What inspired you to pursue an MBA?

What inspired me to pursue an MBA was my desire to bring something fresh and broader into my work as an in-house lawyer. Throughout my career, from working in a law firm to advising two ministers, and now in my current role, I have always been in positions where I needed to understand the full business context to provide meaningful legal and strategic advice. This required not only legal expertise but also a grasp of financial data, business objectives, and interpersonal dynamics.

At some point, I felt the need to formalize and expand this knowledge, to connect the dots and gain a more comprehensive understanding of how organizations function. The MBA offered exactly that - an opportunity to deepen my understanding in areas like business strategy, business development, marketing, and also technology including AI that was offered by the LJUBLJANA MBA. I briefly considered a PhD, but realized that an MBA would be more practical and aligned with my goals.

Beyond the academic aspect, I was also drawn to the idea of learning from peers, exchanging experiences, and building new connections. For me, the MBA wasn’t a career shift, but a way to bring together my legal and advisory background with a broader strategic outlook.

How has earning an MBA transformed your career and personal growth, and what advice would you give to other women considering this path?

The MBA helped me see leadership in a more nuanced way as something that’s about people, decision-making, and adaptability as much as it is about expertise.

The program also coincided with one of the biggest changes in my life — becoming a mother. Balancing work, study and motherhood help me develop greater resilience, organization, and empathy. Two lessons that proved valuable during this time were: (i) ask for and accept help and (ii) healthy setting of boundaries.

From my experience an advice to other women is simple: don’t wait for the “perfect moment”, there never is one. If you feel the desire to grow, go for it. You will find your balance along the way. The journey itself will teach you more than you expect.

What key lessons or experiences from your MBA journey do you believe can empower more women to step into leadership roles?

One of the key lessons for me was that leadership starts with self-awareness. We often think we need to fit into a certain box to be taken seriously as leaders, but the truth is, authenticity is our greatest strength. The program gave me space to reflect on my own leadership style, to embrace with confidence my strengths and to keep working on my weaknesses.

Another important takeaway was value of learning within the MBA community of professors, peers and mentors. Being surrounded by people who were open to share their issues, challenges, failures and experiences, was motivating for me and it pushed me to question my own assumptions. For me this program wasn’t just about networking.

Lastly, I came to see leadership and negotiation as skills we build through practice, not traits we’re born with. The program gave me the space to experiment, make mistakes, and grow in how I communicate and make decisions. I believe that when women are given space and support to build these skills, they are better equipped to take on leading roles and balance the many visible and invisible responsibilities society still places on them.

Can you share a moment during your MBA journey that was particularly transformative or empowering for you as a woman in business?

One of the moments that stayed with me happened during my pregnancy and early motherhood, while I was still in the program. I had expected it to be difficult, but what I experienced instead was genuine support and understanding from the LJUBLJANA MBA team and my classmates.

I remember how the MBA team made sure I had a private space when I needed it. It may sound like a small thing, but it represented something much larger — a culture of inclusion, support and empathy.

That experience reminded me that real leadership is about creating environments where people feel seen, supported, and valued and it motivated me to foster that same kind of supportive culture in my own professional environment.

Feeling inspired? Take the next step in your journey.
Download the LJUBLJANA MBA brochure and see how you can shape your future with us.