A quick review of the management of the 100 largest companies in Serbia shows that men are in the convincing leadership.
Independently or in the company of colleagues, women participate in the management of 22 companies only, if we are talking about companies with the highest revenues. Quite expectedly, many would say.
But the enterpreneurial landscape is continuously enriched by the diverse and dynamic leadership of women who steer businesses with vision and resolve.
If you want to know how to open a company in Serbia these women led enterprises that have excelled in their respective industries can serve as an inspiration.
1. Amber Kelleher-Andrews
Kelleher International is distinguished as a forerunner in the sphere of matchmaking, bringing over three decades of experience to the table. The company has made a name for itself by serving a niche market of high-net-worth individuals and celebrities, a testament to its exclusivity and discretion. Inaugurated by Jill Kelleher in 1986 in San Francisco, the firm has since flourished, establishing itself as the largest privately held matchmaking service in the United States.
Under the leadership of Amber Kelleher-Andrews, CEO, alongside her mother, the company has maintained a commitment to its founding principles while also embracing the evolving landscape of dating and relationships.
2. Rebecca Kase
Founded in 2017 by Rebecca Kase, LCSW, Kase & CO dedicates itself to enhancing the skills of psychotherapists through specialized EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and trauma training. Kase’s mission is to provide educational experiences that not only enhance professional practice but also empower clients toward significant healing breakthroughs.
Central to Kase & CO’s philosophy is the creation of “Shame Free Spaces for Learning™.” This concept underscores the importance of a secure and inclusive learning environment where therapists can freely explore and practice new techniques without fear of judgment.
3. Tina Karras
Tina’s Vodka stands out in the spirits industry with a focus on quality, health consciousness, and a connection to the founder’s personal journey. Tina Karras, the CEO and owner, channeled her diverse experience in the hospitality sector into creating a vodka that ticks all the boxes: organic, non-GMO, American-made, smooth, and affordable. The inception of Tina’s Vodka was an extension of Karras’s artistic journey, transforming her understanding of the liquor industry into a tangible product that embodies her values and aspirations.
Karras launched Tina’s Vodka with a small bank loan and credit cards while simultaneously working on her debut record, only to face adversity due to the pandemic — yet her resilience saw the brand through to fruition.
4. Gorica Jovović
The Delhaize Serbiaretail chain is the first in terms of revenue for companies led by women. In 2022, they collected 134.5 billion dinars, which led to a profit of 6.7 billion dinars. It is also the company with the largest number of employees, 11,426, managed by a woman.
Gorica Jovović recently held the position of executive director instead of Jan William Dockher, who retired on January 4 this year.
5. Gordana Brašić
Gordana Brašić has been the president of Henkel in Serbia since 2014. Until then, she was the director of the human resources department.
“The beauty of the nature of human resource management is that you witness the development of people and help them reach their full potential. As the president of the company you are responsible not only for the development of the business, but for the harmonious cooperation of all sectors and the role of the company in society”, she said.
6. Silvia Verneti Blina
The woman is also at the head of the main company in the automotive complex – FCA Serbia. Her name is Silvia Verneti Blina. She received her master’s degree in engineering from Politecnic University of Catalunya. Vernetti has experience in strategic planning, business development as well as financial business management.
Verneti came to the head of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Serbia on May 1, 2014, at a time when production at the Kragujevac factory had already reached its zenith and was on its way down. In the position of general director of FCA, she replaced Antonio Caesare Ferrera, who had been at the head of this company since 2011 and who was transferred to one of Fiat’s subcontracting companies, Manjeti Marelli.