Key Moments on the Path to Leadership
“The MBA made my career path easier and allowed me to support my clients better.”
Marijana Šarolić Robić’s career has been shaped by her early exposure to diverse professional environments: “Throughout my career, I was fortunate to gain experience in various professional roles early on, thanks to hard work and ambition. I started as a notary trainee, passed the bar exam, and worked in a law firm. Then, at just 26, I became a manager in the banking sector. After that, I returned to the legal profession and founded my own law firm, all before turning 30.” This variety of experiences has influenced her approach to work, learning, and leadership.
Curiosity and a desire for knowledge guided her through every challenge:
“I realized that formal education and occasional training didn’t provide the targeted skills managers need to successfully lead their businesses. As a lawyer, I often felt a lack of knowledge in finance, sales, business development, and people management. That’s why an MBA was a natural choice.”
The COTRUGLI MBA allowed her to balance work and family, and completing the program further strengthened her professional path: “It helped me recognize my strengths and gave me the clarity to establish my own law firm.”
Key moments that shaped her as a leader include her rapid advancement in banking, attending a mini IMD MBA program, and founding her own firm.
“I encountered various leaders who influenced me, some pushed my boundaries, while others showed me the kind of leader I didn’t want to be,” Marijana shares.
Today, 13 years later, she admits her leadership journey is still evolving: “I work with startups and technological innovations. Constant change keeps me sharp, and all options remain open.”
Experience During the MBA Program
“COTRUGLI offered the perfect balance of learning and a study structure that fit into my professional and family life,” Marijana says about her decision to pursue an MBA.
Her main goals were to gain financial and accounting knowledge, but the experience brought much more: “I acquired new business skills, lifelong friends, and business partners.”
Every MBA module was challenging in its own way, but Marijana highlights the support of the COTRUGLI team: “With clear guidance, I successfully completed all the modules.”
She fondly remembers returning to the classroom, the professors, and bonding with her colleagues. Balancing work, personal life, and MBA commitments was possible thanks to organization and her husband’s support.
Network and Community
Marijana has built a strong network of contacts:
“I’ve stayed in touch with almost all my peers and many others from different generations. With some, I’ve developed true friendships and business collaborations.”
She particularly highlights her collaboration with Hajdi Ćenan, with whom she co-founded organizations like CRO AI, the Croatian Association for Artificial Intelligence, and CRO STARTUP.
The MBA’s Impact on Her Career
“The MBA made my career path easier and allowed me to support my clients better,” Marijana acknowledges. The program changed her way of thinking:
“I became more open, willing to take risks, learn from mistakes, and try again.”
It also transformed her approach to decision-making and leadership:
“I now better understand the different perspectives that need to be considered.”
Looking Ahead: Leadership and Future Skills
For future leaders, Marijana emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, continuous learning, and active listening: “Being a successful leader means giving your all to realize your talents, with your own method of measuring success.”
To her younger self, she advises: “Don’t be afraid to try new things, learn from experiences, and persist in your goals.”
As for her career’s future, she says: “Time will tell what’s next, but I believe I’ll continue to nurture curiosity and playfulness, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.”
Advice for Future MBA Candidates
“My warm recommendation – enroll in an MBA program. Beyond gaining knowledge and skills and networking, you’ll also form genuine friendships.”
The most value comes from approaching the experience with openness, effort, and dedication, both academically and professionally.