Your expert sourcing and project implementation partner for the Western Balkans

Biljana has 14 years of executive/consulting experience in implementing economic development projects focused on supporting companies’ growth through know-how transfer, capacity building, access to funding and internationalization. Biljana has collaborated with private sector, government institutions, institutional donors and development agencies programs; and has been a moderator/speaker at 30+ international events. Biljana believes in values-based leadership, personal integrity and impact-oriented approach.

Maja is responsible for international development and partnerships. She has been the national project manager at Freja Forum Foundation, co-founder of Freja Academy Sweden, programs director at Macedonia2025, national representative at European antipoverty network (EAPN) and president at Youth center for equal opportunities Skopje.

Dijana Despodov is a private sector development specialist with a focus on business regulatory environment, market expansion, and new technologies. She has 15 years of international experience working for organizations such as the World Bank, American chambers of commerce, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Magdalena has a vast experience in leading EU and USAID-funded projects, as well as in collaborating with multinational donors and embassies

Aleksandra has 17+ years of banking experience at top position in international banks. Experienced in banking, financial planning & analysis, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, business plans, financial models, etc.

Ivana is an experienced investment professional, corporate finance expert and startup ecosystem builder. She is also the former special advisor to the Minister of Finance. She has experience in investment management and management consulting, obtained through the role of an Investment Manager in a regional VC fund as well as the consulting engagement on diverse projects involving small and medium-sized private companies and public sector institutions. She is specialized in corporate and business strategy, corporate finance, access to finance, M&A mandates, project design and execution, and management training.

Zoran is the Country Manager at IFC-International Finance Corporation, World Bank Group for Macedonia and Montenegro. Zoran Martinovski is a U.S. educated business professional with over 20 years of diverse business experience. Since 2000, he serves as the Manager at the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation for Macedonia and Montenegro. The corporation is in charge of IFC’s private sector investments and advisory programs within the country. Mr. Martinovski’s past experiences include working for several prominent companies in Macedonia, Europe and the United States. Among those companies are Philips Electronics, Lexmark International, CKRA (Central Kentucky Research Associates), PEM Consulting, TLC Vienna and Tehnometal-Vardar.

Lou Naumovski retired in January 2017 from Kinross Gold Corporation, having served as VP and Head of Kinross’ Moscow Office since September 2007. Prior to Kinross, Lou was Sr. Vice President at Visa International, Central Europe, Middle East and Africa Division from August 2000 to July 2007. Mr. Naumovski led the development of Visa’s business in Russia and the eleven other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States and was also Head of Strategy for the Division from 2005-2007. From 1992-2000, Mr. Naumovski was a member of the Russia Team of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), including five years as Resident Representative and Senior Banker in Moscow (1992-1997), and as Senior Banker in London from 1997-2000. Since returning to Canada, Mr. Naumovski has remained active in the gold industry through his various directorships, and has provided consulting services on the Russian market for a number of international clients, in a variety of industry sectors. Mr. Naumovski is a Non-Executive Director, Amur Minerals Corporation and Trans-Siberian Gold operating in Russia and is Senior Advisor to McCain Foods and BRP of Canada and Seequent (New Zealand). Mr. Naumovski began his career as a diplomat and trade commissioner for Canada (1980-1990). His assignments included Moscow, Atlanta, Georgia, Baghdad, Iraq, and Deputy Director for Trade and Investment Development, Eastern Europe and the USSR in Ottawa. From 1990-1992 Mr. Naumovski was Executive Director of the Canada – USSR Business Council (CUBC). Mr. Naumovski is a volunteer member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Executive Services Organization (CESO) and a member of the Board of Experts (and former Director) of Macedonia 2025, a non-profit international association of Macedonians in the Diaspora dedicated to supporting the economic and social development of the Republic of Macedonia. Mr. Naumovski holds a Hons. B.A in economics and political science (University of Toronto), and a M.A in international relations and Russian / Soviet affairs (Carleton University). Mr. Naumovski was a long-time member of the local Canada Eurasia Russia Business Association (CERBA) Toronto and Moscow Chapter Boards and was National Chairman of the association from 2013-2017. In 2016, Mr. Naumovski was awarded the Order of International Cooperation by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Prior to joining the Swinburne Business School, Professor Terziovski was the Dean of the Curtin Graduate School of Business; Head of the International Graduate School of Business at the University of South Australia (UniSA); Associate Professor and Director of the Centre for Global Innovation Management at the University of Melbourne; Senior Lecturer at Monash University; and held several line management positions within the Rio Tinto Group over a period of 17 years. Professor Terziovski has a distinguished academic reputation in quality and innovation management, strategy and entrepreneurship. He has published 53 peer-reviewed articles in leading journals, including 8 articles in ABDC Ranked A* journals such as the Strategic Management Journal, and the Journal of Operations Management (JOM); 2 best papers published in the Academy of Management Best Paper Proceedings, and 9 articles published in ABDC, A journals. He is also the recipient of two best paper awards from the US Academy of Management, and received a nomination for an all-academy international best paper award.