Croatian women leaders from Australia and New Zealand to inspire in Melbourne

(Photo: AUS-NZ Croatian Women in Leadership)

What do a Supreme Court Justice from Western Australia, the Head of Marketing for Tik Tok, an influential Member of the European Parliament, a Maōri Leader from New Zealand, the CEO of an award-winning, global interior design company and an ABC journalist, all have in common?

Well, apart from being women leaders in their fields, they are all proud women of Croatian heritage, who will join more than one hundred other trailblazing Croatian women at the 5th Annual Australia-New Zealand Croatian Women in Leadership Summit, taking place at the Langham Hotel in Melbourne, from November 7-9, 2025.

Melbourne will proudly host the Annual AUS/NZ Croatian Women in Leadership Summit this November, bringing together extraordinary women from across Australia, New Zealand, and Croatia for a powerful weekend of connection, inspiration, and celebration.

Founded in 2019 by Her Excellency Betty Pavlich and Sonja Palic, this dynamic network is now in its sixth year.

The Summit is a flagship event for the AUS/NZ Croatian Women in Leadership network, uniting women of Croatian heritage who are making an impact in business, community, arts, sport, and more.

“It’s hard to put into words what transpires at the SUMMIT but it is a weekend like no other where we celebrate achievements of women of Croatian heritage and their contributions to society in Australia and New Zealand” says Chairperson Sonja Palic. “The energy, the stories, and the shared pride in our culture create a space where women can truly connect, learn, and lift each other up.”

Over three days, the Summit will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions, networking opportunities and celebrations with established leaders and emerging voices.

Why you should join them:

• Connect, collaborate and be inspired by other like minded women of Croatian heritage
• Hear from industry leaders
• Build connections and opportunities in your business, industry and profession
• Learn new skills and strategies for personal growth
• Explore mentorship and guidance opportunities
• Inspire the next generation of Croatian women to lead with confidence and purpose

Success of past Summits included Croatia’s Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and members of his Government warmly welcomed the network in Zagreb, prior to our 2023 Summit in Croatia.

Previous key note speakers included former President of the Republic of Croatia Her Excellency Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, Croatian Member of Parliament Zdravka Bušić, former Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll, and Māori-Croatian leader Dame Naida Glavish.

This year’s Summit features an outstanding line-up of speakers from across industries and professions, including Member of European Parliament Ms. Željana Zovko, The Hon. Justice Larissa Strk – Supreme Court of WA; Zoe Hertendi – Managing Director, Freedom NZ; Vesna Vinski – QANTAS Senior Legal counsel & Lidija Leko – MACQUARIE BANK  Head of Data, Commodities and Global Markets Technology, just to name a few.

The Melbourne Summit will also showcase local talent, culture, and community spirit, creating an unforgettable experience for delegates from across the globe.

An event for Women by Women

Event Details:

📅 Date: 7–9 November 2025

📍 Location: Melbourne, Victoria

🌐 More information & Tickets: https://www.ausnz-croatianwomen.org/summit-2025

About AUS/NZ Croatian Women in Leadership:

AUS/NZ Croatian Women in Leadership is a dynamic network connecting women of Croatian heritage who are committed to professional excellence, cultural pride, and mutual support. Through events, a world-class mentorship program, a Young Women’s Network and collaboration, the organisation empowers women to achieve their goals and give back to their communities.

If you can’t make the Summit, you can still become a member via their website and stay connected with this inspiring network of women.