The world has never been so crazy – sadly, much of the havoc comes from a long-standing ally, the United States

Amid global geopolitical tensions, many Baltic businesses are taking a wait-and-see approach, opting for caution over publicity.

The world has never been so crazy – and, let’s admit it, much of the havoc comes from a long-standing ally: the United States. Around half of Americans believe the country is headed toward – or already on the brink of – another civil war. My premonition is that the United States will disintegrate sometime between 2060 and 2080.

Yet, remarkably, at a time of global uncertainties, it is women leaders and entrepreneurs who are keeping calm under pressure, navigating the complex business world with determination and grace, and steering their companies through both external and internal challenges.

This was my experience while putting together the 2025 summer edition of The Baltic Times Magazine, the Baltics’ most enduring print publication, now in its 34th year of business.

Meet our cover heroine: Donata Kuprescenkiene, founder, former CEO, and co-owner of UAB Addways Logistics, now serving as its Board member. Until recently, she appeared to have achieved all she dreamed of. Now, she’s ready to turn the page. Donata is aiming higher – devoting her experience, knowledge, and boundless energy to support other entrepreneurial women through mentoring, guidance, and inspiration. Donata, go for it!

When it comes to bold moves in biotechnology, Dr. Monika Paule – our other featured heroine – stands out as a true maverick. As CEO and co-founder of Caszyme, a pioneering Lithuanian biotech firm specializing in CRISPR gene-editing technologies, she helped transform a world-class academic discovery into a thriving business, serving as a model of leadership, innovation, and resilience in a traditionally male-dominated field.

Then meet Eiva Pociene, under whose leadership UAB Liviko in Lithuania has transformed into a trusted name in the premium spirits industry. Eiva’s story is one of vision, resilience, and masterful change management.

In our section on Baltic consuls, Dr. Sabine Sommerkamp-Homann stands out. As the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Latvia in Hamburg since 1997, she has been a beacon of dedication, intellect, and heartfelt service – building bridges between Germany and Latvia through culture, academia, and diplomacy. 

In politics, this edition features Zivile Pinskuviene, the bold and unconventional mayor of Lithuania’s Sirvintos – a leader gaining recognition far beyond her hometown. 

We also speak with a seasoned Lithuanian Member of the European Parliament, Rasa Jukneviciene, who cautions: “Many of the patterns we see today resemble those from nearly a hundred years ago – and that is deeply alarming.”

In an era of epochal – perhaps even cosmic – shifts, let us be guided by what makes us human, and remember: a future, however uncertain, is far better than no future at all.

 

Sincerely,

Linas Jegelevicius

Editor-in-Chief of The Baltic Times Magazine