11th Annual Forum: 2024
Detroit, Michigan
The 2024 BAPA Forum was held in Detroit, MI, where we featured scholarship recipients Alem Hadžić, Hannah Bagarić, Naila Muhamedagić, Mirnad Osmanović, and Imman Kajtazović. Our students’ presentations were followed by a panel discussion that included Ibro Muharemović; Amila Osmanović; Jelena Z. Arnautović, DO; and Zlatan Čizmić, MD. The discussion covered an array of topics, from the power of networking to sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
Our 2024 forum featured two engaging breakout sessions, the first being a networking bingo that included prizes from the following amazing sponsors: Balkan Bred, Mesadorn, Nermina’s Jewelry, Asima’s Sweet Treats, and Neira Pekmez Designs. The second breakout session was led by BAPA Board Member Elvisa Alikadić, LMSW. This session empowered attendees to recognize self-critical thoughts and reframe them in a positive way. This activity also provided attendees the opportunity to recognize and celebrate their personal strengths and achievements.
The 2024 BAPA Forum wouldn’t have been possible without the following sponsors: Amir Ribić (Gold Sponsor), Metis Soft Tech (Gold Sponsor), Hrustić Brothers (Silver Sponsor), the Hodžić Family (Silver Sponsor), KUD Behar Detroit (Bronze Sponsor), IMBiH (Bronze Sponsor), Merak Soul Band (Bronze Sponsor), Wide Transport, Inc. (Bronze Sponsor), New Cold Metal Construction (Bronze Sponsor), and the Durić Family. Thank you all for your support!
The 2023 BAPA Forum was held in Jacksonville, FL, where we featured scholarship recipients Hanadi Dreca, Nejla Kravić, Ella Daudbašić, and Benjamin Selimotić. Our students’ presentations were followed by a panel discussion, which included Indir Avdagić, Almas Šehić, and Jasmine Avdagić-Carpenter as speakers. The discussion covered topics related to creativity and innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership and management. The forum featured two engaging breakout sessions, with one focused on speed networking and the other on cultural appreciation, providing our attendees with ample opportunities to connect and interact. To conclude the 10th annual forum, Falcon Ventures took center stage, shedding light on the venture capital landscape in the Balkans, particularly in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The 2023 BAPA Forum wouldn’t have been possible without the following sponsors: Falcon Ventures (Gold Sponsor), the Durić Family (Silver Sponsor), IMBiH (Bronze Sponsor), the Hodžić Family (Bronze Sponsor), the Husić Family (Bronze Sponsor), and the Kapo Family (Bronze Sponsor).
10th Annual Forum: 2023
Jacksonville, Florida
9th Annual Forum: 2022
New York City, New York
The 2022 BAPA Forum was held in NYC, NY, where we featured scholarship recipients Azra Toković, Tajra Karabašić, Selma Ćemerlić, and Hajrudin Muhić. Each student gave a presentation on how they utilized their BAPA scholarship awards to further their academic research. In addition, two keynote speakers, Alema Galijatović-Idrizbegović and Hanka Grabovica, discussed their roles in their respective industries. Galijatović-Idrizbegović shared the steps she took to become vice president of the Nonclinical Drug Safety Department at Merck. Grabovica spoke about her experiences as a certified trainer, coach, and speaker in leadership and how she utilizes her skills to give back to the Bosnian American community. Our forum also included breakout sessions grouping participants by industry, allowing folks with similar professional backgrounds to connect and network.
The 2021 BAPA forum went back to being in person after the pandemic. This forum was held in Seattle, WA, and featured scholarship recipients Zerina Mulaosmanović Said and Merima Tričić. Following our students’ scholarship presentations, local speaker Vedad Mahmulyin and keynote speaker Dr. Amra Šabić-El-Rayess discussed their careers and offered advice to forum attendees.
8th Annual Forum: 2021
Seattle, Washington
7th Annual Forum: 2020
Virtual
Due to the 2020 pandemic, BAPA had to alter our typical annual forum to ensure the safety of our community. In an all-virtual environment, BAPA’s first fully remote forum commenced with presentations from our scholarship recipients, Ema Mujić and Melika Konjičanin. Mujić presented on maternal and child health epidemiology trends in BiH. Konjičanin discussed the impact of architecture in public spaces throughout BiH. Our keynote speaker, Mirza Cifrić, who is the CEO and co-founder of Veritas Genetics, talked about evolving trends in genetic research and genetic mapping. He believes the biotech industry in BiH will lead to growth for the next generation. Our virtual forum concluded with multiple workshops, including industry-specific matching and networking. While we were saddened that we could not meet in-person, a virtual environment helped open new doors and opportunities for attendees from all over the world to connect.
The 2019 BAPA forum was held in Chicago, IL, where scholarship recipients Raza Hasanović and Elma Sarajlija discussed the research they pursued with the help of our funding. Hasanović educated attendees about the details of private equity, while Sarajlija shared how food and physical therapy affect health. Our keynote speaker, Dr. Emir Kamenica, a professor of economics at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, engaged us further in a thoughtful discussion about the benefits and pitfalls of creating and producing versus consuming. Our program also included two networking-style workshops. Our speed networking session helped participants connect quickly, and our industry-specific networking workshop encouraged participants to challenge themselves and their peers with actionable goals and career plans.
6th Annual Forum: 2019
Chicago, Illinois
5th Annual Forum: 2018
Washington, D.C.
The fifth annual BAPA forum was held in the offices of the Advisory Council for Bosnia and Herzegovina in D.C. It commenced with presentations from our scholarship recipients. We were excited to have Amra Dolić, Hanna Šuman, and Meliha Grbić become part of BAPA’s growing network as scholarship alumni. Further, there were a number of networking workshops, presentations, and opportunities that connected attendees with one another. Finally, our keynote speaker, Ajla Delkić, talked about how the Bosnian community can become more involved in business and politics. Delkić is president of the Council for Bosnia and Herzegovina (ACBH), headquartered in Washington, D.C. We concluded the evening with a networking event.
The fourth annual BAPA forum took place in Phoenix, AZ. This was the first year our scholarship recipients were invited to present as part of the annual forum. Ena Barišić, Bajram Metjahic, and Azra Osmančević each introduced the audience to the ways they have connected to the Bosnian-American community. Furthermore, the theme of civic and community engagement was weaved through the presentations of Ida Šefer Roche, Amanda Hukanović, and Chris Mathieu. Finally, keynote speakers Marina Riđić, and Dr. Esad Boškailo tasked us with a call to action. The forum was followed by dinner and brunch, allowing participants to continue crucial conversations.
4th Annual Forum: 2017
Phoenix, Arizona
3rd Annual Forum: 2016
St. Louis, Missouri
The third annual BAPA forum kicked off with a “Value of Networking” workshop at Fontbonne University. During this workshop, Nidžara Pečenković walked us through an exercise, encouraging participants to consider the contributions we want to make to our communities. She supported is as we set tangible benchmarks to begin achieving our goals. After the workshop, we heard from Jusuf Šarančić about the Mostar Summer Youth Program and from Professor Ben Moore about the Bosnia Memory Project. In the evening, the Bosnian American Professional Network (BAPN) hosted a reception, appropriately titled “The Power of Mentoring,” at the Grbić Restaurant. Students and industry professionals from across the United States and Canada attended the reception that evening. A few of us enjoyed a delicious dinner at the Grbić Restaurant. The following day, we gathered at Café Madeleine for a wonderful Sunday brunch. Attendees were able to socialize and establish life-long connections in this more subdued, informal setting as they processed what they had learned from the previous day’s workshops and speeches.
Our second annual forum took on a unique format; BAPA collaborated with the Bosana Foundation, with our forum coinciding with Bosana’s annual benefit. The Bosana Foundation provides marginalized youth in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the tools, funds, and resources needed to make positive life choices as they set ambitious career and educational goals. In addition to being one of the main sponsors, BAPA worked hard to attract new audience members to Bosana’s benefit. Friends joined us from various cities, including NYC, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Waterloo, Denver, Grand Rapids, Salt Lake City, and Toronto. In the spirit of supporting Bosana, we networked with fellow attendees to build a stronger foundation for future partnerships. Our 2015 collaboration with Bosana is dearly remembered!
2nd Annual Forum: 2015
Los Angeles, California
1st Annual Forum: 2014
Salt Lake City, Utah
BAPA’s first ever forum featured Bosnian American authors who shared their unique background and expertise. The weekend commenced with a fundraising reception, during which professionals mingled and socialized with featured authors. The fundraiser benefited the Bosana Foundation, which offers scholarships and professional development to college students in Bosnia and Herzegovina. “This is in line with our strategy to strengthen the connection to Bosnia and Herzegovina,” said Kanita Lipjankić, BAPA founder and then chair. The event’s keynote speaker, Kenan Trebinčević, author of The Bosnia List, discussed his poignant memoir about his childhood in Brčko during the Bosnian war. This City Public Library-sponsored presentation was followed by a Q&A session and a book signing. Trebinčević was joined by three additional Bosnian writers for a panel discussion focused on immigrant and identity issues faced by Bosnian Americans, especially in relation to writing, literature, and language. The event was sponsored by the Utah Humanities Book Festival and featured Ajla Terzić, author of Lutrija and Mogla Je Biti Prosta Prića; Jasmina Dervišević-Cesis, author of The River Runs Salt, Runs Sweet; and Elvis Hadžić, author of The Curious Case of Benjamin Zec.