Sofia brought together the voices shaping the future of finance, capital markets, urban development, and public policy in Central and Eastern Europe on 23 April 2026.
The 12th CFA Central and Eastern Europe Investment Conference, organized by CFA Society Bulgaria, took place at the Hyatt Regency Sofia, welcoming hundreds of participants, institutional leaders, investors, policymakers, and industry professionals for a full day of insight, debate, and forward-looking dialogue.
The conference opened with welcome remarks by Nikolay Vassilev, CFA, President of CFA Society Bulgaria, and Vassil Terziev, Mayor of Sofia. The opening ceremony was followed by the special awards presentation “The Biggest Reformers of CEE: 1990–2026,” recognizing transformational leadership and reforms across the region.
The Visionaries’ Panel featured former Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev, Greek MP Dr. Panagiotis Mitarachi, CFA, and Margarita Orfanidis, moderated by Iliyana Petrova from the Office of the President of Bulgaria.
The discussion focused on the political, economic, and geopolitical outlook for Central and Eastern Europe, addressing the opportunities and challenges facing the region in an increasingly complex global environment.
One of the highlights of the conference brought together internationally renowned architects and urban visionaries from KENGO KUMA & ASSOCIATES, Zaha Hadid Architects, Foster + Partners, and Tower 151 Architects.
Richard Nelson, Filippo Innocenti, Laura Narvaez Zertuche, PhD, Andrew Yeoman, and Gergana Georgieva discussed how architecture, sustainability, investment, and urban planning are redefining the cities of tomorrow across Central and Eastern Europe.
The panel dedicated to CEE capital markets featured Razvan Pasol, CFA, Ludwik Sobolewski, Dimitris Orfanidis, and Pervin Dadashova, PhD, FRM, CFA, moderated by Ivaylo Penev, CFA, MBA.
Speakers examined regional market development, cross-border market connectivity, IPO activity, investor confidence, and the structural challenges facing capital markets across the region.
The CEE Private Equity, VC & M&A panel brought together Elvin Guri, Pavel Velkov, CFA, and Piotr Polanowski, CFA, moderated by Nikolay Vanyov, CFA.
The discussion focused on private capital flows, investment opportunities, entrepreneurship, mergers and acquisitions, and the evolving investment landscape in Central and Eastern Europe.
Closing the conference, the final panel explored the growing role of artificial intelligence in finance and investment management.
Didem Ün Ateş, Advisor to Goldman Sachs Asset Management and CEO of LotusAI, joined Brian Pisaneschi, CFA, Senior Investment Data Scientist at CFA Institute, in a discussion moderated by Kalin Metodiev, CFA.
The session addressed how AI is reshaping investment analysis, decision-making, financial services, and the future of the profession.
From politics to architecture, from capital markets to artificial intelligence, the 12th CFA Central and Eastern Europe Investment Conference once again positioned Sofia as a platform for meaningful regional dialogue and international exchange.
CFA Society Bulgaria extends its gratitude to all speakers, moderators, partners, sponsors, media representatives, and participants who contributed to making this year’s edition a success.
ELANA Fund ManagementExpat Capital
Bloomberg TV BulgariaБизнес Новините
📸 Full Event Photo Gallery: Photos 12th CFA Central and Eastern Europe Investment Conference 2026 - Google Drive🎥 Conference Video Playlist: CFA Society Bulgaria - YouTube
ADMIN