The traditional September Gathering of NALED members and partners, held for the 19th time at the White Palace, brought together around 1,000 guests from the business sector, local governments, institutions, the international community, and the diplomatic corps. This year’s event focused on gender equality and the economic empowerment of women, which NALED has declared as its theme of the year
Symbolically, the color of the evening was purple – the color of equal opportunity, dignity, and resilience. Attendees helped shape a collective message about who the women of the future are, by choosing one word to describe them and creating a unique mosaic of values and ideals captured in the slogan “Strong and Important.”
Opening of the Gathering: Unity as Strength
“Since its founding, NALED has shown that equality is not just a word, but a matter of action. Together, we’ve removed unnecessary barriers – from 86 documents required for maternity benefits, to introducing equality in property registration. We’ve fought to give vulnerable groups, including women, a second chance through social entrepreneurship,” said Vladislav Cvetković, President of NALED’s Managing Board, during the opening ceremony.
Although some progress has been made, women in Serbia still face systemic inequalities compared to men. Only 45% of women are employed, compared to 58% of men, and 70% of women in EU countries.
Andreas von Beckerath, Ambassador and Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, emphasized that gender equality is not only a moral obligation, but a smart economic choice:
“If women and men participated equally in the economy, the EU’s GDP per capita could increase by up to 9.6% by 2050, which would result in an economic gain of €3.15 billion. Through programs like EU PRO+ and EU4Gender Equality, the EU is directly investing in women entrepreneurs across Serbia – removing obstacles, breaking down stereotypes, and opening doors to funding and progress.”
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Alexander II Karađorđević also welcomed the guests and expressed satisfaction that the White Palace once again hosted NALED’s gathering:
“As this event has become a tradition, this time I won’t talk about how important NALED’s work is – that goes without saying now. Instead, I’d like to focus on this year’s theme, which has been very well chosen. The fight for equal opportunity is a just and worthy cause. Women have contributed so much to the world we live in. It’s not enough to say they deserve equal conditions – it is right and just that they must have equal treatment and opportunity, in work and in every aspect of life.”
Who Are the Women of the Future?
The evening featured a special program segment titled “Women of the Future”, showcasing female leaders from the international community and from NALED’s governing and program bodies – women whose personal commitment is making a difference for all women and for society as a whole.
Five leading women from five different sectors addressed the audience:
- Stanka Pejanović, Director of Triglav International Serbia and Vice President of NALED’s Managing Board
- H.E. Charlotte Sammelin, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to Serbia
- Bojana Tošić, Director of the Republic Secretariat for Public Policies
- Prof. Dr. Nataša Lješković, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy in Novi Sad
- Vesna Đukić, General Director of the Belgrade Open School
They portrayed the woman of the future as free, equal, authentic, wise, and socially engaged.
Their shared vision was supported on stage by a number of distinguished guests, including: H.E. Kristin Melsom, Ambassador of Norway, H.E. Anne Lugon-Moulin, Ambassador of Switzerland, H.E. Michelle Cameron, Ambassador of Canada, Plamena Halacheva, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Serbia, Representatives from the British Embassy: Caroline Ferguson and Nataša Radović, Andrea Radonjić, Regulatory and Public Affairs Manager for Eastern Europe at Tetra Pak, Bojana Perić, General Director of Ekostar Pak, Branka Pudrlja Durbaba, Chief Business Officer, Diana Gligorijević, Co-founder of TeleGroup, Dragana Čukić, Board Member of ACES, Dragana Ilić, Corporate Affairs Director, Dragana Vujko, Director of Corporate Affairs for Southeast Europe at Philip Morris International, Izabela Balint Markov from ZREPOK, Lidija Leković, Owner of Leco, Marijana Vasilescu, General Director of MediGroup, Marjana Davidović, General Director of Nestlé in Serbia, Snežana Sofijanić, Head of Government Relations for Southeast Europe at Visa, Tamara Penjić, Executive Director at Carnex,, Tanja Vukotić Marinković from APR, Tisa Čaušević, Public and Regulatory Affairs Manager at Coca-Cola HBC, Vladislav Cvetković, President of NALED’s Managing Board, thanked these exceptional women for their support and willingness to contribute to the betterment of society.
NALED’s 2025 “Top Members” Awards
The evening concluded with the announcement of NALED’s Top Members for 2025, honoring those who made the greatest contributions to the organization’s work and results, as decided by the Managing Board based on the proposal of the Executive Office.
“In front of you stands our executive team, and as you can see – NALED lives what it speaks. 70% of us are women who are here not because they must be, but because they can and know how. These are the very women you’ve described as the women of the future. We won’t wait for that future – we’ll keep building it, just as we always have,” said Violeta Jovanović, Executive Director of NALED, as she and her colleagues announced the winners.
The “Top Member” award in the Local Leader category went to Saša Pavlović, Mayor of Požarevac, who, as one of the founders of the BFC Club of business-friendly municipalities, has supported improving conditions for economic development and local investment.
In the Business Leader category, the award went to Goran Kovačević, Founder and Chair of the Supervisory Board of Gomex, for his consistent advocacy for fair competition and fighting the shadow economy.
The Sustainability Leader title was awarded to Marjana Davidović, General Director of Nestlé in Serbia, who exemplifies how female leadership drives modern society, advocating through NALED’s Food and Agriculture Alliance and Environmental Protection Alliance for key reforms and best practices such as regenerative agriculture and ESG standards.
Source: NALED
