On 5 February 2025, we hosted a truly special SEED Alumni Event—our 10th anniversary celebration. This gathering wasn’t just about looking back; it was about celebrating the alumni, partners, and colleagues who have played a role in SEED’s success over the past decade.

We spent a great night together, reconnecting with old friends but also making new ones. As in previous years, we honored some of our most accomplished alumni with the SEED Excellence Award, recognizing their leadership and contributions.

INSPIRING REFLECTIONS & KEYNOTE ADDRESS

The evening, hosted by László Aczél (Managing Faculty at SEED) began with opening remarks from Dr. László Eszes, SEED’s CEO and Academic Director, who reflected on SEED’s journey and shared his vision for the future. He noted, that as the business environment becomes increasingly complex, leaders must learn to manage complexity. Dr. Eszes emphasized that in response to the evolving leadership demands, SEED has renewed its program portfolio, combining essential leadership skills with specialized focus areas.  

We then welcomed Zsolt Hernádi, Chairman and CEO of MOL Group—one of SEED’s founding partners—who took us back to SEED’s origins, sharing the vision that led to its establishment.

The keynote address was delivered by Saul Betmead de Chasteigner, Associate Fellow at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. His presentation,“The Innovation Paradox: Why Strategy Often Fails”, explored why even well-designed business strategies frequently fall short and what leaders can do to bridge the gap between planning and execution. He examined key strategy models, the role of innovation, and the barriers that prevent organizations from adapting effectively. He emphasized the importance of balancing structured methodologies with a disruptive mindset to drive long-term success.

Class of 2014

As part of our 10-year celebration, we paid tribute to the very first class of SEED’s Business Leadership Program (BLP). To commemorate this milestone, we presented each of them with a symbolic Alumni Member Card, reinforcing their lasting connection to SEED. In addition, they received bonsai trees—a symbol of leadership: much like leading an organization, cultivating a bonsai tree requires patience, adaptability, and strategic pruning to ensure growth.

We also welcomed on stage Anthony Radev, the founder of SEED, who shared a few thoughts and memories about the school’s first year and the very first class.

Honoring Excellence in Leadership

One of the highlights of every Alumni Event is the presentation of the SEED Excellence Award, which recognizes outstanding professional and leadership performance achieved by alumni after completing one of our programs. Selection is based on major accomplishments that have also been acknowledged by their profession and community.

THIS YEAR’S WINNERS:

Zsuzsanna Ortutay, President of the Management Board, INA Group

Zsuzsanna received this award for her exceptional leadership in business transformation at INA Group and MOL Group. Her impact has been widely recognized—she was named Croatia’s most influential woman leader by Lider business magazine in 2024 for the second consecutive year and ranked fourth on Forbes Hungary’s Most Influential International Women Business Leaders list.

Beyond her corporate success, Zsuzsanna is dedicated to increasing the visibility of women leaders, mentoring professionals, and fostering a strong professional community. She is also a committed advocate for corporate sustainability and the development of a circular economy.

Eszter Kamocsay-Berta, Founding and Managing Partner, KCG Partners

Eszter was recognized for her exceptional leadership as the founder and Managing Partner of KCG Partners Law Firm, which has earned multiple international rankings, including Legal 500 EMEA Top Tier distinctions.

She has built an exemplary corporate culture—one that values social responsibility, continuous professional development, and corporate coaching. In addition to leading her firm, she actively contributes to legal education through articles and podcasts, provides pro bono legal services, and supports young lawyers in their career growth.

László Vastag, Managing Director, Center for Molecular Fingerprinting

László received this award for his outstanding professional and leadership contributions as theManaging Director of the Center for Molecular Fingerprinting (CMF), the research institute founded by 2023 Physics Nobel Laureate Ferenc Krausz.

Under his leadership, CMF has achieved remarkable advancements in molecular diagnostics, shaping the future of early-stage disease detection and fostering strong partnerships between science, healthcare, and industry.

Beyond his executive role, he is dedicated to raising awareness of scientific discoveries and healthcare initiatives while fostering professional and academic partnerships. His commitment extends beyond research—he actively engages in bridging the gap between the scientific community and the broader public, ensuring that groundbreaking advancements translate into meaningful societal impact.

Introducing the SEED & Intuitech X-Connect Award

For the first time, SEED and Intuitech partnered up and established an award to honor SEED Alumni who exemplify transforming complex science domains into tangible business ventures and bridging the business-executive education gap.

The X-Connect Award was proudly presented by Mr. Balázs Horváth, Managing Partner of Intuitech to Dr. László Vastag for his groundbreaking work in interdisciplinary research and innovation.. László exemplifies how leadership can drive innovation with real-world impact.

Closing with a Thought-Provoking Book Selection

As the event drew to a close, we held a prize draw featuring books carefully selected by our program directors. Each book reflect the core theme of a SEED program and provides valuable insights for leaders.

Here’s the list of recommended readings:

• Dare to Lead – Brené Brown (Aspiring Women Leaders Program, recommended by Dr. Anita Csoma)
• How to Change – Katy Milkman (Leading Change Program, recommended by Dr. László Eszes)
• Leading Digital – George Westerman, Didier Bonnet, Andrew McAfee (Business Leadership in the Digital Age Program, recommended by Krisztián Kurtisz)
• Net Positive – Paul Polman, Andrew Winston (Leading a Sustainable Business Program, recommended by Sándor Kántor)
• Transforming Legacy Organizations – Kris Østergaard (Leading Innovation Program, recommended by Dr. Anita Csoma)
• How Brands Grow – Byron Sharp (Strategic Marketing for Business Leaders Program, recommended by László Aczél)
• Finance for Executives – Gabriel Hawawini, Claude Viallet (Finance for Executives Program, recommended by Dóra Jánosi)
• How Big Things Get Done – Bent Flyvbjerg, Dan Gardner (Executive Playbook for Project-Driven Transformation Program, recommended by Marianna Sárvári)
• CEO Excellence – Carolyn Dewar, Scott Keller, Vikram Malhotra (Advanced Leadership Program, recommended by György Leitner)
• The Four Workarounds – Paul Savaget (Recommended by our keynote speaker, Saul Betmead de Chasteigner)

We are grateful to everyone who joined us in celebrating this milestone. As we look ahead to the next decade, we remain committed to our mission—empowering leaders to drive meaningful change in their organizations and beyond.

Here’s to another 10 years of leadership impact!