Australia & New Zealand
Croatian Women in Leadership
Summit 2022

Canberra 25-27th Feb 2022

Event Highlights

Friday 25th February – Welcome Reception

Hosted at Parliament House – Members Hall, Canberra.
Welcome remarks from H.E. Ambassador Betty Pavelich and Sonja Palic, Chair of AUS-NZ CWL.
Greetings from Senator The Hon. Zed Seselja and H.E. Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, former President of Croatia.

Saturday 26th February – Summit Conference (The Realm Hotel, Canberra)

Opening Keynote: H.E. Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, Former President of Croatia.
Panels & Speakers:
- Foundations for the Future – with leaders from Western Sydney Airport, Macquarie University, BHP, and Tennis Australia.
- Leading in Challenging Times – with voices from business, law, medicine, and sport.
- Successful Creative Journeys – featuring entrepreneurs, designers, media professionals, and innovators.
- The Wellbeing of our Communities – highlighting contributions in healthcare, unions, orthodontics, and the Australian Olympic Committee.
Keynote Speaker: Carmen Pavlovic, CEO of Global Creatures, sharing her journey producing the award-winning Moulin Rouge! The Musical.
Celebration Dinner: A three-course dinner with live Croatian music from Dobre Vibracije.

Sunday 27th February – Closing Brunch

Buffet brunch hosted at the Embassy of the Republic of Croatia.
Closing reflections from Ambassador Betty Pavelich and H.E. Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović.
Launch of key initiatives:
- Mentor Program (Doris Bozin, ACT)
- Young Women’s Program (Ana-Maria Cindric & Ema Saric)
- Education Program (Cindy Drake)

The Canberra Summit in 2022 was a turning point for the AUS-NZ Croatian Women in Leadership network—bridging business, politics, academia, and culture. It showcased the strength of women’s leadership across Australia, New Zealand, and Croatia, while planting the seeds for programs that continue to inspire and empower future generations.

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