LEADERSHIP CHALLENGE
Be Part of the CHALLENGE!
An opportunity for teams that don’t wait for the future – they shape it.
This year, as BBForum celebrates its 10th anniversary, we won’t just talk about leadership, we’ll put it to the test.
We invite you to participate in Leadership Challenge 2026, an exclusive program designed for companies that want to develop their people, test their capabilities, and showcase the next generation of leaders.
How the Challenge Works:
Companies register a carefully selected team of up to 5 professionals from key departments, individuals whose energy, knowledge, and leadership potential can represent the company among the best.
Over two months (dates coordinated with participants), teams complete tasks and challenges guided by international and local mentors, both live and online.
Teams tackle real strategic business challenges, prepare a final presentation, and submit it digitally.
Evaluation criteria include innovation, transformational capacity, organizational and team culture.
The finale takes place at the Balkan Business Forum 2026 on May 28 in Belgrade, in front of an international jury and audience.
The pre final presentations are held on May 27 in Belgrade, also in front of the international jury.
Benefits for Participants:
- Work with renowned global and local mentors.
- Visibility in a special 10th-anniversary edition of the BBForum magazine in partnership with NIN weekly.
- Access to exclusive networking events before and during the Forum.
- Recognition as a “Future-Oriented Company 2026” for the winning team.
- Exclusive prizes and media promotion for participants and winners.
- Strengthen your employer brand by showcasing your company’s commitment to innovation, leadership, and talent development.
For more information on registering your team, contact us at office@bbforum.rs.
Apply for Leadership Challenge!
Leadership Challenge mentors
Suzie Lewis
Founder & Managing Director at Transform for Value
Executive Fellow, Center for the Future of Organization, Drucker School of Management
Former AIRBUS GROUP LEADER
Leadership Challenge Mentor
Dragana Ristić
Founder PREDICTA
The Predictive Index Consultant
Head of HR Zumtobel Group Serbia
Leadership Challenge Mentor
Leadership Challenge partners
Challenge participants
Aleksandar Bajkovski
Division Manager, Nelt Group
Aleksandar Bajkovski is the Division Manager at Nelt ST, responsible for the Macedonian market, with over 18 years of experience in the FMCG sector. He began his career in logistics in 2005, joining Nelt ST in 2008, where he progressed through key roles in sales, finance, and portfolio management.
A particularly significant chapter in his professional journey was his international experience at Nelt Mozambique (2013–2016), where, as Operations Manager, he honed his leadership and operational skills within a complex business environment.
Upon returning to Nelt ST, from 2019 to 2022 he developed strategic sales capabilities at Bimilk, holding roles as Sales Development Manager and Sales Manager.
Since 2022, he has resumed his role at Nelt ST as Division Manager, leading his team, overseeing strategic initiatives, and collaborating closely with Procter & Gamble as the division’s key principal.
Dijana Janković
International Transport Manager, Nelt Group
Dijana Janković was born and educated in Kraljevo, where she completed her primary and secondary education. She continued her academic journey at the Faculty of Transport and Traffic Engineering, University of Belgrade, earning her bachelor’s degree in Road Traffic in 2009, and completing her master’s degree in 2012 with a focus on Road Traffic Safety.She began her professional career in 2013 at Nelt as an Assistant in International Transport, gaining foundational experience in logistics and transportation. After five years, she progressed to the role of Tender Process Coordinator, focusing on client engagement, negotiations, and management of tenders for both existing and new projects.
Her leadership development began in 2020 when she assumed the role of Supervisor for International Transport, applying her skills in team management and operational optimization for the first time. In 2024, she advanced to a managerial position, taking responsibility for the team overseeing the organization of international and consolidated transport across Europe.
Aleksandar Rajić
Portfolio Manager, Nelt Group
Aleksandar Rajić is a Portfolio Manager with more than a decade of experience in sales and trade marketing within the FMCG industry. Throughout his career, he has been responsible for the strategic management and development of brands across multiple product categories, as well as for close collaboration with principals on the design and implementation of market strategies.
His professional focus lies in effectively connecting sales and marketing functions in order to deliver sustainable brand growth and measurable business results. Aleksandar has particular expertise in strengthening brand positioning, optimizing commercial strategies, and adapting market approaches to the specific dynamics of local markets.
Over the years, he has also built solid experience in leading and developing teams, guiding them toward high performance through clear goal setting, continuous capability development, and a strong culture of accountability.
He believes that long-term brand success is driven by strategic thinking, strong partnerships, and the ability to translate market insights into effective execution.
Miloš Nikolić
Portfolio Manager, Nelt Group
Miloš Nikolić currently serves as Portfolio Manager at Nelt, where he is responsible for managing the brands Jacobs, Kraš and Mogyi in the Serbian market.
Over the course of a decade-long career in the FMCG industry, Miloš has built extensive experience across both distribution and retail. Prior to joining Nelt, he worked at Mercator-S, holding several roles including Category Manager for multiple product groups — fresh meat, confectionery and snacks, and coffee — as well as Private Label Director and Director of Development within the Trading division.
Miloš believes that sustainable brand success emerges from a carefully balanced combination of analytics, market intuition, and strategic planning.
Jovana Nedić
Division Manager, NELT MNE
Jovana Nedić was born in Podgorica in 1991. After graduating from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Montenegro, she began her professional career at Nelt, where she has been since 2015. Today, she works in the company’s sales division, leading one of its key business units and thriving in a dynamic role that combines strategic planning, teamwork, and continuous learning.
Sport has been a constant throughout her life from years spent on the basketball court to running, which has become both a personal ritual and a source of energy. She is currently preparing for her third half marathon and often notes that every race serves as a reminder that perseverance and discipline are just as essential in business as they are in life.
When she is not at work or on the running track, Jovana is most often exploring new places with her dog Fredi, a loyal companion in her small adventures. She also enjoys activities that bring a touch of adrenaline and serve as a reminder of the importance of occasionally stepping outside routine.
One final detail that often surprises people: Jovana plays the accordion and believes that every day regardless of its pace, should have its own rhythm.
Bojana Jakovljević
Head of Technology Strategy Section at Telekom Srbija
Bojana Jakovljević is a telecommunications professional with nearly two decades of experience in the development and transformation of mobile networks and digital services at Telekom Srbija. As Head of Technology Strategy, she approaches leadership by connecting technological vision with business objectives and team development, with a strong focus on innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Her career has been marked by steady progression from engineering to leadership roles, with a strong focus on leading teams, delivering complex technological projects, and aligning technology initiatives with long-term business goals.
She holds a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering at the University of Belgrade and is a certified PMP (Project Management Professional), with additional certifications in agile methodologies.
She believes that the essence of good leadership lies in creating an environment of trust, continuous learning, and empowering people to push the boundaries of what is possible, while recognizing that technology has its greatest value when it serves people and enables their development.
Đuro Stojaković
Head of process and project management department at Telekom Srbija
Đuro Stojaković is Head of Process and Project Management at Telekom Srbija, with extensive experience in leading complex transformation initiatives that align business needs, IT capabilities, and regulatory requirements. His professional focus is on designing and improving end-to-end processes in large systems, where stability, scalability, and adaptability are key factors of success.
Throughout his career, he has led and coordinated projects involving digital transformation, migration of critical platforms, improvement of customer experience, and the implementation of new regulatory and technological models, with particular attention to change management processes that require close collaboration among diverse functional teams—from legal and sales to IT and operations.
Đuro’s leadership approach is grounded in clarity of responsibility, analytical decision-making, and team empowerment. He is actively engaged in applying artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to management and operational processes, with the goal of ensuring that technology delivers measurable business value.
He sees the Leadership Challenge as an opportunity to demonstrate, together with his team, how complexity can be transformed into a sustainable competitive advantage.
Marko Đokić
Head of Field Sales for Business Customers
Marko Đokić (born in 1986 in Ivanjica) has many years of experience in sales and sales team management, with a particular focus on working with business clients. He began his professional career in operational roles in field sales, where he developed a strong understanding of the market, client needs, and sales processes.
Over the course of his professional development, he gradually assumed roles with increasing responsibility, which led to his appointment to managerial positions. He currently serves as Head of Field Sales for Business Clients, where he is responsible for organizing team operations, coordinating sales activities, and improving operational efficiency.
Previously, during his time at Teledirekt, he held the position of Sales Director, where he contributed to the development of the company’s sales strategy and organizational initiatives that supported stable business performance, as well as the process of its merger with Telekom.
In his professional work, he consistently applies a responsible and systematic approach, with a strong emphasis on collaboration, clearly defined objectives, and the continuous improvement of business practices.
Marko Knežević
Head of ICT Product & Solutions Development
Marko Knežević holds a degree in Electrical Engineering and has more than 15 years of experience in the telecommunications and ICT industry, gained through his work with business clients at Telekom Srbija. He currently serves as Head of ICT Product and Solutions Development, where he is responsible for the development and lifecycle management of ICT solutions, as well as advanced solutions based on 5G technology.
Throughout his career, he has progressed from engineering and presales roles to leadership positions, maintaining a continuous focus on the business segment through B2B sales and the development of ICT and digital solutions for smart cities and public administration.
He is actively involved in defining business plans, KPIs, and marketing strategies for the launch of new products. His work is characterized by strategic thinking, a strong customer focus, and a commitment to people development, guided by the belief that long-term results are achievable only through strong relationships with clients, partners, and teams.
In his professional approach, he believes that responsibility, integrity, and leading by personal example are the foundation of true leadership authority.
Nataša Jotić
Head of SME Customer Service Development at Telekom Srbija
Nataša Jotić is an executive with more than two decades of experience in the telecommunications industry, with a particular focus on the development of new services and business models, project management, and team leadership.
In her current role, she is responsible for defining the strategy for the development of core services, initiating and managing projects, and coordinating complex cross-functional activities. She is particularly focused on improving customer experience and developing innovative solutions aligned with contemporary market trends.
Throughout her career, she has successfully led multidisciplinary teams and contributed to the development and implementation of numerous telecommunications services. Her experience includes work on technical projects, infrastructure development, as well as collaboration with regulatory bodies and international partners, with a significant contribution in the areas of distribution and the development of multimedia content.
In her work, she promotes trust, responsibility, and open communication, with a clear focus on results. She believes that strong and successful teams are built through the synergy of knowledge, energy, and vision, as well as through the continuous development of people and encouragement of their initiative. Her professional philosophy is based on the belief that true transformation emerges from the alignment of strategy, execution, and teamwork.
Life and business motto: Results come when a clear vision becomes the shared energy of a team.
Personal: She is married and the mother of two daughters, Tina and Julija.