Jovana began her career in alumni relations and higher education during the pandemic, when disruption in her previous role prompted a change in direction and an opportunity at The Hertie School, where she had completed her master’s degree.

An active alumna who had served on the student government during her studies, Jovana had already built strong relationships across the Hertie community. She spent two years at the institution before moving to ESMT Berlin, where she now works with business school alumni.

In October 2025, CASE announced Jovana as the recipient of the 2025 Emerging Alumni Relations Professional Award, which forms part of the CASE Europe Awards.

The CASE Europe Awards for Emerging Professionals celebrate inspirational individuals who are making a significant impact in their teams and the sector early in their careers, while demonstrating CASE's values, which include innovation, professional excellence and collaboration. 

Can you tell us about your role and the work that your team focuses on?

Officially, I hold the title of Head of Alumni Relations. Though our team is rather small,—made up of me, a working student and a Senior Alumni & Rankings Data Manager—I am very proud of what this small team has consistently achieved over the past few years.

My first year in the role, I focused on developing a completely new value proposition for our alumni network, which was vital after the challenging times of the pandemic, which saw reduced activity and a change in how people approach alumni activities.  

Since then, our team has focused on expanding our offer: we have seen an increase in event attendance, launched a mentoring programme for our entire community, improved our database, developed an Alumni Employment Report, and restructured our Alumni Council, to name a few.  

What I love about this role is how entrepreneurial it is. Not only do we have to be flexible, but we are encouraged to be a bit experimental and take more risks in our approach. This role also encompasses many aspects: from strategy and strategic thinking to data processing, to communication and social media, to operational activities and events. Sometimes it feels like our team is a mission-driven small startup, and I get to oversee so many different components. 

What has been your proudest moment/achievement in your career so far?

My proudest professional achievement isn’t a single project or title; it’s the journey of leaving Serbia and starting from scratch in Berlin. Uprooting myself from my home country meant stepping away from familiar networks, language, and career security to pursue growth in a new environment.  

Arriving in Germany with no professional contacts and limited German, I had to rebuild everything: career path, community, and confidence. Being an immigrant comes with many bureaucratic, cultural and financial obstacles. Navigating cultural differences, learning how to thrive in a competitive job market, and proving oneself in a place where one’s experience is not immediately recognised. My proudest achievement is the ongoing effort to prove that I belong, professionally and personally.

How did it feel to be nominated for the Emerging Alumni Relations Professional Award?

I was nominated by ESMT Berlin Communications Director, Martha (Molly) Ihlbrock. Molly always supports her coworkers, and I was truly touched by the effort she put into my nomination.

Winning this award is meaningful not only on a personal level but also as an opportunity to spotlight the alumni relations profession. Too often, the work we do is viewed simply as a service or mistaken for event management. In reality, it is far more strategically important, especially at a time when engaged communities are more critical than ever.

This recognition gives me a platform to raise awareness of the dynamic impact that alumni relations can have. Building and sustaining lifelong relationships requires creativity, strategic thinking, and a spirit of innovation. It’s about cultivating networks that create opportunities, foster collaboration, and strengthen the very institutions we serve.  

Ultimately, this recognition isn’t just a personal milestone; it’s a chance to elevate and celebrate alumni relations as a vital, forward-thinking profession.

What are your aspirations for your future career?

I am currently pursuing a part-time MBA at ESMT Berlin. In the short term, I aim to apply the lessons from my MBA to our approach to alumni relations at ESMT. This includes focusing on building a strong brand, creating value for our “customers”, and optimising our services in a data-driven way.

In the long term, I see myself moving towards creating and executing larger projects that drive transformation and operational excellence.