COTRUGLI Alumni Interview

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Behind every MBA diploma is a unique story of ambition, growth, and resilience.

In these stories, our alumni share their journeys from career-defining decisions to the challenges they’ve overcome and the leadership lessons they carry forward. 

These are real voices from diverse industries, united by one transformative experience: the COTRUGLI MBA. 

Learn about how the program shaped their careers, expanded their perspectives, and gave them the confidence to grow as leaders. 

Their reflections are not only inspiring but also a guide for anyone considering the same path.

FIND YOUR PERSPECTIVE

People who have faced decisions like yours.

A stronger business perspective. The confidence to lead. A new direction. Explore 99 COTRUGLI interviews and find people whose industry, experience or ambitions connect with yours.

99 interviews across 17 industry and cross-industry groups

Pharma & healthcare · Executive MBA

Ana Balen Novosel

Country Manager Croatia & Serbia at SALUS Group

From pharmacy to leading a team of 50+

Ana describes moving into a higher managerial role a few months after completing her MBA, and the confidence and tools she brought to that transition.

“The MBA gave me confidence and tools.”

Pharma & healthcarecareer and balance

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IT & telecommunications · Executive MBA

Miloš Mirosavljević

Principal Engineer at Infineon Technologies

From engineering expertise to business perspective

Miloš explains how the EMBA changed his thinking, helped him connect engineering with business goals, and supported his development as a team leader.

“I started to understand the language of business, not just engineering, which helped me better connect technical solutions with broader business goals.”

IT & telecommunicationsstrategic thinking

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IT & telecommunications · Executive MBA

Luka Topolovec

Chief Operating Officer at Equaleyes

Closing a technical founder’s business blind spots

Already running a software business, Luka wanted a stronger grasp of finance, strategy and marketing. He describes applying MBA frameworks directly in company decisions.

“Everything I learned, I tried to implement right away in my company.”

IT & telecommunicationsbusiness blind spots

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Pharma & healthcare · Executive MBA

Dunja Siuc Valković

Global Business Development Director at JGL

Bringing structure to global business decisions

With a background in medicine, Dunja describes using MBA tools in financial analysis, international partnerships and the complex decisions of pharmaceutical business development.

“I learned how to structure my thinking and make decisions in complex situations.”

Pharma & healthcareglobal business

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Pharma & healthcare · Executive MBA

Barbara Gregurek

Regional Medical Advisor at Novo Nordisk

A broader view beyond medical expertise

Barbara wanted a framework to connect her experience with finance, decision-making and working with people. Her story explores the perspective she gained through the EMBA.

“COTRUGLI gave me a different view of business.”

Pharma & healthcarepeople-centred growth

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Pharma & healthcare · Executive MBA

Denitsa Stoyanova-Stanese

HR Lead Balkans Cluster at AstraZeneca

Growing from an HR specialist into a business leader

Denitsa reflects on international career moves during her MBA and on learning to see herself as a business leader. Her interview also explores people leadership at AstraZeneca.

“In a way, my career evolved in parallel with the MBA.”

Pharma & healthcarepeople leadership

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IT & telecommunications · Executive MBA

Boris Bajtl

Global Cybersecurity Presales Director at Marlink Cyber

Adding financial fluency to technical leadership

Boris sought financial knowledge and a broader management framework. After the EMBA, his career moved into cybersecurity, including building a department that grew to 60 people.

“The professors were excellent, and the program provided me with structure, breadth, and the confidence to lead.”

IT & telecommunicationscybersecurity leadership

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IT & telecommunications · Executive MBA

Hrvoje Strepački

SVP Global Delivery at Newfire Global Partners

Connecting business results with people

Leading global IT delivery, Hrvoje reflects on how the EMBA broadened his understanding of finance, communication and the value a leader brings to a team.

“A leader must understand P&L and simultaneously know how to guide people through change.”

IT & telecommunicationsleadership value

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IT & telecommunications · Executive MBA

Ivor Bakša

Founder and CEO at Triple Innovations

Leading a software company with greater confidence

Ivor describes applying decision-making tools, team projects and business simulations to the practical challenges of running his own software company.

“Networking and interaction with participants were invaluable.”

IT & telecommunicationsentrepreneurship

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Finance & banking · Executive MBA

Aleksandra Babić

Senior Vice President B2B & Product Marketing at Mastercard Europe

Authentic leadership

Aleksandra Babić shares a perspective on authentic leadership and the COTRUGLI learning experience.

Finance & bankingauthentic leadership

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IT & telecommunications · Executive MBA

Antonija Gulam

Certified Senior Project Manager working on projects within Deutsche Telekom and the Freemove Alliance

Project leadership

Antonija Gulam shares a perspective on project leadership and the COTRUGLI learning experience.

IT & telecommunicationsproject leadership

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Entrepreneurship & cross-industry · MBA

Ivana Pupić

Talent Acquisition and Employer Branding Manager at MK Group

Leadership, human resources and AI in employee development

Ivana Pupić shares a perspective on leadership, human resources and AI in employee development and the COTRUGLI learning experience.

Entrepreneurship & cross-industryleadership, human resources and AI in employee development

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Automotive · MBA

Dino Pavić

Head of Finance & Insurance Development at Emil Frey Digital

Self-reflection

Dino Pavić shares a perspective on self-reflection and the COTRUGLI learning experience.

Automotiveself-reflection

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Research & coaching · Executive MBA

Špela Stres

Head of Innovation Relay Center at Jozef Stefan Institute

Innovation leadership

Špela Stres shares a perspective on innovation leadership and the COTRUGLI learning experience.

Research & coachinginnovation leadership

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Energy · MBA

Dario Ćorić

Head of Treasury and Corporate Finance at Siemens Energy

Professional networks

Dario Ćorić shares a perspective on professional networks and the COTRUGLI learning experience.

Energyprofessional networks

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Energy · Executive MBA

Luka Gauta

Head of Business Development & Transformation at E.ON Hrvatska

Energy transformation

Luka Gauta shares a perspective on energy transformation and the COTRUGLI learning experience.

Energyenergy transformation

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Finance & banking · Executive MBA

Hrvoje Ivić

General Manager Croatia at Finspot

Applying business knowledge in practice

Hrvoje Ivić shares a perspective on applying business knowledge in practice and the COTRUGLI learning experience.

Finance & bankingapplying business knowledge in practice

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Arts & culture · MBA

Matea Leko

Founder of Musical Stories by Matea Leko

Music entrepreneurship

Matea Leko shares a perspective on music entrepreneurship and the COTRUGLI learning experience.

Arts & culturemusic entrepreneurship

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Industry & engineering · Executive MBA

Ljudmila Bjelić

Financial Manager of the Electrification & Automation business unit within the Smart Infrastructure Business at Siemens

People leadership

Ljudmila Bjelić shares a perspective on people leadership and the COTRUGLI learning experience.

Industry & engineeringpeople leadership

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IT & telecommunications · COTRUGLI interview

Jahonoro Veselinova

Director of People Operations at Adastra Global Delivery Centre, overseeing Bulgaria, Greece, India, Thailand and Colombia

People and leadership

Jahonoro Veselinova shares a perspective on people and leadership and the COTRUGLI learning experience.

IT & telecommunicationspeople and leadership

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Agriculture · Executive MBA

Darko Babić

Head of Seed Division – SelectiS at AgroChem Maks

Career renewal

Darko Babić shares a perspective on career renewal and the COTRUGLI learning experience.

Agriculturecareer renewal

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Energy · Executive MBA

Josip Bubnić

E&P Operating Director at INA Grupa

Business decisions

Josip Bubnić shares a perspective on business decisions and the COTRUGLI learning experience.

Energybusiness decisions

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Roles and companies are as described in the interviews. Explore the full stories for each person’s experience and context.

Could the Executive MBA be your next step?

Bring your experience, your ambitions and your questions. Let’s discuss how the programme could fit your goals.

Discuss your MBA goalsExplore the Executive MBA

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