26 Croatian women of influence from 11 countries named for 2026

(Photo credit: CWN/MHŽ)

Croatian Women’s Network™ / Mreža Hrvatskih Žena (CWN/MHŽ) has announced the 10th edition of the Croatian Women of Influence Awards and the Future Leader Award winners for 2026, with the winners receiving 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.

25 Croatian Women of Influence Award winners

Carolyn Agin Bruno – United States of America – Senior Partner, Bruno Law, PLLC and General Counsel
Silvina Biott – Argentina – Writer and poet
Maria-Gabriela Dumandžić – Argentina – Executive
Ana Jerković – Croatia – Economist and diplomat
Jasna Karačić Zanetti – Belgium – Head of Health Diplomacy Unit / President of The Croatian Association for the Promotion of Patients’ Rights
Danica Kegević – Chile – President, Croatian Sports Club Valparaíso, Chile / Key Account Manager
Suzana Krišto – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Member of Parliament,
Vitomira Lončar – China – Professor, Eurasia University, School for Culture and Media, Xi’an, China / General Manager, Mala Scena Theatre, Zagreb, Croatia
Branka Malinar – United States of America – Curator, Croatian Museum, CL, Ohio
Marija Mrgudić – Croatia – Winemaker
Gordana Nikolić – Croatia – Dean, PAR University of Applied Science
Marina Perić – United States of America – Supervising Producer (Hollywood Unlocked, The Steve Harvey Show & The Kelly Clarkson Show)
Martina Puljić – Croatia – President, Management Board, Pleter-usluge d.o.o.
Nevena Ramić – Croatia – First Non-commissioned Officer of the Croatian Air Force
Angela Sankovich-Ramirez – Colombia – Social Communicator, Specialist in Project Management — CEO, Colombia-Croatia Chamber of Commerce and Co-founder of Croactivas® for Colombia
Patricia Stambuk Mayorga – Chile – Journalist, writer, academic
Nera Stipičević – Croatia – Multidisciplinary author, producer, academic, actress, and economist
Dr. sc. Vesna Škare Ožbolt – Croatia – Attorney at Law
Mirela Španjol – Croatia – CEO
Jozefina Tomljenović – United States of America – Nursing Operations Manager, Cleveland Clinic
Tanja Trošelj Miočević – Croatia – Expert Advisor, Science and Higher Education
Nicole Vidovich – United States of America – Senior Director, Creative & Brand Marketing
Nikolina Vučković – Croatia – Creative Producer & Innovator,
Yanya Viskovich – Switzerland – Strategic Advisor & Lawyer
Kristina Zanić – UAE – CEO

Future Leader winner

Danijela Karolina Boras – Canada – Undergraduate Student – Honours Specialization in Geology

A detailed list of the 2026 Croatian Women of Influence Award and Future Leader Award winners can be viewed here: 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.