A Team of Experts for a Better Croatia

Professors, doctors of science, managers and experts from various fields. People who know the real terrain well, both in Croatia and abroad, as well as the challenges Croatia faces on a daily basis. They do not observe Croatia from a distance, they live it. We are an international team, Croatians from Croatia, Croatians from the diaspora, but also experts from Germany, the Netherlands and other countries, who have built their experience within developed European systems. We bring knowledge, working models and a perspective that is hard to gain without personal experience of living and working outside Croatia. This combination is not accidental. It is precisely the combination of domestic understanding and international experience that gives this team its special strength and credibility.

This is not a team gathered around functions and positions. This is a team gathered around an idea and responsibility. We believe Croatia can change, but only when the right people come together with a clear goal and a shared vision.

Josipa HALLER, Design strategist and UX researcher with international experience in product innovation, user research, and strategic product development. Raised in Munich, she studied in Salzburg and Paris and holds a dual master’s degree in Product Design and International Management. She gained professional experience in Shanghai at the internationally renowned innovation consultancy Continuum, where she worked on user-centered innovation and product development projects and collaborated closely with international management on design strategy. At the same time, she held a teaching role at Tongji University in Shanghai, one of China’s leading universities. After returning to Europe, she led a UX research team in Munich at the digital agency COBE and published professional articles on user-centered product development and innovation. Today she lives and works in Croatia, where she runs her own company and advises international organizations such as Google, Meta, eBay, AutoScout and Yara on UX research and strategic product development. In addition, she develops entrepreneurial innovation projects and mentors master’s theses at the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences in the fields of design, innovation, and user research.

Vesna KUNA – Diaspora Return Policy, as Head of the office First Step – Croatia within the Association Marshall Plan Croatia – Future with the Diaspora, Vesna Kuna provides professional support to returnees in procedures related to acquiring citizenship, navigating administrative processes, and preparing the necessary documentation, as well as supporting their integration into the system of the Republic of Croatia.

 

She is also involved in coordinating documentation for development projects, including the preparation and monitoring of procedures related to investments and the use of European Union funds.

Ivo Grgić, Prof. dr. sc., with tenure at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, at the Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development.His scientific interests include agricultural policy, rural development, and rural tourism, with a particular focus on agritourism. Professor Grgić has served as principal investigator and collaborator on numerous scientific, professional, and development projects. He has published more than 170 scientific and professional papers and publications and has participated in around one hundred national and international conferences, many of which he also served as a member of the scientific or organizing committees.He frequently participates in round tables, expert panels, and professional and public events dealing with issues related to agriculture and rural areas. Professor Grgić has been a leader or contributor to numerous development and strategic documents at the local and national levels, as well as within the private sector. For more than thirty years, he has been involved in various commissions responsible for drafting strategic documents for the agricultural sector of the Republic of Croatia, including laws and regulatory frameworks. He is also a frequent guest in Croatian and regional print and electronic media, where he comments on issues related to agriculture and rural areas, such as agricultural production, natural resources, prices, foreign trade, and demographic changes. Professor Grgić is a founding member and two-term President of the Croatian Agro-Economic Society. He is a full member of the International Academy of Sciences and Arts in Bosnia and Herzegovina, a full member of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of Croatia, and Head of the Section for Economic Affairs of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts (HAZU). He is also a member of Matica Hrvatska, HKD Napredak, and the Association of Croats of Bosnia and Herzegovina “Prsten”, where he serves as Manager of the PRSTEN Foundation. From June 2022 to May 2024, he served as a Special Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture in the Government of the Republic of Croatia.

Robert HADŽIČ, Born on 6 December 1961 in Zagreb, where he completed a classical primary school and the Classical Gymnasium. He graduated from the Faculty of Economics in Zagreb in 1986. For most of his professional career, he has held managerial positions in the food supply chain, collaborating with the largest domestic retail companies as well as numerous food industry firms across Europe. Since 2003, he has been running a small family farm. From 2012 onwards, he has been actively involved in various agricultural associations, including the Croatian Chamber of Agriculture, the Croatian Fruit Growers Association, and the Biofila Association of Croatia. He serves as President of the Association of Family Farms of Croatia. Since 2017, on behalf of the Association (OPGH), he has also been a member of Via Campesina, the world’s largest organization of small and medium-scale farmers, with over 200 million members, where he actively participates in working groups focused on agricultural land, seeds, agricultural policies, and trade. As a consultant, he focuses on rural development, sustainable agriculture, and hidden costs in food production. He is the author of numerous articles on agriculture, farmer cooperation, local food, and short supply chains, published in Agroklub, Gospodarski list, Poslovni dnevnik, and other outlets.

Albert MARINCULIĆ, Prof. dr. sc. - He is a full professor with tenure at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, at the Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases with Clinic. His scientific focus is on diseases transmitted from animals to humans, particularly those spread through food and water. To date, he has served as a principal investigator and collaborator on numerous international and national scientific projects. At his home faculty, he has held the positions of Head of the Department of Parasitology and Invasive Diseases, Vice Dean for Teaching, and Assistant Dean for International Cooperation. He has undertaken professional training in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, and India. He has published more than 40 scientific papers, as well as a large number of professional articles, and has participated in numerous conferences as an invited speaker. He has also served as Vice President of the International Commission on Trichinellosis, a member of various committees of the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe, and President of a committee of the Croatian Veterinary Chamber. He was President of the Croatian Veterinary Society – 1893 (Societas Veterinaria Croatica). He currently serves as President of the Biofila Association of Croatia, an organization dedicated to the preservation of Croatia’s natural heritage.

Dalibor JURINA, Dipl. ing., I graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb, in 1997. I am currently in the final stage of my doctoral studies at the same faculty, with an approved dissertation topic titled: “The Impact of Fallow and Green Manuring on the Physico-Chemical Properties of Soil and the Yield of Spring Crops.”

 

The three-year research for my doctoral dissertation was conducted on my own family farm (OPG) in Veliki Zdenci, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Ivica Kisić.

 

I am the owner and head of a family farm registered within the VAT system, which has been engaged in arable and vegetable production for around 20 years, with a particular focus on potato production. Together with a group of co-authors, I have published several scientific and professional papers related to potato production, as well as other agricultural crops.

 

I am currently employed as a teacher of nature and biology in primary schools.

Zvonimir REPAČ, Dipl. oec. - Born in 1948, he is a graduate economist, university lecturer, and business consultant, currently serving (2024–2028 term) as President of the Supervisory Board of the Zagreb Pensioners’ Association.

 

During his career, he has held numerous managerial positions in Croatia and abroad across manufacturing companies (including Pliva d.d. and Klara d.d.), foreign trade organizations (Astra Mašinoimpex as Head of the Representative Office in Iran, Exportdrvo d.d., Enico S.A. in Lugano, Paris, and Zagreb), consulting firms (CM Expert, Zagreb), and public administration (Advisor to the Minister of Regional Development and Head of the Office for International Economic Relations of the City of Zagreb).

 

He is a lecturer at VERN’ University. As a consultant, key expert, and project manager, he has participated in various projects, including those funded by USAID, EU pre-accession programs, and other EU-funded initiatives. His core areas of expertise include international business, strategic management, marketing, and EU-funded projects.

Đani BENČIĆ, Prof. dr. sc. - He is a full professor with tenure at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Zagreb. He is the founder and principal lecturer of the courses “Olive Growing” and “Organic Olive Growing” at the Master’s level, “Mediterranean Fruit Growing” at the Bachelor’s level, and “Olive and Olive Oil” at the doctoral level. He earned his PhD in 2000 with a dissertation titled: “The Influence of Olive Cultivars and Fruit Ripeness on Oil Quality in Istrian Olive Groves.” Since then, he has been an advisor to Istrian olive growers, closely following and contributing to the development of Istrian olive growing to a world-class level.

 

His research on olive cultivars and newly identified genotypes extends across Mediterranean Croatia, from Konavle to Savudrija. He is the founder and head of the largest collection of olive cultivars and newly discovered genotypes, established in Vodnjan. In addition, he has established two smaller collections on the islands of Cres and Ugljan.

 

He has published more than 100 scientific and professional papers on the identification of domesticated and indigenous olive cultivars, as well as on oil quality depending on cultivar, harvest time, and ecological growing conditions. He is currently working on the development of innovative olive-based products.

Milan MEDIĆ, graduate in Philosophy and Oriental Studies (Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Zagreb), with additional professional training in community work (HAN University of Applied Sciences, Nijmegen, Netherlands) and long-term mentorship under Prof. Dr. Lee H. Staples (School of Social Work, Boston University, USA).

 

President of the LEADER Network Croatia, the national umbrella organization responsible for implementing the European LEADER/CLLD methodology for decentralized territorial development.

 

Chair of the Thematic Working Group for LEADER/CLLD within the National Network of the Common Agricultural Policy at the Ministry of Agriculture, and Head of the Local Action Group (LAG) Vallis Colapis, one of the leading rural development organizations in Croatia.

 

A long-standing expert in community mobilization and organizing, particularly in working with marginalized groups, as well as in social entrepreneurship (solidarity economy) and economic democracy.

Goran JERAS, is an expert in sustainable finance, strategic development, and fintech, with extensive international experience in consulting, management, and the development of innovative financial models.

As the founder and long-time leader of the Cooperative for Ethical Financing in Croatia, he has played a key role in shaping its development toward strengthening a sustainable economy and the social economy sector.

His professional career includes experience in international environments, including McKinsey and technology companies in the Netherlands, where he contributed to the development of complex digital platforms. He is actively involved in global projects, notably advising the Government of the Philippines on fintech solutions for rural development.

His work has also been recognized through participation in European Commission expert groups and international leadership programs.

Ranko MILIĆ, Master of Electrical Engineering (Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Split), specializing in automation. He graduated with a thesis on a systems-based approach to economic development, reflecting his interest in establishing smart, integrated systems for the development of public and private organizations and projects. This focus earned him scholarships from the Croatian Chamber of Economy and the Styrian Chamber of Commerce for business and ecosystem development, as well as from the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Croatia for cluster development. He is an entrepreneur, founder, and board member of several companies and organizations (Eupolis Group, Eupolis 3WISE, Cluster for Eco-Social Innovation and Development – CEDRA, DIESIS – Global Network for the Development of the Social Economy, GRIA – Global Alliance for Regenerative Innovation).

He develops development and financing strategies, programs, projects, and initiatives at local, regional, national, and international levels. He is engaged in business and development consulting, education, and the design, financing, and implementation of projects in both the private and public sectors.

To date, he has prepared and implemented projects worth over €200 million, supported the realization of an additional €200 million, and is currently working on projects exceeding €2 billion in total value across the private and public sectors.

Marin ERCEG is an experienced manager and entrepreneur with more than 25 years of experience in leading large organizations and developing business operations. Throughout his career, he has held senior positions in companies such as Procter & Gamble, Zagrebačka pekarna Klara, and Croatia baterije. Among his entrepreneurial ventures, the ICT startup Aspida stands out.

 

Today, he is engaged in the development of advanced technological solutions and innovative business models, with a particular focus on the application of new technologies in industry and society.

 

Within the Marshall Plan Croatia initiative, he contributes to the strategic development of the economy, innovation, and international cooperation.

Žarko ČOVIĆ, born in Berlin as a child of the first generation of Croatian emigrants, began his education there. However, as his parents did not want their children to be fully assimilated, the family returned to Croatia in the mid-1970s.

 

An economist by profession, but with a strong passion for information technology, he has dedicated his entire career to the IT field.

 

He is one of the founders of the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ), a participant in the Croatian War of Independence, and a former employee of the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Croatia.

 

He sees great potential in the Croatian diaspora as a key factor in shaping a prosperous and shared future for the homeland.

Dr. Bruce Yerkovich, holds a PhD in Molecular Biophysics from Wesleyan University in the United States and a degree in Molecular Biology from the University of Zagreb. Following his doctoral studies, he conducted advanced research at Rockefeller University in New York and participated in international scientific research programs. During his career in the United States, he worked as a scientific advisor and university professor, connecting science, technology, and economic development.

In Europe, he has led and participated in several international projects funded through European programs, focused on rural entrepreneurship, youth employment, and sustainable regional development. As a Croatian-American scientist and investor with extensive experience in the diaspora, he returned to Croatia with the aim of applying international knowledge and networks to national and regional development. He is the founder of The Resort Company and the initiator of the Srce Like project, dedicated to revitalizing the Lika region through sustainable tourism, entrepreneurship, and community development.

Boris ŠUŠKOVIĆ – An experienced entrepreneur and executive with extensive international experience in business development, brand building, and company management. He began his career as an engineer in a national oil company, working in operations, process development, and supplier negotiations. As the founder and Managing Director of wulf:sport, he led the development, distribution, and retail of lifestyle brands, and continued as an executive partner after the company’s sale.

 

Today, he develops sustainable tourism projects in green rural areas of Croatia through the GreenGardenHouse and Green Croatia initiatives. He graduated from the Faculty of Petroleum Engineering in Zagreb and holds an MBA from Florida State University and the University of Economics Zagreb.

 

He is the founder of the ShoeBeDo brand and the initiator of the first lifestyle store in Croatia, ShoeBeDo in Gajeva Street, Zagreb. He is a father of three and a two-time Ironman and eleven-time Ironman 70.3 finisher.

Jasna ALADROVIĆ – Coordinator for Ireland and Diaspora Support, Jasna Aladrović lives and works in Ireland, where she actively connects the Croatian community with the initiatives of the Association Marshall Plan Croatia – Future with the Diaspora. In her role, she coordinates communication with Croats in Ireland, motivates their involvement in the Association’s projects, and guides and informs them about opportunities for cooperation and organized return to Croatia.

 

As the administrator of the Facebook page for Ireland, Jasna actively contributes to the visibility and dissemination of information among the Croatian diaspora. She also participates as a volunteer in various activities of the Association, providing support in the implementation of initiatives aimed at connecting, informing, and facilitating the return of Croatian emigrants.

 

Through her engagement and direct contact with people on the ground, she contributes to building trust and strengthening the bridge between the diaspora and the homeland.

Simona BENEDICT has been living in Italy for more than three decades, a country she rightfully considers her second home. Italy has provided her with opportunities for both personal and professional growth, for which she is sincerely grateful, while her connection to Croatia remains strong and enduring. She is an internationally oriented entrepreneur with experience in business networking, strategic development, and working in multicultural environments. Her professional activities extend across Italy, Croatia, and Pakistan, where, through her family business and international contacts, she actively connects markets, people, and business opportunities.

She holds a degree in Economics, specializing in International Trade, as well as an MBA and a Master's degree in Political Management, further demonstrating the breadth of her knowledge and understanding of international relations.

She is particularly focused on connecting the Croatian diaspora in Italy, where she sees significant potential for community development, business initiatives, and strong cooperation with Croatia.

Simona Benedict aims to be available to Croatians in Italy, to listen to their needs, ideas, and initiatives, and to actively contribute to building a stronger and more connected community.

Through her work, she is guided by a clear vision: connecting people, creating tangible opportunities, and contributing to Croatia’s development through international cooperation.

 

He was born in 1958 in Belišće, Slavonia, and has lived and worked in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, since 1972. Over a career spanning more than 35 years, he has specialized in investments, consulting, and economic development. In 1993, he founded the consulting company CORAL and the Croatian Business Promotion Center in Frankfurt, which promoted Croatia’s economic and cultural potential and attracted foreign investment to the Southeast European region. The company CORAL participated in key projects in the energy and infrastructure sectors. After 2006, he worked intensively with small and medium-sized enterprises, developing strategies for digital transformation, thereby contributing to the modernization and strengthening of business competitiveness. As an advisor to the Government of the Republic of Croatia, he is dedicated to integrating the Croatian diaspora into economic development, with the aim of ensuring sustainable growth and strengthening the country’s demographic potential.

Roel PIEPER, Prof. Ir. - Career in public and private institutions. Board and CEO positions in many international companies.

 

CEO of UNIX / C / C++ at AT&T Bell Laboratories, CEO of Tandem Computers.

 

CEO of Eclipse Aviation, Chairman of Lernout of Hauspie, Board of Lincoln Financial, Computer Associates, Philips Electronics, Chairman of Public / Private Incubators Twinning.

Josip Stjepandić, Prof. dr. - Technical development, innovation, and digital transformation. Born on April 2, 1961, he is a distinguished expert with a rich international career in engineering, innovation, and digital technologies. He graduated in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Zagreb and completed his doctoral studies at Graz University of Technology, for which he received a prestigious award. Throughout his career, Stjepandić has held leading positions in both industry and academia, including the role of Senior Innovation Manager at PROSTEP AG and Associate Professor at the Dortmund University of Applied Sciences. He is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Innovation Awards of the State of Hesse and German Industry. As a prolific author, he has published numerous books and more than 200 scientific papers in renowned journals. He is also co-author and editor of several books in the fields of transdisciplinary engineering and sustainable development, including publications by renowned publishers such as Springer and IOS Press. In addition, he actively contributes to the advancement of engineering through editorial roles in leading professional journals. As President of the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts in the Diaspora and Homeland, Josip Stjepandić is dedicated to strengthening scientific and economic ties between Croatia and the international community. His contributions to European Commission projects, as an expert in the Horizon 2020 programme, as well as his work on digital twin innovations, place him among the leading experts in his field.

Marijo KNEŽEVIĆ - With over 20 years of international experience in asset management and strategic capital allocation, I combine entrepreneurial thinking with strong macroeconomic analysis and hands-on execution expertise.

 

As a Managing Partner and Family Officer, I advise institutional investors and high-net-worth families on developing sustainable investment strategies focused on stability and long-term growth.

 

I have built regulated financial structures and successfully executed international investment projects, particularly with a focus on sustainable value creation.

 

For Croatia, I see significant potential in the targeted development of the agricultural sector, combined with renewable energy and access to international capital.

 

My goal is to strategically advise Croatia in a way that ensures sustainable growth, economic strength, and long-term international competitiveness.

Ralph WEISS – International Expert Advisor, Mr. Weiss has more than 20 years of experience in the fields of accounting, controlling, and regulatory frameworks. Throughout his career, he has been responsible for financial, organizational, legal, compliance, and regulatory matters within the companies he has worked for.

He possesses extensive knowledge of financial markets and is highly familiar with various financing options and European Union funds. He has practical experience in accessing these resources and in financing and managing projects through EU funding.

 

Herbert PANNES, MBA – International Advisor and Healthcare Expert, A long-standing manager at Thyssenkrupp, with a strong focus on the development of international mining projects. Former CEO of IN-NRW-AG, an organization dedicated to supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in North Rhine-Westphalia. He also served as a board member of the Association of Outpatient Rehabilitation Centers in the Rhineland, where he played a leading role in the establishment and development of these institutions.

 

In cooperation with the Chamber of Commerce (IHK), he significantly contributed to the creation of the Gesundheit-Netzwerk Niederrhein (GNN) and the development of workplace health models. He remains active in innovative projects and is well connected with prominent figures at an international level.

Dr. Volker NEUSCHÜTZ – International Financial Expert and Advisor, with more than 20 years of experience at DEG (Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft, a subsidiary of the KfW Banking Group), particularly in international project finance and investment banking in Southeast Europe.

 

As a director, he represented DEG on numerous supervisory boards of commercial banks and leading companies in Brazil, Ecuador, Portugal, and Southeast Europe (Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, Serbia, Montenegro, Slovenia).

 

Throughout his career, he served as a director responsible for overseeing foreign financial institutions through supervisory board positions, including:
BPI – Banco Português de Investimento S.A., Lisbon; PAINS Siderúrgica S.A., Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; FUIB – First Ukrainian International Bank, Donetsk, Ukraine; SKB Banka, Ljubljana, Slovenia; TBC Bank, Tbilisi, Georgia; Bank of Georgia, Tbilisi, Georgia; Eksim Banka, Belgrade, Serbia; Euromarket–NLB Montenegrobanka a.d., Podgorica, Montenegro.

Thomas WITTSTADT has been active in the countries of the Western Balkans since 1993, with a focus on the sectors of raw materials, renewable energy, structural and capacity building (including media support), as well as economic development.

 

Among other roles, Wittstadt is a founding member and long-time Vice President of the German-Albanian Business Association, as well as the initiator, co-founder, and Vice President of the German-Kosovar Business Association and the umbrella organization of German-Kosovar associations in Germany.

Josip MAYER, belongs to the generation of Croatian emigrants who, already in the early 1960s, built strong ties between their homeland and the world through their work and perseverance. He spent most of his life in Germany, particularly in Stuttgart and Bavaria, where he left a recognizable mark through cultural, social, and humanitarian engagement.

 

Over the years of active involvement, he was not only part of the diaspora but also one of those who helped shape it. Through numerous activities connecting Croatia and Germany, between Stuttgart and Novi Vinodolski, as well as in the Sisak-Moslavina County from 1991 to 1996, he contributed to connecting people and preserving Croatian identity.

 

Today, he is an active ambassador of the association Marshall Plan Croatia – Future with the Diaspora and one of the administrators of a Facebook page for the Croatian diaspora in Germany, where he actively participates in informing and strengthening the community.

 

His long-standing dedication shows how much an individual can contribute when guided by a sense of belonging and responsibility toward their community.

Krunoslav KAIĆ, an entrepreneur based in Denmark and originally from the Požega region, has over the past decades been recognized as the initiator of numerous projects, among which the initiatives Pokrenimo Ruševo and the Kutjevo Equestrian Tournament stand out. Through his work, he continuously connects the local community and fosters broader economic and social initiatives.

 

His contribution to the development of cooperative organizational models is particularly notable, as well as the Golden Valley Croatia project, aimed at connecting domestic producers and promoting ecological agriculture inspired by Danish practices.

 

With more than 20 years of experience in development initiatives and managerial roles in several companies, he actively contributes to strengthening the connection between Croatia and the diaspora through concrete projects and investment models.

Within the initiative Marshall Plan Croatia – Future with the Diaspora, Krunoslav Kaić serves as an ambassador and administrator of the Facebook page for the Croatian diaspora in Denmark, where he contributes to community networking and the promotion of economic and development initiatives.