Vesna Ivanovska

A dedicated professional, loyal colleague, caring leader and manager, passionate innovator of educational models and training programs, trainer, motivational speaker, talent management specialist in ICT and mentor with 15 years of experience in business, non-formal education, and entrepreneurship programs - this is how we could shortly portray Ms. Vesna Ivanoska, a MAAA alumna and one of the most successful members. 

In the last 9 years, Ms. Ivanoska has held the position of General Manager of Seavus Education and Development Center (Part of Qinshift), a leading training center and one of the pioneers in the field of ICT Education and career development. She is also one of the founders and Program manager of the first corporate Tech Accelerator – Seavus Accelerator. Additionally, Ms. Ivanoska is an active and valuable member of ICT Industry Chamber of Commerce (MASIT) acting as a Deputy President of the Management Board. 

Ms. Ivanoska holds a BA in Law, from the Faculty of Law Iustinianus Primus, UKIM, Skopje and Executive MBA in General Management, from the International University Sheffield, UK. 

On many professional occasions, Ms. Ivanoska emphasizes her (not so long ago) US experience, as one of the most transformative personal and professional journeys.

 “In 2019, I had a privilege to be part of Tech Innovation and Entrepreneurship Professional Fellows Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and administered by World Chicago. This unique program brings emerging leaders from around the world to the United States for intensive fellowship designed to broaden their professional experience and boost their leadership skills. Thanks to this program I spent 5 weeks at DePaul University Coleman Entrepreneurship Center in Chicago, Illinois, fully enjoying individually-tailored fellowship that entirely matched my expectations and needs.

Exploring Chicago’s Tech scene is a dream and challenge for every manager and community leader working in tech education and startup support. Chicago has proven to me that every great professional community is built thanks to knowledge and wisdom of exceptional experts, but even more than that, because of strong sense of togetherness and giving back to community.

Spending a day in Coleman Entrepreneurship Center or at the well-known Independent Innovation hub “1871” is a true inspiration and mandatory case study for managers and entrepreneurs. You learn and at the same time experience some kind of satisfying revelation and reassurance of your own potential, skills and virtues that are quite valuable even here “at the center of everything.” Speaking of my own contributions there, I was honored to be invited to give lectures to Business students at De Paul University and to take part as a judge in the Annual Purpose Pitch Competition for best Business Idea.

What amazed me the most is how ingeniously entrepreneurship is embedded in every aspect of study programs together with unique models for integration of acceleration programs, talent discovery and development and training programs. I consider this synergy between corporates, startups and students in various training programs the greatest challenge and area where we as Macedonian and Balkan eco system must improve. “

Recently Ms. Ivanoska celebrated her 15 year-work anniversary. Fifteen years is an incredible achievement, so, understandably, we asked for a recipe for her continual success and growth.

“Referring to how important my job feels, I often say: some people have jobs, some careers and others are on a mission. I consider myself extremely lucky to be given the opportunity to be part of something that indeed changes people’s lives. In the last 10 years, with its carefully designed programs, SEDC welcomed more than 10.000 students helping them to unlock their potential and “steer the boat” towards a better future. We created and successfully implemented 14 different Professional Study Programs on the latest tech trends; we established the first Children Academy for Technology, the First corporate Tech Accelerator etc. Meanwhile, we managed to expand the business in the region, mostly Serbia, Bosnia and Hercegovina and hopefully soon, under the new brand Qinshift, we will achieve global expansion.

My final thought would be: When there is alignment between the company’s long-term vision and your own personal values, beliefs, and goals, spiced up with enthusiasm, passion and hard work, nothing could indeed stop you from living the dream.

Still, a good manager knows that this is not enough unless you surround yourself with like-minded, dedicated, loyal teammates who trust you and follow you in good and in bad times. And to make this magic happen is not always easy. It requires a lot of self-awareness and self-improvement and most of all integrity, honesty, and transparency. “