10 Years of Croatian Women of Influence Awards: A Legacy of Leadership, Innovation and Impact

26 new laureates from 11 countries to be honoured in Zagreb

Toronto, Canada & Zagreb, Republic of Croatia, November 12, 2025 – Croatian Women’s Network™ / Mreža Hrvatskih Žena (CWN/MHŽ) is proud to announce the 10th edition of the Croatian Women of Influence Awards and the Future Leader Award winners for 2026, who will receive their awards on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2026 in Zagreb, Croatia.

This milestone year celebrates a decade of recognizing and connecting distinguished Croatian women around the world whose professional excellence, leadership, and community engagement continue to elevate Croatia’s global profile.

“This 10th anniversary is a milestone celebration of our award winners and a decade of connection, inspiration and global sisterhood,” said Caroline Spivak, founder of the Croatian Women’s Network™ / Mreža Hrvatskih Žena and inceptor of the Croatian Women of Influence Awards and the Future Leader Awards. “Our laureates are living proof that Croatian women around the world are shaping industries, transforming communities, and inspiring future generations.”

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

From 145 nominations spanning 32 countries, including nine first-time nominee countries this year, the 2026 class features 26 exceptional women — 25 Croatian Women of Influence Award recipients and one Future Leader Award recipient — representing 11 countries across five continents: Argentina, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Croatia, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and the United States of America.

A complete list of the 2026 Croatian Women of Influence Award and Future Leader Award winners can be viewed at
cwoi-2026.

The 2026 Croatian Women of Influence Awards will be presented on March 8, 2026, at a black-tie gala event at the Croatian National Theatre (HNK) in Zagreb, marking the conclusion of a year-long celebration of CWN’s 10th anniversary. The gala will be held in conjunction with the International Women’s Day Conference: Advancing Women. Advancing Economies. Realize the Potential! being held on March 6, 2026.

These events will bring together leaders from academia, business, diplomacy, the arts, and civil society from across Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and the global Croatian diaspora — uniting voices that embody leadership, innovation, and impact.

With this year’s winners, the Croatian Women’s Network has now received more than 900 nominations and will have awarded 207 awards since the awards were first launched in 2016.

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About the Croatian Women’s Network™ / Mreža Hrvatskih Žena / La Red de Mujeres Croatas

Founded in 2015, the Croatian Women’s Network™ / Mreža Hrvatskih Žena / La Red de Mujeres Croatas is a global organization that connects, celebrates, and champions distinguished women of Croatian ancestry worldwide who work together to inspire and support each other. The Croatian Women of Influence Award and the Future Leader Award honor their achievements. More information can be found at www.CroatianWomensNetwork.org and @CWNLeaders.

Media Contacts

Croatian Women’s Network™ / Mreža Hrvatskih Žena / La Red de Mujeres Croatas
✉️ mediarh@croatianwomensnetwork.org or
info@croatianwomensnetwork.org
🌐 www.croatianwomensnetwork.org
📞 +1 (416) 371-9740 (WhatsApp)

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Editors’ Notes

• Full list of 2026 winners is provided below.
• Additional print-ready images:
  cwoi-2026
  
• Photo credit: CWN/MHŽ

Future Leader Award – 2026

Danijela Boras – Canada

Croatian Women of Influence Award – 2026

Name	Country	Category
AGIN BRUNO Carolyn	USA	Leadership & Innovation
BIOTT Silvina	Argentina	Arts & Culture
DUMANDŽIĆ Maria-Gabriela	Argentina	Business
JERKOVIĆ Ana	Croatia	Leadership & Innovation
KARAČIĆ ZANETTI Jasna	Belgium	Leadership & Innovation
KEGEVIĆ Danica	Chile	Leadership & Innovation
KRIŠTO Suzana	Bosnia & Herzegovina	Leadership & Innovation
LONČAR Vitomira	China	Arts & Culture
MALINAR Branka	USA	Arts & Culture
MRGUDIĆ Marija	Croatia	Business
NIKOLIĆ Gordana	Croatia	Leadership & Innovation
PERIĆ Marina	USA	Arts & Culture
PULJIĆ Martina	Croatia	Business
RAMIĆ Nevena	Croatia	Military
SANKOVICH-RAMIREZ Angela	Colombia	Entrepreneurship
STIPIČEVIĆ Nera	Croatia	Philanthropy
ŠKARE OŽBOLT Vesna	Croatia	Leadership & Innovation
ŠPANJOL Mirela	Croatia	Entrepreneurship
ŠTAMBUK Patricia	Chile	Arts & Culture
TOMLJENOVIĆ Jozefina	USA	Leadership & Innovation
TROŠELJ MIOČEVIĆ Tanja	Croatia	Leadership & Innovation
VIDOVICH Nicole	USA	Science & Technology
VISKOVICH Yanya	Switzerland	Science & Technology
VUČKOVIĆ Nikolina	Croatia	Arts & Culture
ZANIĆ Kristina	United Arab Emirates	Entrepreneurship