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HELLO! I’M SINISA PEPIC

Come Explore

I’m thrilled you’re here. Please take a moment to explore my site, where you’ll find details on my background, experience, skills and more. To learn more or connect on an opportunity, don’t hesitate to reach out.

BIO

Personal Profile

Since 2014 I am providing custom tailored consulting services in the field of International Business Development, Competitive Intelligence and Business Modeling.

Previously I was a leader of operations for leading retail banks in the region of Central and Eastern Europe. Starting my banking career as an account manager, I became regional director, managing 150 employees across 20 branches. In 2008, I was honored by UniCredit Group as one of their most talented young managers.

I have created the first online lending platform in the Western Balkans for Digital Finance International, a fintech company and member of Finstar Financial Group. I was also Visiting Professor (Banking Management) at the University of Business Engineering and Management in Banja Luka.

I have received my MBEcon with thesis on "The impact of financial globalization on the European Banking" from the University of Business Engineering and Management in Banja Luka, Bosnia and am an alumni from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Cochran Fellowship Program.

In 2019 I have received my DBA from Apsley Business School in London, United Kingdom, with the research topic "Economic / Commercial Diplomacy in the context of International Business Development" .

Also, I have co-authored development strategies for the Ministry of Trade and Tourism and the Government of Republika Srpska, one of two constitutional entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and was a member of several committees of the Office of the High Representative (OHR) and the United Nations Development Programm (UNDP) with voting rights and focused on economic development in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

MY EXPERIENCE

Background & Expertise

As a professional in my field, I’ve had the opportunity to hold a variety of roles in many different companies throughout the years. Take a look below to learn more about my background and experience.

EXECUTIVE CONSULTANT

May 2014 - Current

Working with senior executives to help them solve their toughest and most complex challenges by bringing an approach to executable strategy that combines deep industry knowledge, rigorous analysis and insight to enable confident action.

 

Providing custom tailored consulting services in:

  • International Business Development,

  • Strategic and Competitive Intelligence

  • Business Modeling

COUNTRY MANAGER, DIGITAL FINANCE INTERNATIONAL

December 2015 - May 2017

Sucessfully implemented first FinTech project in Bosnia and Herzegovina handing over fully operational on-line lending platform to Investor.


Duties and responsibilities:

  • Leading and supervising licensing procedure, preparing all legal documents needed in cooperation with local law office hired.

  • Managing the procedure of company incorporation

  • Full accountability for all preparatory and operational activities within the assigned country

  • Draft, reconsile and execute the growth plan for the country and recruited a team to achieve this objective

  • Design and improve the efficiency of the business processes

  • Coordination of IT systems development

  • Participated in development and implementation of marketing strategy

  • Provide periodic market research and reporting

  • Coordinate and work with regional/group functional leaders to achieve objectives and standards for the country and have ultimate accountability for all the functions within country (i.e. Sales, Development, Marketing, Operations, Finance and HR/Team Management)

  • Look for inovations to improve the performance of the business

  • Coordination of business relations with third parties


Lending platform: www.forza.ba

DEPUTY CEO, MODRICA OIL REFINERY

May 2011 - May 2014

Successfuly implemented new organizational structure, bringing new business philosophy, using contemporary change management tools and techniques. Managed to maintain financial stability of the company, making it profitable in 2012 for the first time after privatization.


Scope of responsibilities:

  • General Management

  • Business Economics

  • Corporate Finance

  • Corporate Governance


Member of the Executive Board

New ERP Solution Project Sponsor. 

REGIONAL DIRECTOR, RAIFFEISEN BANK

October 2008 - May 2011

Succeesfully drove the Bank branch network through the challenges of the 2008/2009 crisis, maintaining the liquidity and profitability of the business.


Scope of responsibilities:

  • Leading and Managing Retail Bank Network of 20 branches with over 150 subordinates

  • Leading and Managing Retail Business Back Office

  • Representing Raiffeisen Bank to Republic of Srpska Regulator and Authorities

HEAD OF DEPARTMENT, UNICREDIT BANK

May 2006 - October 2008

As Interim Mrkonjic Grad Branch Manager decreased the Branch Risk Cost from 25% to 4% within period of 4 months.


During the period of time moved within various positions:

​

  • Head of Retail Planning and Reporting.

  • Head of Alternative Channels of Distribution,

  • Mrkonjic Grad Interim Branch Manager,

  • Account manager (SME),


Selected into Talent Management program on UniCredit Group Level (chosen in pool Group Executive).

CORPORATE ACCOUNT MANAGER, PROCREDIT BANK

May 2005 - May 2006

Scope of responsibilities:

  • Account Manager for Medium and Large segment of Corporate clients.

  • Underwriting and Loan Portfolio Management

BRANCH MANAGER, PRIZMA NBFI

August 2003 - May 2005

Managed to complete licensing procedure and start lending operations in over 20 municipalities of Republic of Srpska.


Scope of responsibilities:

  • Starting operations in Republic of Srpska

  • Leading and managing lending operations

  • Leading and managing staff of over 10 subordinates

  • Maintaining business liquidity and profitability

  • Representing Prizma to Republic of Srpska Regulator and Authorities

INCOME GENERATION PROGRAM OFFICER, UMCOR

December 2002 - July 2003

Successfully kickstarted and implemented USDA and USAID projects in Prijedor municipality area, making them first of kind after embargo against that local community were lifted.

BUSINESS SPECIALIST. ICMC

September 2000 - December 2002

Successfully implemented USBPRM entrepreneurship related projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina, making over 150 new business endeavors to start their operations.

Interested in learning more about my professional background?

EDUCATION

What I’ve Learned

Apsley Business School, London

July 2019

Doctor of Business Administration (International Business, Economic/Commercial Diplomacy)

UPIM, BANJA LUKA

February 2007 - November 2008

Master of Business Economy (Financial and Banking Management)

FACULTY OF BUSINESS STUDIES, BELGRADE

October 2003 - June 2005

Graduated Economist (Executive Management)

BELGRADE SCHOOL OF BUSINESS, BELGRADE

October 2000 - June 2003

Economist (Trade and Marketing)

MY SKILLS

What I Do

Collating Data

BUSINESS MODELING

Are you ready for the future?

We live in a time where little is predictable. Organizations must continuously innovate their business model in order to stay profitable. They need new skills, tools and a new mindset. Managers like me have to think as designers, use visual tools, make future scenarios, generate different options, innovate like a startup and make and test prototypes.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Truly Top-Notch

International business development professionals are widely recognized for playing a key role in the international trade profession. I work in a variety of international markets, growing their companies by developing new customers and maintaining relationships with their current customers. Those working in international business development requires knowledge of finance, risk analysis, market entry strategies, laws and regulations. Consultant like me must be able to perform at a high level when providing customer service, developing market entry strategies and assessing their organization’s ability to meet the needs of a client.
 

Two Men Shaking Hands
Discussing the Numbers

STRATEGIC AND COMPETITIVE INTELLIGENCE

Know yourself and know your enemy

Strategic and Competitive Intelligence (SCI) is a necessity in today’s marketplace to maintain a competitive advantage, make strategic business decisions and innovate for success. Without the proper tools, intelligence gathering and analysis can be incredibly time and resource consuming. I have spent the past 8 years helping my clients make smarter, faster decisions by effectively harnessing competitive, market, business and geo-political knowledge.

Contact me directly to learn more specifics about my skill set.

In international relations, you don't base your work on hope.

Federica Mogherini

LET’S CONNECT

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