We are delighted to welcome Ana Rajić from Varaždin, who has joined our team as a project manager and brings more than 15 years of experience in the creative industries, cultural production and strategic communication. With her experience in EU-funded development projects, stakeholder engagement and communication, as well as her knowledge of cultural anthropology and the performing arts, she brings to Iskriva a valuable combination of strategic and creative perspectives.
Get to know Ana through the questions below.
Ana in three words:
Curious, versatile, dedicated.
What excites you most about the work of Iskriva Institute, and what influenced your decision to join the team?
My first contact with Iskriva came through a transnational project we worked on together. I was drawn to its approach of turning ideas into practical action for sustainable regional development. I was also impressed by its professionalism, its high level of expertise and the mindset of the people behind it. This is the kind of working environment that motivates me most, so when the opportunity came to join the team, I embraced it wholeheartedly.
You have extensive experience with European projects. In your view, what matters most for successful project management?
‘Ancora imparo’ 😊 – I am still learning. My experience with large transnational projects has taught me that good management and being well organised are extremely important, but so is the connection between the people involved in the projects. Collaboration, proactivity, support, enthusiasm and kindness are what create a good and encouraging working environment.
What is the last book or podcast you read or listened to that you would recommend to others?
My most recent book was my summer read, Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano, which impressed me above all with its writing style and the structure of the novel.Each chapter follows a different character – the narrator remains the same, but the perspective through which we follow the story changes. For me, this was a new way of experiencing and immersing myself in a story. Spanning several generations, the novel portrays its characters very vividly and with great psychological depth. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys stories in which well-developed, complex characters play a central role.
