Building a legacy: Student Leonela Krajač recognized with the Legacy Leader Award

Senior Global Business Management student Leonela Krajač has been awarded the prestigious Legacy Leader Award, recognizing her exceptional leadership and lasting impact on the RIT community. The award honors graduating students who use their leadership to create meaningful change, particularly by supporting women and nonbinary individuals, and for Leonela, it represents both recognition and responsibility.

When she first learned she had been selected among the 2026 graduates, Leonela described the moment as both rewarding and grounding. “I felt grateful and proud. It was a moment of reflection on everything that went into the journey,” she shared, noting that the recognition reflects not only visible achievements but also the dedication and effort behind them.

Building a legacy: The Women in Business Club

At the core of Leonela’s leadership is the founding of the Women in Business Club, an initiative that has grown into a thriving community of over 140 active members. What began as an idea to create a more supportive and professional environment for students has evolved into a platform that empowers, connects, and creates real opportunities. As Leonela explains, “Seeing it grow into a space where students feel comfortable, empowered, and connected has been incredibly rewarding,” highlighting the club’s role in fostering both personal and professional growth, as well as helping members secure full-time opportunities and build meaningful connections.

Her impact continued to grow beyond the club through the creation of the Women in Leadership Conference, a student-led initiative that has developed into a structured event. Initially organized independently, it has since expanded into a collaborative team effort, reflecting its long-term vision. “Seeing the conference grow bigger and more structured each year shows its potential to become a lasting tradition,” she noted.

Through the eyes of a mentor

Leonela’s mentor, Dr. Nina Antičić, highlights that what distinguishes her most is her ability to transform ideas into sustainable, scalable initiatives. “Leonela stands out as a rare combination of intellectual rigor and executional excellence. She does not just initiate ideas, but builds systems, teams, and processes that ensure those ideas scale and endure,” she emphasized.

Reflecting on Leonela’s early development of the Women in Business Club, Dr. Antičić recalls her persistence during uncertain stages of growth. “She kept pushing, consistently showing up, initiating, and building. Over time, her energy became contagious,” she said. This persistence ultimately led to the development of a structured organization with lasting impact, as well as the successful execution of a major conference. “Leonela's ability to combine persistence with strategic thinking and operational discipline is rare at the student level,” she added.

Beyond her achievements, Dr. Antičić also reflects on Leonela’s personal growth. “What gives me full confidence is not a specific career path, but the person she has become,” she explained. “Whatever direction she chooses, she will approach it with dedication to her stakeholders, a commitment to building, and an ability to inspire others.”

Start before you feel ready

This combination of vision, persistence, and impact is what defines her as a Legacy Leader. As Dr. Antičić summarized, “Leonela embodies the essence of a legacy leader because her impact is designed to outlast her direct involvement.” Through systems, people, and initiatives that continue to grow, she has ensured her contributions will extend far beyond her time at RIT Croatia.

As she prepares for her next chapter, Leonela reflects on her journey from a first-year student focused on adapting to a confident leader creating opportunities for others. Her advice to future students is simple: “Start before you feel ready. Most meaningful projects begin with a simple idea and the courage to pursue it.”