ABSL Western Balkans Conference 2025

Samir Avdić, Mayor of the City of Sarajevo, is a former professional basketball player and sports manager. He played for KK Bosna and several European clubs, and was a member and captain of both the Yugoslav and Bosnian national teams, winning titles at the Balkan, European, and world levels. Beyond sports, he co-founded the humanitarian organization Dobro.ba, served as Sports Director of the Bosnian national basketball team, and later held public functions including Minister of Culture and Sports of Sarajevo Canton and Deputy Mayor of Sarajevo. His contributions to sports and society earned him multiple awards and recognition as a distinguished athlete of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Kemal Babić is the Managing Director for the Balkans and Europe at DDC Group, where he leads regional strategy, client partnerships, and business development efforts. His remit includes overseeing strategic growth initiatives, ensuring operational scalability, and maintaining governance standards across all delivery centres in the region.

Irhad brings almost two decades of software engineering expertise. He has built complex, distributed, and highly scalable systems for large enterprises and Fortune 500 organizations. Over the last few years, Irhad has served as an engineering manager in HTEC’s Finance, FinTech, and Insurance business unit, guiding cross-functional teams to deliver mission-critical solutions.

Senior IT Director at Procter & Gamble with over 25 years of experience leading global tech-driven transformations. Adnan drives innovation and efficiency through large-scale IT projects. As a co-founder of ABSL Bosnia and Herzegovina, Adnan is also committed to advancing the local IT sector and digital skills.

Admir Drinić, Chief Executive Officer of Telemach BiH, with over 26 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, has built Telemach into the leading private operator in Bosnia and Herzegovina, setting new standards of business excellence and market impact. Under his strategic leadership, Telemach BH has achieved strong and sustainable growth, successfully consolidated the market, and carried out key investments that have positioned the company as an indispensable player in the domestic telecommunications sector. As a result of this approach, Telemach BH has been repeatedly recognized — for ten consecutive years as the most desirable employer in telecommunications in BiH, as one of the country’s most significant investors according to FIPA in 2023.

Adis Dučić is a cybersecurity and digital education professional dedicated to advancing talent development and resilience across the Western Balkans. As a core member of Sentry Cybersecurity, Cyber Academy, Digital School Adria, and Cyber112, he combines innovation, education, and security to enhance regional digital readiness. His work fosters collaboration between public and private sectors, contributing to a more secure and skilled digital future for the region.

UMUT ERGEZER, currently holding a position of Deputy Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), joined the Secretariat in 2020 and lead the preparation and coordination of the South East Europe (SEE) 2030 Strategy. Mr. Ergezer, a graduate of Political Science and Economics, worked for more than 20 years in several international public organizations including the European Commission, and the United Nations. Mr. Ergezer contributed to the drafting of the SEE 2020 Strategy (the regional strategy for the Western Balkans and Croatia implemented by the RCC before the adoption of SEE2030) and the Multi-Annual Action Plan for the Regional Economic Area in Western Balkans. He worked for the CEFTA Secretariat between 2011 and 2018 and served as Acting Director of the CEFTA Secretariat between September 2015 and May 2017.

Geraldina Fejzaj is the Head of the Research and Development Sector within the Directorate of Foreign Direct Investments, Partnership and Analysis at the Albanian Investment Development Agency (AIDA). With nearly seven years of experience in the field, she brings expertise in finance, investment promotion, market research and economic analysis. In her role, she contributes to shaping strategies that foster foreign direct investment and support sustainable economic development in Albania.

Business and leadership consultant, high-performance executive coach, and managing director with 15+ years of international experience in driving and managing sales and business development, pioneering new concepts and products, and advising leading global companies and clients from 30+ countries. Thought leader and astute strategist with extensive cross-cultural experience and a unique drive for excellence.

Oliver Graumnitz is the Associate Director of Transformation and DACH Innovation Lead at Concentrix - the leading BPO provider and a global technology and services powerhouse, brings over 20 years of experience in technology and service. He merges profound expertise with an unwavering curiosity. As a self-proclaimed "sociable geek" and AI enthusiast, he adeptly bridges the gap between emerging trends and practical solutions. Today, he leads Innovation DACH, shaping the future of customer experience and digital business models.

Amra Hašimbegović is the Head of Investment and EU Funds at the Cantonal Agency for Attracting Investment and Privatization (KAIP) in Sarajevo. She is dedicated to shaping a strategic and investor friendly environment in the Sarajevo Canton, attracting both domestic and foreign investments, and strengthening institutional cooperation with European partners and international funds. Amra plays an active role in policy development for sustainable economic growth and digital transformation, with a strong focus on green economy, innovation, and diaspora engagement. With extensive experience in project management and international economic relations, she advocates for an efficient, transparent, and modern public administration that serves investors.

Đorđe Janković currently serves as Operations Director at The DDC Group, a global Business Process Outsourcing and technology services firm, responsible for overseeing operational excellence across their international locations

Emanuela Jovic is the COO at Becky.works, where she has been building processes and programs dedicated to the development of people and teams from the very beginning. She has devoted her career to organizational development, a culture of trust, and leadership that puts people at the center. Born into a family with roots in Sarajevo and raised in the Netherlands, she now lives in Serbia, naturally bridging different cultures and values, combining the rational approach of the West with the warmth and sense of community of the Balkans.

Mr. Hamdija Jusufagić brings a diverse background in leadership, technology, company culture, and corporate social responsibility. He has received several prestigious awards in Sweden, including HM King Carl XVI Gustaf’s 'Årets Nybyggare.' Mr. Jusufagic has founded and led multiple successful IT and consulting companies, including System Verification, CodeScene, and REEINVENT—with a strong international presence and a focus on innovation, business impact, and digitalization.

Haris Kadenić is a marketing leader with more than 20 years of experience in shaping brands and driving business growth across South Eastern Europe. As Marketing Director at Manpower in SEE, he oversees regional teams and projects in eight countries, leading innovation in digital, B2B, and employer branding strategies. Known for his hands-on approach, Haris believes in leading by example and turning creative ideas into measurable results. His career spans global corporations and top agencies such as Lactalis Group, Saatchi & Saatchi, and Via Media, where he worked with iconic brands including Toyota, Nestlé, Galbani, and Président. Along the way, he has earned recognitions such as the Lactalis Global Innovation Award and the Manager of the Year title in Bosnia and Herzegovina, reflecting both his passion for marketing and his drive for excellence.

Benjamin Kadić is the founder and CEO of Popcorn Recruiters, one of the most trusted recruitment partners in the Balkans for IT, BPO, and shared service center expansion. With 15+ years of hands-on experience in recruitment, outsourcing, and business development, Benjamin has led cross-border projects for some of the world’s most recognized companies, including Amazon, AT&T, Deloitte, Infobip, and Concentrix. Driven by trust, speed, and local know-how, Benjamin is passionate about positioning the Balkans as Europe’s most underrated talent hub. He combines strategic thinking with execution, ensuring companies not only hire the right people — but do it fast, with clarity, and with long-term success in mind.

Annabell Kreuzer is an economist with a passion for bringing together development cooperation and private sector. Working for the German Development Agency GIZ, she is supporting GBS companies to set foot in emerging markets and jointly create sustainable employment. During the past years, Annabell has focused on African GBS markets like Rwanda, Ghana and Egypt after living in Tanzania for several years. Now Annabell is based in Tirana, advising companies on business opportunities in the Western Balkans and connecting the region with Germany.

Jacek Levernes is a senior executive with +20 years of leadership experience working across CEE, Europe and globally. His specialties include business development, operations, digital transformation, investment growth, as well as strategy and public affairs, while his track record spans multiple industries. Currently he is a Senior Advisor at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Chairman at ICTSI Poland, and a non-executive Board Member of Globalworth Holding B.V., the investment fund behind the largest institutional real estate asset manager in the office segment across CEE. He is also the co-founder and now the Honorary President of the Association of Business Service Leaders (ABSL)

Accomplished entrepreneur and business leader with over 13 years of experience in international business development, innovation, and strategic consulting. She has co-founded five companies across the BPO, education, e-commerce, and real estate sectors, including Vigan Group, Vigan Way, and Toka International.

Ognjen Pejović is the Director of Software Engineering (Europe & Americas Full Stack) and Bosch Digital Hub Lead for Serbia. With a strong background in scaling engineering organizations and leading digital transformation, he oversees international software teams across Europe and the Americas. At Bosch, he drives innovation, agile excellence, and cross-regional collaboration, while spearheading the growth of Bosch’s Digital Hub in Serbia.

Veljko Petrović is the Regional Manager of Transcom. Experienced leader with a demonstrated history of working in the outsourcing and in-source customer care industry. Proven interpersonal and motivational ability ensure a strong team approach and the attainment of maximum performance levels and productivity. A decisive action-orientated leader who successfully takes complete ownership of the customer service function. Experienced in leading multilingual contact centers remotely at locations around the globe. Specially focused, with proven results, in the field of the digital transformation.

Radojica Petrović is the Assistant Director in the Investment Sector at the Montenegro Investment Agency, with extensive experience in renewable energy, FMCG, and international business. Prior to his current role, he worked as an investment consultant and held several leadership positions across the Western Balkans, focusing on strategic development, market expansion, and investment advisory.

Program Manager of RECONOMY. He holds a MA in Business Administration and an MAS in Development and Cooperation. Paulo has been working on private sector development for several years, including as an entrepreneur himself. He has worked on projects that promote value chain and social entrepreneurship development, in Central and South America. His key expertise lies in providing technical and thematic advice and support on market systems development and on the nexus of humanitarian response and development.

As Country Director for Bosnia and Herzegovina at HTEC—a global, AI-first provider of strategic services, software design, and engineering expertise—Azra Saric plays a key role in connecting the company with the local ecosystem and supporting its organizational growth. She also serves as Chairwoman of the Mozaik Foundation and a Bosnia & Herzegovina Futures Foundation board member, supporting social impact and youth development. With a diverse background across industries, Azra brings a people-centered leadership approach focused on collaboration, employee engagement, and sustainable growth.

Alina Secuianu is an experienced Operations Director with over 12 years at TELUS Digital, where she has built her career from the ground up—starting as a frontline agent in a telecom account and growing into senior leadership. With a proven track record in digital operations, quality performance, and client partnerships, Alina is driven by a commitment to excellence and continuous improvement. She is recognized for her strong coaching principles, fostering high-performing teams through mentorship, empowerment, and data-driven leadership. Her career is marked by a deep passion for customer experience, operational sustainability, and people development, ensuring that both business results and team morale thrive in fast-paced, evolving environments.

Blerim Shaqiri, International entrepreneur and solution provider with expertise in HR, IT, operations, procurement, and international trade. Experienced in delivering projects for civilian, military (e.g., US military), and international organizations (e.g., UN) in diverse regions. Holds two Master's degrees in Information Systems and HR Management.

A dynamic professional with a strong background in marketing, sales, and business development across the entertainment industry, BPO/ITO services, nonprofit sector, and international events. Adi is passionate about driving growth, building communities, and creating impactful brand experiences.

Bojan Šukalo, director of Enginnering and Delivery at HTEC has over 15 years of experience specializing in telecommunications and green energy. Starting his career as a networking engineer, Bojan Šukalo has developed profound expertise across various domains, including networking and security, project management, and cloud integration. His work has notably involved designing IaaS/PaaS/SaaS solutions for major telecommunications providers. As Senior Director of Engineering and Delivery at HTEC, Bojan leverages his extensive technical background to drive the creation of seamless and sustainable end-to-end solutions. His role is pivotal in guiding teams to deliver innovative products that make a lasting impact and provide enduring value to clients.

Felix Toma is a senior HR and business development executive with extensive experience in recruitment, workforce solutions, and business process outsourcing across Southeastern Europe. He currently serves as Commercial Director for South-Eastern Europe at Manpower, overseeing operations in seven countries. Prior to Manpower, Felix held leadership roles at Gi Group as Country Manager for Romania & Bulgaria and later as International Business Development Director in Milan, managing global client relationships. He began his HR career at Adecco Romania, where he advanced to National Operations Manager, gaining hands-on expertise in large-scale staffing and business expansion. With a strong focus on sales, operations, and strategic growth, Felix has also completed executive education at SDA Bocconi and INSEAD, enhancing his leadership and strategic planning capabilities.

Andrew Wrobel serves as the Chief Reinvention Officer at Reinvantage, a London-based strategic reinvention firm. He works with governments, investment promotion agencies, and international organisations to redesign value propositions and strengthen competitiveness. An analyst of how countries position themselves on the global stage, he brings a reinvention lens to investment promotion—helping institutions remain relevant amid disruption, uncertainty, and shifting investor priorities. His focus spans location branding, sector development in high-value areas such as IT and business services, and practical tools for turning volatility into advantage.

I have over 17 years of experience in service delivery and business development, working internationally with teams and clients, including Fortune 500 companies. As Service Delivery Manager at Assist Digital, I lead more than 1,000 professionals across countries, acting as the bridge between client needs and team execution. By bringing together human talent and AI innovation, I focus on elevating customer experience, driving digital progress, and fostering collaborative cultures where people and organizations can thrive.