Dr. Ivana Zerec is a professional diplomat and Head of European and International Relations in the Ministry of Economy, Republic of Croatia. Previously, she was a Focal point for Sanctions and Chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons (CBRN) in the Department for International Security of the Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, during the crises in Libya and Syria from 2011 to 2013. She was Croatian Focal Point for the Belgian EU Presidency, in the second half of 2010. Her first diplomatic mandate, she served in Bruxelles from 2006 to 2010, as a Head of Political and Economic Affairs in the Croatian Embassy to Belgium and Luxembourg.

From 2004 to 2006 she was as Deputy Head of Department for Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe in the Directorate for Multilateral Affairs. She is a member of Executive Board of the Association of Croatian Diplomats.

She earned her Ph.D. degree in International Security from the Faculty of Political Science, University of Zagreb. She followed different programs for experienced diplomats, including ENA Paris and College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium. She earned her Ph.D. degree in International Security from the Faculty of Political Science, University of Zagreb. Currently, Ms. Zerec is a Candidate at Executive MBA St. Gallen, Switzerland, one of the top business schools worldwide.