TEDxSvetiIvan Zelina

Speakers

Speakers may not be confirmed. Check the event website for the latest lineup.

• Danijel Bićanić

  Sales Trainer

  Danijel Bićanić is an experienced sales trainer and consultant with more than 20 years of experience in Croatia, the region, and internationally, specializing in B2B sales and a consultative sales approach. Throughout his career, he has delivered over 2,000 training sessions across more than 80 industries. As a field trainer, he has been present in nearly 5,000 sales conversations, making his knowledge highly practical and applicable. He is the founder of his own educational platform, Bićanić Consulting, through which he helps companies and individuals develop strong sales skills and systems. He collaborates with numerous domestic and international clients and leads workshops, seminars, and coaching programs focused on real sales challenges. He is the author of several books on sales and business skills and is a regular columnist and speaker at conferences and educational events.

• Frano Ridjan

  Host

  Frano Ridjan is a Croatian radio and television host, born on December 10, 1984, in Vinkovci, and raised in Trogir, where he began his media career as a teenager at Radio Trogir. He studied journalism at the Faculty of Political Science in Zagreb, focusing on radio and television, while simultaneously gaining experience at Radio Sljeme, Croatian Radio (HR2), and Voice of Croatia. At the beginning of his career, he became recognizable for his work on Croatian Radiotelevision (HRT), hosting shows such as “Parlaonica,” “Good Morning, Croatia,” “Good Afternoon, Croatia,” and “At Our Place,” as well as participating in live programs and field reports. Since 2019, he has become widely known as the host of major entertainment formats on Nova TV, including “Supertalent” and the music quiz show “Who Is Singing There?”, and he also hosted the show “Startaj Hrvatska.”

• Ivana Puhelek

  Enologists

  Ivana Puhelek is one of Croatia’s most prominent enologists, winemakers, and scientists, who has combined scientific precision with a family passion for wine into an outstanding career dedicated to viticulture and winemaking. She graduated from the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Zagreb and completed her academic excellence with a PhD, defending a dissertation focused on clone candidates and the chemical composition of wines from the indigenous variety Kraljevina. Ivana is a key figure in the family winery Puhelek Purek, located in Gornje Psarjevo, where knowledge and tradition meet a modern enological approach. The winery is especially known for cultivating the Kraljevina variety. In 2022, their Sauvignon 2021 won a gold medal at the prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards in London, confirming the international quality and reputation of their production.

• Luka Ratkajec

  Keyboardist

  Luka Ratkajec is a talented keyboardist from Sveti Ivan Zelina who lives his passion for music through performance and creativity. He studied at the Academy of Music in Zagreb, where he refined his musical expression and technique. He is active on the local scene and participates in numerous musical projects, concerts, and collaborations. Audiences recognize him for his strong passion for keyboards and the energy he brings to every performance. His musical journey demonstrates how dedication and continuous improvement can shape a young artist. On the TEDx stage, he brings a story about creativity, growth through talent, and the power of music to connect people.

• Patricia Lacković

  Educator

  Patricia Lacković is an entrepreneur, educator, and passionate traveler who visited more than 60 countries before turning 30. After years of working in tourism as a tour guide, she launched her own business and dedicated herself to educating others about independent and smart travel. She is the author of the book “Europe in the Palm of Your Hand; Stories, Tips, Lessons, and When Things Don’t Go as Planned” and the creator of the program “Travel with Ease,” through which she helps people organize trips according to their budget and interests. She holds a Master’s degree in Pedagogy and Portuguese Language and Literature and shares her knowledge through workshops, lectures, and mentorship programs. She is active in the community, regularly hosting travel lectures and educational content, and currently works as a primary school pedagogue.

• Petra Hrupec

  Member of the senior women’s team of Hockey Club Zelina

  Petra Hrupec is a member of the senior women’s team of Hockey Club Zelina, one of the most important and long-standing clubs in Sveti Ivan Zelina, founded in 1955 and known for its strong tradition and results in Croatian field hockey. In addition to leading the senior team, Petra is one of the club’s key players and stands out among those who regularly contribute to Zelina’s success in national competitions. Under the leadership of Petra and her teammates, HK Zelina is not only a domestic powerhouse but also a club that fosters the development of young players and runs a hockey school as a foundation for future generations. Petra has balanced her dedication to sport with education and work—she studied civil engineering at Zagreb University of Applied Sciences, demonstrating how athletic passion can align with serious academic ambitions. Alongside sports and other responsibilities, she works at Pedom Asfalti, successfully balancing both career and athletics.

• Rade Radolović

  Actor

  Rade Radolović is a Croatian theatre, television, and film actor, as well as a public speaking coach. He was born in Pula on October 31, 1984—coinciding with both World Savings Day and Halloween. He studied acting at two drama academies, in Cetinje (Montenegro) and in Zagreb. He has been performing in front of various audiences for 30 years. He has played more than 100 different roles and, alongside his acting career, has been leading public speaking workshops for over 20 years, attended by more than 1,300 participants—from young people to company executives. Participants in his workshops learn practical techniques used by professional actors, helping them become more confident and successful speakers. He has hosted two TEDx events and also works as a TEDx mentor. He openly shares that he sometimes experiences stage fright himself, but also knows exactly how to handle it once it appears. His work with people is professional, pleasant, and supportive.

• Tomo Kotarski

  Restaurateur

  Tomo Kotarski is a sommelier and restaurateur from Sveti Ivan Zelina and co-owner of the restaurant Taverna 1860, which is ranked among the top 100 restaurants in Croatia. Through his work, he is dedicated to wine culture, gastronomy, and creating authentic eno-gastronomic experiences that connect local ingredients, wines, and the traditions of the Prigorje region. Earlier in his life, he was also active in poetry, primarily in the Kajkavian dialect. His poems have been published in collections from the contemporary Kajkavian poetry recital “Dragutin Domjanić,” with one of his more notable works being the poem “Odvratna.”