Student Leonela Krajač wins IPMA award for Women in Leadership Conference
A student-led initiative at RIT Croatia has earned international recognition, with Leonela Krajač receiving second place in the Small Project Manager category at the IPMA Awards 2025 for organizing the Women in Leadership Conference.
The conference was conceived and led by Krajač during her term as President of the Women in Business Club. The Conference was created to provide students with direct access to leaders, encourage open and honest dialogue, and showcase diverse career paths. Through panel discussions, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities, the conference empowered students and connected academic learning with real-world leadership experiences.
The event also marked a milestone at RIT Croatia, as it was the first conference of this scale organized by a student club, further highlighting the scope and ambition of the project.
“Receiving second place at the IPMA Awards was incredibly meaningful for the entire team and me,” Krajač said. “It validated not only the quality of the conference and our ability to execute it, but also the intention behind the project. It showed that a student-led initiative rooted in inclusion can meet professional standards and create long-lasting impact.”
Despite having no prior experience organizing large-scale conferences, Krajač successfully led the project by learning through observation, networking, and hands-on execution. She approached speakers and partners with a clear vision and a strong pitch, translating an idea into a fully realized event.
One of the biggest challenges was managing uncertainty, particularly around speaker confirmations and final approvals, while building the program. The experience reinforced the importance of clear communication, consistent follow-ups, and relationship-building, as well as the ability to remain adaptable under pressure.
The conference contributed to the RIT Croatia community by demonstrating student leadership beyond the classroom and strengthening collaboration between students, faculty, alumni, and external professionals. It also offered students direct exposure to role models and real-world perspectives aligned with the university’s broader mission.
The Women in Leadership Conference continues this year, building on the foundation Krajač established.
“Seeing the conference return is incredibly rewarding,” she shared. “My hope is that it becomes a lasting platform that evolves with each generation while staying rooted in its original values of inclusion and female empowerment. If it continues to inspire students to step into leadership roles and support one another, then it truly becomes a legacy.”
