ACAP Announces Inaugural Awards to Recognize Outstanding Croatian-American Professionals

Vladimir Ivkovic

Neuroscientist, Harvard University, and Principal Investigator, NASA’s CIPHER Project

Dr. Ivkovic is a translational neuroscientist, integrative physiologist, and former firefighter/EMT. His research focuses on applying portable brain imaging and physiology monitoring for assessment and optimization of health and performance in extreme environments, and translation of these tools into clinical / operational practice.

Dr. Ivkovic works in extreme and clinical environments such as International Space Station, ESA/NASA microgravity flights, NASA’s Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA), Antarctica, operational firefighting, as well as clinical emergency medical and psychiatric settings. He currently serves as a principal investigator on NASA’s CIPHER project – the largest biomedical study in spaceflight ever conducted, as well as four other studies funded by NASA and U.S. Veterans Administration.

Dr. Ivkovic taches academic courses and mentors students at the undergraduate and graduate levels at Harvard University, Harvard Medical School, and Boston College. He has been actively involved with ACAP since 2020 and has served as emergency response coordinator for One Croatia initiative following earthquakes in Zagreb and on Banovina. Dr. Ivkovic has recently been elected as a board member of ACAP’s Boston chapter.

Kim Schaefer

CEO, Museum of Illusons

Kim is an experienced public company and private equity CEO . She joined Museum of Illusions as Chief Executive Officer in April. She spent 18 years building the largest family of indoor waterpark resorts in the world at Great Wolf Resorts.

She was part of the IPO for WOLF in 2005 and after 7 years sold the company but remained CEO under Apollo Global until the sale to Centerbridge Capital. Kim is seasoned in all aspects of high growth infrastructure, operations and branding as well as capital market transactions. The last 5 years she worked with venture capital, Foundry Group, to build a start up high technology experiential company, Two Bit Circus. She is on the public board of United Parks & Resorts which owns SeaWorld and Busch Gardens.

Victor Dodig

President and CEO, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

Victor Dodig leads a team of over 47,000 team members globally who live CIBC’s purpose every day – to help make our clients’ ambitions a reality. Under Victor’s tenure, CIBC has transformed into a relationship-oriented bank for a modern world, with a North American platform for growth and a commitment to enable a more sustainable future for all stakeholders. He has helped to shape CIBC’s client-focused, highly connected culture – a differentiator for the bank in a competitive market.

Before becoming CEO, Victor held a number of senior leadership roles within CIBC, including leading the bank’s Wealth Management business and its Retail Banking network across Canada. Through these roles, Victor furthered his commitment to putting clients first – a principle that dates back to his first role at CIBC as a part-time CSR, where he met with clients every day. Over the course of his career, Victor has also led several businesses with UBS and Merrill Lynch in Canada and internationally, and was a management consultant with McKinsey & Company. Victor is a strong advocate for Canada on the world stage, and a proponent of economic growth to enable a more prosperous and inclusive future. He serves as the current Chair of the Business Council of Canada, and was President of the 2022 International Monetary Conference.

He is Co-Chair of the International Advisory Committee of the Brookings Institute and also serves on the board of Telus Corporation Inc. Victor is committed to inclusion, both to strengthen our social fabric and as an economic imperative. He serves as Chair of CIBC’s Inclusion Leadership Council, and is Past Co-Chair of the Black North Initiative. He is a recipient of the 2017 Catalyst Canada Honours (Company Leader) Champion award, is Past Chair of the Catalyst Canada Advisory Board and Past Chair of the 30% Club Canada.

He is a graduate of the Harvard Business School, where he earned an MBA and was recognized as a Baker Scholar. Victor holds a diploma from the Institut d’études politiques in Paris and completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Toronto (St. Michael’s College) in Commerce. He has received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Toronto Metropolitan University. Victor resides in Toronto with his wife, Maureen. They are the proud parents of four children.

Ana Kreacic

Partner and Chief Knowledge Officer, Oliver Wyman

Ana Kreacic is a Partner and Chief Knowledge Officer of Oliver Wyman and COO of the Oliver Wyman Forum – a think tank focused on research and engaging business, public policy, and societal leaders to act on shared challenges.

With over 20 years of consulting and operating experience, Ana is known for her ability to blend customer insight with business strategy and leadership effectiveness. A frequent speaker and author, Ana’s work has been featured in the World Economic Forum, Wall Street Journal, and MIT Sloan, to name a few. Ana is passionate about empowering women and youth.

Pjer Šimunović

Special Envoy of President Zoran Milanovic, Ambassador of Croatia to the U.S.

Pjer Šimunović is Croatia’s Ambassador to the U.S. since September 2017. Together with a career in journalism andacademic research he served in various high-level positions inthe Croatian Government, in the fields of national security, defense and diplomacy, as Director of the Office of theNational Security Council, Ambassador to Israel, DefenseState Secretary, National Coordinator for NATO and AssistantForeign Minister.

He worked with the BBC World Service inLondon, with the magazine Europ in Paris, and with theCroatian daily ‘Večernji list’ in Zagreb, covering foreignaffairs. A regular speaker on political and security issues at many conferences and seminars, he is the author of a range ofsecurity studies and articles published in the leadinginternational journals. Ambassador Šimunović holds an M.A. degree from the Department of War Studies, King’s CollegeLondon. He is decorated with the title of Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur de la République française.

Adriana J. Pavletic

Board-Certified Family Physician, National Institute of Mental Health

Dr. Adriana Pavletic is a board-certified family physician who has provided clinical support for researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health since 2002. Dr. Pavletic obtained her MD, MS in Immunology, and Board Certification in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Zagreb, Croatia and her PhD at the University of Split, Croatia.

After coming to the USA in 1990, she did a fellowship in reproductive endocrinology at the Swedish Hospital, Seattle, WA, and was a research associate in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Washington where she conducted NIH-funded clinical research on pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. Prior to coming to NIH, Dr. Pavletic spent 10 years in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, first as a family medicine resident and later as a faculty, where she has received several awards for academic excellence and clinical research.

Her patients have motivated her to explore holistic medicine and various complementary healing and mind-body practices such as yoga, tai chi, diaphragmatic breathing, mindfulness meditation, energy medicine, and acupuncture. She discovered the growing field of Lifestyle Medicine several years ago and is eager to introduce it to various audiences. In her presentations, she shares how adopting healthier lifestyle habits has helped her on her own journey to better health.

Krešimir Luetić

President, Croatian Medical Chamber

1973 – born in Osijek, Republic of Croatia
1999 – School of Medicine University of Zagreb
2007 – Specialist of internal medicine
2011 – Fellow in gastroenterology
2013 – PhD – field of biomedicine and healthcare
2022 – Assistant Professor, School of Medicine University of Zagreb

He currently works as gastroenterologist- hepatologist at the Department of Gastroenterology of the Clinic for Internal Diseases , University Hospital Sveti Duh. He is also the president of the Croatian Medical Chamber (HLK) in his second term (2024-2029).

He is one of the founders of the Croatian Association of Hospital Doctors (HUBOL), a member of the Croatian Medical Association (HLZ) – Croatian Gastroenterology Society (HGD).

Member of the Committee for Health and Social Policy of the Croatian Parliament from 2018 to 2024 .

Ksenija Kos

Neurologist and President, CROMed-USA

Dr. Ksenija Kos is a neurologist based in St. Louis, Missouri. Born and raised in Zagreb, Croatia, Dr. Kos’s journey into medicine began at the University of Zagreb School of Medicine, where she earned her M.D. degree. Seeking opportunities beyond Croatia, Dr. Kos ventured to the United States in the early 1990s. She pursued research at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, before transitioning to a postdoctoral position at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS). Determined to realize her dream of a clinical career, Dr. Kos undertook the arduous process of obtaining U.S. medical certification, followed by a prestigious neurology residency at Barnes Jewish Hospital and Washington University in St. Louis. She further specialized in neuromuscular diseases and electrodiagnostic medicine through fellowship training.
Joining Mercy Hospital in St. Louis, Dr. Kos has served as Chief of Neurology, demonstrating her commitment to community and excellence in healthcare.

Dr. Kos founded a non-profit organization CROMed-USA (Croatian American Medical Alliance) in the heart of St. Louis, Missouri in 2022. The organization stands as a testament to her dedication to bridging medical excellence between Croatia and the United States. It is a symbol of Dr. Kos’s efforts to blend her Croatian heritage with her American medical experience. Having navigated the complexities of medical training across continents, she understands the challenges faced by aspiring healthcare professionals. However, the organization’s mission extends beyond individual aspirations. Through partnerships with medical institutions in both Croatia and the United States, CROMed-USA facilitates academic exchanges and educational initiatives. Dr. Kos envisions a future where medical knowledge flows freely across borders, enriching the practice of medicine and improving patient care on a global scale. CROMed-USA is more than just a professional endeavor; it is also a community. From seasoned clinicians to aspiring medical students, CROMed-USA is a place where their talents are nurtured, their voices heard, and their dreams supported.

Davor Jezek

Head of Reproductive Tissue Bank, University Hospital Zagreb

Davor Ježek has a double appointment: he is a full professor at the School of Medicine University of Zagreb, Croatia; he is also acting as a Head of Reproductive Tissue Bank at Dept. of Transfusion Medicine and Transplantation Biology, University Hospital “Zagreb”.

His main areas of research/interest are andrology, male infertility, testicular sperm extraction (TESE)and biobanking of testicular biopsies. Dr Ježek is a co-chair of the Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine at the School of Medicine University of Zagreb. Dr Ježek is a member of many international reproductive medicine societies, including the European Academy of Andrology.

John Kosir

Senior Vice President, CAC Specialty

John Kosir is a seasoned insurance broker at CAC Specialty, facilitating comprehensive risk-transfer solutions for clients. Leveraging his extensive background as a transactional lawyer, John specializes in negotiating, placing, and advocating for coverage across various domains, including Representations & Warranties Insurance, Tax Insurance, and Contingent Risk Insurance.

Prior to joining CAC Specialty, John enjoyed a distinguished tenure as a partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, a leading global law firm. There, he specialized in leading complex business transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, divestitures, restructurings, private financings, executive compensation, incentive equity arrangements, and other general corporate matters.

Beyond his professional achievements, John is deeply committed to enhancing the Croatian community in Chicago and beyond. He annually spearheads the Velika Gospa Charity Golf Outing, which has raised over $350,000 for children’s causes in Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. His influence extends as a key figure in the Croatian community, highlighted by his role as co-moderator during Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović’s visit to Chicago and accompanying Croat Member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dragan Čović, during his meetings with Cardinal Blase Cupich and other community leaders in Chicago.

John graduated with honors from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, earning a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and a Master of Accounting Science. He later attained his J.D. from Loyola University Chicago School of Law, where he was recognized with the Chicago Bar Association’s award for top tax student. Additionally, John is a registered Certified Public Accountant in Illinois.

Marijo Bilušić

Oncologist, GU Medical Oncology

Dr. Marijo Bilusic, MD, PhD, is a board-certified medical oncologist who treats genitourinary tumors. His current research interests focus on tumor immunology and the development of novel immunotherapy approaches for prostate cancer and other genitourinary tumors.

He completed a clinical fellowship in medical oncology and hematology at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), in Bethesda, MD. In 2017 Dr. Bilusic received the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director’s Award as a member of NIH Hematology Oncology Fellowship Team for extraordinary resourcefulness and initiative. His passion for teaching and mentoring has earned multiple awards at NIH and NCI. In July 2021, Dr. Bilusic joined Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center / University of Miami Health System as a Professor of Clinical Medicine and GU Medical Oncology Team Lead.

Paul Biondich

Chiropractor, High Performance Sports Nutrition Coach, Formulator, Patent Holder

Dr. Paul Biondich is a chiropractor and high-performance sports nutrition coach specializing in custom nutrition programs for elite athletes. He has worked with players from Major League Soccer, Major League Baseball, the NHL, CFL, and numerous Canadian National Team members.

Notably, he contributed to Stipe Miocic’s UFC World Championship win and has collaborated with UFC Welterweight Champion Carlos Newton. Dr. Biondich is also an accomplished sports supplement formulator, developing products like Amped NOX for Isagenix and Bionic Pain Cream, and he holds a patent for the I2 hockey mask, used by NHL goalies and Junior National teams. An international speaker, Dr. Biondich has lectured across the US, Canada, and Europe, reaching audiences of up to 7,000. He is set to release his book, “The No Cardio Required,” and is currently developing Bionic Endurance, a new sports supplement launching this October.

Vedran Brozovic

Product Manager, Amazon

Vedran Brozovic holds a Master’s degree in Economics from the Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Zagreb. During his studies, he participated in various student competitions and exchange programs across five countries, earning two Rector’s awards and two Dean’s awards. After gaining initial professional experience in Croatia as a Finance Analyst at IKEA and Consultant at Ernst & Young, Vedran’s career took him abroad.

At Amazon, he has progressed from Senior Financial Analyst and Business Intelligence Engineer at the EU headquarters in Luxembourg to his current role as Product Manager in Seattle. Vedran’s involvement with ACAP began in Seattle, where he helped organize numerous events and foster community growth. As a member of the ACAP Board of Directors, he already co-led the migration to a new membership platform, helped launch the Professional Mentorship project, supported ACAP Foundation initiatives with academia and entrepreneurs, and served on the Nominations Committee.

Hasan Davulcu

Professor, Arizona State University

Catharine Hamm

Journalist

Catharine Hamm’s peripatetic life led to two travel journalism tenures, one at The Kansas City Star and later at the Los Angeles Times, from which she retired in 2020. After she realized how boring it was to do whatever she wanted, in 2022 she joined Silversea Cruises’ editorial blog, Discover.Silversea.com,,and is now its managing editor.

She and an SATW (Society of American Traveler Writers) colleague produce a monthly writing newsletter for society members and also run a coaching program for the society. Hamm also serves as president of the nonprofit SATW Foundation, which administers the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards and awards $25,000 annually to more than 100 winners of the contest. She lives in the Los Angeles area.

Ivana Stolnik - Lourie

President of Sanguinity Foundation

Ivana Stolnik-Lourie is a dedicated advocate for human rights and the advancement of women and children, particularly those affected by conflict and displacement. Her background in journalism, with skills in research, reporting, and storytelling, have been instrumental in her philanthropic work as she has effectively communicated the needs of and advocates for vulnerable communities and people.

As president of Sanguinity Foundation, she partners with organizations like the Women’s Refugee Commission, Human Rights Watch, UNICEF, Women Moving Millions, ACAP Foundation, and Center for Women’s Health at Stony Brook Medicine. Through her efforts and partnerships, she continues to make a significant positive impact in the areas of women’s reproductive rights, health, and education, and provides much needed scholarships to students in the U.S., Croatia, and Africa.

Luke Bialczak

US Army veteran of the Iraq War

Sergeant Luke Bialczak is a US Army veteran of the Iraq War and Co-founder and Commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 12198 in Las Vegas, an organization of US war veterans of overseas conflicts, serving US veterans, the military, and their communities. During his time in the service, Luke was awarded the Iraq campaign medal with four campaign stars, two Army commendation medals, two overseas service ribbons, the Combat Infantry Badge, two good conduct medals, and the national defense service ribbon.

In 2012 he was honorably retired due to combat injuries. After helping veterans in a Chicago VFW, Luke and his wife Nicole moved to Las Vegas here he led his VFW post to All American Status three years in a row. This honor
recognizes outstanding results based on participation in programs as well as membership gains. Luke also led the Las Vegas Irreverent Warriors Silkies Hike, which is a military only suicide prevention hike. Luke is currently the Nevada state VFW Surgeon, and his goal is to continue to expand the VFW and their services in Las Vegas and is working to bring more Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans into the VFW. Luke coordinates with many other local non-profits.

Mirjana Juras

ACAP Pickleball Ambassador

Mirjana Juras is a pickleball ambassador with 43 years of work experience spanning multiple industries in Croatia and Canada. She has now retired and turned her attention to pickleball. As one of the pioneers who introduced the sport to Croatia, she is passionate about growing the global pickleball community and inspiring others to join the fun!

She pioneered the introduction of pickleball to Croatia, launching the sport in Zagreb (June 2022) and Island Brač ( Milna and Supetar). She actively supported festivals in Makarska (2023) and Plitvička Jezera Nikola Tesla event ( 2024), and hosted games in Milna, proudly home to Croatia’s first professional Pickleball courts.

Furthermore, she organized a successful charity event in Milna (June 2024), marking the country’s first-ever pickleball charity event for kids with special needs. Milna, Island of Brač, was home to an annual charity Pickleball tournament, raising funds and awareness for kids with special needs, starting in June 2024.

Sandro Užila

CEO and Founder, WAVE Design Studio

Sandro Užila was born in Pula (Croatia) the 6th September 1991 and after elementary school he left home at the age of 14 to begin his learning journey in Italy where he studied surveying, engineering, architecture & design in Trieste and Venice.

In August 2017, at the age of 25 he opened his own studio in Poreč (Croatia) and then in 2021 opened the WAVE Design Studio that is working on bigger projects.
In 2023, at the age of 32, he wrote a piece of American history by redesigning Delmonico’s Restaurant in Manhattan, New York, the first fine dining restaurant in the US and New York’s Landmark.

He is working on some more projects in NYC and plans to open a luxury and high end architecture interior and design studio in America.
Nevena Rendeli Vejzović, Journalist, Television Presenter, and Founder, Prime Time Communications (Moderator) Journalist, television presenter, graduate sociologist, PR specialist, columnist, event manager, and founder of the public relations and event management agency – Prime Time Communications.

In addition to being behind the communication strategies for projects such as the Weekend Media Festival, Weekend Food Festival, and Sunset Sports Media Festival, since 2023 she has been the visionary and director of Women’s Weekend in Rijeka. Furthermore, she is a mother of three daughters, a runner, and a world traveler.

Ognjen Milas

Director, Deal Advisory, KPMG

Ognjen is the Director of Deal Advisory at KPMG. He leads the Debt Advisory, Real Estate and ESG practice at KPMG Croatia. He manages M&A transactions and restructuring engagements.

Before joining KPMG, he was with UniCredit Group, holding managerial positions in corporate and investment banking, as head of special corporates. He holds a master’s degree from SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan, Italy.

Ivan Grbesic

Partner and Co-Head of Mining, Stikeman Elliott LLP

Ivan Grbesic is a partner and Co-Head of the Mining Group. He is also a member of the Capital Markets, Securities and Mergers & Acquisitions Groups. Ivan plays a leading role in the firm’s Latin American coverage group.

Ivan’s practice focuses on corporate and securities law, with an emphasis on corporate finance transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate reorganizations. He regularly provides advice to issuers and underwriters in connection with initial public offerings, other types of offerings and private placements, and to boards of directors, special committees and advisers on matters such as structuring and negotiating transactions, corporate governance, securities regulatory compliance, and general matters.

Goran Gmitrovic

Founder, Outlook Accounting & Taxes LLP, and SimpliFlow LLC

Goran Gmitrovic is the Founder and Managing Director of Outlook Accounting & Taxes, where he leads a dynamic team providing a range of tax, bookkeeping, and CFO services to clients worldwide. Since its inception in 2012, Outlook has achieved exceptional growth, with over 1,700 clients projected for this year.

Goran’s expertise also extends to Deloitte, where he serves as Associate Director, driving innovative solutions for enterprise infrastructure and leading business development initiatives. He previously held key positions at Ernst & Young and Accenture, specializing in financial transformations and strategic planning. An honoree of the “40 Under 40” award by CPA Practice Advisor, Goran is recognized for his thought leadership and contributions to the accounting profession while also launching a AI-powered tax solution called SimpliFlow. He is currently the ACAP Chicago Board President and is expanding his international footprint in Croatia by focusing on real estate development, international taxation, and tax positioning on an individual level.

Brian Pasalich

CEO, Behave Technologies

Brian serves as the CEO of the Behave team, driving their mission to empower optimal decisions through Behavioral Science. Affectionately dubbed the “Croatian Yoda” by his team, he combines childlike curiosity with selfless understanding. His extensive background includes building high-performing financial sales teams and mentoring hundreds of founders through the Founder Institute.

Brian’s unique perspective is shaped by his experience as a US Army Reserve flight paramedic. Committed to community service, he’s conducted financial literacy workshops and serves on nonprofit boards, including Entrepreneurs for Global Change. His motto, “Don’t get caught up in how it looks, have it turn out!” reflects his belief in living a life of significance, not just success.

Vuk Vukovic

CIO and Founding Partner, Oraclum Capital

Vuk Vuković, PhD is the CIO and founding partner of Oraclum Capital, a New York hedge fund based on a scientific innovation in network theory. He has a PhD from the University of Oxford, and an MSc from the London School of Economics.

He published a dozen academic papers during his time as a university lecturer, and his academic work on political economy and networks has inspired his business ventures. His book, Elite Networks: Political Economy of Inequality was recently published by Oxford University Press.

Marko Vucic

Founder, Teorem

Marko began his career in private equity, joining two ex-KKR partners as their first employee and helping to start a fund from scratch. During this time, he invested EUR 120 million in the European mid-market. After gaining considerable experience, he left private equity to pursue entrepreneurial ambitions.

He founded Teorem, an online tutoring marketplace, which grew to 500 tutors in Croatia within its first year of operations. As an entrepreneur, Marko is passionate about leveraging his expertise to drive innovation and create impactful ventures.

Iva Vukina

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs

Iva Vukina leads the Investment Grade Capital Markets and Risk Management business for Goldman Sachs Consumer and Retail Clients. Previously, Iva launched and led the Credit Solutions business, which creates capital and tax efficient funding solutions for the firm’s corporate and institutional clients. Iva started her career at Wachovia Capital Markets. Prior to joining Goldman, she was a Director in the Derivative Solutions Group at Citigroup Global Markets where she led US Energy sector coverage for interest rates, credit and cross currency hedging.

Iva is Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Grace Institute of New York, serves on the International Advisory Board of the Zagreb School of Economics and Management, is President of the Association of Croatian American Professionals New York Chapter and is co-Chair of the Brooklyn Academy of Music Young Producers Executive Committee. Iva earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Decision Sciences from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Master of Engineering in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering from Cornell University. Originally from Zagreb, Croatia, Iva resides in Brooklyn, New York.

Katherine Vlasica

Medical Director of Emergency Medicine Pain Management at Saint Joseph’s Health

Dr. Katherine Vlasica is a dedicated emergency medicine physician with a passion for teaching and pioneering innovations in acute pain management. She is a prominent figure at the Emergency Medicine Summer School in Zadar, Croatia, where she shares her trauma expertise with international medical students.

Recognized for her contributions to pain management in emergency medicine, Dr. Vlasica has expanded the pain management program to a national level, focusing on ultrasound-guided regional anesthesia applications in the emergency department. Dr. Vlasica has authored several publications on alternatives to opioids in pain management and has lectured and co-chaired at conferences both nationally and internationally on alternative analgesia methods in emergency settings.

She currently serves as the Chair of Pain and Addiction Care in the Emergency Department, a national accreditation program dedicated to improving pain management and care for patients with substance use disorders.

Mauro Viskovic

Partner, Tarter Krinsky & Drogin LLP

Mauro Viskovic is a Partner in Tarter Krinsky & Drogin LLP’s Corporate, Securities, and M&A Practice. Leveraging his accounting background, Mauro has robust knowledge on growth strategies for businesses that allow him to provide clients with sophisticated guidance on their corporate matters.

Clients rely on his integrated and detailed approach to navigate through critical periods in their company’s life cycle, from start-up to exit. Mauro has close ties with the Croatian business community, allowing him to counsel individuals and businesses on establishing or expanding their ventures in the U.S., negotiating with prospective investors, and leveraging opportunities to scale their businesses.

Boris Vilic

Vice President of Program and Stakeholder Management, NBME

Boris Vilic is Vice President of Program and Stakeholder Management at NBME. In this role, he oversees the engagement of stakeholders globally to meet NBME’s mission, vision, and strategic goals. His career includes serving as dean at Albright College and Rider University, as well as director and faculty member at Duquesne University.

He was nationally recognized for pioneering mobile learning applications, published a number of journal articles and book chapters on distance learning, and presented his work at national and international conferences. He is also an Associate Member of the National Council for Education and Schooling of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts. Vilic holds an MBA in marketing from Duquesne University and a BS degree in administration and management from La Roche University in Pittsburgh. He is originally from Zagreb, Croatia.

Nevena Rendeli Vejzović

Journalist, and Founder, Prime Time Communications

Journalist, television presenter, graduate sociologist, PR specialist, columnist, event manager, and founder of the public relations and event management agency – Prime Time Communications. In addition to being behind the communication strategies for projects such as the Weekend Media Festival, Weekend Food Festival, and Sunset Sports Media Festival, since 2023 she has been the visionary and director of Women’s Weekend in Rijeka. Furthermore, she is a mother of three daughters, a runner, and a world traveler.

Irena Bajan Varat

Global HR Director, Museum of IllusionsIrena Bajan Varat

Irena Bajan Varat is an accomplished HR leader with over 20 years of experience in multinational corporations, specializing in driving innovation and change in complex business environments. Her expertise includes employee engagement, inclusion, diversity, and executive-level business partnering. With a strong background in business consulting and coaching, she excels at building and developing robust relationships within and outside organizations.

Anthony Stavros

Nevada Lieutenant Governor

Stavros Anthony has been a dedicated public servant in Las Vegas for over four decades. He began his career with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department in 1980, eventually serving as a captain in various divisions including Vice/Narcotics and the Financial and Property Crimes Bureau before retiring after 29 years.

Anthony holds a Bachelor of Science from Wayne State University, a Master of Arts, and a Ph.D. from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He has also completed advanced training at the University of Louisville Southern Police Institute and the FBI National Academy. Anthony was first elected to the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents in 2002, where he played a key role in developing a master plan and system goals. He served on the Las Vegas City Council from 2009, including three terms as a councilman and seven years as Mayor Pro Tem.

In 2014, he joined the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies and has been involved with various other community boards. He was elected Nevada’s Lieutenant Governor in 2022. Anthony, married for 44 years, enjoys golfing and spending time with his grandsons.

Katherine C. Sredl

Professor, Loyola University Chicago

Katherine C. Sredl, PhD (University of Illinois, Communications and Balkan Studies), Senior Lecturer, Marketing, Follett Family Business Inaugural Fellow 2023-24, Quinlan School of Business, Loyola University Chicago, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Economics and Business, Visiting Scholar, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Economics and Business, International Advisory Board Member, 385 LLC Digital Marketing Consultancy Founder and Director, Vlahovic Group LLC, Senior Advisor, New Frontier Foundation Advisory Council Member, Veslamo od 925 (rowing recreational and sports association) Founding Member and Treasurer, Association for Croatian American Professionals Board of Directors, Marketing Committee Chair.

Croatian Women’s Network™/Mreža Hrvatskih Žena 2024 Croatian Women of Influence Award Recipient, USA, in the area of Science and Technology Katherine grew up in Paducah, Kentucky, on the banks of the Ohio River where her father started the family CNC machine shop, Victor Enterprises, in 1972. As a child spent time listening to her parents’ stories of business and life in Osijek, Zagreb, Fermo, Buenos Aires (where her Baka Katica started a textile business), and Lisbon (Katherine’s birth city). As a scholar of gender, family business, and marketing, she publishes regularly in international, peer-reviewed scientific journals on the impacts of globalization on women’s equality in Croatia, post-socialist states in Europe, and the US. Her loves are dogs, sports, nature, art, and writing.

Maria Sentic

COO, Tavola Group

Maria Sentic is the Chief Operating Officer and Partner at Tavola Group, leveraging over 15 years of experience in accounting, tax, and finance. Maria brings expertise in outsourced Controller and fractional CFO services, helping companies achieve their financial objectives while minimizing tax obligations. As a licensed Certified Public Accountant, she assists both domestic companies aiming for operational improvements and international clients entering the U.S. market, providing strategic guidance on navigating complex regulations and financial systems.

She holds a B.A. in Economics and International Studies from Northwestern University and an A.A.S. in Management from RIT Croatia. Maria is the President of the Association of Croatian American Professionals, where she has played a key role in the organization’s growth. As the former Treasurer (2016-2023), she launched ACAP’s first chapter in Chicago and guided several educational and charitable initiatives through the ACAP Foundation.

In 2017, she was appointed to the Advisory Council of the Government of the Republic of Croatia for Croats Abroad, reflecting her dedication to the global Croatian community. Locally, Maria is an active member of Croatian Woman Branch #1 in Chicago and an alumna and parent at Croatian School Kardinal Stepinac. She and her husband Drazen, whom she met and married in Dubrovnik, live in Lincolnwood, IL, with their four children.

Maja Sedic

Senior Director of Toxicology, Orna Therapeutics

Maja Sedic is the Senior Director of Toxicology at Orna Therapeutics, Watertown, MA. She has held various scientific roles in biotech and pharma companies in the Boston area over the past decade.

Maja is passionate about developing innovative medicines and mentoring new generations of women in science through the local chapters of STEM organizations. Maja obtained her doctorate in Cell and Molecular Biology from Tufts University and her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Vermont. She lives in Somerville, MA and enjoys hiking with her husband and their dog.

Iva Rukelj

Senior Associate, Cole-Frieman & Mallon LLP

As a Senior Associate at Cole-Frieman & Mallon LLP, Iva Rukelj represents clients across diverse industries, such as entertainment, fashion, finance, pharmaceuticals, IT, and consumer products. She manages clients’ global intellectual property portfolios and provides strategic legal counsel.

Iva also heads litigation for the firm’s Intellectual Property practice. Her extensive background includes service as the General Counsel and Secretary for the largest independent digital studio in the world, where she navigated all U.S. legal and regulatory aspects of its international business, along with global intellectual property concerns, and business development.

Iva’s unique perspective, derived from both in-house and law firm experience, allows her to understand clients’ needs in-depth, make business-oriented decisions, and deliver effective legal solutions. Also, Iva is a mentor at Bird Incubator, one of the largest and most successful AI incubators in Europe.

Damjan Rudež

Former NBA Player and Entrepreneur

Damjan Rudež is a former professional basketball player from Zagreb, Croatia. During his sixteen-year career, Rudež played for a total of thirteen teams from seven different countries – including the Indiana Pacers, the Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Orlando Magic in the NBA.

In the course of his professional journey, he was a part of the Croatian national team, representing the country in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, the 2015 World Cup in Spain, as well as in three European Championships and Mediterranean games. Currently, he is an active student attending the SDA Bocconi Business School in Milano, and the Kinesiology at the University in Zagreb.

After retiring from active play in 2021, he transitioned into the business world, opening up his own sports consulting company “DR9 International Sports & Media”. Rudež is currently serving as the Program Director at the annual “Sunset Sports Media Festival” in Zadar, Croatia. He is also the co-founder and director of “Astoria Productions”, a Croatian production company specializing in sports documentary content.

Lara Romano

Envoy of the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, the Minister’s Chief of Staff

Lara Romano is a career diplomat serving currently as Chief of Staff to the Croatian Minister of Foreign and European Affairs. Throughout her career at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs she held various positions in the field of multilateral diplomacy, peace and security and human rights.

She served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the Croatian Embassy to the U.S., Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs expert at the Croatian Permanent Missions to the UN in New York and Geneva, and Political Advisor in NATO ISAF and Resolute Support missions in Afghanistan. Her other overseas postings include Croatian Embassies in Lisbon, Berlin, Helsinki and Tel Aviv.

Lara Romano lectures at the Diplomatic Academy, Croatian Defense Academy and the Training Center for International Military Operations in Rakitje. She holds a B.A. degree in Art History and Theatre Studies from Tel Aviv University. She is alumna of the George C. Marshall European Centre for Security Studies. For her service in Afghanistan, she was awarded NATO non-article 5 medals and NATO RCN/TAACN Senior Civilian Representative medal.

Tomo Ricov

Founder and Director, Weekend Media Festivals

Tomislav (Tomo) Ricov is a Croatian event manager and entrepreneur, director of Pepermint agency and the Weekend Media Festival, one of the most significant events in the SEE region. Ricov’s career began in the 1980s as a DJ and radio presenter, roles in which he became a familiar face in the Croatian music scene. He has been involved with various radio stations, including Radio 101, and Yammat FM, where he continues to contribute as a presenter.

Ricov co-founded Pepermint, an agency specializing in event management, marketing, and cultural projects. He has been instrumental in organizing and directing several well-known festivals, including the Weekend Food Festival, Women’s Weekend, and the Sunset Sports Festival. His work extends beyond events to managing and co-owning several popular clubs in Zagreb, such as Pepermint, KIC, Vidikovac, Johann Franck, and Boogie, contributing significantly to the city’s nightlife and entertainment industry.

Iskra Reic

Executive Vice President, AstraZeneca

Iskra Reic is the Executive Vice President of the Vaccines & Immune Therapies Unit at AstraZeneca, overseeing the global pipeline for vaccines and immune therapies, including R&D, medical affairs, and commercial operations. Under her leadership, AstraZeneca delivered over 3 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses to 180 countries and launched the first monoclonal antibody for immunocompromised patients. In 2023, the company also introduced a monoclonal antibody for infant RSV protection in partnership with Sanofi.

Iskra led the acquisition of Icosavax, expanding AstraZeneca’s pipeline with a potential first-in-class RSV/hMPV vaccine. With 23 years at AstraZeneca, she has held key leadership roles, including Executive Vice President of Europe & Canada. She serves on the Senior Executive Team and is a member of the Steering Committee for the Partnership for Health System Sustainability and Resilience. Iskra holds a PhD, MBA, and a DMD from the Medical University of Zagreb.

Irena Stanic Rasin

Owner, Perlina Press

Irena Stanic Rasin is a Croatian-American author and creative professional based across two continents. She holds master’s degrees in English and Italian Language and Literature and is pursuing a PhD in Croatian Language and Literature at the University of Zagreb. An experienced instructor, Irena teaches online language and literature courses.

Her publishing company, Perlina Press, promotes Croatian literature in the USA. Irena has collaborated with the Croatian Heritage Foundation and the Croatian Ministry of Culture and Media. Irena has been recognized with two awards for her work as a co-founder and director of the Croatian School of Boston: the Order of the Croatian Interlace for advancing Croatia’s reputation and Boston Croatian community identity, and the Harvard Club of Boston Prize Book Friends of Education Award for her contributions to education.

Besides ACAP, Irena’s professional memberships include the Croatian Writers’ Association, the Croatian Society of Writers for Children and Youth, the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Independent Publishers of New England, Matrix Croatica, and the Croatian Academy of America.

Pete Radovich

VP of Production, and Senior Creative Director, CBS Sports

Pete Radovich, Jr., the Senior Creative Director & VP of Production for CBS Sports, is a 45-time Emmy Award-winner. Over his 23-year career, Radovich has worked on many of the biggest sporting events in television – includingthe Olympics, Super Bowl, the Masters, Wimbledon, NBA Finals & NCAA Final Four.

Radovich also is the Executive Producer for CBS’ world-renowned coverage of the UEFA Champions League with Thierry Henry andKate Abdo. Most recently, Radovich was the creative director of Super Bowl LVIII, which broke the record for most watched program in American television history. As part of CBS’ coverage, Radovich produced two pieces which went on to win Emmy Awards, including the game opening, seen by over 124 million viewers.

Marko Radic

Associate Professor, University of Tennessee, Health Science Center

Dr. Radic received his Bachelor’s in Science in Genetics from the University of California in Davis and his Ph.D. in Molecular Biology from the University of California in Irvine. He trained as Postdoctoral Researcher at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. He started his independent lab research at the Medical College of Pennsylvania in 1991 and he moved to the University of Tennessee in 2000. Research in the Radic focuses on basic mechanisms of autoimmunity and development of cell therapies for lupus.

The Radic lab seeks to examine how autoantigens are externalized during cell death and engage with receptors on B cells. Radic and colleagues observed how neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) provide a direct molecular link between inflammation and the induction of autoantibodies, a crucial step toward self-sustaining autoimmunity.

The implications of these studies are that one critical nexus in the development of lupus lies in the sustained activation of autoreactive B cells. To decisively attack these B cells, the Radic lab applied immunotherapy with anti-CD19 CAR-modified CD8+ T cells in two murine models of lupus. The results of the initial studies encouraged first in human trials of CAR T cells in SLE. Dr. Radic is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the 2024 Lupus Insight Prize.

Ozren Polašek

Director, Croatian Science Foundation

Graduated medicine at the University of Zagreb in 2003, PhD in 2008. Professor of Public Health, involved in the development of the largest Croatian research biobank, that focuses on human and population genetics.

Advisor to the World Health Organization and member of several national boards and panels. Currently, Director of the Croatian Science Foundation, the leading national source of research funding in Croatia. Developing policies to attract and retain research talent, enable new avenues of work between industry and academia, and improve the scientific ecosystem in Croatia.

Anthony Peculic

Vice President, Head of AWA & BMM Products, Marqeta

Anthony Peculic is Marqeta’s VP, Head of Product Management of Wage Access and Banking/Money Movement. He has over 23 years of experience in the fintech and payments space and has worked for companies such as Citi, Mastercard, ADP, Green Dot, Cross River Bank, as well as a few fintech startups.

His experience has ranged from debit, credit, and prepaid card products to payroll/earned wages and money movement/instant payment products. Anthony has worked with or led the launch of products with key brands including Amazon, Walmart, Uber, Stripe, Current, BILL, and DailyPay. Anthony’s parents are from Istra and he is a dual citizen and visits Croatia every year.

Nikola Pavesic

Director of DevEx & Startups, Infobip

Born and raised in Croatia, studied in Italy, Switzerland and the UK, with tenure in Tanzania and Japan. Nikola has worked in the public sector for the UN which is how he originally arrived in Japan in 2011.

He has worked in tech for a long time – he ran startups and worked with Nikkei in Tokyo. Nikola is currently leading the Developer Experience department at Infobip and supporting tech ecosystems around the world.

Steven Zivko Pavletic

Professor of Medicine and Oncology, Bethesda, Maryland

Dr. Steven Zivko Pavletic, M.D., Ph.D., is a Medical Oncologist, Clinical Investigator, Clinical Director of the Myeloid Malignancies Program and the Head of the Graft-versus-Host and Late Effects Section of the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, Maryland.

He is also an Adjunct Professor of Medicine at the Georgetown University, Lombardi Cancer Center, Division of Oncology, in Washington DC. Dr. Pavletic received his medical degree from the Zagreb University School of Medicine and the Ph.D., at the University of Split, in Croatia. He has published more than 300 articles in peer reviewed medical journals. Dr. Pavletic is a member of the prestigious national Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. Dr Pavletic is a recipient of the NCI director’s Individual Merit Award and of the National Clinical Research Foundation’s 2022 “Top 10 Clinical Research Achievement Awards”.

In 2023 Dr. Pavletic is the recipient of the inaugural “Lukas Wartman” National GVHD Alliance award for his contributions to advancing clinical care of cancer patients after bone marrow transplantation. He serves in leadership roles of major US professional organizations in hematology, oncology, and bone marrow transplantation.Since 2018 he is a corresponding member of the Croatian National Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 2010 Dr. Pavletic started the Croatian professionals club in Washington DC “Hrvatska Ura”. Dr. Pavletic is a co-founder of ACAP (Association of Croatian American Professionals) established in 2014, Advisory Council Chair and ACAP president (2021-2023).

Vladimir Mozetic

President of the Kvarner Health Tourism Cluster, Croatia

Dr. Vladimir Mozetič, MD, PhD, has been President of the Kvarner Health Tourism Cluster since 2014. He serves on working groups in Croatia’s Ministries of Health and Tourism and is a member of ACAP’s Health and Lifestyle Committee Advisory Council.

A urologist specializing in andrology and urologic oncology, Dr. Mozetič also works as a healthcare management consultant. He is a member of the European Urological Association, the Croatian Society of Urology’s Governing Board, and the Croatian Association of Business Ethics and Health Economy.

Nada Pritisanac Matulich

President, Croatian World Congress USA

Nada Pritisanac Matulich, born in Našice, Croatia, is an active leader in the Croatian community in the U.S. She has served in various roles, including Secretary of the Croatian Cultural Center and Croatian Club in San Pedro, CA, Civil Representative of the Croatian Club for International Cooperation at the United Nations in New York, and President of the Croatian World Congress USA.

She founded Authentic Croatian Cuisine and is the President of the American Croatian Congress. Nada has coordinated Team USA for the Croatian World Games and initiated the “Tie of Prominent Croats” project. She has received numerous awards for her volunteer work and dedication to connecting Croatians worldwide. Comment end

Kreso Marusic

Financial Advisor

Kreso Marusic is a financial services executive who has worked in management and leadership positions at PwC, Deutsche Bank, Bridgewater Associatesa and currently at Corient. In his career, he has focused on finance, banking, technology and risk topics, helping the companies deliver value to their stakeholders.

Kreso is also known for his extensive volunteer work in the areas of financial literacy, higher education and career development. He leads the ACAP Foundation and chairs the Board of WISE, a national New York -based non-for-profit, the two organizations that deliver positive impact in the lives of American and Croatian youth.

Don Markušić

Lawyer, Markusic Law Office

Don Markušić is an Australian and UK lawyer, also admitted to the Croatian Bar. His legal practice in Zagreb includes all areas of investment, property law, probate, company and commercial law, litigation, and international arbitration. Don is a law reformer and legal pioneer having served on the Croatian Parliamentary Legislative Committee and currently serves on the Parliamentary Committee for Croats living outside Croatia.

He advises the Croatian and foreign governments on drafting legislation. He is a Member of the ACAP Board of Directors and President of the ACAP Zagreb Chapter, which hosted the hugely successful ACAP Zagreb 2023 Conference. He is a founding member of One Croatia, an organization bringing together Croatian groups from around the world to work for the good of Croatia. He is Vice President of Transparency International Croatia and past president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Zagreb.

Mr. Markušić is a member of The Society of Brethren of the Croatian Dragon and Honorary Member of the Glina War Veterans Association. He also lectures at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is Ambassador for the Nikola Tesla Association.

Marko Lovrinovic

Pickleball and Tennis Pro, Greenwood, Mississippi

Belmont University and Virginia Tech Bachelor of Business Administration degree holder. Also, completed a master’s degree program in sports administration from Belmont University.

Currently works as an operations manager at a sports facility in Greenwood, Mississippi, where he runs pickleball and tennis programs and organizes tournaments. He also has a business which organizes pickleball trips to Croatia.

Dina Levačić

Open Water Swimmer, Researcher

Dina Levačić is a prominent Croatian long-distance swimmer and humanitarian. She started her swimming career at the age of five and began focusing on long-distance swimming by the age of nine. A member of the “Split” Long Distance Swimming Club, Dina boasts numerous successes in both domestic and international competitions, including winning national championships and achieving top results at the FINA Grand Prix.

Dina is the first Croatian woman to achieve the “Triple Crown” of long-distance swimming and is also among the few globally to have swum across all seven of the world’s most challenging channels, including the English Channel, Tsugaru Channel, and Cook Strait.

Beyond her athletic achievements, Dina is known for her humanitarian work, organizing numerous campaigns to assist children with developmental difficulties, individuals with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups. Her sports achievements and humanitarian efforts have earned her numerous awards, including the “Franjo Bučar” State Award for Sport and three decorations from the Republic of Croatia. Dina is currently continuing her academic journey, pursuing doctoral studies at the Medical Faculty in Split, and remains committed to further professional and humanitarian activities.

Nikolina Lauc

Co-Founder & CEO, GlycanAge

Nikolina Lauc is the CEO and Co-founder of GlycanAge, a leading startup in the health-tech and longevity space, with technology developed over 20 years of research supported by €40 million in European grant funding. Utilizing the largest proprietary dataset of the human glycome, GlycanAge is pioneering advanced blood biomarkers for predicting age-related diseases.

The company recently raised a $4.2 million seed funding round led by LAUNCHub Ventures and supported by Kadmos Capital Ltd. GlycanAge is endorsed by Hub71, Mubadala’s accelerator program. Nikolina is a serial entrepreneur with proven experience in scaling startups and leading growing teams. A Draper University alumna and Foresight Institute fellow, Nikolina was also recognized as the Entrepreneur of the Year 2023 in Croatia.

Tomislav Kuzmanovic

Partner, Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP

Clients of Tomislav Kuzmanovic receive the full benefit of his more than 35 years of U.S. and international trial and dispute resolution experience. He has handled international arbitrations, litigated cases to verdict in state and federal courts in Wisconsin, and argued appellate matters in the Seventh, Ninth, and Eleventh U.S. Circuit Courts of Appeal. Tom manages a wide variety of business and commercial litigation for his clients and has extensive experience in class action and appellate matters.

His practice also encompasses complex business litigation, transportation, toxic torts, health, long-term care, construction, hospitality, security, product and premises liability, employment and noncompete litigation, international and human rights law, as well as foreign and domestic investigations. Tom joined Hinshaw in 1988. He currently serves as the partner in charge of the Milwaukee Office and is a former member of the firm’s Executive Committee.

Sue Kuraja

V.P. Brokerage Director, MassMutual Agency Brokerage

Snjezana (Sue) Kuraja is the Founder of The Consulate Group a consortium of subject matter experts dedicated to technological enablement. She is a respected writer & subject matter expert in the insurtech space. Her passion for technology and innovation is evident through her continued advocacy for blockchain adoption and AIoT, which she believes can significantly enhance trust, collaboration, and efficiency across the insurance & financial services ecosystem.

Sue’s dedication to integrating modern technology extends to her extensive work in practice transformation, where she continues to develop high-fidelity experiences through the advancement of technological enablement for all. In addition to her thought leadership roles, Sue is the current WIFS National Vice President and former 2021 WIFS National Woman of the Year.

Tarja Krehić

Lawyer, Krehic Law Office

Tarja is a Croatian attorney-at-law at Krehić Law Office, with over 20 years of experience providing comprehensive legal advice to both international and domestic clients. She has a strong M&A and corporate background, having led major local and cross-border strategic M&A, group restructurings, acquisitions, joint ventures, and public-private partnerships.For four years, Tarja led Deloitte Legal’s team of 8 lawyers, collaborating closely with financial, tax, consulting, and audit teams on multidisciplinary transactions, particularly in restructuring and M&A.

She also advises on compliance, ESOP transactions, bond issuance, and employment restructuring, with a focus on ICT, telecommunications, media, pharmaceuticals, and energy sectors. Tarja holds an LL.M. from Duke Law School, where she was a Ron Brown Fellowship alumna, and an LL.B. from the University of Zagreb. She is the president of the Croatian Association of Women in Legal Profession, a member of the Croatian Bar Association, International Bar Association, and a contributing author to leading legal publications.

Shelley Kobuck

COO, St. Cloud VA Health Care System

An innovative and skilled TOP HEALTHCARE EXECUTIVE with extensive experience serving in multi-facility operations in post-acute care and specializing in improving outcomes and leadership development. Possesses a proven track record in leading change, strategic planning, program development, and delivering quality care while balancing the financial goals of the organization.

Additional capabilities in clinical management, transitions, business modeling/growth, admissions growth, regulatory & ethical compliance, and financial management. A top-performing and visionary leader who is committed to achieving success for an organization.

Robert Kohorst

Former U.S. Ambassador to Croatia

W. Robert (“Bob”) Kohorst served as the U.S. Ambassador to Croatia from 2018 to 2021, overseeing 225 embassy staff and representing U.S. interests. He was awarded the Order of Duke Branimir medal for promoting international relations. Before his diplomatic service, Bob founded and was CEO of Everest Properties, a commercial real estate enterprise with assets over $500 million.

He also led other businesses, including Tiger Shark Golf and Masquerade International. Bob holds a B.S. in accounting and a J.D. from the University of Michigan. He is actively involved in public service and education, and he and his wife Shelley have two sons and three grandchildren.

Alen Juginovic

Neuroscientist, Sleep Medicine, Harvard Medical School

Alen Juginovic is a physician and postdoctoral researcher at Harvard Medical School where he studies the impact of sleep quality on health. He teaches a course titled "Neurobiology of emotions and mood disorders at Harvard College where he is an instructor at the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology.

He serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, the official journal of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, and is the author of the book “Sleep Science Made Simple." Alen has received several awards, including the European Citizen’s Prize, Best Young Project Manager in Croatia, two Rector’s Awards, and the Think Global Award. Since 2017, Alen and his team have organized annual conferences in Croatia aimed at inspiring the next generation of biomedical leaders.

These conferences, some of which organized by his NGO Med&X, have gathered over 2,400 participants from more than 30 countries, including 10 Nobel Laureates and many medical leaders from around the world, such as the Dean of Harvard Medical School, Chief Medical Officer of Microsoft, and Chief Scientist of the World Health Organization. Furthermore, Med&X organizes the Accelerator program, which partners with research labs and clinics at leading universities and hospitals like Harvard, Cleveland Clinic, and MIT to offer medical students invaluable summer clinical/research internship opportunities.

Tanja Jovanović

Director, Neurophysiology Laboratory, Emory University School of Medicine

Tanja Jovanovic, PhD, is a Professor of Psychiatry and Endowed Chair in PTSD Neurobiology at Wayne State University. Dr. Jovanovic graduated from the Classical High School in Zagreb, Croatia, and completed her B.S. in Biology from Oklahoma Christian University in 1994, and went on to receive her Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Emory University in 2002.

She directs the Detroit Trauma Project (www.detroittraumaproject.com), which investigates the impact of trauma exposure on brain and behavior to examine biomarkers of risk for trauma-related psychopathology, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Dr. Jovanovic has received multiple federal grants and published over 280 articles.

Chiara Jovanovic

Founder & CEO, climate tech, ex-Amazon, ex-Goldman Sachs

Chiara Jovanovic began her career at Goldman Sachs in Investment Banking, Mergers & Acquisitions. She was then part of an e-commerce startup, Quidsi, that was bought by Amazon, where she remained post-acquisition running Business Development. She was the Founder & CEO of Parentify, a tech marketplace company of services for parents.

She then entered the world of U.S. politics, focusing on fundraising for women candidates in the Senate, campaign finance reform, and climate policy. Chiara is currently the Founder & CEO of I AM, a fashion brand with a fully sustainable supply chain (launching Fall/Winter 2024). The company is a platform for catalyzing climate-positive business models in sectors that are key carbon emitters, enacting climate legislation and regulation, and mobilizing women into climate careers.

Chiara received a BA from NYU in Political Science and an MBA from Columbia Business School. She is originally from Zagreb, Croatia, and lives in New York, NY.

Peter Hricak

Global IT Infrastructure & Security Operations, Lucasfilm & ILM

Peter Hricak is currently steering the digital ship at Lucasfilm Ltd. and Industrial Light & Magic. He has become a leader in IT, responsible for planning, management, and maintenance of mission-critical infrastructure for a diverse range of global organizations.

Recognized for his extensive depth of technical knowledge, Peter ensures that the Force is always with the company’s digital assets.Head of IT Infrastructure and Global Security at Lucasfilm, Ltd.

Jeana Havidich

Pediatric Anesthesologist and Associate Professor, Vanderbilt University

Dr. Havidich is a double-boarded Pediatric and Adult Anesthesiologist with over 20 years of clinical experience, currently practicing at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. She focuses on healthcare innovation, medical education, patient safety, and outcomes research. As the Associate Vice Chair for Quality, Safety, and Outcomes for Pediatric Services at VUMC, she has contributed to safety guidelines, simulation centers, and medical programs.

Dr. Havidich is also an adjunct faculty member at the Vanderbilt Institute of Global Health. Since joining ACAP in 2016, she has served on the Domovina Task Force and co-chairs the Medical Tourism Committee. Additionally, she has contributed to several ACAP committees and was elected to its Board of Directors in 2021. Dr. Havidich is currently working on a hybrid health and wellness program in collaboration with Croatian health and tourism professionals.

Peter Hazdovac

Owner, Adriatic Travel, and Real Estate Agent

Peter Hazdovac is the General Manager and Owner of Adriatic Travel Inc., a family business specializing in travel to Croatia and the surrounding areas. Founded by his parents in 1974, Adriatic Travel offers custom tours, cruises, and airfare services.

Peter graduated from Cal Poly Pomona University with a degree in Social Science and Geography. A former semi-professional soccer player, he became the company’s manager in 2010. He is an ACAP member, a “40 under 40” award recipient, and serves on the board of the Libertas Foundation. Peter is a proud father of two daughters.

Jasmine Golubic

Senior Director, Automotive Marketing, SiriusXM

Jasmine is a seasoned marketing executive with over 20 years of expertise in a wide spectrum of marketing domains, including strategy and brand development, communication, subscription and retention marketing, campaign orchestration, experiential marketing, branded entertainment, and the growth of strategic business partnerships.

Her career highlights include working for globally renowned luxury brands such as Mercedes-Benz and Maserati. Currently, she hold a Senior Marketing Director role at SiriusXM, the American leader in audio entertainment. Jasmine is also deeply engaged in nonprofit initiatives and hold a Board of Directors position in the Association of Croatian American Professionals (ACAP) and Working in Support of Education (W!se)

Amanda Flocchini

International Business Development Director, GOED

Amanda Flocchini is the International Business Development Director for the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development. She has a multifaceted background in project management, government relations, extensive legislative experience, procuring strategic partnerships, business development and market strategy, grassroots organizing for political campaigns, digital and social media communications, and international mission work.

Ms. Flocchini graduated from the University of Nevada Reno in 2018 with a bachelor’s in international affairs with an emphasis in Middle Eastern studies, and a minor in political science. She was an active member of the National Political Honor Society, Pi Sigma Alpha, and won the Honorable Delegate award for representing Iraq in the Defense Affairs Council at the Northern California Model Arab League Conference in 2018.

She recently completed a program through the State International Development Organization and obtained her Level 1 Trade Specialist certification. She has also served on the Government Affairs Committee for the Las Vegas Asian Chamber of Commerce since 2021.

Hrvoje Ćosić

CEO, Aircash

Hrvoje Ćosić, born in Zagreb, graduated from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing at the University of Zagreb. He began his career in banking, focusing on Treasury, Risk Controlling, Liquidity, Financial Market, and Currency Trading. In 2015, he co-founded Aircash, Croatia’s first fintech to introduce a digital wallet.

Aircash, a highly regulated institution licensed by the Croatian National Bank, is the only non-bank in Croatia authorized to issue Mastercard cards. As CEO, Ćosić has led Aircash to over 1,000,000 users (January 2024) and is actively working on new financial products, with plans for further expansion within the EU and beyond.

Josip Ćesić

Co-Founder, Gideon Brothers

Josip Cesic is the Co-Founder and CEO of Gideon, a pioneering robotics and AI company. Gideon revolutionizes supply chains with AI-powered robots, automating one of the hardest problems – the loading and unloading of truck trailers with autonomous forklifts. Josip holds a PhD in autonomy technologies from the University of Zagreb (FER), Croatia, completed with the University of Waterloo, Canada.

His accolades include the Dean’s Award, Special Dean’s Award, Rector’s Award, Special Rector’s Award, and the Silver Plaque for his outstanding doctoral dissertation. He holds several patents and has published over 20 research papers on robotics and autonomous systems. Josip also serves on the Board of Alumni at FER. His visionary leadership and strategic insights drive Gideon’s growth and success in the robotics market.

Kemal Curić

Global Design Director, Lincoln Advance EV

Kemal Curic is the Global Design Director for Lincoln, where he leads the long-term vision of the luxury brand. Born in Sarajevo and raised in Germany, Bosnia and Croatia, Curic’s fascination with car design began in childhood, inspired by American muscle cars. He pursued his passion, earning a bachelor’s in industrial design and a master’s in transportation design in Germany. Curic began his career at Ford of Europe in 2003, working on models like the Focus, Fiesta, Mondeo, and Kuga, before joining Ford’s Dearborn team in 2010 to design the 6th Generation Mustang and Shelby’s.

In 2014, Curic became Exterior Design Manager for the Lincoln Continental, then went on to lead the transformation of the Lincoln design framework and serve as chief designer for the all-new Aviator. His work reflects a deep understanding of client expectations and Lincoln’s evolving luxury portfolio. Curic lives in Irvine, CA with his family and continues to push boundaries in automotive design.

Sara Cobal

Project Manager, Croatian Medical Association

Ms Cobal is currently enrolled in a PhD program at the Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology of the University of Zagreb, Croatia. The focal point of her research is pediatric obesity and its primary prevention. She attained a Bachelor’s (2010) and Master’s diploma (2013) in Human Nutrition at the Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology of the University of Zagreb.

In addition, she attained a diploma in Project Management at the Institute of Management (2021) in Croatia.She participated in training and research programs in Italy (IRRCS San Raffaele Pisana and Istituto Nazionale di Ricerca per gli Alimenti e la Nutrizione, Rome, 2013), United Kingdom (Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, London, 2018) and the Netherlands (Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, 2023).

She is employed by the Croatian Medical Association as a Nutritionist and Project Manager of EU and non-EU project focused on Public Health, Higher education in Croatia and the Croatian Health Care system. She is an active member of the Croatian Society of Clinical Nutrition of the Croatian Medical Association and the Croatian Society of Nutritionists and Dietitians.

Antun Krešimir Buterin

President, Meeting G2

Antun Krešimir Buterin, aka Tonči, is an experienced Croatian journalist & editor. He worked in the Croatian political daily Vjesnik (1996-2008), then became the editor of Zaštita, the only Croatian security magazine, where he launched a number of projects and conferences, including the first national research on Croatian cities’ safety.

In 2015 he joined Hikvision, a leading global security manufacturer and IoT provider, where he worked as a Marketing Manager for the Adriatic region. Since its beginning in 2006, he has been a member of the Ana Rukavina Foundation, acting in both the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors. As of 2015, he actively participated in the creation of every Meeting G2 business conference, and in 2019 he became president of the Meeting G2 Association, making business connections between Croatia and the diaspora.

Ana Marita Brant

Vice President of Customer Experience and Loyalty, Wynn & Encore, Las Vegas

Dr. Ana Brant is a visionary brand strategist, customer-centricity expert, researcher, lecturer, and published writer in the art and science of turning discerning global customers into hard-core fans. She currently serves as a Vice President of Customer Experience and Loyalty for Wynn & Encore.

Earlier in her career, she oversaw guest experience for Dorchester Collection’s group of nine luxury hotels and has held various positions within The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company and Walt Disney World. Brant earned her Doctor of Business Administration degree at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School. Her research focuses on ideological consumption of UHNWI, consumer culture theories, relationship marketing, and resource-based organizational strategies.

Ms. Brant regularly shares her unconventional yet thoughtful ideas in the Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and the peer-reviewed Cornell Hospitality Quarterly. She is a graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology and a member of RIT’s Board of Trustees, where she received a Master’s degree in Service Leadership and a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management.

Jack Baric

Film Producer

Emmy Award winning filmmaker Jack Baric is the co-founder of GameChange, an inspirational sports media company. Baric and Paul McDonald launched GameChange by publishing Thru the Tunnel, a book they co-wrote featuring “true stories of sports and life that empower your spirit.”

In his documentary filmmaking career, Baric made numerous films, including Searching for a Storm, about the war in Croatia and ICTY case of Ante Gotovina; A City Divided, which chronicles the USC vs. UCLA football rivalry; and the Emmy Award winning, Blood Thursday, which tells the story of how West Coast dockworkers won their union during the Great Depression.

Domjan Barić

Head of Data Science, Aras Digital

Domjan Barić is an accomplished Data Scientist with over 8 years of experience, specializing in the development of data-driven applications and AI solutions. With extensive expertise in building and leading data science teams, Domjan has successfully developed and deployed scalable AI and ML models across various industries, particularly for clients whose primary focus isn’t IT or data.

Currently serving as the Head of Data Science at Aras Digital Products, Domjan is also completing a PhD in Biophysics, focusing on interpretable neural networks for time series analysis. His work bridges the gap between complex data science techniques and practical business applications, driving innovation and operational excellence.

Hrvoje Josip Balen

Member of the Board, Algebra University Zagreb

Hrvoje Josip Balen is a co-founder and board member of Algebra University, the largest and fastest-growing educational group in Croatia, with 15,000 students, participants, high school graduates, and teenagers passing through its system annually.

Algebra employs 210 full-time staff and collaborates monthly with an additional 400 external teachers, lecturers, and project experts who contribute to the delivery of regular and part-time studies, MBA business programs, specialist training, and educational projects both in Croatia and abroad. Within the organization, he is responsible for marketing communications, public relations, and part of strategic development.

Hrvoje is also the president of the HUP ICT Association and has been the coordinator of the HUP working group for the preparation of the latest tax reform proposal and labor relief, as well as the coordinator of the HUP working group for the preparation of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. Together with his business partners, he received the EY Entrepreneur of the Year award in 2020 and has also been recognized by the Croatian Chamber of Commerce for promoting the Croatian economy. Since March 2024, he has been a member of the Committee for Financial and Organizational Affairs and a member of the Assembly of GNK Dinamo.

Mislav Acman

Founder and CEO, Omics Solutions

Mislav is an experienced bioinformatician with a diverse background in computational biology, omics, and data analysis. He is the Founder and CEO of Omics Solutions, a bioinformatics company providing advanced data analysis, pipeline development, and machine learning services.

Previously, he worked as a Tech Lead at Biofractal, where he was responsible for managing a team of web developers and designing and implementing data pipelines and visualizations for an in-house analytical platform.

Mislav holds a Ph.D. in Computational Biology from University College London. His academic journey took him through universities in London, Paris, and Zagreb. During his research career, he worked on a variety of global challenges, addressing topics such as the spread of antibiotic resistance genes, microbial signatures of sepsis, evolution of SARS-CoV-2, and bacterial interaction networks.

He is proficient in multiple programming languages and data analysis techniques, and also an experienced educator and mentor.

Ivan Anušić

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Republic of Croatia

Born on October 13, 1973 in Osijek.
Married and has four children.

Education
Graduated from the Faculty of Kinesiology in Zagreb

Career
2017 – Present: Osijek-Baranja County prefect
2016 – 2017: a member of the 9th term of the Croatian Parliament (War Veterans Committee Chairperson and a member of the Defence Committee)
2015 – 2016: a member of the 8th term of the Croatian Parliament (Deputy Chairperson of the National Council for Monitoring Anti-Corruption Strategy Implementation, also a member of the Agriculture Committee and the Committee on Regional Development and European Union Funds)
2005 – 2017: Mayor of the Municipality of Antunovac
2002 – 2005: a coach and president of the Kickboxing Club Antunovac
1991 – 2001: a voluntary member of the Homeland War; a member of the National Guard Corps, 106th and 130th Brigade; a member of the Special Police of the Ministry of the Interior, Military Police and the CAF 3rd Guard Brigade

Gordan Grlić Radman

Minister of Foreign and European Affairs

Ivan Aras

Head of Digital, Aras Digital

Petra Zubin Maslov

Cardiologist, Mount Sinai Morningside

Renee Pea

Consul General of Croatia in Los Angeles

Ronald Kruno Živić