Meet the Programme Committee 2026

We are delighted to unveil the Programme Committee of the 4th edition of the Data Summit Luxembourg, taking place in 2026 under the theme: “Empowering People, Enabling Tools, Ensuring Governance”

As the cornerstone of the Summit’s content, this distinguished committee will be responsible for reviewing and selecting proposals submitted by the data community. Their mission is to curate a diverse, high-quality, and thought-provoking programme, one that reflects the evolving data landscape and sparks meaningful conversations across sectors.

A Committee Built on Diversity and Expertise

In line with the spirit of this year’s theme, the Programme Committee brings together a wide range of perspectives and backgrounds, from research and government to the private sector, arts, and youth advocacy. This diversity ensures a balanced and forward-looking programme that addresses both opportunities and challenges in today’s data-driven world.

Meet the Members

🌐 Data Leadership – Bert Verdonck
CEO of the Luxembourg National Data Service (LNDS), Bert Verdonck brings extensive experience in healthcare informatics, data strategy, and AI from over two decades at Philips. With a PhD in medical image processing and a strong European engagement through roles in Gaia-X, ELIXIR, and the Data Spaces Support Centre, he actively promotes ethical data reuse and cross-border collaboration. As the longstanding host of the Data Summit Luxembourg, he will also ensure that the spirit and identity of the Summit continues to thrive in this new edition.

🔬 Research – Dr. Venkata Satagopam
Principal Investigator and Head of the Clinical & Translational Informatics Group at the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB), University of Luxembourg, Dr. Satagopam brings over 20 years of expertise in bioinformatics and systems biology. His work spans data integration, AI-driven analytics, and clinical data innovation, supported by more than 100 peer-reviewed publications.

🌍 International Profile – Fedra Fateh
CEO and co-founder of AI Art Lab, Fedra Fateh is an Iranian-American attorney and global advocate for AI literacy and gender equality in STEM. With a unique background spanning law, journalism, and cultural initiatives, she champions innovation at the intersection of art, technology, and social impact.

🌱 Youth Representative – Avanti Sharma
Director of AI & Growth at Workshop4Me and Founder of Lëtz Make SDGs Happen, Avanti Sharma focuses on developing solutions and policy initiatives to protect youth from online risks. Her work brings a vital youth perspective to discussions around responsible and inclusive digital futures.

🏦 Private Sector – Ananda Kautz
Member of the Management Board at ABBL, Ananda Kautz is a leader in digital transformation and payments. With extensive experience in fintech, sustainability, and innovation, she contributes a strategic business perspective to shaping a data ecosystem.

📊 Public Sector – Gabriele Marconi
Senior Data Scientist at ADEM, Gabriele Marconi applies data science to real-world challenges such as labour market analysis and skill classification. His background across Eurostat, OECD, and academia brings valuable expertise in applied data and public policy.

🏛️ Government – Dr. Romain Martin
Senior Government Advisor at the Ministry of Research and Higher Education, Dr. Martin leads national strategies on research, data, AI, and quantum technologies. His extensive experience in academia and public policy provides a strong governance lens to the committee.

Shaping the 2026 Programme

Together, this committee will carefully assess all submitted proposals to build a programme that is:

• Diverse in voices and disciplines
• Innovative in content and formats
• Relevant to current and future data challenges
• Designed to inspire dialogue and collaboration

The selected programme will be officially announced in September 2026.

Be Part of the Conversation

With a strong, multidisciplinary Programme Committee at the helm, the Data Summit Luxembourg 2026 promises to be an inspiring and impactful event.

👉 Register now to secure your place