Day 2 of the ACAP Conference unfolded with renewed energy and a collective eagerness to learn. The morning kicked off with warm welcome remarks from Kresimir Marusic, Chair of the ACAP Foundation, setting a collaborative tone for the day ahead.
The first highlight was a fireside chat titled “Staying Ahead: Managing and Leading in a Fast-Changing World,” featuring Ana Kreacic, Partner and Chief Knowledge Officer at Oliver Wyman. Her insights on navigating rapid change resonated with attendees eager to adapt and thrive in today’s dynamic environment.
Following this, a compelling panel discussion on “Doing Business in Croatia” was had. The panel featured prominent voices including Goran Gmitrović, Founder of Outlook Accounting & Taxes LLP and SimpliFlow LLC; Ivan Grbešić, Partner at Stikeman Elliott LLP; Ognjen Milas, Director at KPMG; and Sandro Užila, CEO and Founder of WAVE Design Studio. Moderated by journalist Nevena Rendeli Vejzović, the discussion provided valuable perspectives on the unique challenges and opportunities in the Croatian business landscape.
Next, the focus shifted to tourism with “Beyond Sun, Sea, and Summer Tourism.” Peter Hazdovac, Owner of Adriatic Travel, along with Catharine Hamm, journalist; Vladimir Mozetič, President of Kvarner Health Cluster; Tomo Ricov, Founder of Weekend Media Festival; and Boris Vilić, Vice President at NBME, explored innovative strategies to diversify Croatia’s tourism offerings. The discussion was expertly moderated by Jeana Havidich, a pediatric anesthesiologist and associate professor at Vanderbilt University.
After lunch, attendees were treated to a fascinating fireside chat on the “Museum of Illusions: The Global Expansion of a Croatian Brand,” featuring Kim Schaefer, CEO of Museum of Illusions. Moderated by Nikol Njavro, Lecturer at the Zagreb School of Economics and Management, the conversation revolved around brand strength and global market strategies, building on a delightful reception the night before.
The afternoon continued with a thought-provoking session on “AI: How Are We Using the Major Platform Shift Across Industries.” Industry leaders Mislav Acman, CEO of Omics Solutions; Domjan Baric, Head of Data Science at Aras Digital Products; Hasan Davulcu, Professor at Arizona State University; Brian Pasalich, CEO of Behave Technologies; and Maja Bilić from Google shared insights on the transformative impact of artificial intelligence across various sectors.
As the conference progressed, participants broke into breakout sessions to delve deeper into specialized topics. Choices included “The Career Mentorship Program,” “Benefits of Croatian Citizenship,” “Medical Education in Croatia and How the U.S. Can Help,” “Running a Family Business,” “Healthy Lifestyle for Busy Professionals,” and a “Career Development Workshop.” Each session aimed to foster meaningful discussions and provide actionable insights tailored to participants’ interests.
Upon reconvening, the afternoon’s discussions resumed with “Learning From Our Veterans,” featuring Ivan Anusic, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of Croatia, along with Luke Bialczak, US Army veteran of the Iraq War and Co-founder and Commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars, Tanja Jovanovic, Director, Neurophysiology Laboratory, Emory University School of Medicine and Shelley Kobuck, Independent Consultant. The Panel was moderated by Don Markusic, Lawyer, Markusic Law Office. This session highlighted the importance of military knowledge and skills in various aspects of life and business.
The final panel discussion, “What Do Sports Really Teach Us?” brought together a dynamic group including film producer Jack Barich, chiropractor and high-performance sports nutrition coach Paul Biondich, open water swimmer and researcher Dina Levacic, and former NBA player Damjan Rudez. The conversation, moderated by Rudez, explored the life lessons and values cultivated through sports.
As Day 2 of the ACAP Conference came to a close, preparations were underway for the evening’s gala dinner, promising a delightful conclusion to a day filled with learning, networking, and inspiration. Participants left energized and eager for the final evening.








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