Our mentors come from diverse professional backgrounds, yet share something distinctive: a kind and generous spirit, a genuine commitment to supporting young people, excellence in their fields, wide-ranging interests, and strong professional networks. Most of our mentors are PEXIM alumni and graduates of the University of Cambridge. We have also invited a select number of mentors from our partners’ networks—individuals we trust to bring exceptional value and inspiration. This year, we are especially proud to welcome several mentees from our very first PEXIM mentorship cohort as mentors themselves, reflecting the program’s cycle of growth and giving back.
PEXIM FOUNDATION ALUMNI
Tijana Gajić
Tijana completed her MPhil in Innovation, Strategy and Organisation at Cambridge University.
She returned to Serbia to work on the largest renewable energy project in Serbia - the Cibuk Windfarm. As Finance Director, she oversaw a group of companies, including an investment fund and a renewable energy developer.
Witnessing the beauty and power of young people in Serbia, she was always committed to encouraging them to bring these qualities to the surface, have faith in their dreams, and be supported in reaching them. In her role as a PEXIM Director from 2018 to 2021, she introduced the PEXIM Mentorship Program - a platform designed to facilitate broader connections and support between PEXIM alumni and Serbian students, and to help them realize their strengths and opportunities around them, believe in their dreams, and receive support to achieve them. The emphasis was always on building success by supporting our community and sharing support with one another.
Tijana enjoys arts and crafts, dancing, tennis, playing music, sawing, designing, cooking, and making herbal products. It is her belief that we are all multi-creative beings seeking expression of our talent. This is why she created her non-profit initiative Druionica, a place for people to play, connect, and explore their creativity and talents through arts, crafts, dance, etc.
Her love for nature led her to explore beautiful forests and beaches, but also to organize three eco festivals, several workshops aimed at inspiring the reconnection of kids to nature, and numerous hike-and-clean initiatives.
With her Cambridge education, where she researched topics of designing experiences for personal transformation, she organized multiple experiential events and transformative gatherings with the goal of leaving guests richer in friendships, connections, inspiration, joy, and love.
Stefan Anđelković
Stefan Anđelković is Executive Director of the PEXIM Foundation and Vice President of the Sustainable Development Forum, an NGO promoting the circular economy. He holds an MASt in Physics from the University of Cambridge and is a PhD candidate in Computational Biology at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh. He uses AI to study interventions in complex systems, from cancer to child malnutrition in Africa. Before his PhD, he worked as a Bioinformatics Engineer at Seven Bridges Genomics and Persida, developing novel genomics analysis technologies. He also taught physics and astronomy to high schoolers and served as one of two Serbian National Team Leaders for the International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics in 2015 and 2016. His greatest pride is his students, 10 of whom are Cambridge graduates.
Valentina Mihajlović
Valentina completed MPhil in Finance at the University of Cambridge. She started her career as a junior adviser in the Cabinet of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State Administration and Local Self-Government Kori Udovicki, where she had the opportunity to be directly involved in the creation and implementation of a comprehensive public administration reform of the Republic of Serbia. She then worked as the head of research at the Center for Advanced Economic Studies (CEVES), where she primarily dealt with macroeconomic analyzes and analyzes of economic sectors with the greatest development potential for Serbia. Between this and the next engagement in the non-governmental sector, she realized her entrepreneurial venture in the field of production of premium food products, which she then sold. Her next engagement was in the position of head of development of the All for All (AFA) organization, where she was primarily involved in managing projects on the topic of economic empowerment of women through innovation and technology, as well as youth development and the education sector.During her career, she also worked as a consultant on various projects. First of all, the joint project of the EU and the World Bank "Change Management Support Unit" which operated at the Ministry of State Administration and Local Self-Government stands out, then the research within the project "Internationalization of Higher Education in Serbia" which was also done for the World Bank, and the research for the Digital Initiative Serbia within the project "Digital Nomads in Serbia", and finally the research for the UNDP Accelerator Lab on the topic "Women in the Serbian IT Sector". She currently teaches at FEFA Faculty and runs their mentorship initiative.
Dušan Savić
Dušan completed his MPhil in Management at the University of Cambridge. After returning to Serbia, Dušan served as an Advisor to the Minister of Innovation and Technological Development where he has performed financial analysis for large infrastructural projects, structured proposals regarding start-up financing and overviewed the corporate governance practices of organizations that report to the Minister's cabinet. In parallel, he was a strategy consultant for a boutique and later international consulting companies. Dušan also served as a director of PEXIM Foundation from 2021 – 2024 and was greatly involved in PEXIM Mentorship initiative. His interests encompass travelling and exploring international cuisine, fitness and basketball training, researching entertainment industry (especially production aspect of it), researching digital platforms and their impact on business strategy, meeting new people and initiating ventures with greater social impact.
Nikola Petrović
Nikola completed his Master of Law (LLM) at the University of Cambridge. He is practicing attorney based in Belgrade, Serbia, where he leads his own law firm specializing in corporate and financial law. Before founding his own practice, he gained experience at the Permanent Mission of Serbia to the UN in New York and at a London-based asset management firm.
Nikola has been an active lecturer, public speaker, and youth mentor, and was awarded several national scholarships and public speaking awards. He has represented Serbia at various international legal forums and contributed to legal scholarship on human rights. As a former Vice President of the Cambridge University Law Society and organizer of major academic events, Nikola remains committed to bridging legal expertise with civic and ethical leadership.
Outside the courtroom, he holds a private pilot license (PPL) — just in case negotiations ever need to be taken to 5,000 feet. He credits the Pexim foundation and Cambridge Trust for helping him not only reach academic heights, but also, occasionally, literal ones.
Jovana Rubežić
Jovana completed her Master of Law (LLM) at the University of Cambridge. Upon returning to Serbia, Jovana practiced M&A in one of the largest law firms in Serbia before joining CWP Europe, one of the largest renewable energy developers in South East Europe. As a legal counsel, she handled the legal negotiations for some of the largest renewable energy infrastructure projects in the region. Jovana has a rich out-of-office interest which include reading, translation, visual and graphic arts (esp. painting, drawing, design in fashion and architecture), tennis, hiking, language skills development (in herself and others). She also likes to stay informed on current events and is happy to get involved in (lengthy) discussions on any topic.
Iva Ivanov
After completing her Master of Law (LLM) studies at Cambridge University, Iva joined the Sector for fiscal system of the Ministry of finance of the Republic of Serbia, and worked as a consultant for Corporate Income Tax. Following her career in Government, Iva enrolled PhD and shared her acquired expertise by teaching at the Faculty of Law. Iva loves playing tennis, going for long walks with her dog and traveling
Jelena Todić
Following the completion of her Master of Law (LLM), Jelena worked on assisting Serbia to join the World Trade Organization. To further accelerate the process, she later moved to Geneva to support the WTO Secretariat’s work on Serbia’s accession. Jelena was also teaching practical seminars (travaux dirigés) in Introduction to Public International Law at European School of Political and Social Sciences. Now Jelena is a member of Bredin Prat's international arbitration team and acts as counsel and tribunal secretary in large-scale and complex arbitration proceedings under a variety of arbitration rules. She co-funded the Paris Investment Arbitration Group with a view of bringing together a diverse community of international investment law professionals in Paris to exchange ideas, share insights, and stay updated on the latest developments in international investment law and arbitration. Outside of work, Jelena likes learning languages, fashion, rowing, photography, silk painting.
Stefan Badža
Following the completion of his MAST in Physics at the University of Cambridge, Stefan has been working as in the Ministry of Public Administration and Local Self-Government on public sector reform. After that he moved to work in the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia on projects that focus on improving the IT and Innovation ecosystem in Serbia, and that are helping transform Serbia into a knowledge-based economy. Some of the key projects that he works on are developing the network on Science and Technological Parks in Serbia, startup ecosystem and research and innovation in artificial intelligence field. He became the key person to lead the AI strategy for Serbia. Recently he transitioned to private sector and is now working as a consultant for cyber security company PULSEC.
Kosta Živanović
Kosta complete MPhil in Technology Policy at the University of Cambridge. Upon his return from Cambridge, Kosta has built a career at the intersection of sustainability, innovation, and international development. He is the Founder and President of the Sustainable Development Forum, a platform that convenes leaders from across sectors to advance green transition and regional cooperation in Southeast Europe. With experience at the World Bank, Jaguar Land Rover, and impact-driven startups, Kosta exemplifies the kind of global leadership and public impact fostered through a Cambridge education.
Jovana Koprivica
Jovana holds an MPhil in Management from Queens’ College, University of Cambridge (Judge Business School), and a degree in Mechatronics from the Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad. Her professional experience spans academia, government, and the private sector, combining engineering expertise with strategic management and innovation-driven leadership. She has worked at the Prime Minister’s Office of the Government of Serbia on cross-institutional projects within the national AI Strategy, and at PwC on consulting engagements across the public sector, start-up ecosystem, and digitalisation initiatives. Earlier in her career, she was engaged in teaching and research at the Faculty of Technical Sciences and worked in Business Development at Ubisense in Cambridge, a UK-based technology company specializing in smart manufacturing solutions. She currently serves as Finance Director at Telix, an engineering company serving clients in Serbia and internationally, where she leads financial strategy and manages multidisciplinary projects. Outside of work, she enjoys pottery, interior design, and traveling.
Ognjen Milićević
Ognjen completed MPhil in Finance at the University of Cambridge. Since his return to Serbia, he has been working at the gaming company Noredus, where he currently oversees the creation of the next Football Action hit title, as a senior product manager. Outside of work he enjoys history. With his entrepreneurial spirit and willingness to take creative measures to address issues in his surroundings, Ognjen always inspired us.
Marko Purić
Marko completed his MPhil in Finance course at Judge Business School for which he received a full scholarship from the PEXIM Foundation, in cooperation with CWPR.
Marko joined CWP Europe in 2020 as a Financial Analyst. Prior to that, he completed his undergraduate studies at the Union University in Belgrade (Banking and Finance, Belgrade Banking Academy), and at the University of Belgrade (Theoretical and Experimental Physics, Faculty of Physics). He is interested in optimisation and modelling, and in everything that is quantitative in nature. Currently he works for Alpiq, an internationally active energy, as a structured pricing analyst. In his free time, he likes to play guitar, watch movies, researches astronomy, and read books (on zoology lately).
Emilija Đorđević
Emilija’s current her role is applied AI scientist at Everseen, working on machine learning research in real-world retail settings. She holds an MPhil in Machine Learning and Machine Intelligence from the University of Cambridge and a BSc in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of Belgrade. Emilija is curious, impact-driven, and eager to keep learning while contributing to technically deep, research-driven ML with meaningful impact. Emiija worked as a teaching assistant at University of Belgrade, School of Electrical Engineering. She was also Head of the Physics Department at Petnica, where she organized seminars, thought lectures and mentored students through research projects.
Andrej Jakovljević
Andrej graduated at the University of Cambridge (MPhil in Advanced Computer Science) and at the University of Belgrade (BEng in Software Engineering). He interned at Microsoft and Meta, and also did an internship at Rice University. He is currently working as a senior software engineer at Tenstorrent on the LLVM-MLIR (https://mlir.llvm.org/) project for their custom Machine Learning hardware. Andrej also worked as a teaching assistant at the University of Belgrade, School of Electrical Engineering and provided his support and knowledge to the Physics department ant the Petnica Science Centre, where he has been a mentor to high school students for six years.
Nikola Bakoč
Nikola completed his MPhil in Energy Technologies. His previous academic background includes double majors in Mechanical and Electrical engineering from Yale University.
In response to his frustration with mistreatment of energy resources, Nikola developed an academic passion for renewable energy and sustainability. After working for Company Tesla as a Solar Roof Mechanical Engineer Intern, he started working for Company CWP Europe to develop wind and solar farms in Serbia and Europe.
His passion is rowing, and he has won the cup of Serbia in 2x twice.
Miro Vukoje
Miro completed his MAST in Pure Mathematics at the University of Cambridge and has spent over a decade working in finance, applying his passion for maths and problem-solving to real-world challenges.
He currently works as a Quantitative Risk Analyst at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in London, developing models and analytics that support risk management and decision-making in global financial markets.
He is approachable, patient, and genuinely interested in supporting students as they explore careers in finance or think through their next steps. Outside of work, he enjoys playing basketball and spending time outdoors, especially on countryside walks and hiking trails.
Ivona Vukoje
Ivona completed her MPhil in Economics at the University of Cambridge. She began her career as a researcher in the National Bank of Serbia. Following her master’s studies, she joined the Bank of England, where she worked across several roles, including monetary policy and financial markets analysis, as well as on the trading desk that manages the UK’s foreign exchange reserves. She now works at the Prudential Regulation Authority, where she focuses on reviewing and developing financial models, with particular emphasis on emerging risks linked to the use of AI in finance. Ivona enjoys supporting others in their career development. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her children and playing volleyball and tennis.
Mina Stojić
Mina is currently pursuing an MPhil in Industrial Systems, Manufacture and Management as a member of Pembroke College. With the practical knowledge acquired from her Master’s education, her short term goals are to aid Serbia’s industrial techno economic development through her expertise in engineering and manufacturing management.
Previously, she has acquired her Bachelor of Engineering with Honours in Mechanical Engineering degree from the London South Bank University earlier this year, achieving a First Class Honours qualification with an average grade 9/10. Alongside her studies she was a Formula Student Team Manager, Student Ambassador and Residential Community Ambassador. She spent a placement year in industry working for Cummins, as a design and analysis engineer within the component validation team.
Additionally, she had also been an active member of the community and Serbia’s ambassador by organising and participating in Multicultural and STEM Ambassador programs. Among other accomplishments she had organised an INWED Cummins 2024 panel and had been an active member of Girl Engineering Club.
PEXIM MENTEES FROM OUR 2021 PROGRAM
Anastasija Lončarević
Following our mentorship program, Anastasija started to work as a teaching assistant at the Faculty of Economics, and later got admitted to Cambridge University on a full scholarship. There she completed her MPhil in Finance and is now pursuing a PhD in Accounting. She is also developing her own start up aimed at supporting students in pursuing their academic aspirations. In her speech during the PEXIM dinner in Cambridge, she stated that she is forever grateful to PEXIM for their mentorship program and the community it created. It gave her not only opportunity, but a belief in herself that she carries every day at Cambridge. She is now eager to continue this circle of giving, as our mentor and as a member of our organizing team.
Zorana Dulović
Following our mentorship program, Zorana redefined the roll of success and reflected on what truly has meaning to her. She decided to dedicate more time and energy to things that bring her joy. Following her passion, she created Zozo.tabletalks – a special networking event that creates space for wonder, authentic connections and exploration of our identity and interests beyond our titles and age.
She worked in the area of ESG and sustainability, first for KPMG and later for WISE. During her studies, she led a winning team on an international case study competition.
Zorana lived in six different countries, and she holds a great passion for skiing. Her love for nature is infused in everything she does, including her networking project.
Milena Gatić
Following our mentorship program, Milena got accepted to the University of Cambridge on an Mphil in Industrial Systems, Manufacture and Management, where she deepened her expertise in interdisciplinary research, innovation, and promoting STEM fields. She returned to Serbia to teach at the Faculty of Organizational sciences where she is committed to transferring skills, experience and knowledge gained during her studies at Cambridge to students in Serbia. She co-authored multiple academic papers and gained extensive experience in teaching and consulting. Her list of interest is endless as she has always been a curious individual. She loves traveling, nature (especially house plants), product and service design and is a big LEGO enthusiast, enjoying the creativity it offers. She has always believed in the importance of giving back to the community and is thrilled to have to opportunity to contribute as a mentor in this program, just as others supported her. To the person she will mentor, she hopes to instill the same sense of possibility and encouragement, emphasizing the value of staying open to new opportunities, pursuing dreams with confidence, and embracing challenges as stepping stones to growth.
Todor Cvetanović
Following our mentorship program, Todor pursued PhD in Biology at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, USA and studies how immune cells learn to recognize self versus non-self. He completed both his BSc and MSc degrees at the University of Belgrade, and conducted research internships at the Karolinska Institute, Weizmann Institute of Science, and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
Alongside his research training, Todor contributed to science communication as a co-author of the national television program “Five Minutes for Biology” (Brainz TV) and served as an Editor at Simbioza, a biology student-led journal. He also co-founded the Student Society for Molecular Biology. In his spare time, Todor is actively engaged in STEM education, volunteering at science outreach and popularization events where he shares his experience and knowledge with younger students. He also mentors numerous early-career students, supporting their academic and professional development. As a former mentee in our program, he is happy to be back as a mentor to give back to the mission of Pexim Foundation.
PEXIM PARTNERS AND FRIENDS
Uroš Živković
Uroš Živković is a senior legal and policy expert from Serbia with a regional overview, working in the domain of migration, private international law and dispute resolution since 2010, with a more nuanced focus on circular migration since 2020. Uros has researched, studied and professionally developed in Serbia (University of Belgrade) and United Kingdom (University of Cambridge, Faculty of Law LLM program with a full Chevening scholarship), published academically in both Serbian and English and worked in practice and academia for over 15 years.
As a lecturer at the University of of Belgrade Faculty of Law, Uros has mentored students for international moot court competitions across the world, supported their applications for graduate and exchange programs abroad and actively assisted in their career development.
Uroš currently serves as the Program Director of Returning Point (Tačka povratka), a circular migration project based in Serbia - connecting returnees, diaspora, and local communities by creating spaces for the exchange of knowledge, resources, and initiatives. Through programs and partnerships, the organisation promotes circular migration as a dynamic and sustainable way of life, enabling people to contribute to Serbia’s social and economic development, no matter where they come from or where they live.
Milica Pešterić
Milica obtained her Master in Law (LLM) degree at the University of Cambridge, and is now a partner at one of the leading law firms in Belgrade, D2P. She is highly committed to the areas of sustainability and innovative in thinking of her contribution to her community and environment. She has mentored and helped numerous young colleagues pursue masters, internships and job opportunities, within Serbia and abroad.
Her great passion is (sustainable) fashion and she designed fashion items that were presented at Torino fashion week.
Jovan Jovanović
Jovan is a quantitative researcher at CWP Europe, one of the largest renewable energy companies in Europe. He completed undergraduate and master's studies in physics at the University of Cambridge, on the most prestigious Trinity College scholarship. Following his master's studies he obtained a doctorate in physics from Oxford University. He has pedagogical experience as a teaching assistant at Oxford and at the Research Station Petnica.
Milica Veljić
Miica has been working in the area of sustainability for the past 14 years, supporting the renewable energy organization through roles that encompassed finance and ESG.
Following her exceptional people skills and talents she transitioned to HR role and started education in Integrative Somatic Psychotherapy.
She is highly sensitive and committed to understanding nuance landscape of emotions beliefs and shape our behavior and the way we relate towards self and others.
Her presence is deeply nurturing and empowering. With love and humor, she manages to target the very foundation of how we define, pursue and reach success in personal and professional life.
Magdalena Petreska
Magdalena obtained her bachelor's degree from Heriot-Watt University (MA Finance and Business Law), as well as her master’s degrees from City St George’s, University of London (Graduate Diploma in Law, Law) and City University London (LPC, Mergers and Acquisitions). She worked as a legal consultant in the UK, after which she transferred to one of the largest law firms in Serbia, Moravčević Vojnović i Partneri in cooperation with Schoenherr. Since 2024, she has a solo practice, attorney at law. Magdalena loves dancing and is always eager to share and transfer her knowledge and experience. Hence, her latest project is her Instagram account Mama Bez Panike where she shares helpful tips for new mothers.
Aleksandar Ristić
Aleksandar holds a degree from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Belgrade. He started his career in the area of renewable energy, solar and wind farms. He led the development of one of the largest wind farms in Serbia, as a project manager. He is appreciated by his colleagues for his specific combination of responsibility, lightness and humor that he infuses in his work, as well as his care to transfer knowledge, support and mentor his younger colleagues. In his free time he enjoys travelling and photography.
Vladimir Veljić
Vladimir Veljić completed both his bachelor’s and master’s studies at the University of Belgrade, graduating from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and the Faculty of Physics in parallel. He later earned his PhD in theoretical physics. During his academic career, he worked as a student researcher at CERN and at the University of Oxford, and as a research assistant at the Institute of Physics in Belgrade.. After transitioning to industry, he served as a Data Science Manager at Telesign and is currently an Analytics and Reporting Manager at Delhaize. He is especially passionate about mentoring younger colleagues and has guided many students in shaping their academic paths and personal development.