Our Team
About Us
Sustineri Partners is a boutique consultancy dedicated to empowering companies and organisations to embed sustainability at the heart of their operations. With a primary focus on the Western Balkans, we bring a deep understanding of the region’s unique challenges and opportunities.
We are a team of experts driven by the belief that businesses have both the power and responsibility to deliver positive outcomes for society. We understand that many organisations aspire to align with global sustainability standards, not just in compliance but in spirit, recognising that this alignment drives better business performance and long-term value.
Our team’s expertise spans a wide range of areas, including regulatory compliance, modern slavery, gender equality, environmental management, anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, and good governance. We also leverage an extensive network of regional and international partners to strengthen our impact.
What sets Sustineri Partners apart is our unique blend of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) expertise and hands-on experience within the Western Balkans. We prioritise tailored solutions designed to meet the specific needs of each client, avoiding one-size-fits-all approaches.
We work closely with our clients to recognise and address the challenges they face—notably smaller organisations that may not have the capacity to tackle a full ESG agenda all at once. Our mission is to facilitate meaningful change, moving beyond reports and recommendations to deliver practical solutions that can be integrated into daily operations and policies.
With extensive networks across governments and businesses, Sustineri Partners combines regional knowledge with a thorough understanding of European and international frameworks. We ensure these standards are effectively applied within the local context, drawing from both proven commercial strategies and on-the-ground implementation expertise.
At Sustineri Partners, we are committed to empowering our clients to achieve sustainable growth and create lasting positive impacts within their organisations and the wider community.
Founders
Aleksandra (Sasha) Njagulj
Biljana has over twenty years of experience advising governments, businesses, and international organisations on social justice, human rights, anti-corruption, and good governance. She has worked with the AIRE Centre, World Bank, UNDP, and other major consultancies, bringing deep regional knowledge and practical reform expertise.
Biljana holds degrees from Belgrade University and Lund University and serves on the boards of the AIRE Centre USA and International Bridges to Justice. She is Chair of Women on Boards Adria, Sustineri Partners’ Founding Partner, and founder of the ESG Adria Summit.
Biljana also directs The AIRE Centre Western Balkans, overseeing governance and human rights projects across the Adria region. She is a member of the Swiss Council for IBJ and has held senior expert roles with The World Bank, UNDP, PwC, and IOM.
Projects:
ESG Adria Summit
WOBA
ESG Handbook
Western Balkans Rule of Law
Aleksandra (Sasha) Njagulj is a globally recognised expert in sustainable investment and ESG strategy, with over 20 years of experience advancing sustainability practices across industries.
Sasha’s career includes senior roles in leading international corporations, where she has developed and implemented award-winning ESG programmes recognised for their innovation and impact. She has received multiple awards for her dedication to responsible investing and sustainable development.
Sasha has also contributed to advancing industry standards through leadership roles on various committees and also serves on advisory boards for ESCP Business School and Women on Boards Adria. A qualified architect, Sasha holds a Master’s degree in Architectural Design from the University of Belgrade and a Master’s degree in Sustainability Leadership from the University of Cambridge.
Projects:
ESG Adria Summit
WOBA
In Media:
ESG Adria Summit 2025
ESG Adria Summit 2024
Impact Summit Europe
Cross Border Distribution Conference
Andrew is an experienced organisational and leadership consultant with 30 years of experience at senior levels in governance, leadership, and organisational change. He has a particular focus on corporate governance, ensuring key policies and controls are in place for effective compliance and leadership accountability.
Andrew has reviewed the governance arrangements of numerous Boards across various industries, including financial services, manufacturing, hospitality, property, tourism, and utilities, both in the UK and internationally. He began his career in the UK government, working on criminal justice issues, serving as private secretary to two Home Secretaries, and working in Margaret Thatcher’s office. His consulting journey included roles at KPMG, Towers Perrin, and Stanton Marris, and most recently, he was COO of Flint Global, a leading business and political advisory firm.
Andrew holds an MA from Cambridge University, an MBA from Warwick Business School, and a coaching diploma from the Oxford School of Coaching.
Projects:
USB strategy
Team
Anđela Đuković
Nevena is a lawyer with fifteen years of experience in policy development, project management, research, and strategic litigation. She has contributed to numerous international projects to introduce and implement EU standards in the Western Balkans, focusing on human rights, due diligence, risk assessments, and reporting.
Nevena serves as the Head of Programmes at Women on Boards Adria and as a Senior Legal Advisor at The AIRE Centre Western Balkans, where she has led initiatives such as the project on combating corruption and organised crime through strengthening regional cooperation in asset recovery. Previously, she worked as a Legal Advisor and Project Manager at the Belgrade Centre for Human Rights.
Nevena holds a Master’s degree in European Law from the University of Belgrade, a Master’s in International Business Law from Queen’s University Belfast, and a Certificate in Corporate Sustainability from NYU Stern.
Projects:
ESG Adria Summit
WOBA
ESG Handbook
Western Balkans Rule of Law
Human Rights and Environmental Protection in Europe: Case law from the European Court of Human Rights and its implications
In Media:
ESG Adria Summit
Bloomberg
Blic
Azra Bećirović is a project manager and ESG professional with expertise in human rights and sustainability. She leads the Certificate in Corporate Sustainability Management project at Sustineri Partners and manages office operations for The AIRE Centre Western Balkans, contributing to capacity-building and regional cooperation projects since 2019.
Azra has worked with various international organisations on issues like labour exploitation, human trafficking, and corporate accountability. Her civil society roles include President of UCDER and Secretary of the Federation for Support of Economic and Social Development – Horizont 2024, advancing initiatives for Bosnia and Herzegovina.
She holds a Master’s degree in Civil Law and a Bachelor’s in Law from the University of Travnik and is pursuing a PhD in Civil and Commercial Law at Nova University Ljubljana. Azra also completed Harvard Business School’s Certificate in Sustainable Business Strategy.
Projects:
Certificate in Corporate Sustainability Management
ESG Adria Summit
ESG Handbook
Western Balkans Rule of Law
Andjela is a legal and human rights professional with extensive experience across the public, private, and non-governmental sectors in Montenegro. Before joining Sustineri Partners, she served as a Legal Advisor at the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Dialogue, where she supported policy development, labour market research, and implementation of EU-funded programmes.
Her previous roles include coordinating social inclusion and resettlement projects with the Youth Roma Organisation “Walk with us – Phiren Amenca”, as well as providing legal advisory services at NGO Civic Alliance and in private practice. She has worked on a broad range of legal and strategic topics, with a particular focus on employment law, human rights, and intercultural engagement.
Andjela holds a Master of Science in Human Rights and International Politics from the University of Glasgow as a Chevening Scholar. She also holds a Master’s degree and a Bachelor’s degree in International Law from the University of Donja Gorica. At Sustineri Partners, she oversees operational and administrative functions, supporting the efficient delivery of consultancy and programme activities across the region.
Vanja Radević is a legal adviser and ESG consultant with over a decade of expertise spanning the judicial system, government, and international organisations.
Her career began at the High Court in Podgorica, and she went on to serve as an adviser to the State Representative of Montenegro before the European Court of Human Rights, playing a key role in shaping precedent-setting cases. Vanja also held the position of Foreign Policy Adviser to the Prime Minister of Montenegro and completed a distinguished traineeship with the Council of Europe.
Currently, Vanja serves as the Government Affairs Lead for the ESG Adria Summit at Sustineri Partners and consults for The AIRE Centre Western Balkans, focusing on ESG strategies, legal reform, and policy innovation. She is also a Regional Board Member of the GCJ Network, further underscoring her leadership in governance and sustainability.
Vanja holds advanced degrees in Legal Studies from the University of Montenegro, specialising in international law. A prolific co-author of numerous publications, she has contributed significantly to the Council of Europe’s working groups on human rights and civil society.
Amina Hujdur is a communications and programme coordination professional with experience in sustainability and human rights initiatives. As the ESG Adria Summit Programme Coordinator at Sustineri Partners, she assists in organising and managing programmes that focus on ESG practices across the region.
In addition to her role at Sustineri Partners, Amina supports outreach and communication activities as the Outreach and Communications Manager at The AIRE Centre Western Balkans. She also contributes to communication efforts for WOBA, assisting with organisational outreach and visibility. Previously, she worked as a Communication Officer at TRIAL International, where she helped promote human rights advocacy through effective communication strategies.
Amina’s work is centred on content creation, stakeholder engagement, and programme support, making her a valuable member of teams working on sustainability and ESG-focused projects.
Projects:
ESG Adria Summit
WOBA
ESG Handbook
In Media:
ESG Adria Summit 2024
Trial
Minja Trnka is Regional Operations Manager at Sustineri Partners, where she supports the company’s cross-regional operations, internal systems, and project coordination. She plays a key role in ensuring the smooth functioning of administrative, financial, and digital workflows, while also supporting document and contract management across the team.
Before joining Sustineri Partners, Minja worked with the AIRE Centre’s Western Balkans Rule of Law programme, providing operational support to justice and gender-related initiatives in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Her previous experience spans legal advisory roles at the Central Election Commission, notarial and municipal court work, and managing procurement processes within a local economic development agency.
Minja holds a Master of Law degree from the University of Sarajevo, specialising in civil affairs. She brings a strong combination of legal expertise, public sector experience, and practical coordination skills to her regional role at Sustineri Partners.
Projects:
ESG Adria Summit
Žana Špadijer is an accomplished professional with over 16 years of experience in international cooperation, defence diplomacy, and strategic partnerships. As the Senior Advisor for Outreach, Partnerships, and Programmes at Sustineri Partners, she plays a key role in advancing the ESG Adria Summit and Women on Boards Adria (WOBA), two key initiatives promoting sustainability and gender diversity in the Adriatic region.
Previously, Žana held leadership roles at the Ministry of Defence of Montenegro, including Head of Department for International Cooperation and Defence Diplomacy and Head of Sector for UN and OSCE. During her tenure, she developed and implemented international engagement strategies, cultivated diplomatic relations, and coordinated high-profile programmes. Her expertise spans international relations, strategic partnerships, and programme development, making her a key contributor to Montenegro’s defence and diplomatic initiatives.
In her current role, Žana develops and nurtures relationships with embassies, international organisations, and corporates to support Sustineri’s projects. She leads the organisation of workshops and events for the ESG Adria Summit, advocates for gender diversity through WOBA, and drives fundraising and sponsorship development to ensure project sustainability.
Žana has a wealth of experience engaging high-level stakeholders and coordinating impactful events. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Arts in Communication from the American University of Rome.
Projects:
ESG Adria Summit
WOBA
Ana supports strategic outreach and partnership development across Sustineri Partners, the Adria Future Summit, and the Adria Future Foundation. Her role combines coordination of external engagement with relationship-building across diplomatic, institutional, and philanthropic partners. She plays a key part in advancing stakeholder collaboration and supporting event-related diplomacy, contributing to the regional and international presence of Sustineri’s flagship initiatives.
Ana brings a background in project management, stakeholder engagement, and communications campaigns, with professional experience spanning the private sector, non-governmental organisations, and international institutions such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the OSCE’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). Her work has focused on democratic development, sustainability, and human rights.
Having lived and worked in four countries, Ana is adept at navigating cross-cultural environments. She holds a Joint Master’s degree in European Studies from the University of Deusto and the University of Udine, awarded through a European Commission scholarship.
Projects:
ESG Adria Summit
Nedim Jahic is a strategic communications professional with 15 years of experience in institutional communication, community campaigns, business development initiatives, and support programmes for start-ups and professional associations. As Head of Communications at Sustineri Partners, he leads media and stakeholder engagement for high-profile regional initiatives – including the ESG Adria Summit – and provides strategic counsel to clients across the public, private, and civil society sectors.
His previous roles have included managing diaspora outreach, supporting MSMEs, and fostering partnerships within USAID-funded programmes in agriculture, access to finance, tourism, diaspora investment. He has worked extensively with chambers of commerce and industry-specific associations, supporting their communications strategies and capacity-building efforts.
Nedim has overseen procurement and funding for international programmes, led project development for institutions and organisations, and directed successful engagement campaigns across business, community, and policy domains. With a background in law, he contributed to the development of nationally adopted legal frameworks relating to human rights and access to services for marginalised groups.
Drawing on his experience in journalism and research, Nedim brings a strong narrative instinct and content development skills, complemented by practical expertise in event management, media relations, and brand positioning. He has played a key role in organising major business events in Berlin, New York, and across the Western Balkans. He also lectures in communications at university level and is a certified public relations practitioner, holding a legal academic background.
Projects:
ESG Adria Summit
Emilija Bojić joined Sustineri Partners as an intern and now supports the team in a permanent role as Junior Associate. Her work focuses on stakeholder engagement, regional research, and programme delivery, with a particular interest in youth-driven sustainability and inclusive development.
She is the co-founder of the Community Fridge Initiative in Belgrade, a grassroots project recognised for its impact on food security and waste reduction, having provided over 25,000 meals to those in need. The initiative received the Social Impact Award and was recognised at the WWF Adria Regional Youth Summit.
Emilija has held leadership roles within the European Youth Parliament Serbia, leading successful fundraising and partnership efforts with organisations including the Open Society Foundations, Coca-Cola, and Bosch. She was selected as a COP29 Youth Delegate and is a Young European Ambassador for the Western Balkans, where she advocates for regional cooperation and sustainable development.
Projects:
ESG Adria Summit
Adeliada is a sustainability-focused economist with deep expertise in ESG integration, macroeconomic policy, and impact-driven investment strategy. As co-founder and Chief Science Officer of ConsciESG, a Techstars-backed fintech startup focused on helping institutional investors optimise portfolios for sustainability and performance, she led the development of ESG tools and analytics now used in pilot programs across Europe and the U.S.
Previously, she served as a Lecturer of Economics at Seattle University, where she taught courses in macroeconomics, econometrics, and business statistics. Her early experience includes work as a consultant to the World Bank and contributions to research on productivity, sustainability metrics, and ESG performance evaluation at company and country levels.
Adeliada holds a PhD in Economics from Drexel University and a BA in Mathematics and Economics from the American University in Bulgaria. She collaborates with Sustineri Partners on select research, policy, and sustainable finance projects.
Brian is a seasoned advisor at the intersection of science, industry, and innovation, with over 30 years of experience spanning pharmaceutical R&D, corporate partnerships, and sustainability. He works with Sustineri Partners on select projects involving life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and innovation ecosystems.
He most recently served as Principal Partnerships Manager for Pharma and Life Sciences at University College London (UCL), where he led major collaborations with global companies including GSK, AstraZeneca, and IBM. His earlier roles include senior positions at the University of Cambridge, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Institution of Engineering and Technology, and a decade at IBM, where he was deeply engaged in Smart Cities, clean tech, and environmental innovation.
Brian holds a PhD in Synthetic Organic Chemistry from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and has worked extensively in medicinal chemistry, NMR spectroscopy, and data-driven pharmaceutical development. He brings a rare blend of technical depth and strategic insight to support research translation, innovation strategy, and corporate engagement in complex, regulated sectors.
Mirjana Filipović is an experienced energy and infrastructure expert with a long track record in government, business, and international cooperation. Her work spans energy transition, regulatory reform, strategic investment, and stakeholder engagement across the Western Balkans.
She served as State Secretary in Serbia’s Ministry of Mining and Energy, where she led negotiations with the EU and international financial institutions, coordinated Chapter 15 (Energy) of the EU accession process, and managed large-scale infrastructure projects including the Trans-Balkan Corridor and TENT desulphurisation. She also represented Serbia in the EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR), helping shape regional energy priorities.
Mirjana has also held senior positions in the private sector, including in petrochemicals, electricity, and media, with a focus on ESG, permitting, and investor relations. She continues to support national initiatives on green transition and energy poverty.
She holds an MSc in Economic Sciences and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Belgrade, with further training in international accounting and negotiation. She works with Sustineri Partners on projects involving energy policy, cross-border collaboration, and sustainable infrastructure.
Ana is a Professor of Applied Studies in Environmental Engineering at the Academy of Applied Technical Studies, Belgrade, where she also heads the Project Development Team and leads the International Scientific and Professional Conference Politehnika. With over 20 years of experience across the Western Balkans, EU, and MENA regions, she has designed and managed large-scale sustainability, climate, and environmental governance projects for the UNDP, national ministries, municipalities, and international organisations. Her expertise spans circular economy, climate education, bio-waste management, ESG advisory and water security. Ana brings a rare combination of academic depth and hands-on project delivery to every initiative she supports.
Katarina Djulić is a senior expert in corporate governance, public sector governance, risk management, and sustainable finance, with over 20 years of experience working with governments, regulators, state-owned enterprises, and private companies across the Western Balkans. She is regularly engaged by the World Bank, IFC, and EBRD to strengthen governance frameworks, build institutional capacity, and design oversight mechanisms for public enterprises, municipal utilities, and leading regional corporations.
Katarina’s expertise spans both public and private sectors: she has supported corporate governance improvements for listed and family-owned companies, developed family governance frameworks, and advised boards on risk governance and succession planning. As Assistant Minister of Finance of Serbia, she led reforms of the financial system. She later spent five years at the IFC managing corporate governance projects and at KPMG as a Senior Consultant for financial forensics and risk governance.
Her regional track record encompasses fiscal decentralisation and public finance reform in Kosovo, Albania, and North Macedonia, as well as SOE governance advisory services in Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Additionally, she has conducted corporate governance diagnostics and implementation across the entire Western Balkans.
Katarina brings a unique blend of policy and boardroom experience, having served on the boards of Jubanka, DDOR Novi Sad, the Central Securities Depository, the Deposit Insurance Agency, and, most recently, Eurobank Direktna. She is also a professor at FEFA, teaching Corporate Governance, Risk Management, and Corporate Finance, bridging global standards with practical solutions for clients.
Alenka Recelj Mercina is a Senior Sustainability Strategist with approximately 20 years of banking experience, including serving as the inaugural Head of Sustainability at NLB Group, a leading regional financial institution. She has a proven ability to drive ESG and sustainability initiatives, aligning them with EU legislation and international best practices, contributing to NLB’s top 5% Morningstar Sustainalytics rating. A results-oriented leader, adept at engaging stakeholders and leading multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, Alenka frequently lectures at national and international forums (UNEP FI, EBF, EIB, etc.) and advocates for capacity building and lifelong learning in finance. Her expertise includes ESG Integration, Sustainability Strategy Development & Implementation, ESG Metrics and Ratings Analysis, Sustainable Finance & Banking, Sustainability Corporate Governance, EU Sustainability Regulation (e.g., CSRD, SFDR, Taxonomy), Policy Advocacy, Stakeholder Engagement, and Sustainability Training & Capacity Building.
Miloš is an independent consultant with deep expertise in carbon reporting, industrial decarbonisation, and sustainable supply chains. He is the co-founder of CBAM Tracker, a digital platform supporting companies in aligning with the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.
As a long-standing registered International Industry Advisor with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD Advisory Practice), Miloš has worked extensively with SMEs across developing and emerging markets to deliver ESG-aligned operational improvements and low-carbon transition strategies. His work spans the Western Balkans, the UK, and beyond, combining technical insight with hands-on implementation.
He has advised industry clients, chambers of commerce, and financial institutions on carbon data transparency, supply chain transformation, and compliance readiness.
Holbold Consulting e.U. is an Austrian consultancy operating at the intersection of strategy, sustainability and innovation. Founded and led by Ksenija Simunović, a seasoned executive with over two decades of international experience, the company brings deep expertise in climate resilience, sustainable infrastructure, and green transition. Ksenija’s professional background spans senior roles across Southeast Europe and the DACH region, including projects supported by international financial institutions. Her work bridges engineering precision with strategic advisory, shaped by her roots in the Western Balkans and her long-standing commitment to regional development. Sustineri Partners collaborates with Holbold Consulting e.U. through a shared ambition to advance practical, forward-looking solutions that support environmental and economic transformation in the region.
CBAM Tracker is a UK-based consultancy and digital platform focused on carbon reporting, regulatory alignment, and supply chain decarbonisation. Co-founded by Miloš Tipsarević and Boris Mavra, the platform provides practical tools and strategic guidance to help companies comply with the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).
Combining ESG advisory with bespoke software solutions, CBAM Tracker supports exporters, manufacturers, and institutions across Europe and globally in preparing for the demands of the green transition. Sustineri Partners collaborates with CBAM Tracker on joint efforts to advance regulatory awareness, capacity-building, and carbon data transparency across a range of sectors and markets.
Infinite Pure Solutions is a Slovenia-based sustainability consultancy dedicated to embedding ESG data into core business strategy. They support organisations with ESG strategy, double materiality assessments, sustainability reporting, supply chain ESG data, and alignment with EU regulatory frameworks such as CSRD and ESRS.
IPS helps clients translate their sustainability ambitions into real competitive advantage, improving operational efficiency, stakeholder trust, and market positioning. Their work bridges local insight and European standards, serving clients across Slovenia and wider Europe.
Sustineri Partners collaborates with IPS on ESG advisory, capacity building, and reporting initiatives — bringing together strategic insight, regulatory know-how, and practical tools to help organisations navigate the green transformation.
Network
Miloš Tipsarević
