International Council of Design
• Eleonora J. Romuva, Strategic Producer, Global Partnerships
• Meg McGrath, Executive Director at Jean Appolon Expressions
Moderator: Erik Holmgren, Mass Cultural Council