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.
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)
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 |