The award winners (Photo: Croatian Women’s Network)
The Croatian Women’s Network marked a major milestone this year as it celebrated the 10th anniversary of its prestigious “Croatian Women of Influence” and “Future Leaders” awards.
The awards ceremony, held at the Westin Hotel in Zagreb to coincide with International Women’s Day, honoured 26 women from 11 countries who have made outstanding contributions in their professional fields and communities.
This year, 25 Croatian Women of Influence Awards and one Future Leader Award were presented to women of Croatian heritage who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation and social engagement while promoting Croatia’s reputation globally.
The recipients represent a wide range of professions, including science, medicine, entrepreneurship, technology, arts, diplomacy, education and social activism.
Many of the award winners have built distinguished international careers, lead successful organisations and initiatives, or are driving meaningful change in their local and global communities.
Folklore ansambl Zagreb Markovac (Photo: Croatian Women’s Network)
Their achievements reflect not only professional excellence but also the importance of collaboration, mentorship and support among women across generations.
According to Caroline Spivak, founder of the Croatian Women’s Network, the awards celebrate women who are shaping the future and opening doors for others.
“Tonight we celebrate excellence, courage, vision and dedication. These women are changing society, pushing boundaries and creating opportunities for future generations of leaders,” Spivak said during the ceremony.
“Each of the award recipients shows how knowledge, integrity and perseverance can be powerful drivers of positive change in Croatia and beyond.”
Mladen Barać, State Secretary at the Ministry of Demography and Immigration, Branka Malinar, winner of the Influential Croatian Women Award, and Caroline Spivak, founder of Croatian Women’s Network (Photo: Croatian Women’s Network)
Spivak also emphasised the strong global connection among Croatian women.
“These awards are not only recognition of achievement – they are also a message to women to believe in their ideas, their voice and their strength, and in the powerful connections among Croatian women across all continents,” she added.
Over the past decade, the Croatian Women’s Network has presented more than 200 awards and built an international community of over 1,500 members.
Founded to empower women of Croatian heritage worldwide, the organisation focuses on mentorship, professional collaboration and leadership development, connecting women from diverse industries and backgrounds.
“The idea was born exactly ten years ago, and our greatest achievement is that we continue to grow while presenting the world with women whose knowledge and work have enhanced Croatia’s global reputation,” Spivak said.
(Photo: Croatian Women’s Network)
“Today we collaborate across many fields and together build stronger communities both in Croatia and throughout the diaspora.”
Over the past decade, the Croatian Women of Influence Awards have become one of the most important international recognitions for women of Croatian heritage contributing to social, economic and cultural development.
The 2026 award winners come from countries including Croatia, the United States, Argentina, Chile, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, China, Switzerland, Colombia, the United Arab Emirates and Canada.
25 Croatian Women of Influence Award winners
Carolyn Agin Bruno – United States of America – Senior Partner, Bruno Law, PLLC and General Counsel
Silvina Biott – Argentina – Writer and poet
Maria-Gabriela Dumandžić – Argentina – Executive
Ana Jerković – Croatia – Economist and diplomat
Jasna Karačić Zanetti – Belgium – Head of Health Diplomacy Unit / President of The Croatian Association for the Promotion of Patients’ Rights
Danica Kegević – Chile – President, Croatian Sports Club Valparaíso, Chile / Key Account Manager
Suzana Krišto – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Member of Parliament,
Vitomira Lončar – China – Professor, Eurasia University, School for Culture and Media, Xi’an, China / General Manager, Mala Scena Theatre, Zagreb, Croatia
Branka Malinar – United States of America – Curator, Croatian Museum, CL, Ohio
Marija Mrgudić – Croatia – Winemaker
Gordana Nikolić – Croatia – Dean, PAR University of Applied Science
Marina Perić – United States of America – Supervising Producer (Hollywood Unlocked, The Steve Harvey Show & The Kelly Clarkson Show)
Martina Puljić – Croatia – President, Management Board, Pleter-usluge d.o.o.
Nevena Ramić – Croatia – First Non-commissioned Officer of the Croatian Air Force
Angela Sankovich-Ramirez – Colombia – Social Communicator, Specialist in Project Management — CEO, Colombia-Croatia Chamber of Commerce and Co-founder of Croactivas® for Colombia
Patricia Stambuk Mayorga – Chile – Journalist, writer, academic
Nera Stipičević – Croatia – Multidisciplinary author, producer, academic, actress, and economist
Dr. sc. Vesna Škare Ožbolt – Croatia – Attorney at Law
Mirela Španjol – Croatia – CEO
Jozefina Tomljenović – United States of America – Nursing Operations Manager, Cleveland Clinic
Tanja Trošelj Miočević – Croatia – Expert Advisor, Science and Higher Education
Nicole Vidovich – United States of America – Senior Director, Creative & Brand Marketing
Nikolina Vučković – Croatia – Creative Producer & Innovator,
Yanya Viskovich – Switzerland – Strategic Advisor & Lawyer
Kristina Zanić – UAE – CEO
Future Leader winner
Danijela Karolina Boras – Canada – Undergraduate Student – Honours Specialization in Geology
The award winners (Photo: Croatian Women’s Network)
You can read more about the winners here