2025 Croatian Women of Influence and Future Leader award winners revealed

2025 Croatian Women of Influence and Future Leader award winners

Fifteen outstanding leaders and one future leader from 6 countries honored

November 27, 2024 – Croatian Women’s NetworkTM/Mreža Hrvatskih Žena announces 15 winners of the coveted Croatian Women of Influence Award and one winner of the Future Leader Award which will be conferred at a gala event on International Women’s Day Saturday, March 8th, 2025 in Zagreb, Republic of Croatia.

The 2025 CWoI laureates come from six countries and join 165 current award laureates bringing the total to 181 international honorees.

“The winners in each of the award categories are true role models who have demonstrated what it takes to be impactful, successful and proudly Croatian,” reflected Caroline Spivak, founder, Croatian Women’s NetworkTM/Mreža Hrvatskih Žena and inceptor of the Croatian Women of Influence Awards and the Future Leader Awards.

“This incoming cohort of recipients spans sectors that include agricultural, island and rural economic development, education, medicine, journalism, politics and sport.

“To the incoming laureates and to all the nominees, we celebrate your achievement with our heartfelt congratulations,” Spivak continued. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to continue to connect, celebrate, champion and recognize the accomplishments of Croatian women the world over.”

CWoI winners were drawn from more than 110 nominations received from 12 countries.

The 2025 class of laureates come from a total of six countries: Argentina, Belgium, Croatia, Slovenia, Serbia, and the United States of America.

This brings the overall number of award winners to 181 selected from more than 660 nominations since the award’s inception in 2016.

The Croatian Women of Influence Award recognizes leadership, innovation and community impact of Croatian women and the Future Leader Award recognizes enterprising young woman between the ages of 16 to 25 who demonstrate extraordinary talent and leadership.

FUTURE LEADER AWARD – 2025

Jana Košćak – Croatia – Athletics 

CROATIAN WOMEN OF INFLUENCE AWARD – 2025

1. Vjekoslava Bagarić – Croatia – Philanthropy
2. Jovana Čutul – Croatia – Leadership/Innovation
3. Kristina Ercegović – Croatia – Entrepreneurship
4. Jasna Horvat – Croatia – Arts & Culture
5. Vesna Jakšić Lowe – USA – Arts & Culture
6. Stela Jokić – Croatia – Science & Technology
7. Tamara Jurković – Croatia – Entrepreneurship
8. Nevenka Komarica – USA – Arts & Culture
9. Marina Lekić Peran – Slovenia – Arts & Culture
10. Barbara Matić – Croatia – Athletics
11. Lidija Ortloff – USA – Leadership/Innovation
12. Adriana Smajić – Argentina – Leadership/Innovation
13. Nataša Tramišak – Croatia – Leadership/Innovation
14. Zlata Vasiljević – Serbia – Arts & Culture
15 Željana Zovko – Belgium/Croatia – Leadership/Innovation

Awards will be presented at a gala event celebrating International Women’s Day, Saturday, March 8, 2025. This follows the international conference: Advancing Women, Advancing Economies. Realize the Potential! Breaking Barriers to be held on Friday, March 7, 2024, in Zagreb.

The Croatian Women’s NetworkTM/Mreža Hrvatskih Žena/La Red de Mujeres Croatas is a global forum that celebrates its 10-year anniversary in 2025.

The organization connects, celebrates and champions distinguished women of Croatian ancestry from around the world who work together to inspire and support each other.

The Croatian Women of Influence Award and the Future Leader Award honor their achievements.