LEADERSHIP

Neven Roginić is the Founder and President of the UAE–Croatia Business Club, a diplomatic and economic platform dedicated to strengthening strategic cooperation between the United Arab Emirates and Croatia. Under his leadership, the Club has become a catalyst for bilateral partnerships, connecting government institutions, private-sector leaders, investment groups, chambers of commerce, scientific institutions and global innovators across both markets.

He is also the founder and CEO of Format 3D Solutions FZCO, a global architectural visualization and design studio with offices in Dubai, Germany, Austria and Croatia. With a team of more than 40 architects and 3D artists, Format 3D’s rapid expansion in the Gulf region played a pivotal role in Neven’s deeper engagement with economic diplomacy and ultimately led to the establishment of the UAE–Croatia Business Club.

With nearly two decades of experience in creative industries, technology and strategic communications, Neven has cofounded several successful ventures, including L33T Digital Agency, a full-service marketing and communications firm specializing in virtual tours, 360-degree experiences and advanced multichannel campaigns for global brands such as Apple, Rolex, Hilton, Ford, SAP and Science Europe.

In the field of business diplomacy, Neven has facilitated high-level cooperation between Croatian and Emirati institutions, including partnerships with the UAE Ministry of Economy, Dubai Chambers where he oversees the formation of the Croatian Business Council, the EU Delegation to the UAE and a wide network of investment groups across the GCC. He has also played a significant role in advancing scientific collaboration, particularly through initiatives linking Croatia’s Ruđer Bošković Institute with NYU Abu Dhabi, MBZUAI, MBRSC and other leading research institutes in the UAE.

He regularly leads trade missions, organizes bilateral business forums and supports Croatian companies in entering the UAE market, emphasizing structured strategies, realistic expectations and long-term partnership development. His work has contributed to growing investor interest in Croatia’s technology, real estate, tourism and industrial sectors, while at the same time opening new GCC opportunities for European innovators.

Known for his ability to connect business, diplomacy and innovation, Neven promotes a modern model of international cooperation based on trust, personal relationships and the creation of long-term value.
Neven holds a degree in civil engineering from the University of Zagreb, a master’s degree from the Faculty of Agriculture and pursued doctoral research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston at the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Hrvoje Bujanovic is a seasoned financial executive and former senior government official with over 28 years of interdisciplinary leadership in corporate and investment banking, public policy, and international economic cooperation.

Most recently, he served as State Secretary (2022–2024) and briefly as Acting Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of the Republic of Croatia (2023), overseeing critical directorates including EU Funds, International Relations, Trade, Public Procurement, Industry, SME Policy, FDI, and Investment Promotion. In this capacity, he chaired the Administrative Board of the Croatian Standards Institute, sat on the Board of HAMAG-BICRO, and represented Croatia in high-level bilateral and multilateral forums.

Currently, Mr. Bujanović serves as Vice President for UAE – Croatia Business Club (2025–present), fostering strategic economic ties between Croatia and the Gulf region.

A recognized leader in regional financial markets, he has held senior roles in Corporate & Investment Banking and Asset Management across Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and broader Central and Southeast Europe. His expertise spans Structured and Project Finance, Syndicated Lending, Real Estate and Infrastructure, Private Equity, Capital Markets (DCM/ECM), M&A, and Financial Advisory.

Key Leadership Roles (Selected):

Co-Chair, Croatia–Serbia Joint Economic Committee

Co-Chair, Croatia–India Joint Economic Committee

Member, China+16 High-Level Working Group (Central & Eastern Europe)

National Council for Digital Transformation

Vice Representative, Economic and Social Council of Croatia

Board Member, European Semiconductor Board, EC, Brussels, Belgium

Fluent in English and Croatian, Mr. Bujanovic is based in Zagreb and remains actively engaged in advancing cross-border investment, EU integration, and sustainable economic development.

Ida Pandur is a cross-border business strategist and digital expert with 15+ years of experience in technology, innovation, digital transformation and international market expansion. She operates at the intersection of advanced digital ecosystems, business development and economic cooperation between Europe and the Gulf.

As Founder & Managing Partner of Ripple Effect, she leads advisory work across AI, technology, infrastructure, commercial brokerage and international expansion. The firm also represents a portfolio of companies entering the GCC region, including those in digital, technology, agriculture and construction, providing structured market-entry, partnership development and commercial representation.

She serves as Vice Chair of the UAE–Croatia Business Club, co-driving bilateral initiatives with government institutions, chambers, investors, corporate leaders and research organizations. Her focus is on enabling European companies to enter the GCC and facilitating Emirati investment into Europe across technology, real estate, tourism and industrial sectors.

Previously, Ida was CEO of NEAR Balkans for the NEAR Protocol, leading ecosystem expansion, business development and Web3 adoption across the region.

Before that, she founded ENTG, a digital and innovation agency through which she established a joint venture with Grey (WPP). ENTG business was later acquired by EY, where she continued to lead the Digital, Customer Experience & AI department within Technology Consulting. She began her career at Degordian, one of Europe’s early specialized digital agencies, where she served as VP External relations and led client accounts and strategy teams. Throughout her career she worked with leading brands and institutions including Microsoft, Philip Morris, Philips, Daikin, LEGO, Bayer, Croatian Tourist Board to name a few.

Her additional leadership roles included serving on the Supervisory Board of Alice in Blockchains and as a Member of the Economic Council of Algebra University. She was also appointed to the National Working Group for the Brand Identity of the Republic of Croatia, under the patronage of President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović.

Outside of her professional work, Ida is deeply passionate about tennis, which remains a consistent part of her life and personal discipline.

Fluent in English and Croatian, living between Dubai and Croatia.

Adel Alawadhi, Executive Chairman of The Corporate Group, addressed the role of FDI in supporting growth and diversification of the GCC economy, in his presentation at the seminar by Ministry of Economy in Oman.

The two day seminar by the Ministry of Economy in Oman, under the title ‘The Role of the Private Sector in Economic Diversification in GCC States’ was held in the last week of December to discuss and explore avenues for fostering a highly competitive private sector in the region that can contribute to economic growth of the GCC.

Adel Alawadhi of The Corporate Group, in his presentation, emphasized the significant role of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in supporting the growth and diversification of the GCC economy. Some key pointers of his presentation included the role of FDI as a driver for economic development, challenges and benefits in Free and Economic Zones, and success stories in the UAE and GCC.

As a leading Emirati owned company in the GCC, The Corporate Group is aligned to government and regional strategies and supports global businesses set up and grow their business in the UAE and GCC. TCG, through its subsidiary companies, offers business support services that include business set-up, business consulting and advisory, accounting services, product distribution and co-working spaces.

David Jakić’s business journey began in entrepreneurship, a path that accelerated his learning and development in ways that few experience so early in their careers. Over the years, he has built a diverse and international professional portfolio that spans start-ups, SMEs, global corporations, advisory roles and high-impact strategic positions across multiple markets.

He has worked extensively on international expansion, commercialisation and the acceleration of business growth, consistently demonstrating the ability to enter complex environments, identify opportunities and design strategies that deliver measurable value. His expertise lies in solving intricate commercial challenges, scaling organisations, and driving performance by aligning vision, strategy and execution.

David attributes much of his success to his ability to build, lead and train high-performing teams. He has led agile and responsive organisations, drawing on a trusted global network of partners while navigating challenging negotiations with a strong commercial orientation and a calm, strategic mindset. His leadership style is grounded in clarity, collaboration and disciplined decision-making.

He firmly believes that meaningful growth happens when business leaders and management teams work together with transparency and shared purpose. By engaging closely with executive teams, David helps organisations develop actionable solutions that not only address immediate challenges but also unlock long-term value and sustainable expansion.

Today, as Director at Blackstar Partners, he plays a central role in shaping investment strategies, overseeing commercial development, and advising companies seeking market entry, transformation or international scaling. His global perspective, strategic insight and results-driven approach make him a key contributor to organisations aiming to elevate their performance and expand their footprint across competitive markets.

Stefano Ferrara joins the Advisory Board of the UAE Croatia Business Club as a seasoned technology executive and strategic advisor. With over 15 years of experience driving sales excellence and multi-million dollar revenue growth across EMEA and Emerging Markets, Stefano brings a global perspective on scaling revenue operations and go-to-market strategies.

Currently building a portfolio of Non-Executive and Advisory roles, Stefano partners with ambitious startups and scale-ups in high-growth domains including AI/ML, SaaS, and Cybersecurity. He specializes in helping organizations refine their core strategy, navigate complex market expansion across the Middle East, and transition operations beyond “founder-led selling” to scalable, high-performance structures.

His advisory expertise is founded on a distinguished corporate career. Most recently as a Senior Director at Gartner, Stefano built sales teams from scratch that delivered 86% year-over-year growth. Prior to this, he managed strategic accounts at Cisco AppDynamics, where he secured landmark deals within the region’s banking sector.

A dual citizen of Croatia and Italy, Stefano has resided in the UAE for over a decade. Fluent in Croatian, Italian, English, and Spanish, he possesses the cultural insight and commercial acumen to serve as a vital bridge between the Gulf and the Balkans. He holds a Master of Science in Strategic Management from the University of Pisa. Outside of his professional pursuits, Stefano is an avid traveler and reader who regularly competes in half marathons as part of his personal quest for health and longevity.

Nawar Abdul Wahed is a seasoned business consultant with deep expertise in supporting Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) markets. With extensive government and private-sector connections, he is recognized for his ability to navigate the region’s complex business landscape and build meaningful, long-term partnerships.

He currently serves as the General Manager of Arabian MICE, a partner in Valencia Marble Trading LLC, and the Chief Executive Officer of EurAsia Gulf Business Network. Nawar also acts as a Business Ambassador for the Association for the Promotion of Economic, Trade, and Business Relations with the Middle East, where he contributes to strengthening economic cooperation and cross-border opportunities.

Over the past two decades, Nawar has been involved in numerous business ventures across the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Ukraine and Georgia, gaining significant experience in industries such as pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, ICT, conferences and exhibitions, and hospitality.

In addition to his business achievements, Nawar is an accomplished public speaker and networking professional. His charismatic presence and effective communication style have earned him invitations to speak at high-profile conferences and industry events throughout the region.

He holds a master’s degree in economics and social history from Oxford University, which enables him to bring analytical depth and a multidisciplinary perspective to his advisory work. Fluent in Arabic and English, Nawar engages seamlessly across diverse cultures and markets.

Mahmood Abdulla is a Global Emirati Voice and one of the Middle East’s most influential LinkedIn thought leaders, shaping strategic narratives at the intersection of AI, human capital, economic strategy, and national storytelling. Known for activating conversations on sovereign AI, workforce futures, innovation ecosystems, and soft-power diplomacy, he is a trusted advisor to government leaders, private-sector executives, and high-growth ventures.

He serves as Advisor to Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), supporting its rise as a global AI powerhouse; Regional Advisor to Lab49, a U.S.-based consulting firm driving digital innovation in financial services; and Advisor of UAE Affairs to Eternal, a UAE-born health-tech company pioneering AI-driven oncology solutions. Mahmood also guides a portfolio of UAE startups and has forged strategic brand partnerships across the AI, fintech, investment, and national innovation ecosystems, amplifying visibility and accelerating growth at corporate and sovereign levels.

Recognized for his ability to bridge the UAE with global continents, he connects founders, investors, and institutions enabling strategic partnerships, market entry pathways, and cross-border investment flows that strengthen the region’s innovation and economic landscape. His work positions him as a connector who transforms networks into opportunity and opportunity into long-term impact.

Mahmood’s background spans banking, Big Four consulting, and healthcare, giving him a multidimensional understanding of people, technology, and economic systems.

Across platforms, he has turned content into capital, voice into influence, and influence into opportunity becoming a leading national amplifier for the UAE’s next generation of innovators, leaders, and global storytellers.

Marko Pršić is an IT entrepreneur, AI advisor, and startup mentor with over 20 years of experience across both startup and global enterprise environments, including Visa and Microsoft.

At Visa, he was recognized among the top 1% of leaders for driving complex, global initiatives and delivering AI-powered solutions that accelerated customer value at scale. Prior to that, he spent a decade at Microsoft advising enterprises and governments on how to leverage cutting-edge technologies to maximize business impact. Between his enterprise roles, Marko built a scalable digital product company and successfully merged it with a larger enterprise.

His recent work focuses on enabling organizations to realize measurable business value from AI – with clear operating models, pragmatic adoption frameworks, and outcomes-driven execution.

Educated in both Croatia and the United States, he has also spent part of his career in the UAE, shaping a global perspective on technology and business.

Samara Aldabagh, an Iraqi-Australian business strategist and business owner with a strong foundation in banking and finance, delivers a refined approach to corporate strategy. Complemented by extensive expertise in event management, business development, and strategic project coordination, her experience and education at the University of Sydney position her as a dynamic Head of Investor Partnerships at the UAE-Croatia Business Club, driving strategic alliances that drive global economic growth. Known for her analytical mindset and results-driven approach, Samara excels at navigating complex financial environments, building high-value relationships, and delivering operational excellence.

Ivana Kardum is an experienced legal advisor specializing in commercial law, corporate governance and international business frameworks. Throughout her career, she has supported companies, investors and executive teams in navigating complex legal environments, ensuring compliance while enabling strategic growth and cross-border cooperation.

Her expertise includes contract law, regulatory compliance, company formation, M&A preparation, and structuring partnerships across multiple jurisdictions. Ivana is known for her ability to translate complex legal requirements into clear, actionable guidance, allowing organizations to make informed decisions with confidence and clarity.

Ivana has worked closely with management teams, government entities and private-sector leaders, providing legal support in areas such as market entry, investment structuring, risk assessment and long-term governance planning. Her advisory approach is characterized by precision, reliability and a strong commitment to protecting the interests of the organizations she represents.

With a deep understanding of both regional and international legal landscapes, Ivana plays a key role in supporting the strategic initiatives of the UAE–Croatia Business Club, ensuring that all collaborations, partnerships and projects are aligned with best legal practice and robust compliance standards.