True visionary with more than 4,000 designed products, over 400 awards and numerous clients in 47 countries. His ability to transcend typology continues to make him one of the best designers of his generation.

Some of the world brands that are in Rashid’s portfolio are: Veuve Clicquot, Alessi, Samsung, Kenzo, Hugo Boss, Audi and others.

David Biggs is an expert in structural engineering, with a particular focus on the forensic evaluation of structures, the restoration and strengthening of historic buildings, and the development of new structural systems and brick products. Teaching at the University of Auckland was an extraordinary experience for him. The idea of online classes, which started before the pandemic, turned out to be very successful.

Known for his unique style that combines a love of drawing, architecture, and cities, Carlo has collaborated with leading global brends like Mapei, Cartier, Mandarin Oriental Tel Aviv, Brioni, Trussardi, Unesco, Vanity Fair, Nestlé, Lufthansa, Illy, Wall Street Journal, SEA Milan Airports, Dom Perignon, LG, Bosch, BMW and exhibited in cities like Berlin, New York, Paris, and Tokyo.

He is the author of a book series dedicated to major world cities, where architecture and the urban landscape take center stage. This will be his first visit to Croatia, and we are excited that his talent will enhance our visual identity!

Supported by Lürssen Design Center Kvarner.

Hrvoje Dolenec is the chief economist of the Bank of Zagreb (ZABA) and a senior manager with many years of experience in the financial sector, specializing in macroeconomic and financial analyses. With more than 20 years of experience in economic research, economic consulting and banking, he has held management positions, including the role of chief economist and head of research in the largest Croatian banks.

Patrick Franolić is the CEO of the company Spiller Farmer and former director of the Carinthian Development Agency.

Ivana Bakunić is the general director of the Meridian 16 business park. She has many years of experience in the real estate sector, gained through work in a law office and as head of the legal department at Colliers International.

Daniel Pačić is the CEO of the Ogier company, with rich work experience gained through various jobs. He is responsible for developing Ogier Global’s presence and services in the UAE and the GCC region, with a focus on governance, risk and compliance for financially regulated entities.

Kruno Santini has a master’s degree in economics from the University of Zagreb’s, with more than 15 years of experience in banking, financial consulting, sales and acquisition of real estate.

Ante Marić graduated in Zagreb, and over the years has successfully managed numerous projects. He is currently the CEO of Atellior, an international architecture and interior design company based in London and Croatia, specializing in luxury hospitality and residential design.

Una Barac is the founder and executive director of the company Atelior, with rich experience gained through various business projects.

Kristina Milin is the director and head of the hotel consulting department at Horwath HTL. She has participated in more than 80 projects, with a focus on hotel and real estate development, investment planning, contract negotiation and the creation of strategic business plans for hotel companies.

Marko Dabrović founded RNA Studio in 1991, specializing in 3D computer-generated visualizations, and is one of the founders of the company 3LHD. He is actively involved in 3LHD projects, including significant projects such as the Croatian pavilions at the EXPO exhibitions in Japan and Spain and the Hotel Belvedere in Dubrovnik.

Margherita Brianza, founder of Parcnouveau, a landscape architecture office based in Milan. Parcnouveau offers a wide range of services covering all aspects of landscape design in the broadest sense, from the creation of master plans to specific consultations on building systems.

Parcnouveau harmonizes ideas and techniques, believing that one supports the other.

Matteo Gatto is the owner of matteogatto&associati. He was director of urban planning and architectural design at Arexpo SpA, responsible for the development of the World Exhibition area in Milan. He was also the chief architect of Expo 2015, where he led the Office of Planning, and director of visitor experience, exhibition design and thematic areas.

Maud Truchi, founder and CEO of MTC. After working for L’Oréal in Miami and Socgen in Tokyo, she continued her career as a HNWI wealth manager in France and Switzerland at UBS. With extensive experience, she founded a property management consultancy 10 years ago and managed the Maslina resort project in Croatia.

Marko Pažanin is the CEO and partner of Croatia Sotheby’s International Realty, which under his leadership became the leading luxury real estate agency in Croatia with a portfolio of over 200 properties and investment projects in prestigious locations.

Damjan Geber finished architecture in Zagreb, and received additional education in Rome. He currently holds the post of creative director of the Museum of Illusions and is the owner and CEO of the Brigada agency.

Siniša Topalović is an expert in international consulting in the hotel industry, tourism and leisure activities, with experience on more than 70 projects within the Horwath HTL network. As CEO of Horwath HTL Croatia, he coordinates international teams to achieve maximum synergies. Since 2015, he has been leading the global cooperation between Horwath HTL and UNWTO.

He is the author of numerous articles and reports on tourism and an active speaker at conferences. He graduated with honors from the University of Zagreb and is currently doing doctoral studies in the field of tourism.

Ivan Barukčić is a member of the board and project manager at Alfa Stan Grup, where he was previously a construction site manager. In addition to engineering precision and a passion for perfecting the project, he pays great attention to interpersonal relationships, believing that they significantly affect the success of the project and the quality of the final product.

Mislav Bašić is the owner and CEO of 4uHa and an architect at the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland. He is authorized to create projects on immovable cultural property.

Robert Kralj is the CEO of Adria Europe Group, which specializes in the design and construction of luxury real estate in Croatia.

The director and founder of Opereta Boro Vujović, with the help of his employees and associates created a real estate agency with a leading position on the Zagreb real estate market.

Along with proactivity and adaptability, continuous education is what makes Operetta different. Therefore, he invests daily in the education and training of his employees in order to provide clients with the highest quality service, and he pays great attention to motivating employees and creating positive energy and a pleasant working atmosphere.

Franco Peruza influences the business development of PKF hospitality group and CEE. He focuses on hotel investments, hospitality real estate development, owner representation, and also has extensive experience in the developing countries of Central and Southeastern Europe.

Ratko Brnabić is the dean of the Faculty of Law in Split. He has been employed at the faculty since 2000, and since 2014 he has held the position of head of the Department of Commercial and Corporate Law and holder of all the Department’s subjects. He also runs a Legal Clinic for free legal assistance to citizens.

Drago Cmuk graduated from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and graduated from the COTRUGLI Business School. He is currently the founder and partner of Mazars in Croatia. With more than 20 years of experience, he helps managers in the manufacturing, FMCG sector and service industries to successfully adapt to the dynamic digital landscape.

Klaudija Karabuva Vidas has been a member of the Management Board of OTP Leasing since August 2006, and previously held the position of procurator and head of accounting and controlling at Hypo Leasing Kroatien d.o.o. She graduated from the Faculty of Economics in Zagreb and continues to receive additional professional training in the country and abroad, such as the Mergers and Acquisitions Certificate, Stanford University Graduate School of Business. As a member of the Management Board, she is in charge of the Accounting and Finance sector, the IT and digital business transformation department, and the Controlling department. She started leasing 27 years ago and has been present in the industry since the very beginning of the appearance of leasing in Croatia, she has gone through all the turbulence that accompanied this industry. From the end of 2023, she holds her second term as president of the Association of Leasing Companies.

Mirjana Igrec is a member of the board in Kamgrad, the largest construction company in Croatia. She graduated from the Faculty of Economics in Zagreb, and an Executive Master of Business Administration at the Cotrugli Business School. She has been in the construction industry since the very beginning of her career, where she spent most of her time as a finance director and board member. In addition to finance, she is intensively involved in business optimization processes and digital transformation.

Gianmarco Baldini is owner of Baldininistudio, where he is credited with BIM management, development and sales of BIM software. Offers education for architects and engineers related to Allplan BIM, as well as sales, training and implementation of Bluebeam Revu software. He also deals with the sale and implementation of SCIA Engineer software.

Zuzana Omelkova has been active in IT security since 2011. Manages the introduction of security rules and measures in accordance with legal requirements, and monitors compliance of technologies with high standards of IT security and data protection of GAMO clients.

Vedran Sorić with more than 25 years of experience in business, including over 20 years in sales (15 years B2B), worked with four corporations and four private companies. As owner and CEO of Sorbel Group, he has been providing specialized sales training, mentoring and consulting for over 10 years. He has an Executive MBA from COTRUGLI Business School and an NLP Practitioner certificate, which enables him to communicate effectively and achieve excellence in sales. He is passionate about transforming sales perceptions and empowering sales professionals.

Timi Kovačević is the founder of the company DC&T and the chief executive officer of the company RYKK, with extensive experience in various companies and businesses. At DC&T, he is focused on setting trends in commercial interiors through innovative materials, technologies and design, providing clients with spaces that promote productivity and well-being.

Vuk Vuković is the founder and CIO of the hedge fund Oraclum Capital, based in New York. The fund employs a strategy rooted in innovation for predicting short-term market movements, which enabled Vuković and his partners to forecast Brexit and Trump’s victory in 2016, as well as Biden’s win in 2020. The fund has been active since early 2023 and has generated a 45% return for investors since its inception.

Additionally, Vuković holds a PhD from Oxford, based on which he authored the book Elite Networks, published in the summer of 2024 by Oxford University Press.

Darko Tipurić is a Full Professor at the Faculty of Economics in Zagreb and President of the Croatian Economic Society. He leads two postgraduate programs and has authored over 200 papers on strategy, corporate governance, and management. He is also a consultant for Croatian and international companies. In Rotary International, he has held several leadership roles, including District Governor and member of the Strategic Planning Committee.

Petar is a former “big four” consultant and now a successful entrepreneur and investor with extensive experience in logistics, ICT, and international trade. He is the second generation leading the family company Primaco and is also a co-founder of the IT company Smartivo. He has navigated all phases of succession, including complex corporate and family governance, and has acquired and merged other family businesses. He shares his experiences as a lecturer and panelist. Petar obtained his academic knowledge in Zagreb and London, and his professional experience spans all countries in the Adriatic region. He is a member of the Executive Board of the Croatian Employers’ Association, a music enthusiast, and a husband and father of five.

Experienced General Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the civil engineering industry. Skilled in AutoCAD, Negotiation, Budgeting, Business Planning, and Microsoft Word. Strong operations professional graduated from mr.sc. dipl.ing.građ.

Marin Zovko began his career in 2003 as an intern at Crosco company. In the same year, he moved to the Plinacro company to the Finance Department. In 2006, he became the Head of the Financing, Planning and Analysis Business Unit, and in 2008, he became the head of the Finance Department. From 2009 to 2013, he was the director of the Corporate Functions Division. He was appointed to the position of the President of the Plinacro Board in April 2013. Upon the expiry of his mandate in 2017, he moved to the position of an expert and to the position of the Assistant President of the Board. In May 2018, he was appointed as a Member of the Plinacro’s Board responsible for coordinating activities in the area of strategic development and investments, finance and accounting, regulatory affairs and the transmission capacity sales. Marin Zovko graduated from the Faculty of Economics in Zagreb, where he also completed his post-graduate studies in Business Management.

Miki Huljić has been with KONČAR since October 2012, initially as Financial Director. He was appointed Deputy Member of the Management Board in August 2014 and has been a Member of the Management Board since August 2016. Prior to KONČAR, he served as Assistant Minister of Economy and Executive Director at Hrvatska pošta. He has also held director positions at Lantea Group and Sportina and has experience in auditing, investment banking, and finance with companies such as Badel 1862 and Tekstilpromet. He graduated from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Zagreb in 1993.

Renato Lasić is the head of the design department and chief designer of ALFA THERM, which promotes expertise and knowledge transfer.

Sergio Galošić, B.Sc. mechanical engineer, is the president of the board of Klimaopreme, a company that has doubled the number of employees in the last few years. He is the winner of the award for manager of the year in the category of large companies.

Josip Ergović began his career in NEXE Group in 2005. and after 10 years he was appointed member of the Board for commercial affairs. He is a member of the Supervisory Board in Dilj d.o.o. Vinkovci, IGMA d.o.o. Koprivnica and Osijek-koteks d.d. Osijek.

Nikola Bojović, operational director of Unipromet d.o.o. His priority is to strengthen the culture of continuous improvement and achieve operational excellence. Experience in the position of manager for continuous improvement and team leadership skills contributed to increasing production efficiency and service quality. Their focus on brand management and process optimization improved Unipromet’s market presence and customer satisfaction. He is dedicated to the further development of the company and the professional growth of the team in order to remain recognizable in Europe and continue expanding the business.

Tomislav Radoš is the vice president of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce with extensive work experience, including the role of advisor to the Minister of Economy before being appointed to his current position in 2015.

Irena Petrijevčanin has been the State Secretary in the Ministry of Internal Affairs since September 2020. She worked in the private and public sector, was a member of parliament, teaches courses in international and cyber security, artificial intelligence, information security risk management, etc. at the University of Zagreb.

Luka Čirko, a university specialist for the preparation and implementation of EU projects, is the director of the Labor Market and Employment Directorate at the Ministry of Labour. Previously, he worked in the Agency for Payments in Agriculture, in the Service for Approval of Payments for Rural Development Investment Measures.

Marina Rožić is the general secretary of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce and the president of the Eurochambers women’s network. She also has additional high-quality skills and experience.

Željka Josić has been the State Secretary in the Central Office for Demography and Youth since August 2020, and was previously a HDZ representative in the Croatian Parliament since 2016.

Renato Krikšić is the CEO of the HFC Group and has participated in projects such as the KNX training center Zagreb and the Croatian Green Building Council.

Stjepan Mikulić helps AEC professionals solve challenges through AI and advanced technology. He shares insights on LinkedIn, maintains a free Hub with over 1,000 AI tools and resources, and advises AEC companies on AI, BIM and technology. For those who want to understand AI more deeply, he created the course “Mastering AI in AEC”, which will be available at the end of 2024.

Filip Andabaka is the BIM manager of Urbane Ideje and the owner of Salterra. He started his professional journey in the BIM industry as an architectural BIM manager in an international engineering company based in Zagreb.

Monika Mlakić is the head of operations at DCT d.o.o. in Croatia. In addition to managing the growth of the Croatian office, she is responsible for information management, BIM coordination and problem solving at various residential and data centers.As president of the Center for Digital Construction Croatia, regional leader of the Women in BIM initiative for Croatia and co-editor of the BIM dictionary Croatia, she has dedicated her career to the digitization of the construction industry and the promotion of the BIM process.

Vedran Orešić as a BIM consultant, helps architects and engineers to use the advantages of BIM for better design and collaboration. With more than 12 years of experience in the application of BIM in architecture, he deeply understands the challenges and opportunities that BIM offers. As an Autodesk Certified Instructor, he is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience, and has taught many CAD and BIM courses and worked on complex architectural projects using tools such as Revit and Navisworks. Its mission is to simplify and clarify BIM so that everyone can achieve greater efficiency and quality in their work.

Aco Momčilović, doctor of philosophy, has completed the study of business economics with a focus on the digital environment. He is the owner of the consulting company FutureHR, specializing in consulting in the areas of strategic organization of human resources departments, management education and development, employment, compensation and benefits, employee motivation and engagement, and company branding and corporate culture.

Davor Ančić is the co-founder and CEO of Velebit AI. During his career, he held other key roles, such as mentor and manager. He has more than 15 years of experience in business management and software development in a variety of industries, including telecommunications, finance, scientific research and development, online publishing and e-commerce.

Mateo Perak is a passionate entrepreneur and IT engineer, inspired by digital technologies, with a special interest in leadership and management. He is a co-founder and board member of several companies, startup conferences and professional associations. He is experienced in executive management, business development and project management, with extensive experience in software architecture and software development.

Dr. Fragkoulis Kanavaris is the global concrete materials and decarbonisation lead at Arup, providing expert advice on sustainable, low-carbon concrete, early-age concrete behavior, durability, and thermomechanical analysis. With experience from over 300 projects and 40 research papers, he combines industry knowledge and research to develop durable, low-carbon structures. He leads teams responsible for updating UK and global concrete guidance, and holds key roles in technical committees such as RILEM and fib. Additionally, he is Arup’s Materials & Durability Lead for HS2 and a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals, and Mining.

Zvonimir Dadić, recently an assistant professor at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, is currently employed as a software developer at Locus Technologies. Through his work on the Locus Platform, which is suitable for the collection and analysis of large amounts of data, he has helped numerous organizations successfully monitor, analyze, and report on large data sets in real time. Locus Technologies, a pioneer in the field of software solutions as a service (SaaS), focuses on ESG reporting and auditing, water quality, compliance with health, safety, and sustainability standards.

Ivana Banjad Pečur is a full professor at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Zagreb, and the head of the Department of Materials. She is a licensed civil engineer and, in her professional work, has focused on conducting investigative work on reinforced concrete, masonry, and metal structures, as well as on rehabilitation and strengthening projects for these structures. Since 2012, she has been a member of the Committee for Construction Products at the Ministry of Physical Planning, Construction, and State Property. She has completed training under the internationally certified DGNB program and passed the exam for International DGNB Consultant. She has served as a leader and collaborator on scientific research projects funded by EU programs (LIFE, Intelligent Energy Europe, CIP Eco-innovation, Erasmus+, Horizon, HRZZ, and ERDF).

Dr. Ivana Carević, MSc in Civil Engineering, is employed at the Materials Laboratory of the Faculty of Civil Engineering at the University of Zagreb. She actively participates in scientific and technical projects related to construction materials, determination of mechanical properties and durability, and the use of waste as a secondary raw material in the construction sector, adhering to principles of sustainability, safety, and functionality. Additionally, she works on projects related to energy efficiency in building construction. She is qualified in advanced analytical methods and microstructural analysis and is currently focused on quantifying sustainability in the construction sector.

Marijana graduated from the University of Zagreb, conducted part of her doctoral research at the University of California, Berkeley, in Professor Monteiro’s group, and completed her postdoctoral research at CEA Saclay in the LECBA laboratory. She is the head of the LATOM group at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Zagreb.

Nina Štirmer is a full professor at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Zagreb, and the head of the Department of Materials Technology. She is a licensed civil engineer and has participated in investigative work, expert analyses, and rehabilitation projects for reinforced concrete structures. In 2018, she was appointed a member of the Thematic Innovation Council for Energy and Sustainable Environment, which shapes the national innovation system and directs the innovation policies of the Republic of Croatia. In 2019, she was a member of the Technical Harmonization Working Group within the EU Competitiveness Council during Croatia’s presidency. She has completed training under the internationally certified DGNB program and passed the exam for International DGNB Consultant. She has been involved in numerous scientific research projects under programs such as HORIZON, ERASMUS, European Climate Initiative, FP7, Intelligent Energy Europe, LIFE, CIP Eco-innovation, the European Regional Development Fund, and the Croatian Science Foundation.

Andrea D’Antrassi joined MAD in 2010, bringing a global vision to the company. Before that, as a project architect at Fuksas Architects, he worked on significant international projects such as the new Terminal 3 of Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport and Armani 5th Avenue in New York. As an associate partner in MAD, he leads projects in Italy and Paris and serves as a link between the company and Europe.

Multilingual and multicultural development surveyor and hotelier with a 20-year track record on the advisory side and hotel operator side of residential, mixed-use and integrated resort development projects, in over 40 countries, with particular expertise on branded residences. Skilled at working with a wide range of investor and developer profiles, with the ability to focus strategically on opportunity analysis, value generation, exit strategy, ROI evaluation, risk reduction and development strategy.

Daniela Trbović is a Croatian TV presenter, employed by HRT. She started her career in the early 90s on the Z3 program, where she hosted a series of entertainment shows. Before that, she started studying medicine in Zagreb, but decided to devote herself to television management.

Edo Bratović is the director of Mokrin House, an innovative co-living and co-working space in Serbia, which Forbes ranked among the world’s top 10 co-living spaces. With ten years of experience in real estate, Edo explores the future of work and living through Mokrin House, where teams and digital nomads from all over the world come for working vacations and strategic meetings.

Ivana Rajković Špes is a highly experienced and reliable real estate professional with over 20 years of proven expertise across various sectors, including financial institutions, real estate development, investment, and consulting. She is skilled in structuring financing for large-scale real estate projects, managing property development and facility management for extensive retail portfolios, and overseeing the sale of individual properties and portfolios through both asset and share deals.

Katarina Moskatelo is a versatile professional with over 10 years of experience hosting and moderating events, 8 years in the voiceover industry, and 12 years in radio broadcasting, including roles at Antena Zagreb, Totalni FM, and Radio Riva. She is also a seasoned tour guide across Europe and Croatia, and a public speaking coach who enjoys sharing her expertise. Passionate about radio, podcasts, travel, and new projects, Katarina thrives on connecting with people and storytelling through creative speaking. In voiceover work, she excels at conveying emotions, with a client list that includes major brands such as Ford, Tele2, and Nescafe.

Leo Penović graduated in 1988 from the Faculty of Civil Engineering in Split. He currently holds the position of director of Golden Star Estate. During his career, he gained rich experience through engagement in various jobs and management positions in numerous sectors.

Magnus Busch works as a Senior Real Estate Advisor at Limehome, focusing on operator acquisitions and buy-to-let deals. With many years of experience in innovative hotel concepts, Busch was previously Head of Growth and CEO at Selina Germany.

Maja Ostanek is the director of the investment fund for alternative real estate ALFI RE, specialized in investments in core plus commercial real estate in Southeast Europe. She has many years of experience in office, retail and logistics real estate and has participated in numerous regional real estate conferences. She is RICS licensed real estate appraiser and is also the winner of the Chriss Bennet Award for the best candidate in the CEE region.

Manuel de Lacalle Acedo-Rico is a seasoned investor in the real estate hospitality sector, recognized for his strong skills in identifying investment opportunities across Europe. He has played a key role in the investment, structuring, execution, and negotiation of transactions exceeding €800 million in Spain, Portugal, Italy, and Germany.

Maja Borovina Frankić, economist, head of development in the family company Spegra and founder of Building.hr and MBF. The company Spegra, under her leadership, sets standards of excellence and leads the market of special construction works.

Marija Pavić currently holds the position of sales manager at Croatia Airlines, bringing with her rich experience from previous positions within the company. She graduated from the University of Zagreb and possesses a wide range of skills, including advertising, aviation, digital advertising, social media and online marketing.

After finishing high school and the Faculty of Economics in Pula, Marko Paliaga obtained his master’s degree at the Faculty of Economics in Rijeka. He is the author of numerous professional and scientific articles and books such as “Strategic urban marketing: the possibility of applying the concept of urban marketing in Croatian cities” and “Rovinj and its potential I. and II.” He was elected mayor of Rovinj in 2017 in the local elections.

Nikola Avram is the founder and CEO of Alpha Hotel Management & Valdarka, with more than 20 years of experience in the hotel and tourism industry. He worked in renowned international and regional groups such as Valamar Hotels & Resorts, Vienna International, Adriatic Luxury Hotels and MK Grupa – hotel division. His expertise encompasses all phases of hotel property management, from concept and development to operational execution and long-term planning.

Dr. Neno Duplančić is the Founder, President, and CEO of Locus Technologies, a pioneering environmental software company based in Silicon Valley, California.
Founded in 1997, Locus Technologies was one of the first to introduce cloud computing application for data management and compliance in the environmental industry, significantly contributing to the evolution of this technical sector. Under Neno’s leadership, Locus has become a leader in providing innovative solutions for managing environmental and sustainability data using cloud technology.

Paulius Gebrauskas is the owner and head of Poland Sotheby’s International Realty, bringing over a decade of luxury real estate expertise and a strong track record with Polish, Lithuanian, and international clients. He also owns Baltic Sotheby’s International Realty in Lithuania, and has more than 25 years of success in industries such as luxury real estate, FMCG, and DIY. Previously, Paulius worked at Colgate-Palmolive, where he achieved the No. 1 market share across key categories in three Baltic countries simultaneously. He holds a business management degree from Vilnius University and founded the NGO “Family University,” which supports family enrichment worldwide.

Peter Hopwood is a Presence, Impact & Keynote Speaker Coach – Founder of Hopwood Communications. Essentially, Peter helps people tell clearer stories. Stories with stronger impact. Bringing more value to their ideas, he helps executives, corporates, entrepreneurs and startups to strengthen credibility in front of a crowd or on camera, gain investment and persuade with impact – when it matters.

Equally, as an internationally experienced live events MC / moderator, Peter has developed an extensive global portfolio of large scale conferences within industries such as digital, retail, media, marketing, fintech, sport and HR. He loves to be kept on his toes as he continues to wear many hats – leader, mentor, coach, investor, conference host and voiceover talent.
Peter has worked in 42 countries (physically) and lived in 7 – now based between London and Split, Croatia.

Sara Vukman is the director of Marsh McLennan, a qualified macroeconomist with more than 15 years of experience. He has a proven track record in advisory roles and as a CFO.

Saša Ćeramilac has been part of Al Jazeera Balkans since 2015, first as an editor, then as a presenter of Al Jazeera Business, and now as a news presenter. Saša has been a television and radio journalist, editor and manager for more than 20 years. He started his career in the media in the mid-1990s at Croatian Radio and Television. In the early 2000s, he was the general manager of a video production company that produced some of the most watched television shows. In the second half of the 2000s, he was the chief executive producer of the first private radio network in Croatia. In 2013, Saša became the CEO of Soundset Grupa, a company that owned 15 radio stations in Croatia and five in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Teuta Duletić holds a Master of Engineering in Naval Architecture and a Master of Business Administration (MBA), with 15 years of experience in shipbuilding. For the forth consecutive year, she serves as the director of the Lürssen Design Center Kvarner and the Maritime Center of Excellence, the Rijeka branches of the renowned shipbuilding group Lürssen. She graduated from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Rijeka, studied at Cotrugli Business School, and furthered her professional development at University College London, UK, and Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon, Portugal. She has a keen interest in innovation ecosystems and engineering excellence.

Duletić built her international career working as the executive director of the Croatian branch of the American shipbuilder Metal Shark, a leading supplier of fleets for the U.S. Coast Guard and Navy, as well as at Brodosplit, where she served as the head of sales and design for the entire group. She is also a member of the University Council of the University of Rijeka, a body responsible for ensuring the legality of the University’s operations and the rational use of material and human resources.

Vana Rodin Kružić graduated in 2010 from the Faculty of Architecture in Zagreb. Since 2011, her business career has been exclusively related to spatial planning. In her previous work experience, she was the responsible manager of city/municipality spatial plans and reports on the state of the area, and she also participated in the creation of the county spatial plan. She was the leader of the creation of a series of expert-analytical documents on the subject of brownfield areas, settlement identity and other spatial-planning expert analyses. She was also an expert member of the team for creating the Development Strategy of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County.

Milena Herold has over 18 years of diverse professional experience, with more than 15 years focused on the energy sector. She is highly adept at coordinating internal processes and plays a key advisory role in strategic planning for various renewable energy projects. Milena has a proven track record in finance and budgeting, ensuring optimal resource allocation and financial stability. She possesses comprehensive accounting skills and extensive knowledge of procurement, including public procurement processes. Furthermore, she has significant experience managing the employment lifecycle, encompassing recruitment, onboarding, development, and employee retention.

Roman has a variety of experiences in start-ups and charities. Founder and director of CO2cut – Shop Until Your Carbon Drops: CO2 calculation and forestry offsets. As social entrepreneur runs non-profit cooperative Humana Zagreb (where people with disabilities reuse fast fashion). Father of a gang of four.

Mislav has been involved in the field of education since 1998, and since 2000, he has been permanently employed at Algebra University as Director, where he initiated and participated in key development projects. Since 2007, his focus has shifted towards building Algebra University College and its study programs and quality assurance systems. As Dean of Algebra University College from 2008, he has been actively involved in initiatives that promote and develop education at all levels. He worked on the Education and Science Strategy and is currently, or has been, a member of several expert bodies, such as the National Council for Science, Higher Education, and Technology (2010-2016), the commission for the establishment of the Croatian Qualifications Framework (HKO), the commission for drafting the Law on Adult Education, the Law on Scientific Activity and Higher Education, the Law on Quality Assurance in Science and Higher Education, etc. He is also the Vice President of the Croatian Employers’ Association in Education (HUP-UPO), a member of the HUP Executive Board, and a member of the Accreditation Council of the Agency for Science and Higher Education (2021-2023). Mislav served three terms as President of the Sector Council for Electrical Engineering and Computing (2009-2021), and he sees all these positions as an opportunity to help create a competitive environment in Croatia where it is worth living and working. Mislav is an irrepressible optimist who believes that results, whether in business or private life, are proportional to the faith, passion, and effort invested.

Zdenka Šarolić, founder and director of Studio Nexar d.o.o., a renowned architectural office specializing in building design, urban planning, landscaping, interior design, consulting and supervision.

Expert in the field of urban planning and architecture, with an emphasis on creating innovative and sustainable solutions for public buildings and buildings under cultural protection. She graduated from the Faculty of Architecture in Zagreb and after that continued her education for work on urban assets, obtained Architect’s Marketing Institute, USA and IPMA certificates and in 2019 enrolled in postgraduate studies in urban planning in Zagreb.
She is a licensed architect and urban planner – author of conceptual solutions, chief designer, project manager and supervising engineer. It intensively encourages BIM and digital tools in design, and has also launched an EU project to create a unique digital platform for designing construction objects.

Alen Anić is an experienced consultant for organizational culture and human resources, especially in the field of digital transformation. He implemented 43 HR offices in companies with 50-3000 employees in different industries. It helps improve company morale, develops people, prevents and resolves conflicts. He sees himself as an advisor, a teacher, a good man, a mentor with life and business experience, the glue that holds many things together. With more than 15 years of experience in HR, until recently HR Business Partner Manager for an Austrian consulting firm that works in 17 countries and now HR entrepreneur and consultant. In his work, he is always committed to harmonizing business needs, digital transformation goals and human resources, and ensuring that human resources support business goals and are the strategic backbone of the company.

Dragan Milutinović (moderator) is a business technology enthusiast in digital
transformation with many years of experience in developing digital products and strategies with enviable skills in stimulating growth and innovation through technology. He has a deep understanding of the digital transformation process. As a manager at Forvis Mazars Digital, he actively participates in:

• defining strategic and operational guidelines for digital and business transformation,
• design of digital business systems
• improvement of operational efficiency and competitiveness of companies
• change and disruption management
• leading the development of digital products
• implementation of agile methodologies

He is committed to using technology to transform business, has a strong focus on results and the ability to establish strategies that drive growth and are the foundation of the company’s long-term success.

Jakov Kozina, CFA, MRICS, serves as a Partner and Management Board member at KPMG Croatia, where he specializes in Deal Advisory services. With extensive expertise in leading high-profile projects across mergers and acquisitions (M&A), valuations, financial restructuring and due diligence, he provides strategic counsel to clients, empowering them to make sound, data-driven investment decisions.

Sanja Jelačić has a master’s degree in business economics and heads the Independent Service – Intermediary Body in the Fund for Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency. The service approves, monitors and controls more than 3,000 projects financed by EU funds, which are included in various operational programs, as well as in the National Recovery and Resistance Plan. Among these projects are currently the largest investments in the modernization of the energy sector in Croatia. Before her leadership position, she headed the Department for the control of procurement procedures for projects co-financed by the EU in the mentioned service for 6 years.