WomenIn Business

Irena Petrović

Irena Petrović is an experienced professional in marketing and communications, with a career shaped by leadership roles in some of Serbia’s most prominent media companies. She holds a degree from the Faculty of Philology at the University of Belgrade and an MBA from the University of Sheffield, combining a strong foundation in humanities with advanced business acumen.

Since 2018, Irena has dedicated her career to sustainability, integrating her strategic communication skills with a genuine commitment to driving positive social and environmental change. Her work is defined by a forward-thinking approach that bridges innovation, purpose, and responsible business practices.

She currently serves as the Director of the WMG Foundation, where she oversees several impactful projects. Among them, the most prominent is EUpravo zato—an initiative designed to enhance mutual understanding, build trust, and strengthen partnerships between Serbia, the Western Balkans, and the European Union. This year, the Foundation also launched SpOna, a women’s initiative aimed at improving the position of women in Serbia through connection and empowerment, with a particular focus on the fields of science, business, diplomacy, creative industries, and sports.

Irena views her professional path as a platform for advancing sustainable development and believes in the transformative power of collaboration, education, and long-term vision.

Mag. Maja Benko, Executive Director of Life Insurance at Zavarovalnica Triglav

With more than 25 years of experience in the insurance sector, mag.

Maja Benko brings a deep understanding of market dynamics, customer needs, and regulatory challenges to her work. Her business passion lies especially in development projects and introducing innovations, collaborating also with young, innovative companies and individuals outside the insurance company. She has participated in the introduction of electronic business operations, digital accounts, online insurance sales, process automation, the implementation of AI in insurance company operations, and the integration of insurance services into broader ecosystems to improve health, lifestyle, and mobility. With her team at Zavarovalnica Triglav she currently leads insurance sales through banks and shapes the personal insurance offering. Within this scope, she manages professional insurance areas including insurance product development, underwriting and implementation, claims handling, and sales support. She is the Chairwoman of the Supervisory Board of Triglav Svetovanje, a longstanding member of the Board of Directors and Actuarial Commission of the Slovenian Association of Actuaries, and a lecturer in the actuarial field, thereby actively contributing to the development of the actuarial profession in Slovenia. She continuously shares her knowledge and vision with her team, guiding and mentoring them to achieve excellence and create added value.

Nevenka Črešnar Pergar, LLB, MBA

Nevenka Črešnar Pergar is the founder and director of NP Consulting, an independent advisory firm providing legal and strategic business consultancy to international investors operating in Slovenia and the wider region.

She has extensive experience in corporate governance, international investment, and public affairs. She currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of MAS plc, a company listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, and as a member of the Board of Directors of Global AI, listed on the OTC market in New York.

Over the course of her career, she has held several prominent governance roles, including member of the Supervisory Board of the Port of Koper, one of the leading logistics companies in the Adriatic region, non-executive director of NEPI, the South African investment fund, and member of the Advisory Board of Trimo, a European leader in advanced building envelope solutions.

Earlier in her career, she served in senior positions in the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, first as Secretary-General of the Government of Slovenia and later as Junior Minister for Public Administration Reforms. In these roles, she developed extensive expertise in economic policy, regulatory frameworks, and public administration.

Mrs. Pergar is an active contributor to Slovenia’s business and investment community. She is a member of AmCham Slovenia, serves on its Board of Governors, and chairs the Investment Committee. She is also a member of the Managers’ Association of Slovenia.

Alongside her professional work, she is engaged in philanthropic initiatives supporting underprivileged children.

Vasko Berden

Vasko Berden is a business executive and advisor with more than two decades of experience in the ICT industry, corporate leadership, and strategic business development. A lawyer by education, he has built his career at the intersection of technology, international business, and organizational transformation.

Vasko strongly believes that sustainable business success depends on continuous growth combined with stability. At the center of this philosophy are people—their capabilities, motivation, and satisfaction. He views the development, success, and stability of teams as the essential foundation of any company that seeks to expand, innovate, and remain resilient in a rapidly changing market.

Over the course of his career, Vasko has worked in several fields, including investments, tax and legal advisory, and corporate consulting. For more than 20 years, however, his primary focus has been the ICT sector. He served for five years as CEO of NIL, one of Slovenia’s leading ICT companies, where he led the company’s transformation from a predominantly domestic business into an internationally active group successfully exporting Slovenian expertise to global markets. The company’s strong international growth ultimately led to its acquisition by a larger Scandinavian ICT group.

His international business experience also led him to take on the role of head of the Slovenian ICT Exporters Section (ZITEx) within the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, where he contributed to strengthening the global presence of Slovenian technology companies.

In recent years, Vasko has worked as an independent advisor to several Slovenian ICT companies, supporting leadership teams in transforming business models, improving organizational structures, and identifying new opportunities for growth and development. He is particularly passionate about exploring new ideas, encouraging unconventional thinking, and helping organizations unlock the hidden potential within their people.

Vasko is married and the proud father of three daughters. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking and running. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vasko-berden-8b8119ba

Anita Stojčevska

With more than 30 years of leadership experience in banking, she began her career at SKB Bank Slovenia, growing through diverse roles that shaped her deep understanding of people, business, and the financial sector. When SKB bank , Slovenia became part of Société Générale, she rose into senior executive positions within the bank, leading commercial strategy, client development, and business expansion in an international environment.

After OTP Group acquired SKB , she was appointed CEO, guiding the bank through strategic growth, cultural renewal, and its integration into OTP’s regional network. She later played a key leadership role as a management board member in the largest banking consolidation in Slovenia’s history — the merger of SKB and Nova KBM into OTP Banka Slovenia — a milestone that reshaped the industry and strengthened its long‑term competitiveness.

Today, she serves as an executive advisor, helping leaders navigate complex transformation, strengthen leadership culture, and build resilient, future‑ready organizations. She is passionate about empowering people, championing inclusive leadership inspiring others to lead with courage, clarity, and purpose.

Fabienne Runyo

Fabienne RUNYO, born on 2 June 1981

Master's degree in business law DESS – DJCE Diploma in corporate legal advice
LLM in European law and international taxation, University of Edinburgh
Diploma from the Higher Institute of Interpretation and Translation, ISIT
First-class civil servant

Positions held
- Company lawyer, Intercessio, 2004-2005
- Legal Officer, Vietnamese-French Law Centre, 2005-2006
- Project Manager, ‘Vietnam’s Integration into the WTO’, Adetef-Expertise France, 2006- 2008
- Legal Consultant, European Commission Delegation to Vietnam, 2008
- Legal Linguist, Court of Justice of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2009-2010
- Head of Youth Programmes (JPO, UNV), Directorate for the United Nations and International Organisations, 2010-2012
- On parental leave, 2012-2013
- Legal Adviser, Legal Affairs Directorate, 2013-2016
- Political Adviser and Head of the Press and Communication Service in Hanoi, 2016-2020
- Career Advisor, Human Resources Department, 2020-2022
- Chief of Staff and Senior Management and Transformation Advisor to the Director-General,
Directorate-General for Administration and Modernisation since August 2022

Languages spoken
English
German
Italian
Spanish

Kristijan Gregorić

Kristijan Gregorić is a marketing and sales professional focused on dynamic creativity, business transformation, and technology, with a strong emphasis on innovation, growth, and customer-centricity.

He is passionate about redefining how organizations leverage not only for efficiency, but as a driver of true transformation.

Over the course of a 20+ year career, he has held a wide range of roles, from Marketing and Sales Director, as well as a member of executive management teams in leading companies such as Nestlé, Adris Group, Atlantic Group, Heineken Group (Karlovačka pivovara), Franck Group, and as a Senior Advisor at the global organization Ernst & Young (EY).

Today, he serves as Partner and Managing Director at Valicon, a regional research and consulting company specializing in market research, data analytics, and strategic advisory.

He holds a degree and specialization from Bocconi University in Milan (Luigi Bocconi), including the CEMS Master’s in International Management.

Angelique Pascaud

Angelique is on a mission to keep people le energized, to help them sustain high performance—at work, in sports, and in daily life—while maintaining balance.

Professional experience

Originally from the Netherlands, she has lived and worked in six countries over the past 19 years, building an international and diverse career. Each move required her to adapt, grow, and reinvent herself—shaping her current holistic and practical approach to energy and performance.

• Corporate jobs, Netherlands 1996-until 2007
• Non-profit Project Manager– Nigeria, 2007-2010
• Founder, Recruitment Agency – Suriname
• Swim instructor, and Language teacher – Papua New Guinea, 2010-2014
• Online Business development, and Study: Certified Mindful Run Coach, Nutrition Advisor, Advanced Breathing Instructor – Hungary, 2014-2018
• Founder, Energize-Me – Slovenia, 2018-present

Currently

At Energize-Me, Angelique helps driven professionals, high achievers, and athletes sustain peak performance—while protecting their balance.

She teaches practical methods to manage energy, recover effectively, and build lasting resilience.

Breathing
Nutrition
Mindful Movement
Rest & Recovery

Philosophy

When we feel energized, we perform better, we endure longer and we’re more resilient.

Vitality and Performance rely on our capabilities to balance action and recovery.

When recovery is insufficient, we don’t feel well, and performance declines.

But when recovery is optimized,balance returns, and energy restores. We feel better, we perform better, and we’re more resilient.

Training Programs Energize-Me

Energize-Me programs focus on teaching practical methods to balance action and recovery for lasting energy to sustain performance and become more resilient.

www.energize-me.com

Nevena Rendeli Vejzović

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.

Janneke Vrijland

Dutch ambassador in Ljubljana Janneke Vrijland has been ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Slovenia since July 2025.
See the curriculum vitae of ambassador Vrijland
Leiden, The Netherlands - 7 September 1975

Career
2025-present - Ambassador of the Netherlands to Slovenia
2021-2025 - Deputy Ambassador & Head of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa
2016-2021 - Acting Head, Non Proliferation, Disarmament and Nuclear Affairs - Ministry of Foreign Affairs
2012-2016 - Counsellor & (2014-2016) NL Sous-sherpa, Nuclear Security Summit - Netherlands Mission to the UN in Vienna, Austria
2010-2012 - Political affairs at the Netherlands Embassy in Madrid, Spain 
Before - Postings at Embassies of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Turkey and Afghanistan, Legal Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague. The Association Européenne des Conservatoires and the Council of State.
Education
2006 - Diplomatic training for MoFA, Leiden University, The Hague 
2005 - University of Portsmouth, United Kingdom – MA European Law and Policy
2001 - The Hague University of Applied Sciences – BA European Studies
1998 - Karl Franszens Universität Graz, Austria – International Relations (Erasmus)

Nataša Kos

Mag. Nataša Kos is the Deputy Director of SPIRIT Slovenia Business Development Agency, the public agency for entrepreneurship, internationalization, foreign investment, and technology. She has nearly 20 years of experience in diplomacy, having served at Slovenian embassies in Rome and Belgrade, and leading key organizational units, including the Strategic Communications Service during Slovenia’s EU Council Presidency and the Cultural and Science Diplomacy Sector at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs.
Her diplomatic work encompassed policy development, international negotiations, cross-cultural engagement, and leadership of international projects, including the European Capital of Culture Maribor 2012. She also has extensive experience in translation and interpretation, supporting diplomatic and cultural exchanges in multiple languages.
Nataša remains active in international forums, promoting collaboration, intercultural dialogue, and the exchange of best practices across culture, science, and business.

Eva Pirc

Engineer, mother, and dog show judge
Hardware engineer DEWESoft d.o.o.
Eva completed her PhD in 2020 at the University of Ljubljana, where she developed a research electroporation device and conducted a health technology assessment focusing on the cost-effectiveness of electrochemotherapy. Her research was part of the Laboratory for Biocybernetics, which collaborates closely with the Institute of Oncology and Cardio Surgery at UKC Ljubljana, and works with leading medical device manufacturers like Medtronic and Igea.
After her PhD, she briefly worked on the Smart Gene Project before co-founding the medical technology startup mPOR. Over two years at mPOR, they achieved significant milestones, including the Rector’s Award for Best Innovation at the University of Ljubljana, the P2 grant from the Slovene Enterprise Fund, and recognition as a finalist for Slovenian Start-up of the Year 2022. They also won Best Digital Innovation at the Digital Innovation Challenge 2022. Her work there, supported by organizations like Katapult, eventually led her to Dewesoft, where she currently works in the RD department. She is currently part of the Layout team, where she contributes to PCB design and optimization. In addition to layout work, she also supports early-stage concept development and assists with hardware testing when needed.

Melanja Korošec

Melanja Korošec is a brand strategist and innovation expert with extensive experience leading international companies. As a founding partner at DreamSail and Senior Vice President at KJK Sports, she drives brand development across global portfolios. Passionate about sports and sustainability, she combines creativity and strategy to build meaningful, future-focused brands.
Melanja Korošec is an expert in strategic marketing, brand development, and innovation, with extensive experience leading international companies. She developed her expertise as Global Brand Director at Elan and Marles, among other clients, and now acts as a founding partner and brand strategist at DreamSail, as well as Senior Vice President at KJK Sports, where she oversees brand development across the portfolio. She also serves as Vice President of the Ski Association of Slovenia. In her work, she combines a passion for sports, creativity, and a sustainable approach to brand development.

Dejan Pataki

Dejan Pataki has spent over two decades in marketing and communications - working across corporate teams, agencies, and as an agency owner. He has created content for digital channels, written political speeches, shaped narratives around legislation, and developed go-to-market strategies for innovative therapies and pharmaceuticals.
A mechanical engineer by degree, a creative by nature. When engineering thinking meets marketing experience and a copywriter's instinct, the result is strategy and content that shifts perception - not just fills space.
Author of two books - "Dva i Po Dečaka" (Two and a Half Boys - on parenting from a father's perspective), and co-author of the first Serbian-language book on the world's largest professional platform: "S LinkedInom na ti" (Getting Along with LinkedIn). His third book, Brend: Ti - "Čovek bi trebalo da bude svoja reklama" (Brand: You - "A Person Should Be His Own Advertisement"), is currently in its final stages before print.
Today, Dejan focuses on LinkedIn and personal branding — helping individuals and teams define their positioning, craft their message, and digitize their reputation. LinkedIn is no longer a digital CV. It's where professional credibility, personal brand, and business opportunities are built. Most people underuse it. Dejan helps them fix that.
In the age of AI, the one thing that remains irreplaceably yours is context. And context is always personal. That's why personal branding isn't a trend — it's the last competitive advantage that can't be automated.
Dejan: Storyteller | Fueled by Music & Fatherhood | Dad² About Women in Bussines and Leadership: "From an engineering perspective, leadership is a system of trust. To build that system, we must stop talking about 'gender roles' and start talking about 'personal narratives.' A strong personal brand ensures that it is your expertise that leads the conversation, ensuring your value is recognized on its own terms.

M.Sc. Ula Kepežinskaite Duric

MICROSOFT d.o.o., Ljubljana
Ula Kepežinskaite Duric earned her Master of Science degree from the Faculty of Economics at Vilnius University, Lithuania, in 2002.
She brings over 30 years of experience in the IT industry, with a strong track record in business development and the sales of complex technology solutions and services. Since 2017, she has been leading business development and sales for large organizations at Microsoft across Central and Southern Europe, supporting both public and private sector customers in their digital transformation journeys.
In recent years, her focus has been on cybersecurity advisory services, where she works closely with large enterprises on complex digital transformation and artificial intelligence initiatives. She is a strong advocate for positioning cybersecurity as a foundational pillar of all AI and digital transformation projects, firmly believing that security is a strategic enabler of sustainable and successful business outcomes.

Mag. Nataša Pipan Nahtigal

Nataša Pipan Nahtigal is the Managing Partner of Šelih & partnerji, one of Slovenia’s leading business law firms. With more than 25 years of experience, she is among Slovenia’s most recognized M&A lawyers, advising multinational corporations and financial institutions on complex domestic and cross-border transactions.
She regularly leads high-value share and asset deals, mergers and corporate restructurings, combining strong technical expertise with pragmatic commercial judgment. Nataša is particularly valued for her ability to align transactional strategy with regulatory, competition and governance considerations, and she is also actively involved in advising on a broad range of intellectual property matters. As Managing Partner, she plays a key role in shaping the firm’s strategic development and strengthening its international relationships.
Nataša is consistently ranked as a top-tier practitioner in Slovenia by leading legal directories for her work in Corporate and M&A, Competition & Antitrust and Intellectual Property.
She obtained her LL.M. from Harvard Law School and her LL.B. from the Faculty of Law at the University of Ljubljana. She is the mother of two sons and also serves as the Honorary Consul General of the Kingdom of Norway in Slovenia.

Nigel Baker

Diplomatic Career
Aug 2020 to Aug 2025 HM Ambassador, Bratislava
Mar 2020 to Jun 2020 Head JTAC, Covid Task Force, FCDO
Sep 2016 to Dec 2019 Deputy Director Americas
Head of Latin America Department from April 2018
Head of South America Department to March 2018
Sep 2011 to Jul 2016 HM Ambassador, Holy See
Sep 2007 to Aug 2011 HM Ambassador, La Paz
Oct 2003 to Nov 2006 Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy, Havana
Jun 2000 to Apr 2003 Assistant Private Secretary to HRH The Prince of Wales
Jun 1998 to Jun 2000 Head of European Defence Section, Security Policy Department, FCO
Mar 1998 to Jun 1998 First Secretary, FCO, UK EU Presidency
Aug 1993 to Jan 1996 Deputy Head of Mission, British Embassy, Bratislava
Feb 1992 to Aug 1993 Third, later Second Secretary (Economic), British Embassy, Prague
Jun 1990 to Jun 1991 Desk Officer for Libya and Tunisia, Near East and North Africa Department, FCO
September 1989 Joined Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Other employment
Jan 1989 to Jun 1989 Conservative Research Department, London1996-8
Academic research sabbatical researching European and Italian history, based in Verona, Italy
Other Information
Languages:
Spanish (C2)
French (C1)
Italian (C1)
Slovak (C1)
Appointed MVO in 2003 (for services to The Prince of Wales) and OBE in 2010 (for services to UK-Bolivia relations)
Autumn 2016 to 2020 Senior Sponsor FCO Religion and Belief group
Jan 2019 to June 2025 member of FCO Chevening Programme Board (Chevening Scholarship strategic steering committee).
January 2018 FCO host and delegate for International Leaders Programme

Irene Marte

Irene Marte is from Dominican Republic. She has been living already for five years in Slovenia (Ljubljana). She truly enjoys it.

She is a passionate handmade artisan with over five years of experience in jewelry making.

When she moved to Slovenia, she had a lot of free time and wanted to take advantage of every opportunity, since creating with her hands has always been more than work for her- it is her way of expressing emotions, telling stories, and bringing ideas to life.

So she started working on what she loves in her free time, and little by little she created and participated in events that have gradually given her the opportunity to make herself known among people.

Over the last two years, she has fallen in love with the world of resin. It feels like stepping into a completely different dimension, where every piece becomes an experience and every creation carries its own energy.

What makes her work truly unique is that no piece is ever repeated. Each design is either deeply personalized or created spontaneously in the moment, making every piece authentic and meaningful.

Through this conference, she would love to inspire others to trust their creativity, embrace their journey, and see the beauty in creating something truly their own. She also hopes to grow as someone people can trust, connect with, and follow as she continues evolving.

Mateja Malnar Štembal

Mateja Malnar Štembal is the President and co-founder of ONA VE (She Knows), a Slovenian non-profit organisation working to increase the visibility of women experts and promote gender equality in media and public life. She is a historian and a senior communication professional with more than 20 years of experience across public administration, corporate, and non-governmental sectors. She leads national and EU-funded projects focused on media monitorin, gender representation, and women’s empowerment. She is also the author of the One Page a Day initiative, a daily curated format that makes complex information accessible through concise, human-written insights.

Manca Dežman

Manca Dežman is the Founder and Director of Bold Projects, a creative marketing and event agency, and Vice President of ONA VE (She Knows), a Slovenian non-profit organisation working to increase the visibility of women experts and promote gender equality in media and public life.

With a background in marketing, communications, and event production, she develops and leads integrated campaigns, brand strategies, and award-winning events that connect people, ideas, and communities. Her work spans corporate, entrepreneurial, and non-profit environments, where she focuses on turning complex ideas into clear, engaging, and impactful stories. She is particularly driven by connecting different perspectives and shaping projects that leave a lasting mark.

H.E. Kang Yan

H.E. Kang Yan

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Slovenia, female, Han ethnicity. Born in November 1974. Graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Laws. Member of the CPC.