The forum was opened by Prof. Dr. Mislav Ante Omazic, President and Dean of IEDC – Bled School of Management, who emphasized that talent development is no longer solely an HR responsibility but a strategic priority for every organization. Throughout the day, participants were guided by Dr. Hendrik (Drikus) Kriek, Professor of Leadership at IEDC – Bled School of Management, who moderated the discussions and facilitated meaningful exchange among speakers and participants.
A highlight of the event was the keynote address by Prof. Konstantin Korotov, Professor of Organizational Behavior and Leadership at ESMT Berlin, who challenged participants to reflect on whether organizations primarily use talent to achieve short-term objectives or intentionally develop people's capabilities for the future. His central message resonated throughout the forum: organizations that invest in people, learning agility, and future capabilities will be best positioned for long-term success.
Participants also gained valuable insights from distinguished international experts:
- Dr. Anna-Maria Karl, LL.M., Partner and Head of Leadership & Transformation at Kienbaum, Germany
- Dr. Craig Simpson, PsyD, Leadership Consultant and Executive Coach at O.R. Leadership, United Kingdom
The discussion continued with an engaging panel featuring HR leaders from across Europe:
- Mateja Tišler, HR Director, Ljubljanske mlekarne / Lactalis Group, Slovenia
- Bruna Kostelac Košir, Partner and Head of Human Capital, Invera Equity Partners, Croatia
- Tetiana Kuzmenko, Head of Learning and Development, Metinvest Group, Ukraine
- Marija Felkel, HR Director, Perutnina Ptuj, Slovenia
- Ivan Papič, President, Slovenian HR Association
The forum provided an excellent platform for exchanging experiences, discussing current challenges, and sharing best practices in talent development and leadership. The active participation and openness of attendees contributed to a highly engaging and inspiring atmosphere throughout the day.
IEDC extends its sincere appreciation to the Slovenian HR Association for its excellent cooperation in co-creating another successful forum.
Special thanks also go to our sponsors and supporters, whose commitment made this event possible: Telemach Slovenija, Podravka, Ljubljanske mlekarne, Don Don, Atelier Rebul, Klet Brda, and media partner Podjetna Slovenija.
The key takeaway from this year's forum was clear: organizations that continuously invest in developing their people and create environments where talent can learn, adapt, and grow will be best equipped to succeed in the future of work.
We thank all participants, speakers, partners, and supporters for contributing to another inspiring and impactful edition of the Annual HR Managers Forum.