ATTEND THE DEPLOY SMALL MODULAR REACTORS WORKSHOP
Hosted by the International Trade Association the DEPLOY Small Modular Reactors Workshop convenes experts and decision makers to showcase U.S. nuclear technologies and promote safe, efficient implementation across the region. Register today to engage, learn, and collaborate.
Why You Should Attend?
This two day workshop will bring together decision makers and industry experts from European and Eurasian countries, U.S. government officials, and industry representatives to discuss recent initiatives that support the advancement of nuclear energy technologies.
Expertise
Hear about current business and project opportunities across Europe and the Eurasian region.
Market Insights
Gain an understanding of the nuclear energy landscape in Europe and the Eurasian region.
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Networking
Meet one on one with key decision makers from Europe and the Eurasian region.
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Tailored Content
Learn about commercial and government financing available for nuclear energy deployment projects.
Featured Speakers
Denisa Sakova
Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Economy
Slovak Republic
Denisa Sakova
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, Slovak Republic
Denisa Saková studied at the Gymnasium of Eugen Guderna in Nitra. She continued her studies at the Faculty of national Economy of the University of Economics in Bratislava, where she also obtained her doctoral degree.
During her studies, she began working as a consultant at DELTA E. S., a. s. Subsequently, from 2001 to 2003, she worked for Cap Gemini Ernst & Young GmbH in Berlin as a senior consultant. From 2003 to 2007, she worked for E.ON IT Slovakia, s. r. o. as the Director of the Applications Division.
In 2007, she transitioned from the private sector to the public sector, where she worked at the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic until 2010 as the General Director of the Informatics, Telecommunications, and Security Section. She returned to the Ministry of Interior in 2012, initially as the Head of the Service Office, and from 2016, she served as the State Secretary of the Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic. In 2018, she was appointed as the Minister of the Interior, becoming the first woman in the department´s history to hold this position. She served also as a member of the National Council of the Slovak Republic from 2020 to 2023.
Heather Rogers
U.S. Chargé d'affaires
Slovak Republic
Heather Rogers
U.S. Chargé d'affaires, Slovak Republic
Heather Rogers joined U.S. Embassy Bratislava as the Deputy Chief of Mission in July 2024 and assumed duties as Chargé d’affaires, a.i. on January 16, 2026.
Most recently, Heather served as Economic Counselor at U.S. Embassy Warsaw (2020–2023), where she led the Embassy’s economic engagement with Poland, advanced energy security through U.S.-supported civil nuclear cooperation, and supported Poland’s response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Previously, she was Deputy Economic Chief at U.S. Embassy Hanoi (2015–2018), helping lead a team that significantly strengthened U.S.-Vietnam economic, trade, and labor relations, including during Vietnam’s chairmanship of APEC.
Heather also served as Senior Burma Desk Officer in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs (2012–2014), where she was part of an interagency team that won recognition for significantly advancing U.S. interests and peace during a period of unprecedented positive bilateral engagement. As a Watch Officer in the Executive Secretariat’s Operations Center (2011–2012), she supported the Secretary of State and other Department leaders’ global outreach and crisis response. Her consular tour was at U.S. Embassy Bogotá (2009–2011), where she worked during a period of significant internal displacement linked to Colombia’s armed conflict. Heather’s first Foreign Service assignment was as a Human Rights Officer at U.S. Embassy New Delhi (2006–2008).
Heather began her federal career the day before September 11, 2001 – an event that shaped her approach to public service – serving first as a Presidential Management Fellow and later as a civil servant at the Department of State. Her early assignments included serving as Public Diplomacy Desk Officer for India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (2003-2006), working in the political section at U.S. Embassy Skopje (2002-2003) and supporting oversight and accountability efforts with the Office of Inspector General (2001-2002).
Heather holds a BA from the College of Saint Benedict / St. John’s University (CSB/SJU), a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Rutgers University, and a Master of Science (MS) in National Security and resource Strategy from National Defense University (NDU). She has studied Slovak, Polish, Vietnamese and Spanish.
She has been married for more than two decades to a (now retired) American diplomat and together they have three children and a very energetic dog. Outside of work, Heather values time with her family and enjoys discovering cities on foot and long dinners with good conversation.
Rian Bahran
Deputy Assistant Secretary
U.S. Department of Energy
Rian Bahran
Deputy Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy
Dr. Rian Bahran serves as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Reactors overseeing a comprehensive portfolio that includes research, development, demonstration, and deployment of advanced nuclear reactors as well as cutting-edge technologies that underpin the technical and economic sustainability of the nation’s current commercial nuclear fleet.
A career member of the Senior Executive Service, Dr. Bahran began his career at Los Alamos National Laboratory, where he spent over a decade as an experimentalist and as a program manager. Subsequently, he expanded his service through multiple administrations as a senior advisor to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, providing strategic guidance on nuclear issues, energy, homeland defense and resilience, among other critical national security matters. For his exemplary performance, he received the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service. Dr. Bahran also served as the assistant director for nuclear technology and strategy in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, leading policy development on issues related to nuclear fission and fusion energy, national security, and emerging technology to enhance resilience and bolster global competitiveness.
He holds a doctor of philosophy degree in nuclear science and engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, New York, where his doctoral research was funded by the U.S. Naval Reactors in support of the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory Advanced Reactor Program. He also earned a dual B.S. in nuclear engineering and engineering physics from RPI.