Dear WOM&AN Members,

We are delighted to invite you to register for our upcoming educational event “Words That Win: Using Language to Lead and Persuade in M&A”, co-organized by WOM&AN, DLA Piper, and Marktlink.

The meeting will take place on the evening of 28 October at The National Library and will feature a panel discussion moderated by Anna Chrabota-Bajson (DLA Piper) with the following distinguished speakers:

Przemysław Głębocki
Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer, Accession Capital Partners

Przemysław is Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer at Accession Capital Partners, where he also serves on the supervisory boards of Domino’s Polska, SMYK, Nettle, WISS, Tatuum, Vemo, and Top Farms International.

Accession Capital Partners (ACP) is a pioneer of mezzanine financing in Central Europe. Over the past 25 years, ACP has raised six funds totaling EUR 1.3 billion, supporting the growth – both organic and through acquisitions – of more than 70 companies across the region and beyond.

Przemysław has over 20 years of experience in private equity and finance in Central Europe. Before joining ACP, he worked at Ernst & Young in the Corporate Finance and Audit departments.

Ewa Kastory
Director of Strategy and Development, Certes Sp. z o.o.

Ewa is the Director of Strategy and Development at Certes, specializing in negotiation, conflict management, and building understanding among diverse stakeholder groups. She advises negotiation teams and supports organizations by developing and implementing negotiation policies, as well as assisting them in crisis situations.

She is the author of advanced development programs in negotiation and strategic communication, and the founder of Poland’s first year-long School of Negotiation, based on practical business experience. Over the past decade, she has delivered more than 500 days of training and advisory sessions in negotiation projects for leaders and organizations.

Ewa holds a degree in psychology and is a trainer accredited by the Polish Psychological Association.

Prof. Jacek Wasilewski
University of Warsaw

Professor Jacek Wasilewski explores how language shapes people — and how the stories we live in define what we see as rational action. He lectures in rhetoric at the Faculty of Journalism, University of Warsaw.

He is the author of several books on communication — about speaking (“Prowadzeni słowami” / “Led by Words”), about language (“Bezecnik gramatyki polskiej” / “The Scandalous Grammar of Polish”), about storytelling (“Opowieści o Polsce” / “Stories about Poland”), and about the power of words in shaping human experience (“Uwięzieni w słowach rodziców” / “Trapped in Our Parents’ Words”).

dr hab. Joanna Żukowska, prof. SGH
Head of the Department of Entrepreneurship and Business Environment, SGH Warsaw School of Economics

Joanna is the Head of the Department of Entrepreneurship and Business Environment and Deputy Director at the Institute of Enterprise, SGH Warsaw School of Economics.

She holds an International Trainer Certificate in Training, Learning, and Development (Edexcel & BTEC Professional Qualifications), is an ICF-accredited coach and tutor, and leads the Postgraduate Program “Academy of the Professional Coach”. Joanna combines academic expertise with hands-on experience in personal and leadership development.

Bartłomiej Smolarek
Supervisory boards member, Retired EY Senior Partner

Bartek has participated in over 300 M&A transactions across Central and Eastern Europe during his 25-year career at EY. He has negotiated in diverse cultural contexts – including Africa, Asia, the Americas, and the Middle East.

He brings deep expertise in restructuring and distressed asset transactions and is known for his relationship-building skills and open, conversational communication style – he simply loves to talk.

We look forward to seeing you there for an inspiring discussion and exchange of perspectives on the power of language in M&A.

Warm regards,
The WOM&AN Team