My Experience

Communications, Media Relations & Events Management Leader
Photo by Ozren Zogovic

Summary

I make complex systems and institutions relatable, turning policy, regulation and strategy into narratives people understand and trust. For over 15+ years, I have led global communications, brand and event strategies across financial inclusion, governance, EU integration and media freedom, working in more than 85 markets across Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Pacific.

As former Head of Communications, Media Relations & Event Management for the Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI), the world’s largest network of central banks and financial regulators, I built global campaigns and events that grew AFI’s digital community by 400%, delivered over 80 high-level events, and positioned AFI as the global voice of financial inclusion. Most recently, I have led regional communications for Goethe-Institut’s EU-funded media programme, UNDP SEESAC and briefly for the Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans, shaping EU-facing narratives on democracy, security reform, green transition, digital rights and public service media.

My global footprint includes experience collaborating with central banks, regulators, ministries, parliaments, public service media and civil society across Albania, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Côte d’Ivoire, Czechia, Ecuador, Egypt, Fiji, Greece, Guinea, Indonesia, Jordan, Kosovo, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Rwanda, Serbia, Tanzania and the United States.

Download CV

Core Competencies

  • Strategic communications & policy-aligned messaging
  • Team leadership, mentorship & cross-cultural collaboration
  • Brand & corporate communications
  • Stakeholder & partner engagement
  • Storytelling & content leadership
  • Digital engagement & analytics
  • Reputation & executive visibility
  • Global event design & management
  • Public affairs & advocacy campaigns
  • Donor visibility & compliance
  • Media relations
  • Multi-Country Strategy & Coordination

Professional Experience

Open Society Foundations

Western Balkans (OSF-WB) • Belgrade, Serbia
Communications Director
Apr 2025 – Oct 2025 (role ended due to organisational restructuring)

Led communications and public engagement for OSF’s regional foundation advancing open societies and EU integration across the Western Balkans. 

  • Increased digital reach by 38% (5k → 8k) in under seven months through targeted campaigns, improved content structure and SEO optimisation. 
  • Directed visibility and messaging for Ignita Forum 2025 and supported Green Mayors Forum, engaging 250 + policymakers, mayors, EU officials, youth, and OS’s, strengthening EU-facing narratives on democracy, green transition, and digital rights.
  • Produced regional storytelling content for EU Green Week, Sunny Schools and Green Generation, strengthening links with EU policy audiences.
  • Optimized OSF-WB’s web platform through metadata updates, UX restructuring and content optimisation, increasing search visibility and session duration across priority pages. 
  • Coordinated messaging with partners, CSOs, experts and media across multiple countries to align messaging on EU integration, green transition, civic space and digital transformation. 
  • Established editorial workflows and content planning for regional teams and partners.
  • Managed vendors and oversaw production of visual assets, livestreams, event kits, quotebooks and event kits 

Goethe Institut

EU Support to Public Service Media in Western Balkans • Belgrade, Serbia
Regional Advocacy & Events Manager
Jan 2024 – April 2025

Managed regional advocacy, visibility and event communications for an EU-funded programme strengthening cooperation and resilience of public service media.

  • Delivered multi-country conferences, workshops and advocacy events strengthening cooperation between public broadcasters and EU partners.
  • Produced EU-compliant visibility materials, KPI reports and strategic communication summaries for DG ENEST and EU Delegations.
  • Strengthened collaboration between public broadcasters, civil society and EU media networks; established synergies with other EU-funded projects.
  • Developed region-wide outreach press materials, social media content, assets and advocacy toolkits.
  • Monitored political and media developments to ensure alignment with EU enlargement narrative and public diplomacy messaging.

Alliance for Financial Inclusion (AFI)

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Head of Communications, Media Relations & Event Management
Mar 2022 – May 2023

Led global communications, brand strategy and events for the world’s largest network of central banks and financial regulators, promoting financial inclusion in 85+ countries.

  • Oversaw AF’s global communications, brand and event strategies, positioning AFI as a leading voice in financial inclusion, green and gender finance and digital innovation.
  • Oversaw production of 55+ publications annually, plus press releases, media kits, executive messages and media relations.
  • Delivered 80+ global events (AFI’s flagship Global Policy Forum, regional initiatives with up to 1,000 delegates) attended by central bank governors, ministers, CEOs, donors).
  • Expanded AFI’s digital community by 400% (from 11k to 55k organic followers) embedding analystics and segmentation across nine digital channels.
  • Increased global media visibility through Tier-1 outreach, journalist briefings and executive positioning.
  • Acted as Deputy Head of the Europe Representative Office, strengthening donor visibility and institutional partnerships.
  • Managed and mentored a cross-continental team of five and coordinated event/communications vendors.
  • Managed multi-donor visibility and branding (Luxembourg Aid, BMZ/BMUV, Sida, AFD, Visa, Mastercard) aligned with ODA and corporate standards.

    Result: AFI achieved measurable growth in brand equity, digital reach and policy influence, consolidating its role as the global voice of financial inclusion.

UNDP SEESAC

Belgrade, Serbia
Communications and PR Expert
Jan 2015 – Jul 2017

SEESAC was launched as a mechanism to assist the governments in Southeastern Europe with the implementation of the 2001 Regional Plan for Combating the Proliferation and Impact of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW).

Led regional communications across seven countries for UNDP regional initiative supporting governments across South-Eastern Europe in small arms control and gender equality in the security sector.

  • Designed and executed a seven-country communications strategy integrating digital campaigns, media relations and policy advocacy.
  • Launched region-wide awareness campaigns on human cost of armed violence through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram; reaching 5+ million people.
  • Led the design and launch of an audience-friendly UNDP SEESAC’s online Knowledge Exchange Platform and its security features; guided the development of the website’s content and functionality; enabled timely monitoring of armed violence-related incidents in South East Europe
  • Managed media relations and cultivated media members; produced and disseminated timely public information about UNDP SEESAC programs and partner activities; coordinated media events and global press contacts and managed media statements; ensured the achievement of stated communications objectives
  • Trained UNDP partners and government partners on EU visibility guidelines and risk communication.

    Result: Strengtheningn of SEESAC’s reputation as a trusted regional coordination platform for arms-control and gender-related reform.

USAID Separation of Powers Program

Belgrade, Serbia
Outreach and Media Director
Feb 2011 – Dec 2014

USAID Separation of Powers Program was launched to help Serbia move closer to European Union accession by strengthening the government’s judicial and legislative branches.

Responsible for formulating and implementing the program’s communication strategy to promote greater transparency, public outreach, and citizens’ trust and confidence. Reported to the Chief of Party and Deputy Chief of Party and managed contractors for website development, media relations, and event logistics.

  • Shaped and executed a comprehensive communications and public relations strategy for a $12M USAID-funded project; devised key messages including press releases, leaflets, brochures, event scenarios, videos, and digital content; drove project transparency
  • Coordinated media events and managed global press contacts; administered the production and dissemination of public information products in line with the USAID branding policies and requirements about the project’s work; expanded public reach and engagement
  • Led the planning and design of audience-friendly websites; administered content and functionality development, ensuring alignment with the USAID branding requirements; successfully launched websites for Serbia’s High Court Council, Serbia’s Supreme Court of Cassation, and Serbian National Assembly

Additional Experience

Council of Europe Office

Belgrade, Serbia
Press and PR Officer
May 2007 – Dec 2010

Reuters News Agency

Belgrade, Serbia
Editorial Assistant
Dec 2000 – May 2007

Patton, Becketts, and Associates

Belgrade, Serbia
Assistant to Chief Consultant
Sep 1999 – Jun 2000

Newsweek

Belgrade, Serbia
Assistant to the Magazine’s Correspondent
Mar 1999 – Jun 1999

City Assembly of Belgrade

Belgrade, Serbia
Member of the Cabinet of Mayor Zoran Djindjic
Mar 1997 – Sep 1997

Democratic Party

Belgrade, Serbia
Member of the Cabinet of President Zoran Djindjic
Sep 1997 – Mar 1999

Board Membership

Gay Straight Alliance, Serbia

Belgrade, Serbia
Managing Board Member
Jan 2010 – Jan 2016

La Serbie V.O. (Serbia, the Original Version), The Sorbonne Chapel

Serbia & France
Executive Board Member
Oct 2000 – Dec 2000

Education & Executive Training

Webster University

UK
MA in International Relations
1996

Richmond College, American International University

UK
BA in Political Science
1995

Languages

English (Fluent)

Serbian (Fluent)

References

Available upon request.