The conversation around AI is evolving – fast.
Most organizations are still navigating the AI era through isolated initiatives, fragmented use cases, and frameworks shaped by the past. Governance is often treated as a compliance layer rather than a strategic function.
But the reality is shifting.
As AI systems scale, decisions become more complex, less reversible, and increasingly interconnected with capital allocation, regulatory pressure, and long-term business consequences.
This gathering marks the launch of the AI Game Changers Club in Zurich and brings together senior leaders to explore what AI governance actually means in practice – at scale.
Not as policy alone.
But as a leadership responsibility.
What we will explore:
- Human–AI Synergy as a driver of sustainable business growth
- AI governance as a strategic function – not just compliance
- Decision-making under pressure in AI-shaped environments
- The intersection of policy, capital, and execution
- Managing asymmetric risk and long-term consequences
- Leadership accountability in increasingly complex systems
Format:
Curated, high-level leadership forum designed for depth, perspective, and meaningful exchange.
- Opening keynote perspectives
- In-room executive panel (Zurich)
- Transatlantic panel with speakers from Washington DC
- Moderated discussion and audience Q&A
- Informal networking with selected leaders
Style: Business casual
Agenda
17:30 – Arrival & Networking
18:00 – Welcome & Chapter Introduction
💎 Michael Herkommer, Zurich Chapter Chair
18:05 – Opening Perspective
Christian Hoffmann, AI Startup Center, Technopark Zurich
18:15 – Keynote
💎 Emi Olausson Fourounjieva
Founder, AI Game Changers Club
Human–AI Synergy as Competitive Advantage in an Era of Strategic Uncertainty
18:35 – Executive Panel (Zurich)
Speakers:
💎 Michael Herkommer
Zürich Chapter Chair
AI Governance & Risk in Regulated Industries
Co-Founder & CIO Riskovate
Guests of Honor:
Dr. Christian Hugo Hoffmann
AI Startup Center, Zurich
Clusterpreneur | Keynote Speaker & Author | Board Member & Advisor
Elena Maran
Risk-centric AI Governance | Top 100 women in AI in Switzerland | Committee Member CEN/CLC/JTC 21/WG 4 “Foundational and societal aspects” | Certified AI Governance Professional (AIGP) | ISO42001 Lead Implementer
💎 Moderated by Emi Olausson Fourounjieva
Break
19:30 – Transatlantic Panel (Washington DC – Virtual)
AI Governance at Scale – Where Policy, Capital, and Irreversible Decisions Collide
💎 Sze Wong
AI Game Changers Club Mid-Atlantic Chapter Chair, Guardian
Zenith Venture Studio
Investor, Educator
💎 Erica Shoemate
AI Governance, Trust & Safety & National Security Risk
Founder, The EN Strategy Group
Former FBI & U.S. Intelligence Community | ex-Twitter, Amazon, Meta
💎 Nathan Manzotti
Data and AI Leader at FDIC | Advisor | Adjunct Professor
Founder & CEO, TechRamen
💎 Moderated by Emi Olausson Fourounjieva
20:00 – Open Discussion & Q&A
20:10 – Closing Reflections
💎 Michael Herkommer
20:15 – Networking & Informal Exchange
Participants
This event is designed for:
- C-level executives and board members
- Senior leaders in strategy, innovation, transformation, and risk
- Investors and institutional decision-makers
Participation is curated to ensure a high-quality, peer-level experience.
Terms & Conditions
Photo & Video Recordings
As part of this event, photographs and/or video recordings may be taken by or on behalf of the AI Startup Center. By registering for the event, you acknowledge that these recordings may be published at a later date in digital media and/or printed materials.
