Leader Alumni

Aldin Fajić

Aldin Fajić, CEO at IDEA Software d.o.o. and Motum d.o.o.

All knowledge and experience in different industries and respectful customers formed him as a “Kai Zen, Software & GoDigital Consultant”.

“The business pitch presented at LEADER with the name SMED software is now present at the market as KATA Lean Tools Software. Since then, we increased its features and have adapted it to the market needs (industry).”

ideasoftware.ba/kata/

What was your experience of participating in the LEADER program?

“Learning based on case studies, with open mind discussions and concrete work tasks. Coaching by young colleagues which have different fields of expertise and passion. LEADER’s program has filled my know how gaps in terms of finance and operations. Beside mentioned, addressing the topic how to create the perfect business pitch and be judged based on its quality is priceless. I would suggest to anyone who is willing to spend 10 days with remarkable people. Ivey team, I miss you :).”

Emina Mameledžija

Emina Mameledzija, Policy Specialist at Google, Dublin, with MSc. in Innovation, Creativity and Leadership (Cass Business School, London UK) and LL.M. German and European Law and Legal Practice (Humboldt Uni Berlin, Germany). Prior to my role at Google, I was a legal associate at CMS Sarajevo.

“I continued working on the project but did not commercialize it. However, participating in the program inspired me to take a break from work and enroll in a master’s degree at a business school in England. Prior to the program, I had no contact with entrepreneurship and business studies in general. The students of Ivey Business School, who held this program, opened my horizons in terms of career change. In the meantime, I opened it, thanks to the study I enrolled in after the LEADER program, and inspired by this experience.”

What was your experience of participating in the LEADER program?
“Unforgettable! In addition to new acquaintances that I would not have developed otherwise, it was a unique opportunity to expand my horizons in business areas that I did not expect to be so interested in. The program is global and I warmly recommend it, and not only to future entrepreneurs.”

Saara Žigić

Born and raised in LA, California. Acquiring a dual citizenship, Saara comes to Sarajevo every summer since the age of 5. As a kid, she had the idea to combine people and animals in one place. Living in LA and Sarajevo, she noticed numerous dog parks around the city, however there are no pet friendly cafes. Because she’s a huge cat lover as well, I wanted to combine my love for dogs and cats into one pet friendly stress-free environment. That’s when the idea of creating a pet cafe catering to both was born.

“Joining the LEADER Project Entrepreneurship Program ultimately helped me develop a local business plan that would create opportunities for my community. What were just ideas before has now become a realistic endeavor. I was able to learn more about what a business is and how to create a functional business plan that I’ve began implementing into my own future business. I’ve been encouraged to open my Pet Cafe  not only because of the knowledge I’ve gained from the workshop, but also for my love for animals.”

Vanja Vuković

Vanja Vuković is a financial professional with more than ten year of professional experience. She had the opportunity to work in the NGO sector, international organizations and accounting agency. She worked as project assistant, financial manager and accountant. 

“The experience from the LEADER program helped me to make better market analyze, explore target groups, prepare financial plans and marketing strategy for promoting business idea.”

Kristian Marić

According to Kristian, LEADER is “A very significant experience in my career.”

Mr. Marić is leading the first Business Bar and Event Management Company in the region with the goal of gathering the new generation of young entrepreneurs who will support and improve the business and the
living environment.

His company is building a sustainable business environment by connecting and inspiring young ambitious people to become better leaders and build
better businesses.

Merana Sadikovic Mandzukic

“The Leader program allowed me to experience, for me a new – MBA style of education. The program is very well designed – it contains the optimal relationship between theory and practical work of the participants. The Leader instructors were very young and not so experienced in their business life, which initially caused me a slight sense of distrust. However, it quickly became apparent that they mastered the subject matter, with ease, enthusiasm, and the confidence of professionals dealing with business issues, and bringing refreshment in perceiving the challenges of the case studies presented. In addition, the students of the program were also very interesting – a wonderful atmosphere of exchange of ideas and experiences was created.”

Elvis Pivic

Agile & Startup Business Development Consultant and Entrepreneur, having 15+ years of working experience, gaining knowledge and skills by managing software development organizations, teams, and digital/software products by applying Agile methods and principles. Founder and co-founder of nine startup projects of which four failed, three became profitable and sustainable, two are under development. Right now working as a consultant in the area of Agile Management, Digital Transformation, Organization Development, and Business Processes improvement and lecturer in domain Startup Development, Desing Sprint, Agile Leadership toolkit.

“My Leader experience was extremely positive, because in addition to the acquired knowledge and experience, new acquaintances were gained, which resulted in some new business ventures and business cooperation with other project participants. The project is very useful for all those entrepreneurs who have technical and conceptual basic knowledge, and they do not have enough business or economic education, which is also essential for the implementation of business ideas and the establishment of a sustainable business model.”

Azra Polimac-Bajric

Dino Hajric

“The program is excellent, in a very short period of time it covers the basics for starting and managing a startup. I would recommend the LEADER program to everyone.”