Croatia NOC Highlights the Value of Female Athletes in the Workplace
In a significant event organized by the Croatian Chamber of Commerce and the Croatian Olympic Committee, the “Successful in Sports, Successful at Work” conference took place at the Hotel Westin in Zagreb. The conference aimed to shed light on the qualities and experiences of former female athletes and how these attributes can translate into success in the business world.
The event began with opening speeches from esteemed individuals, including Mr. Luka Burilović, President of the Croatian Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Zlatko Mateša, President of the Croatian Olympic Committee, Mrs. Višnja Ljubičić, Ombudsperson for Gender Equality of the Republic of Croatia, and Mrs. Nikolina Brnjac, Minister of Tourism and Sport of the Republic of Croatia.
Keynote speakers included Mrs. Annamarie Phelps, President of the EOC GEDI Commission, Mrs. Morana Paliković Gruden, Vice-President of the Croatian Olympic Committee and Gender Equality Commission President, and Mrs. Mirjana Čagalj, Vice-President for Construction and Transport at the Croatian Chamber of Economy. These prominent figures set the tone for discussions on the intersection of sports and professional success.
The heart of the conference featured former female athletes who successfully transitioned into their second careers, leveraging skills and characteristics developed through sports. Notable panelists included:
- Mrs. Iva Olivari, former tennis player and current Team Manager of the Croatian Football National Team.
- Mrs. Martina Zubčić Dušak, former taekwondo athlete and now Operations Manager at Project 3 Mobility.
- Mrs. Maša Vidić, former karate athlete and Regulatory Affairs Specialist at Medical Intertrade d.o.o. Sveta Nedjelja.
- Mrs. Ana Jelušić Black, former alpine ski athlete and Founder of Black Peak Consulting.
- Mrs. Sanda Dubravčić Šimunjak, former figure ice skater and current Head of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Clinical Hospital “Sveti Duh.”
- Mrs. Petra Starčević, former biathlon athlete and Head of the Legal Department at Mlinar.
These great former athletes shared their experiences and how the qualities they gained through sports helped them excel in their second careers. Their stories served as an inspiring testament to the value that female athletes can bring to the working environment.
A key takeaway from the conference is the promotion of female athletes as a valuable asset in the professional world. The event aimed to inspire and motivate employers and business owners to provide opportunities to female athletes in their organizations, recognizing the unique skills and attributes they can offer.
As the conference concluded, it left a powerful message resonating in the hearts of attendees, reinforcing the belief that success in sports can indeed translate to success at work, and that female athletes have a unique and impactful role to play in the business world.
