Authentic, exciting and inclusive are some of the adjectives that I would use to describe the Australian-New Zealand Croatian Women in Leadership group. The brain child of Her Excellency, Ms Betty Pavelich, Ambassador of Croatia, and Ms Sonja Palic, Business Manager, these two women of action wasted no time in establishing this organisation which has grown from strength to strength. The aim is to offer all women of croatian origin the opportunity to learn from one another by sharing their gifts and talents. In an atmosphere of trust and support, women are encouraged to speak without reserve, to seek advice, to share experiences and to focus on being there for one another in whatever way is life-giving.

We in Western Australia are very blessed to have Francika Roberts nee Jelavic as our Representative on the Board. Fran has an astonishing amount of energy and pours this into offering us wonderful opportunities to connect. I am delighted to be an inaugural member and warmly encourage all eligible women, young and not so young, to become active members.

Marija Retel, Education Consultant
WA

I attended the Summit in Canberra in February 2022 with my daughter Anastasia.I did not know what to expect in the lead up. From the time of my arrival, I was delighted by the event. I was blown away by the quality of the speakers and attendees. There were so many interesting, diverse, and empowered women. They were wonderful examples to my daughter. I made good friends with some of these extraordinary people and have maintained contact. I felt welcomed from the beginning. The Summit reinforced in me just how beautiful Croatian heritage and culture are, and how blessed I and my children are to have this as part of our identity.

Elizabeth McKinnon, Barrister-at-Law
VIC

It’s been a pleasure to see the Australian and New Zealand women’s Leadership group grow its membership over the last few years.

DOMA Is recognised as one of the largest investment and development companies in the ACT with operations across the eastern states. It is also one of the largest private hoteliers in the ACT and its Little National Hotel network is being rolled out into other cities, presently including Sydney, Newcastle and Adelaide.

DOMA has been sponsoring and hosting summits for the Australian and New Zealand Women’s Leadership group since the very first days back in 2019. It’s been a pleasure to see this network grow its memberships since then. DOMA is proud to see not only the success of Croatian women across all industry groups and professions but also proud to see the encouragement and inspiration that is so freely given to support and motivate each other

Betty Domazet, Emergence Health Specialist & DOMA group

ACT

Having been a part of the AUS-NZ Croatian Women in Leadership organisation since its inception in 2019, I cannot speak highly enough of the value connecting with the group has given me both personally and professionally. From being inspired by incredible speakers at the first Summit event in Canberra to building connections over dinner with other Croatian women in both Auckland and Sydney, the organisation provides access to an incredible network of women at all career stages with the shared bond of our collective heritage. I am so grateful for all the incredible women I have crossed paths with so far and look forward to my continued involvement with the organisation.

Olivia Panzic, Content & Communications Manager, TikTok ANZ

NZ to NSW

What a special weekend the 2022 Summit was - it was amazing to connect with so many wonderful, talented women at the top of their game, sharing & reflecting on experiences through the lens of our Croatian heritage. The collective skill diversity & wisdom of this group is energising & provides opportunities to authentically develop & help ourselves through the story-telling & celebration of our Croatian business women.

Kate CUIC

VCCC Board member, VIC

I'm fortunate to be part of the AUS-NZ Croatian Women in Leadership. It is the best way to stay connected with extraordinary women with the same cultural background as my own. The recent summit was a demonstration of the opportunities that Australia and New Zealand have provided women of Croatian background to excel in their chosen field. It was great to hear the Croatian work ethic and determination underpin much of the successes of all the speakers. The organisation is made up of group of women willing to help, mentor and support each other in achieving and celebrating success.

Angela Jeffery, Project Director
Sydney Metro, NSW

I am Co-founder of Krofne, a Canberra based social enterprise that creates meaningful employment opportunities for young people with disabilities. I was honored to be a guest speaker at the Summit in 2109 and was introduced to a remarkable group of strong, passionate, and talented women including Senator Hollie Huges, Mariana Rudan, Sonja Palic and our very own Croatian Ambassador Hon. Betty Pavelic just to name a few. From the personal connections I made, it led to SBS Small Business Secrets doing a feature on Krofne, presenting to the Autism Select Committee at Parliament House and delivering a keynote speech in the Great Hall of Parliament House. The summit is truly an incredible and memorable event where life long relationships have been forged with renewed determination and inspiration.

Danijela Vrkic (ACT)
Co-Founder Krofne

The Croatian Women in Leadership network is a fantastic connector of women from all walks of life, most of them at the top of their game, who all have one thing in common, a shared cultural background and a commitment to sharing their stories for the benefit of all who come to listen.

For we are always stronger together."

Mariana Rudan (NSW)
Journalist

As a Business owner/ Director of an international Interior Design Company based in Dubai for over 20 years , the network has enabled me to connect not only with Australian (being a Adelaide girl) but also with my Croatian heritage. Thank you to the organizers for reconnecting me with some amazing women and giving me the opportunity to share my story. It’s been wonderful to meet and be part of the amazing Croatian Women in Leadership and I look forward to continuing my connection. I am proud to be part of this esteemed group of Women.

Kristina Zanic – Director (DUBAI)
Kristina Zanic Consultants

It’s been wonderful to have been part of the network since it started in 2019 and to establish so many valuable connections. This diverse group of women of Croatian heritage ticks all the right boxes and gives us the opportunity to grow and learn about leadership together.

Distinguished Professor Emeritus Frances Separovic AO FAA (VIC)
Deputy Director, Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne

Through the group I had the pleasure of meeting the Ambassador of Croatia, who kindly invited me to attend a function in Canberra with her. The evening hosted by the German embassy celebrated arts and culture within Australia and abroad. It was an unforgettable evening which exponentially helped me grow my connections and was a night I’ll never forget.

Kat Dominis (NSW)
Actor

I decided to attend the first Croatian Women in Leadership Summit in 2019– a room full of vibrant and extraordinary Croatian women who shared their motivating stories of strength, courage, determination and infectious positivity. Nearly two years later, I am still feeling the energy and positive ripple effect from that very special weekend. We all connected instantly - it was a surreal experience with so much love, emotion and happiness, and I can honestly say, one of the most memorable times of my life. A huge thank you to our forward-thinking Ambassador, Betty Pavelich and Sonja Palic for creating such a progressive and positive community for Croatian women in Australia and New Zealand.

DARLENE GNECH (WA)
Performer, Producer, Creative Brown Street Studio

Being part of AUS-NZ Croatian women in leadership from the outset has been an incredible experience. Not only has it broadened my network and provided some amazing speakers, it has given me the unique opportunity to meet other women leaders who share my Croatian heritage. As a professional in NZ, it has also provided me with the opportunity to connect not only with leaders in Australia but also to meet other like-minded women in NZ as well. We have recently started to regularly catch-up as a group in Auckland to strengthen our network and look at ways to further collaborate.

Marija Batistich (NZ)
Senior Coporate Counsel, KiwiRail

The first ever Croatian women’s Leadership Event encompassed bring Australian and New Zealand woman of Croatian heritage together! It was a unique event like no other where we had woman from all different professional backgrounds and various ages come together to share their experiences, secrets to success and connect on a deeper level which has seen many friendships formed since. If your contemplating on whether you should attend this year’s event, I strongly encourage you to do so as it’s an event not to be missed!”

Sonja Sparavec (NSW)
Corporate Sales Leaders – Corporate Portfolio MEDIBANK

As a Regional Business Manager, from Port Lincoln in SA, it has given me an opportunity to stay engaged with AUS-NZ Croatian Women in Leadership across a range of platforms, to be a valuable resource, not only for sharing professional networks, ideas and connections, but also for the lasting friendships made across AUS, NZ and the world.

Diana Mislov (SA)