Zsuzsanna Mátrai
Principal Advisor, Hungary & CEE
Zsuzsanna is a highly experienced, multi-lingual senior diplomat and team leader with over 25 years of experience in economic, international, and corporate relations, spanning both public and private sectors. She has a proven track record in domestic and international relations and her expertise includes digitization, ethical dimensions of AI, and corporate social responsibility. Additionally, she holds international educational credentials in economics, public administration, and EU affairs, including EU law.
Zsuzsanna began her career in 1998 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, where she played a pivotal role in Hungary's European integration process. During her 20-year tenure, she not only spearheaded the establishment of the Hungarian EU coordination system but also served as a spokesperson, gaining significant experience in both internal and external communication. Zsuzsanna's diplomatic prowess was further demonstrated during Hungary's EU Presidency, where she successfully concluded accession negotiations with Croatia.
Transitioning to Microsoft in 2017, Zsuzsanna assumed various roles within the Corporate, External, and Legal Affairs team. Beginning with oversight of corporate and government affairs in Central Europe, she later became Regional Director for the Central and Eastern European region, covering 33 countries. In her role, besides leading the corporate affairs team in CEE, Zsuzsanna advocated for Microsoft's core values and philanthropic activities while contributing to strategic initiatives to shape public policy outcomes on ICT industry issues.
Zsuzsanna has garnered numerous accolades, including Microsoft's Annual and European awards, acknowledging her strategic contributions. She received the Gold Cross, Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary, for outstanding performance during the Hungarian EU Presidency, particularly for her role in closing accession negotiations with Croatia. Additionally, Zsuzsanna was honored with the Foreign Ministry Award for European Hungary for her substantial contributions to Hungary's EU accession efforts.
Zsuzsanna began her career in 1998 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary, where she played a pivotal role in Hungary's European integration process. During her 20-year tenure, she not only spearheaded the establishment of the Hungarian EU coordination system but also served as a spokesperson, gaining significant experience in both internal and external communication. Zsuzsanna's diplomatic prowess was further demonstrated during Hungary's EU Presidency, where she successfully concluded accession negotiations with Croatia.
Transitioning to Microsoft in 2017, Zsuzsanna assumed various roles within the Corporate, External, and Legal Affairs team. Beginning with oversight of corporate and government affairs in Central Europe, she later became Regional Director for the Central and Eastern European region, covering 33 countries. In her role, besides leading the corporate affairs team in CEE, Zsuzsanna advocated for Microsoft's core values and philanthropic activities while contributing to strategic initiatives to shape public policy outcomes on ICT industry issues.
Zsuzsanna has garnered numerous accolades, including Microsoft's Annual and European awards, acknowledging her strategic contributions. She received the Gold Cross, Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary, for outstanding performance during the Hungarian EU Presidency, particularly for her role in closing accession negotiations with Croatia. Additionally, Zsuzsanna was honored with the Foreign Ministry Award for European Hungary for her substantial contributions to Hungary's EU accession efforts.