Adriana Rejc Buhovac

Prof. dr. Adriana Rejc Buhovac is a Full Professor of Management and Organization at the University of Ljubljana School of Economics and Business.

She is an expert in strategy development and implementation, with a recent focus on sustainable strategies. In practice, she collaborates with numerous domestic and international companies and organizations in the development and implementation of strategies. She has developed more than 70 strategies for Slovenian and international companies and participated in over 100 other strategic projects. She also leads the expert group for sustainable business transformation for SMEs at SPIRIT Slovenia.

She is also the author of several scientific and professional contributions in the field of sustainable strategies. In co-authorship with Marc J. Epstein (Harvard Business School, Rice University), she wrote the book “Making Sustainability Work: Best Practices in Managing and Measuring Corporate Social, Environmental, and Economic Impacts.”

Fields of expertise:

• Corporate and business strategies
• Sustainable strategies
• Sustainable business transformations
• Sustainability reporting
• Target-oriented leadership

References:

• Manufacturing companies: Domel, Iskraemeco, Ljubljanske mlekarne, LOTRIČ Meroslovje, M Sora, Marovt, Medex, Medis, Menerga, Novo Nordisk, REM, Sanofi Genzyme
• Financial and insurance sector: Bankart, Halcom, NLB, NLB Vita, SID banka, SID – Prva kreditna zavarovalnica, Skupna pokojninska družba, Vzajemna, Zavarovalnica Triglav, ZZZS
• Service sector and trade: Biosistemika, Hit, Instrumentation Technologies, Jezeršek gostinstvo, Luka Koper, SDH, Solve-x, Studio Moderna, T-2, Union hoteli
• Public sector: Academy of Music of the University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty UL, University of Ljubljana School of Economics and Business, UL Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

Marko Jaklič

Prof. dr. Marko Jaklič is a Full Professor in the field of business economics at the University of Ljubljana School of Economics and Business. He completed his postgraduate studies at the New School for Social Research, New York, USA, and the European University Institute in Florence, Italy.

He is involved in numerous international research projects focusing on organizational development in open innovation systems, the role of institutions in economic development, and integration strategies. Marko Jaklič has published many articles in internationally recognized journals and contributed chapters to books in the field of business and management development.

He also regularly advises large Slovenian and international companies on strategy, innovation, and organization, as well as the government. From 2009 to 2013, Marko Jaklič served as the President of the Expert Council for Science and Technology of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia.

Fields of expertise:

• Socio-economic development
• Strategy
• Innovations
• Organization
• Startup ecosystem

References:

• Abanka, NKBM Group, SID – Export and Development Bank, SID First Credit Insurance Company, Triglav Group, Elektro Gorenjska, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, Kolektor Group, Petrol Group, Talum Group, HIT

Tadej Muršič

Tadej Muršič is the COO of Menerga, a high-tech engineering company specializing in energy-efficient air conditioning, ventilation, heating, cooling, and the use of renewable energy sources in large buildings.

In both new constructions and existing buildings, Menerga focuses on reducing energy consumption and demand. The company’s goals are simple: to minimize energy requirements, recycle energy from the environment, and reuse excess energy.

With over 30 years of experience and numerous international awards for exemplary projects, Menerga provides sustainable solutions to ambitious clients.

Fields of expertise:

• Optimization, digitalization, and automation of internal company processes
• Digital marketing and lead generation
• Product management (product, design, UX)
• Planning and optimizing company services (design thinking)

References of Menerga:

• Galerija Cukrarna, Ljubljana
• Mestni bazeni Pula, Pula
• Nuclear Power Plant Krško
• Domel, Železniki
• Coca-Cola, Zagreb
• Palfinger, Maribor

Miha Škerlavaj

Miha Škerlavaj, PhD, is a vice-dean for research and a professor of management at the School of Economics and Business University of Ljubljana and an adjunct professor of leadership and organizational behavior at BI Norwegian Business School. He is also active as a member of the Scientific council to the Slovenian research agency. Scientific community values him as an awarded researcher who published in prestigious international research journals including the Academy of Management Journal, the Harvard Business Review, the Journal of Organizational Behavior, the Leadership Quarterly and the Human Resource Management. He is involved in several international research collaborations with colleagues from top global business schools. For his research in the field knowledge and innovation management he received prestigious Zois recognition by the Republic of Slovenia in 2020.

He also published and edited and a book Capitalizing on creativity: Fostering the implementation of creative ideas at work as well as Outfit7 case study at renowned business school INSEAD. His research received attention in global media such as The New York Times. Professor Škerlavaj is also an active research disseminator as a radio co-host, podcast creator, op-ed and blog writer. He has extensive practical experience through workshops, trainings and consulting assignments for clients in Scandinavia, Central and Eastern Europe, and China. He teaches PhD, EMBA, executive, and master of science programs in Europe and Asia and regularly facilitates workshops with practitioners on cross-cultural management, organizational development and change, leadership development, human resource management, creativity and innovation management-related topics.

Jernej Česen

Jernej Česen holds the position of Senior Vice President of Distribution, Business Intelligence, and Finance at Outfit7. He is also the General Manager of Ekipa2 within the Outfit7 group. Outfit7 is centered around creating games and the emotions they inspire, with a talented international team constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

Jernej joined the company in 2014, bringing an entrepreneurial instinct and leadership skills to the team. His approach to professional life is a “mineštra” – a mix of various elements that work well together.

Anja Križnik Tomažin

Anja Križnik Tomažin is an economist, an expert in public and business speaking, a communication skills trainer, a certified executive and Jungian coach, and an SDI Master.

Anja’s extensive knowledge and experience in training and coaching come from her successful 14-year career as a television presenter, 14 years of work as a trainer, facilitator, and lecturer, as well as her passion for exploring various communication methods and coaching techniques over the years. She earned the title of “Executive Coach” at the Academy of Executive Coaching in London and works as both a business and personal coach. In the last eight years, she has continuously expanded her knowledge with many internationally recognized certificates in her field. She also completed a two-year study program in Expressive Art Therapy and Coaching in Action with Dr. Avi Goren Bar.

She also lectures as a guest speaker at various schools, seminars, conferences, and universities, including the University of Ljubljana School of Economics and Business, the Faculty of Administration, the Faculty of Social Sciences, DOBA Faculty of Applied Business and Social Studies, GEA College, and others. Anja Križnik Tomažin is a member of the International Coach Federation (ICF) and adheres to its ethical codes.

Fields of expertise:

• Public and business speaking
• Corporate communication
• Positive mindset and motivation
• Team development
• Coaching

References:

• Akrapovič, Intesa Sanpaolo Bank, Banka Slovenije, HSE, Hidria, Kolektor, IMP Pumps, Mercator, Hella Saturnus Slovenija, Pharmalinea

Robert Kaše

Robert Kaše is a Professor at the University of Ljubljana School of Economics and Business, Department of Management and Organization, where he teaches various courses at the undergraduate, graduate, MBA and PhD level. His current research interests include social networks (relationships at work), strategic HRM, careers, and emergence. His doctoral dissertation was among EDAMBA’s distinguished papers and won the Emerald/EFMD Outstanding Doctoral Research Award in the HRM category. His work has been published in journals like the Organization Science, the Human Resource Management, the International Journal of Human Resource Management, and the Journal of Organizational Behavior. He is on advisory/editorial boards of Human Resource Management Review, International Journal of Human Resource Management, Journal of Organizational Effectiveness, and Economic and Business Review. Supporting interaction between research and practice he is a board member of the Slovenian HR Association, regular speaker at professional conferences, lecturer at executive trainings, and time- permitting works on applied projects, where he disseminates knowledge and learns from interesting organizations and talents.

References:

• Aerodrom Ljubljana, NLB, BSH, TPV, Helios, Porsche Slovenija, Mercator, Adriatic Slovenia, Elektro Ljubljana, Slovenske železnice and others.

Nikolaos Dimitriadis

Dr. Nikolaos Dimitriadis is an award-winning communications professional, book author, educator and consultant. He spoke at TEDx for the urgent need for Brain-Based Communication and he contributed to the NeuroMarketing Manager Program at Hamburg Media School.

Dimitriadis has scanned more than 7,500 brains from 25 countries globally for Neuromarketing, NeuroHR and academic purposes. He is the Head of Neuro Consulting Services at Optimal HR Group, Athens (Greece), offering cutting-edge Neuromarketing and NeuroHR research and consulting. He has received his PhD and MBA from The University of Sheffield (UK), and he is a certified Neuromarketer. He teaches regularly in various MBAs and other university and corporate programs around the world.

Dr. Dimitriadis is the Chairman of the People Committee at the World Innovation and Change Management Institute in Geneva, Switzerland. He is a Professor of Practice at The University of York Europe Campus, Greece, where he leads the MSc in Neuromarketing. He is the co-founder of Neurogenesis, The Applied Neuroscience Club of Greece. He is also a Visiting Professor at the School of Economics and Business of the University of Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Lately, Dr. Dimitriadis helped launch wellbeing.ai, a Belgium-based pioneering startup in the field of emotional and mental health tech at work. Dr. Dimitriadis received the Greek Excellence Award 2022 from the Hellenic Institute for Customer Service.

References:

• IKEA, IBM, JTI, Nestle, Johnson&Johnson, AstraZeneca, CISCO, SAP, Pierre Fabre, Coca Cola, T-Mobile, Dixons, Banca Intesa Sanpaolo, Societe Generale, Unicredit, Microsoft, VMware, Raiffeisen Bank, SAP, DELL, USAID

Metka Tekavčič

Prof. Dr. Metka Tekavčič is a Full Professor of Management, specializing in Accounting and Auditing, at the University of Ljubljana School of Economics and Business. From 2013 to 2023, Metka Tekavčič served as the Dean of the University of Ljubljana School of Economics and Business. She is also the President of the Senate of SEB LU and the Head of the Institute for Management and Organization.

She has presented her research at numerous international conferences and published articles in Slovenian, European, and American journals. Additionally, she is a member of the editorial boards of several professional journals within her research field.

From 2001 to 2007, Metka Tekavčič held the position of Vice-Dean at the School of Economics and Business. Between 1992 and 2013, she was a member of the City Council of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. She has also served on the supervisory boards of numerous prominent Slovenian companies and institutions.

In 2016, Metka Tekavčič was appointed to the EQUIS Accreditation Board, led by the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD), a leading international network for management development. From 2017 to 2019, she was a member of the Initial Accreditation Committee at AACSB International and a member of the European Advisory Council (EAC). She also served as Vice President of Challenge, a global youth think-tank. In 2020, she became President of the Steering Committee of the Alliance of Chinese and European Business Schools (ACE).

Fields of expertise:

• Accounting
• Financial Management
• Auditing
• Management

Jože Kaligaro

Jože Kaligaro graduated from the Faculty of Economics and Business in Maribor, and completed his postgraduate studies in management at the IEDC – International Business School Bled. He is the director and partner of JK and partners, which deals with business and financial restructuring of companies. As a procurator, he completes the role of coordinator of activities in the restructuring of the companies of the Nivo Group, Celje.

Since December 2014, he has held the position of CEO of the company Livar, d.d., Ivančna Gorica. As an external expert, he was a member of the audit committee of the Supervisory Board of the company Petrol, d.d. and chairman of the supervisory board of the company Premogovnik Velenje, d.d. He currently holds the position of director of WEILER ABRASIVES d.o.o for Slovenia and EMEA region.

He is a guest lecturer at the University of Ljubljana School of Economics and Business and a lecturer at the Centre of Business and Excellence, where he lectures at several workshops/seminars for management teams in large companies such as Petrol, Telekom, ISD, SIJ and others.

Fields of expertise: 

• Leadership
• Strategy Development & Implementation
• Process Management
• Business / Financial Restructuring
• Finance
• Accounting
• Controlling

References:

• Member of Management / Executive Teams of large companies in Slovenian, German, UK and USA ownership, and functions of CEO, CFO, CRO, member of BOD, member of Supervisory Board
• Workshops/seminars for management teams in large companies such as: Petrol, Telekom, ISD, SIJ and others.

Rok Stritar

Rok Stritar is an Assistant Professor of Management with over 15 years of experience teaching entrepreneurship and business topics at both undergraduate and graduate levels. In addition, he is highly active in delivering corporate training on the implementation of lean methodologies, design thinking, digitalization, and establishing management systems. He designs and implements numerous consulting projects for both large and small business systems.

As an entrepreneur, he is the founder, majority owner, and member of the management board of Kibuba d.o.o., which operates 16 brick-and-mortar and 5 online stores across multiple countries. He is also a member of the Executive Board of the Chamber of Commerce of Slovenia. Rok Stritar acts as a mentor to over 20 companies in various stages of entrepreneurial development and conducts numerous training sessions for entrepreneurs in Slovenia’s startup ecosystem.

He is the author and facilitator of the School for Entrepreneurial Mentors at the Slovenian Enterprise Fund and frequently participates in programs that facilitate the transfer of knowledge from academia to the business sector. As a programmer and leader of development teams, he has extensive experience in designing and developing complex information systems.

Fields of expertise:

• Lean Methodology
• Design Thinking
• Digitalization
• Establishing Management Systems

References:

• Conducted training for numerous major Slovenian and international companies at all management levels, including: Hofer, IskraEmeco, Outfit7, Slovenian Sovereign Holding, Kolektor, Petrol, Mercator, NLB, Generali, Medex, Iskratel, Zavarovalnica Sava, and many smaller companies.
• Led and implemented numerous consulting projects for large and small companies, such as: Kolektor, BTC, Sip Šempeter, Izoterm Plama, Mercator, AMZS, and many smaller businesses.
• Actively collaborates with the majority of incubators and accelerators in Slovenia.
• Designer, leader, and facilitator of various educational programs, including courses at the University of Ljubljana School of Economics and Business, University of Maribor, and MLC; the School for Mentors at the Slovenian Enterprise Fund, the School for Investors, BTC Campus, and corporate training programs.

Blaž Zupan

Blaž Zupan is an assistant professor at the Department of Entrepreneurship at the University of Ljubljana School of Economics and Business. He is involved in a number of classes in the field of entrepreneurship, in particular he specialises in the development of new ideas, products and services. In addition to his teaching and research work, he is also the founder or co-founder of several companies in Slovenia and abroad, some of which he has already successfully exited by selling his stake. 

He is also active in the field of consulting for companies and entrepreneurs in the field of analysis of domestic and international markets, analysis of business opportunities, sales optimisation, management, financing, optimisation of processes according to LEAN methods and development of products and services with the help of “Design thinking”. He has conducted over 400 workshops, mentoring and consulting sessions for companies of all sizes, from listed companies to start-ups and first-time entrepreneur.

Fields of expertise:

• Design Thinking
• Process optimization
• New product and service development
• User experience optimization
• Innovation management

References:

• Optimizing user experience and processes: Oljarna Kocbek, Ribogojstvo Goričar
• Educational workshops on various topics: Lek, Novartis, Mercator, BTC, NLB, etc.
• Establishing a system for dealing with innovations: BTC