Success Through Balance: Career, Family, and an MBA Without Compromise
To those considering an MBA, her message is simple: “Go for it. The first step is the hardest, but everything after brings value.” And how to get the most out of the experience? “Give yourself time and open up to learning – not only from professors but also from your peers. The MBA classroom is a space where we are not the smartest people in the room, and that is its greatest value.”
Even during her pharmacy studies, she knew her professional development would one day lead her to an MBA program. “I already received clear feedback back then – if you want to pursue any kind of higher business, go for an MBA, because it will help you handle all the challenges ahead,” she recalls. A chance student job at an investment fund, where she translated texts and scanned documents, was her first encounter with the business world – and an important lesson: ambition must be supported by knowledge and the right tools.
Just a few months after completing the program, when she was only 27, she was given the opportunity to lead a team of over 50 people in a pharmaceutical company. “They welcomed me with skepticism – I was younger than everyone, an outsider, surrounded by seasoned doctors and pharmacists. But leadership skills helped me overcome those first impressions and achieve the results we needed.” That moment was a turning point in shaping her leadership path.
Today, her leadership is not defined only by work. “Through my children, I learned what true leadership means – leading people who don’t care about your title or your education. Empathy, understanding, and clear communication – that’s what determines whether people will follow you,” she explains.
Choosing COTRUGLI and the MBA Experience
When deciding on an MBA, she wasn’t sure which program would be right for her. The decision was sealed by a chance encounter. “At a business event, I met Vedran Glogović, checked COTRUGLI’s accreditations, and realized it was the best choice in the region.” Her main goal was to catch up on economics knowledge, but she gained much more than that.
The most demanding module for her was personal development. “We spend our lives learning tools to achieve the best results, but the MBA confronted me with the question – what if the outcome is not what you expect? The art of detachment is still something I’m learning.” What stayed with her most was the program’s intensity – the material, the experiences, the new connections. “Citius, altius, fortius – everything happened at that pace.”
Balancing work, private life, and an MBA was demanding. “I managed my time well, but financially it was tough. As the youngest participant, I financed the EMBA myself, and every bonus mattered in covering the costs.”
People as the Greatest Value
For her, the greatest wealth of the MBA is the people. “One of the closest people in my life today is a colleague from the MBA. I also often collaborate with the business partners of my classmates – the world is small, and the business scene even smaller.” She sees mentorship as a natural next step: “My journey was easier thanks to the clear guidance I received. That kind of support should be available to everyone.”
The MBA had a strong impact on her career path – she received her diploma at the end of 2012, and by early 2013, she had already advanced to a higher managerial position. “Until then, I didn’t even know such a position existed. The MBA gave me confidence and tools. Today, when I know I’m entering a challenging meeting, I’m calm because I know I have the skills to handle it successfully.”
Resilience as the Future of Leadership
For the future of leadership, she sees one skill as essential – resilience. “At SALUS Group, where I lead companies, we learn that giving up is not an option. When developing medicines for rare diseases, bureaucracy can be a hurdle – but we know lives are at stake, and resilience becomes crucial. We remind ourselves: there were tougher times when we succeeded, and we’ll succeed again.”
In her view, a successful leader is someone in balance with themselves and their values. “When we achieve goals without compromising ethical principles, then we know we’ve succeeded the right way.”
The greatest lesson she would share with her younger self is patience. “Work hard, stay disciplined and focused, don’t be frustrated by rejection. What is meant for you will come when you are ready – not when you force it.”
The right team also plays a key role along the way. “When in 2017 I was given the opportunity to open a SALUS Group branch in Croatia, I soon found out I was pregnant. I remember having lunch with my boss – instead of worry, I received support and encouragement. The CEO congratulated me and told me to put myself first. After such gestures, it’s clear why I still follow this company today.”
In five or ten years, she sees herself in top management and business ownership. “It’s a joy to lead and to build.”
Advice for Future MBA Students
To those considering an MBA, her message is simple: “Go for it. The first step is the hardest, but everything after brings value.” And how to get the most out of the experience? “Give yourself time and open up to learning – not only from professors but also from your peers. The MBA classroom is a space where we are not the smartest people in the room, and that is its greatest value.”