ACAP has elected its new Board of Directors, effective January 2025 ACAP continues to strengthen ties between the USA and Croatia by bringing together leading experts from the Croatian and US business communities. The ACAP Board of Directors consists of 19 successful leaders, managers, entrepreneurs, and doctors from various sectors – education, finance, healthcare, ICT, […]
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In collaboration with the Central State Office for Croats Abroad, ACAP is organizing the fourth edition of the Domovina Birthright Program from June 1 – June 13, 2025. This one-of-a-kind summer school offers young adults of Croatian descent, aged 18 to 30, a unique opportunity to delve into their Croatian heritage, explore the country’s beauty,
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As we approach the end of 2024, we reflect on a truly transformative year. The past twelve months marked ACAP’s 10th anniversary and showcased incredible milestones in connecting and empowering Croatian professionals worldwide. We began the year by welcoming Maria Sentic as ACAP’s new and first female president. In her inaugural message, Maria shared a
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Attention Croatian citizens: The upcoming elections for the President of the Republic of Croatia will be held at Croatian consulates and the Embassy of Croatia in the United States. The election dates are as follows: To participate, please complete the attached voter registration form and send it to the consulate or embassy where you intend
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Dear ACAP Members and Friends, This holiday season, ACAP Chicago is calling on you to support the families of Jablanica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, who are reeling from the effects of unprecedented flooding. Together, we can bring them hope and relief during this critical time. What Happened in JablanicaIn early October, Jablanica and other parts of Bosnia and
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Zagreb, November 14, 2024 – Plans for the Croatian House at the 2028 Olympics advanced significantly with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Croatian Olympic Committee (HOO) and the City of Los Angeles at the U.S. Embassy in Zagreb. The agreement, signed by Croatian Olympic Committee President Zlatko Mateša and Los
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Dear Friends of ACAP, As a volunteer-driven organization, ACAP ensures that 100% of your donations go directly to benefiting the recipients. Your support makes a tangible difference in their lives. Here is the Impact you have helped create this year: Donations worth $33K impacted the lives of 100+ young leaders! As Giving Tuesday approaches, we
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Congratulations to Iskra Reic, an esteemed member of the ACAP Advisory Council, for being recognized as one of the fiercest women in life sciences. This honor celebrates women who are making significant strides in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and medtech, leading efforts in Big Pharma business development, guiding innovative biotechs, and advancing clinical research for potentially lifesaving
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On November 11, 2024, ACAP Zagreb took center stage at the Croatian Diaspora Panel during the Scientific-Professional Conference hosted by the Croatian Institute for Migration Research. Held in the distinguished Grand Hall of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce (HGK), the event gathered influential leaders dedicated to advancing the Croatian diaspora’s role globally. Alongside ACAP Zagreb’s
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The recent event at Algebra University, supported by a grant from the U.S. Department of State, focused on launching the IDEAS partnership, which promotes educational collaboration between the University of South Florida (USF) and Algebra University. This initiative emphasizes study abroad opportunities in critical fields such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and computer science engineering. Key
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MedAdria, in collaboration with the Association of Croatian American Professionals (ACAP), has announced the 2025 schedule for a specialized wellness and cultural tour set in the breathtaking region of Kvarner Bay. This carefully curated program reflects years of collaboration between Croatian and American experts in health, wellness, and cultural preservation. The initiative aims to create
In a dazzling celebration of excellence, the ACAP Awards recently honored a group of remarkable individuals who have made significant contributions to the Croatian-American community. As part of ACAP’s 10-year anniversary, this prestigious event recognized both emerging and established leaders across various fields, showcasing the diverse talents and achievements within the community. Rising Stars Making
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In celebration of ACAP’s 10th anniversary and a decade of collaboration to advance the interests of the Croatian-American community, we are delighted to announce the following award recipients who have made significant contributions in their fields and to ACAP’s mission: Niko Hazdovac: Professional Excellence, Entrepreneurship, Family Business, Tourism Peter Hricak: Professional Excellence, Business Alen Juginović:
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Dear ACAP Members and Supporters, As you may know, ACAP leadership has been a driving force in the development of the Double Taxation Treaty (DTT) between the United States and Croatia. This treaty, signed in 2022, requires the advice and consent of the Senate to be ratified. Now that the legislative session has resumed, we are asking for
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The ACAP Zagreb Chapter, in cooperation with the ACAP SoCal Chapter, organized a visit in Zagreb for the charity association Kids Cancer Connection from Los Angeles. The director of Kids Cancer Connection, Steven Firestein, with representatives of the ACAP Zagreb Chapter, Don Markušić and Darrell Šarić, delivered handcrafted posters to care givers and first responders
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Dear ACAP Members, We are excited to announce the Call for Nominations for the 2025 ACAP Board of Directors (BoD). This is your opportunity to either put forward a colleague or nominate yourself to contribute directly to the strategic direction, growth, and leadership of ACAP. We are looking for nominations for new or returning members
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Last Year, Services Exported to the United States Increased by 47% Source: Croatian Chamber of Economy (HGK) Last year, Croatia exported services worth over 1 billion euros to the United States, marking growth of 47% compared to the previous year. Although the growth is impressive, it is expected to accelerate even further with the removal
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We are proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 ACAP Future Leaders Scholarships. This year’s winners exemplify outstanding academic achievements, community involvement, and a deep commitment to promoting Croatian culture. Please join us in congratulating: · Klara Barbić, Harvard University· John Henry Crowley, Washington State University· Marija Galić, University of San Francisco· Isabella Ljubica
ACAP Foundation Announces 2024 Future Leaders Scholarship Recipients Read More »
In 2024, ACAP celebrates its 10th anniversary. We are excited to celebrate a decade of impact during our 8th annual conference in Las Vegas, from October 3-6, 2024, where we will recognize some of our most impactful members. We are now accepting nominations for the following awards: We are now accepting nominations for: If you
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The Association of Croatian American Professionals (ACAP) proudly announces the formation of its inaugural Advisory Council. This renowned group, composed of 15 distinguished leaders from diverse sectors such as healthcare, diplomacy, academia, journalism, sports, law, and corporate leadership, embodies a broad spectrum of professional excellence and dedication to public service. Their collective wisdom and expertise
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 .
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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’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’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’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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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’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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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