It’s About Your Voice
Maximise your opportunities for personal growth and success with access to new ideas, new collaborations, new connections and new relationships.
Our Organisation
The AUS-NZ Croatian Women in Leadership organisation consists of a group of women of Croatian heritage whose common goal is to support, encourage and inspire each other as they progress through their working lives.
The AUS-NZ Croatian Women in Leadership network represents a number of diverse groups and businesses across Australia and New Zealand, including: Croatian entrepreneurs, female professionals, small business owners, women in the workforce, students and recent graduates. We run regular meetings, workshops and events; facilitate business networking, idea-sharing and personal development with the aim of generating greater business success for our members.
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Become a Member
Unite with a network of like-minded women and learn how to be bold, set your own goals, and take the next step to leadership.
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Member Directory
Here is your opportunity to connect, collaborate and share ideas with other dynamic women that are part of our organisation. What are you waiting for!
Stay Up-To Date
Authentic, exciting and inclusive are some of the adjectives that I would use to describe the Australian-New Zealand Croatian Women in Leadership group. The brain child of Her Excellency, Ms Betty Pavelich, Ambassador of Croatia, and Ms Sonja Palic, Business Manager, these two women of action wasted no time in establishing this organisation which has grown from strength to strength. The aim is to offer all women of croatian origin the opportunity to learn from one another by sharing their gifts and talents. In an atmosphere of trust and support, women are encouraged to speak without reserve, to seek advice, to share experiences and to focus on being there for one another in whatever way is life-giving.
We in Western Australia are very blessed to have Francika Roberts nee Jelavic as our Representative on the Board. Fran has an astonishing amount of energy and pours this into offering us wonderful opportunities to connect. I am delighted to be an inaugural member and warmly encourage all eligible women, young and not so young, to become active members.
Marija Retel, Education Consultant
WA
I attended the Summit in Canberra in February 2022 with my daughter Anastasia.I did not know what to expect in the lead up. From the time of my arrival, I was delighted by the event. I was blown away by the quality of the speakers and attendees. There were so many interesting, diverse, and empowered women. They were wonderful examples to my daughter. I made good friends with some of these extraordinary people and have maintained contact. I felt welcomed from the beginning. The Summit reinforced in me just how beautiful Croatian heritage and culture are, and how blessed I and my children are to have this as part of our identity.
Elizabeth McKinnon, Barrister-at-Law
VIC
It’s been a pleasure to see the Australian and New Zealand women’s Leadership group grow its membership over the last few years.
DOMA Is recognised as one of the largest investment and development companies in the ACT with operations across the eastern states. It is also one of the largest private hoteliers in the ACT and its Little National Hotel network is being rolled out into other cities, presently including Sydney, Newcastle and Adelaide.
DOMA has been sponsoring and hosting summits for the Australian and New Zealand Women’s Leadership group since the very first days back in 2019. It’s been a pleasure to see this network grow its memberships since then. DOMA is proud to see not only the success of Croatian women across all industry groups and professions but also proud to see the encouragement and inspiration that is so freely given to support and motivate each other
Betty Domazet, Emergence Health Specialist & DOMA group
ACT
Having been a part of the AUS-NZ Croatian Women in Leadership organisation since its inception in 2019, I cannot speak highly enough of the value connecting with the group has given me both personally and professionally. From being inspired by incredible speakers at the first Summit event in Canberra to building connections over dinner with other Croatian women in both Auckland and Sydney, the organisation provides access to an incredible network of women at all career stages with the shared bond of our collective heritage. I am so grateful for all the incredible women I have crossed paths with so far and look forward to my continued involvement with the organisation.
Olivia Panzic, Content & Communications Manager, TikTok ANZ
NZ to NSW
What a special weekend the 2022 Summit was - it was amazing to connect with so many wonderful, talented women at the top of their game, sharing & reflecting on experiences through the lens of our Croatian heritage. The collective skill diversity & wisdom of this group is energising & provides opportunities to authentically develop & help ourselves through the story-telling & celebration of our Croatian business women.
Kate CUIC
VCCC Board member, VIC
I'm fortunate to be part of the AUS-NZ Croatian Women in Leadership. It is the best way to stay connected with extraordinary women with the same cultural background as my own. The recent summit was a demonstration of the opportunities that Australia and New Zealand have provided women of Croatian background to excel in their chosen field. It was great to hear the Croatian work ethic and determination underpin much of the successes of all the speakers. The organisation is made up of group of women willing to help, mentor and support each other in achieving and celebrating success.
Angela Jeffery, Project Director
Sydney Metro, NSW
I am Co-founder of Krofne, a Canberra based social enterprise that creates meaningful employment opportunities for young people with disabilities. I was honored to be a guest speaker at the Summit in 2109 and was introduced to a remarkable group of strong, passionate, and talented women including Senator Hollie Huges, Mariana Rudan, Sonja Palic and our very own Croatian Ambassador Hon. Betty Pavelic just to name a few. From the personal connections I made, it led to SBS Small Business Secrets doing a feature on Krofne, presenting to the Autism Select Committee at Parliament House and delivering a keynote speech in the Great Hall of Parliament House. The summit is truly an incredible and memorable event where life long relationships have been forged with renewed determination and inspiration.
Danijela Vrkic (ACT)
Co-Founder Krofne
The Croatian Women in Leadership network is a fantastic connector of women from all walks of life, most of them at the top of their game, who all have one thing in common, a shared cultural background and a commitment to sharing their stories for the benefit of all who come to listen.
For we are always stronger together."
Mariana Rudan (NSW)
Journalist
As a Business owner/ Director of an international Interior Design Company based in Dubai for over 20 years , the network has enabled me to connect not only with Australian (being a Adelaide girl) but also with my Croatian heritage. Thank you to the organizers for reconnecting me with some amazing women and giving me the opportunity to share my story. It’s been wonderful to meet and be part of the amazing Croatian Women in Leadership and I look forward to continuing my connection. I am proud to be part of this esteemed group of Women.
Kristina Zanic – Director (DUBAI)
Kristina Zanic Consultants
It’s been wonderful to have been part of the network since it started in 2019 and to establish so many valuable connections. This diverse group of women of Croatian heritage ticks all the right boxes and gives us the opportunity to grow and learn about leadership together.
Distinguished Professor Emeritus Frances Separovic AO FAA (VIC)
Deputy Director, Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne