Aquarius’ project “I Am Not Perfect” is born out of the need to encourage women to break free from the harmful mantra of perfection — a message that has been passed down to women through generations, sometimes subtly and sometimes far less so.
45 women | 45 stories | 1 book
Read more about the book here!
Every purchased book brings hope and psychological support to children and young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
How many times a day do you see a “perfect” life around you?
In the stories of acquaintances, in the public appearances of celebrities, in advertisements, films and TV series — and even on social media feeds… They’re all filled with polished, picture-perfect moments.
What message are we being sent?
You have to be a perfect mother, wife, leader, friend.
We’re expected to be EVERYTHING AT ONCE:
Unstoppable at work!
Dedicated at home!
Always smiling!
Always put together!
The facade has to be flawless.
Who are we and why does this matter to us?
We are Aquarius Group.
And this is part of our DNA.
For over 30 years, we haven’t been just an agency. We’ve been part of the community. Alongside working with the biggest clients, we’ve always launched projects from the heart.
Our award-winning campaigns #SNIŽENA and #nisamSTEREOTIP sparked a dialogue about women’s roles. They weren’t just work — they were our responsibility. This year, we continue that mission. And now, we’re taking it one step further.
Stories told by
Lana Pudar
Mostar, 2006
Bosnia and Herzegovina’s top female athlete. A swimmer, specializing in the butterfly stroke. Holder of national records in all six butterfly events and is also the Mediterranean Games record holder in the women’s 100-meter butterfly.
She won a gold medal in the 200-meter and a bronze medal in the 100-meter event at the 2022 European Aquatics Championships, as well as a bronze medal in the 200-meter event at the 2021 FINA World Swimming Championships. She competed at the Tokyo 2020 and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Her swimming career will continue in the United States, where she will compete for the University of Virginia — a leading American collegiate swimming team, while still continuing to represent Bosnia and Herzegovina internationally.
Nura Bazdulj Hubijar
Foča, 1951
She spent her childhood in Sarajevo, where she also studied and graduated from the Faculty of Medicine. She has been living in Travnik since 1975.
She is the author of over forty works, including novels, poetry, and plays. Her writings have been translated into German, English, Norwegian, Slovak, Dutch, Swedish, and Hungarian. She has received every major national and one regional literary award, as well as numerous honors. Her works have been included in anthologies and school readers, and her trilogy The Rose (Ruža) is part of the official school curriculum.
She is the mother of two and the grandmother to three girls. Her son, Muharem Bazdulj, is a writer, translator, and journalist.
Sanja Lopar
Sarajevo, 1959
The first European woman to produce premium cigars and launch an exclusive cigar brand, Lopar International. She is the founder and CEO of Lopar International S.A., based in Geneva, as well as the head of the Aficionados company in Pula. She splits her time between Geneva, Pula, Monaco, Costa Rica, and Sarajevo.
A journalism graduate, she was once part of the team that founded the first private television station in the former Yugoslavia, in her hometown. Later, together with four other women, she co-founded the first private company that broke the state monopoly of the former Yugoslavia by trading in oil, petroleum products, and cigarettes.
She is the recipient of numerous international awards and honors. Happily married to Dragan, with whom she has a son, Sacha. The proud grandmother of two girls.
Maya Sar
Tuzla, 1981
A singer-songwriter, she graduated from the Sarajevo Academy of Music, Department of Piano. With her song I Know Your Steps (Korake ti znam), which she also wrote, she represented Bosnia and Herzegovina at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012.
She is the founder of the regional humanitarian project My Life Is My Song (Moj život je moja pjesma), dedicated to combating cervical cancer. For her humanitarian work, she received the Golden Plaque of the Great Human Heart from the International League of Humanists, as well as the European Award granted by the European Cervical Cancer Association (ECCA).
Vanja Ljevar
Banja Luka, 1989
After completing her undergraduate studies at the Faculty of Organizational Sciences in Belgrade, she went on to London, where she earned a master’s degree and later a PhD at the University of Nottingham.
Her career developed in parallel with the rapid rise of information technology in the field of market analysis, which gradually made her inseparable from data. She went on to establish KubikIntelligence, a consulting agency based in London that combines data science and psychology to help companies gain deeper insights into their customers, boost sales, and accelerate growth.
Aida Begić Zubčević
Sarajevo, 1976
An award-winning and internationally acclaimed director and screenwriter. She earned her degree in Film and Theatre directing from the Academy of Performing Arts in her hometown, where she now teaches Directing. She is a member of AMPAS, EFA, and SACD.
Her films First Death Experience (Prvo smrtno iskustvo), North Went Mad (Sjever je poludio), Snow (Snijeg), Children (Djeca), Bridges of Sarajevo (Mostovi Sarajeva), Never Leave Me (Ne ostavljaj me), and Ballad (Balada) — portray subtle, deeply personal stories, mostly centered on women and children. All four of her feature films have been Bosnia and Herzegovina’s official submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.
Nada Kaurin Knežević
Banja Luka, 1986
In her first year, she moved with her family to Dalmatia, and later moved on her own to Zagreb. Her twenties brought her a successful marketing career, and her thirties an academic and research one. She is a lecturer at Algebra University and a doctoral candidate at the Faculty of Economics in Rijeka. Her research focuses on creativity, which she also expresses personally – primarily through writing.
She is the author of the short story collection Diagnosis (Dijagnoza), the novel The Second Album (Drugi album), and a play that was recommended for reading at the 2022 Marin Držić Awards. She has been married to the same guy for years. The mother to a magical little girl named Ela, and the stepmother to a black dog named Bella. She reads a lot, cooks, goes to concerts, and laughs whenever she can – even when she’s afraid.
Nadine Mičić
Cologne, 1994
Born in Cologne, she completed her primary and secondary education in Zadar, and later graduated from the Academy of Performing Arts in Sarajevo, Department of Acting. In addition to numerous film and theater roles, including Demons (Demoni), Murlin Murlo, Father (Otac), Mistresses (Ljubavnice), Blank, and The Glorious Florence (Slavna Florens), she is also known for her distinctive and original fashion style.
She received the Best Supporting Actress Award at the Fadil Hadžić Days of Satire festival, held at Zagreb’s Kerempuh Theatre. She is one of the co-founders of the regional movement I Didn’t Ask For It (Nisam tražila) – a platform where girls and women can anonymously share experiences of sexual violence. A daughter, wife, and mother to a boy named Kaja.
Marija Nović
Derventa, 2004
At just 17, she became the youngest pilot in the history of general aviation in the Republic of Srpska and Bosnia and Herzegovina. She says she would also like to be a military pilot, but ultimately chose the path of civil aviation.
She successfully completed her PPL training for light aircraft, that is small sports aircraft used for scenic flights, parachute jumps, and similar activities. This was followed by ATPL training, i.e. preparation for civil aviation and large commercial passenger aircraft. In every sense, the sky is her limit.
Alena Džebo
Sarajevo, 1978
A freelance artist, actress, and president of the Association of Filmmakers of Bosnia and Herzegovina. She graduated from the Academy of Performing Arts in Sarajevo, Department of Acting, in her hometown.
She has worked on numerous productions with theatre companies in Sarajevo, Tuzla, Mostar, and Zenica, as well as in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Alongside her stage career, she has also built a strong presence in film, television, and radio projects. She is an active drama pedagogue with a special focus on inclusive drama. For many years, she has also worked as a reader at the Library for the Blind and Visually Impaired of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Maja Karović
Zenica, 1991
A robotics engineer and programmer, recognized by the global platform WomenTech Network as one of the 25 leading scientists in Germany. She completed her studies in Automation and Electronics in Sarajevo, attended the Department of Robotics and Automation in Maribor, and earned her Master’s degree in Mechatronics at the Faculty of Technical Sciences in Novi Sad.
She has extensive experience in implementing robotic solutions for the manufacturing industry, developing the first European industrial exoskeleton, and working with children and youth to develop STEM skills.
Nejra Latić Hulusić
Sarajevo, 1985
Holder of a Master’s degree in Performing Arts, a film and television director, activist, and columnist. An award-winning documentary filmmaker, she has gained most of her professional experience working in television.
She directed several acclaimed films, including Witness (Svjedok), Her Cinema Love, Into the Blue (U plavo), Undercover, and Infidel (Ćafir). She also writes for magazines from Banja Luka and Sarajevo and is the founder of HAVA, an Association for the Empowerment of Women through Art and Culture, which bears the name of her daughter.
Edina Selesković
Tuzla, 1973
An interdisciplinary contemporary artist with many years of international experience, a social activist, and a global educator. She graduated from the prestigious Corcoran School of Art in Washington, D.C., Department of Sculpture.
She splits her time between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the United States, and the works from her New York studio have been exhibited in over 100 shows across the US, Europe, and Asia. She is also known as the founder of the Festival of Contemporary Women in her hometown of Tuzla.
Adla Kahrić
Travnik, 1993
A scientist with a degree in genetics and a master’s in ecology; a dedicated protector of nature and the diversity of plant, animal, and marine life. Diver, marathon runner, TEDx speaker, and passionate lover of travel and food.
Author of more than thirty scientific and research papers, she was at one time selected as the coordinator of a National Geographic research team focused on studying the condition and diseases of rays in the Mediterranean Sea.
Dženana Šabić Hamidović
Tuzla, 1983
She currently works as a family systems psychotherapist and an emotionally focused couples therapist at the Mentis Institute in Sarajevo. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the Department of Pedagogy and Psychology at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Tuzla.
For many years, she has worked with various UN agencies as well as local civil society organizations on issues related to human rights, social protection, social inclusion, social cohesion, and peacebuilding. In addition to her work in Bosnia and Herzegovina, she has international work experience across Africa, Latin America, and the European Union. Committed to fostering a more peaceful and just society, she also collaborates with universities, notably emphasizing her cooperation with Yale and Harvard in the United States.
Aida Čorbadžić
Zavidovići, 1976
Principal singer of the Sarajevo Opera.She graduated from the Music Academy in Sarajevo, where she currently lives.
Maja Halilović
Sarajevo, 1985
A biodesigner with a degree in Product Design from the Sarajevo Academy of Fine Arts.
She explores the boundaries between biology, ecology, and design, developing innovative biomaterials and sustainable technologies in collaboration with natural processes. She specializes in working with simple organisms without nervous systems, as well as in transforming organic waste into sustainable materials.
She is best known for her patented biomaterial made from eggshells — a pioneering innovation that transforms waste into high-value materials and products — for which she has received multiple international awards, including the Gold Prize in South Korea and a bronze medal at the 75th International Invention Exhibition IENA in Nuremberg.
Zulejha Kečo Kapidžić
Sarajevo, 1997
Alongside her elementary school, she completed separate programs in classical ballet and piano. She then enrolled in the Secondary Music School, Department of Classical Ballet, and the Second Gymnasium in Sarajevo. Since 2015, she has been a member of the Ballet Ensemble of the National Theatre Sarajevo.
She performs in both ensemble and solo roles in numerous ballets, as well as taking part in the dramatic and operatic repertoire of the National Theatre Sarajevo. For many years, she has been part of the “Balkan Dance Project” and is actively dedicated to promoting contemporary dance through her pedagogical work with children and young people. She has continued her professional training at numerous dance workshops and schools in Bosnia and Herzegovina, across the region, in France, and in the United States.
Aleksandra Samardžić
Trebinje, 1997
She took her first judo steps in Berkovići, where she is regarded as a true ambassador of the sport. A member of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s national judo team and the country’s Olympic squad, she fulfilled her greatest professional dream by competing at the Olympic Games in Paris.
Throughout her distinguished athletic career, she has won more than 400 medals. She is a European university champion and has earned silver medals at the Youth Olympic Games, the Junior World Championships, and the Senior European Championships.
Sanja Hajdukov
Tuzla, 1967
With a background in mining engineering and a master’s degree in economics, she enjoys working in business communication and writing the most. She started her own business at the age of 49 and began writing at 50. She is the author of the books In Praise of Wisdom (Pohvala mudrosti) and In Praise of Courage (Pohvala hrabrosti).
An entrepreneur with more than twenty years of professional experience in public relations, education, and microfinance, she is the director of the Center for the Promotion of Lifelong Learning Erazmo. She is also the mother of three.
Sonja Marković
Foča, 1991
One of the best pianists in Bosnia and Herzegovina. As the top student in her class, she graduated from the Department of Piano at the Academy of Arts in Banja Luka. She earned her master’s degrees in piano performance and chamber music at the Faculty of Music in Belgrade, and later continued her professional training at the Stanisław Moniuszko Academy of Music in Gdańsk.
She has won more than fifty awards, many of them international. One of the few artists from the region invited to perform at the renowned Carnegie Hall, her concert was canceled due to the pandemic. She lives in Oslo, where she works at the Indre Østfold School of Culture. Happily married.
Alena Gojak
Sarajevo, 1983
A painter, artist, and illustrator with a career spanning more than twenty years. With fourteen solo and over seventy group exhibitions, her works have traveled the world – from New York to New Delhi.
Known for her vibrant colors and cheerful motifs, her paintings have found their way to people across the globe and are often used in art therapy. She collaborates with the UN, UNDP, and the Novak Đoković Foundation, and has also created projects for Novak Đoković himself. As Audi’s ambassador for Bosnia and Herzegovina, she makes her art part of major international initiatives.
She hopes to leave behind a legacy of many beautifully illustrated children’s books. In addition to painting, she devotes much of her time to humanitarian work, especially projects involving children, connecting her art with social responsibility and positive change.
Amila Smajović
Jablanica, 1965
Guardian of the Bosnian carpet. A distinguished artist, printmaker, and professor specializing in communication symbols, whose work makes an invaluable contribution to the preservation and promotion of the Bosnian carpet — one of the most important elements of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s cultural and artistic heritage.
She earned her bachelor and master’s degrees in printmaking at the Academy of Fine Arts in Sarajevo, where she also completed her PhD in communication studies at the Faculty of Political Sciences. She is the author of the book The Spirit of the Bosnian Carpet (Duh bosanskog ćilima) and co-author of three others. Her scholarly works have been published in numerous international collections and journals. She has organized several solo exhibitions and has received more than twenty awards for her work, both in Bosnia and Herzegovina and abroad. She is married, the mother of two.
Anđelka Stupar
Prijedor, 1978
A licensed pharmacist and specialist in pharmaceutical technology, employed at the Agency for Medicinal Products and Medical Devices of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A single and proud mother of the magical Jovana and brave Vuk — a boy living with an extremely rare disease.
One of the founders and the first president of the Association for Rare Diseases of the Republic of Srpska. A member of the Commission for Rare Diseases of the Republic of Srpska and the Management Board of the Solidarity Fund for Diagnosis and Treatment of Children Abroad.
Emina Dervišević
Doboj, 1988
Doctor of Medical Sciences, employed at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sarajevo. Author and co-author of more than seventy scientific papers and four medical books. Her research has been cited internationally more than 6,000 times.
A multiple award-winning scientist, she has participated in ten national research projects — as either project leader or researcher — and in six international ones. She is an active member of the International Academy of Legal Medicine (IALM), the Association of Forensic Medicine of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the largest Global Burden of Disease (GBD) network, where she serves as a senior collaborator.
She represents Bosnia and Herzegovina in the creation of the Sudden Cardiac Death Registry. Happily married and the mother of a daughter.
Senita Slipac
Banja Luka, 1981
Humanitarian and entrepreneur. At the age of eleven, she left Bosnia and Herzegovina, living first in Greece, then in the Czech Republic, and finally in the United States, where she completed high school and university studies in political science and diplomacy.
In the U.S., she founded the Bosana Foundation, which provides scholarships to talented young people from Bosnia and Herzegovina who wish to pursue an education but lack the means to do so. She later returned to her homeland, at first briefly, but has now been based there for more than a decade. In Sarajevo, she founded OREA, an online platform that supports the sale, promotion, and growth of domestic and regional brands.
Zilka Spahić Šiljak
Zenica, 1968
Professor of Gender Studies whose work focuses on gender, religion, human rights, politics, and peacebuilding. She has extensive experience in both governmental and non-governmental sectors, as well as in academia. Director of the TPO Foundation and one of the first Muslim feminists in Bosnia and Herzegovina to openly advocate for gender equality, social justice, and women’s emancipation through both religious and secular discourse.
She currently serves as the Academic Director of the University Gender Resource Center (UNIGeRC) at the University of Sarajevo, where she leads the first online school Feminism and Religion (FER) — a platform for critically examining gender stereotypes from both secular and religious perspectives.
Ida Fazlić
Brčko, 1995
She completed her studies in Conservation and Restoration of Cultural and Historical Heritage at the Academy of Fine Arts and the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics in Sarajevo. After earning her master’s degree in the Science and Technology of Cultural Heritage Conservation at Ca’Foscari University in Venice, she began her doctoral studies at the prestigious European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) in Grenoble. She also works at the Rijksmuseum, affiliated with the University of Amsterdam.
Her research focuses on major works of world painting, specifically on the chemical and physical processes that lead to the degradation of artworks. She was part of the scientific team whose research revealed that the mystery of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous Mona Lisa lies not so much in her smile, but in the painting techniques the artist used. She also assisted in the analysis of Caravaggio’s David with the Head of Goliath and contributed to uncovering the secrets of Rembrandt’s The Night Watch.
Tatjana Bijelić
Sisak, 1974
Tenured Professor of Anglo-American Literature at the Faculty of Philology, University of Banja Luka. Writer, translator, and editor of the scholarly journal Filolog (The Philologist).
She has published numerous academic and professional papers, several monographs, three collections of poetry, as well as the novel Hair on the Tongue (Dlake na jeziku) and the novel in verse Setting the Rib Straight (Rihtanje rebra). She is the recipient of several literary awards in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the region. Her poetry has been translated into multiple world languages.
Sanda Kozić
Banja Luka, 1978
World Peace Ambassador from Bosnia and Herzegovina, entrepreneur, humanitarian, philanthropist, and social activist. Proud mother of her daughter, Mia. Recipient of numerous national and international awards for her contributions to humanity, the promotion of culture, the protection of human rights, and the development of innovative social initiatives.
Recognized as one of the globally active women who, through her work, humanitarian engagement, and support for young people, builds bridges among people, nations, and cultures. She believes that the greatest success comes from consistency, dedication, and the courage to remain true to oneself – especially when it’s the hardest to do so.
Zvijezdana Marković
Travnik, 1991
Lawyer, expert in gender equality and human rights, blogger, gold medalist at the World Debate Championship, and passionate mountaineer. She has over ten years of experience working with civil society and international organizations, focusing on women’s empowerment, social justice, and local development.
Dedicated to combating violence against women and advancing gender equality through legal reform, advocacy, and strategic partnerships. Her favorite view is from the summit of Kilimanjaro, as well as from the many mountain trails she’s hiked across the region and the world.
Ivana Pandžić
Banja Luka, 1979
Archaeologist, museum advisor at the Museum of the Republic of Srpska, and assistant professor in the Department of History at the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Banja Luka, where she teaches Archaeology, Museology, Introduction to Tangible and Intangible Cultural-Historical Heritage, Interactive Cultural-Historical Heritage, and Interpretation, Education, and Communication. Through her work, she strives to integrate field experience, museum practice, and scientific analysis.
She is one of the founders of the Society of Archaeologists of the Republic of Srpska in Banja Luka, and a member of numerous national and international associations (ICOM, SAD, EAA). A polyglot. Her academic journey has taken her from Greece and Serbia to Slovenia and the United States, where she became the first regional recipient of the prestigious Fulbright Fellowship in the field of archaeology and cultural heritage. She is a wife, the mother of two, and a proud dog owner.
Saša Čađo
Sarajevo, 1989
Renowned basketball player. She began her career in Banja Luka, where her family lives, and recently reached a significant milestone – her 100th game for the Serbian national team, which she has represented for fifteen years.
With the Serbian national team, she became the European champion in 2015, a victory that secured a historic qualification for the following year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, where the team won the bronze medal. As a national team player, she also won a gold medal at the 2021 European Championship.
She is also actively involved in coaching young girls at the Institute for Women’s Sports.
Mirna Mezit
Donji Vakuf, 1976
During the war, she fled to Norway, where she earned a master’s degree in pedagogy and child psychology in Oslo. She later returned to Bosnia and Herzegovina, got married, and had two sons – though she always says she isn’t the mother of just two boys, but of more than 140 children.
As the director of the Center for Children and Youth with Developmental Disabilities Los Rosales in Mostar, she has made the daily inclusion of the children she works with her life’s mission. With equal dedication and love for every child, she educates, nurtures, socializes, and rehabilitates them.
Nikolina Friganović
Banja Luka, 1978
Theater and film actress, a leading member of the Drama Ensemble at the National Theatre of the Republic of Srpska. She was part of the first generation of acting students at the Academy of Arts in Banja Luka, where she now teaches as a practitioner.
She has performed in numerous acclaimed theater, film, and television roles in Bosnia and Herzegovina and across the region, earning multiple awards. Among her roles is one that never ends and for which she rehearses every day, since every day is a premiere – the role of the mother to two little girls.
Mihaela Šumić
Banja Luka, 1998
Writer and translator. During 2012, she was writing poems and columns for the Mexican magazine LUF. She translates poetry and prose in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Her poetry collection A Few Small Stings (Nekoliko sitnih uboda) received the Čučkova knjiga Award for the best debut book published in 2020, while her short story collection Herbarium of the Holy Death (Herbarij svete smrti) won the regional literary award Štefica Cvek. Her debut novel The Wolf Man (Čovjek vuk) was shortlisted for the European Union Prize for Literature.
Maja Karać
Banja Luka, 1984
Master of Primary Education and a multi-award-winning teacher. Recipient of the Svetosavska nagrada Award. for the 2022/2023 school year and honored with the title of Best Teacher from the former Yugoslavia. Winner of the Oljini dani srećnog učenja (Olja’s Days of Happy Learning) event.
She teaches at Elementary School Branko Ćopić in Banja Luka, where she founded and currently edits the school magazine. She is the founder and member of the teachers’ association Sabranje. Author of numerous projects and an active participant in many others, as well as a member of professional associations. Mentor of the Srećno učenje (Happy Learning) program and recipient of the Plaque of the Sestara Gajić Library. Married and the mother of two.
Milanka Blagojević
Banja Luka, 1982
Award-winning writer and author of the short story collection Mandarin Ducks (Mandarinske patke), which received the Čučkova knjiga Award for the best debut book. She later published another collection of stories, Nervus Vagus and Other Stories (Nervus vagus i druge priče), and a poetry collection titled My Father Dies in Poetry (Moj otac umire u poeziji).
She graduated from the Faculty of Philology in Banja Luka, Department of Serbian Language and Literature. She is the director of the Center for Culture in Šamac and founder of the Milica Festival, established in honor of Milica Babić Andrić, a pioneer of costume design in the region. The mother of Andrija, Arsen, and Aljoša.
Banja Luka, 1982.
Nagrađivana književnica, objavila zbirku priča „Mandarinske patke“, za koju osvaja nagradu „Čučkova knjiga“ za najbolju prvu knjigu, a potom i zbirku priča „Nervus vagus i druge priče“ te zbirku pjesama „Moj otac umire u poeziji“.
Diplomirala je na Filološkom fakultetu u Banjoj Luci na Odsjeku za srpski jezik i književnost. Direktorka je Centra za kulturu Šamac i osnivačica festivala „Milica“, pokrenutog u čast Milice Babić Andrić, pionirke kostimografije na ovim prostorima. Majka je Andrije, Arsena i Aljoše.
Jasmila Talić Kujundžić
Banja Luka, 1989
She completed primary and secondary school in Zenica and earned her master’s degree in Psychology at the Faculty of Philosophy in Sarajevo, where she still lives today. She has extensive experience working in schools and day centers with children and young people.
At the same time, writing has always been — and continues to be — her great love. For years, she was the editor of the youth magazine Preventeen and has published poetry, prose, and essays. She is the recipient of several literary and journalism awards. Her debut novel Heavenly Window (Nebeski prozor) has been on a long and uncertain literary and personal journey. It was awarded at the Moja prva knjiga Festival as the best manuscript. She is currently focused on motherhood and writing.
Draženka Panić
Banja Luka, 1994
The first and only female pilot in the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina. She was not yet fully twenty-one when she bravely left her hometown to face the challenges of the Icaron Air Force Academy in Greece, from which she graduated as the top foreign cadet in her class.
She completed her flight training in the civilian sector, specializing in sports aircrafts, and later successfully completed retraining as a helicopter pilot. Her interests also include martial arts, painting, airsoft, and motorcycle riding.
Mirela Lela Laković
Goražde, 1983
She graduated from the Department of Comparative Literature and Library Science at the University of Sarajevo, after which she completed studies in Public Relations at the Business Academy.
Although best known for her distinctive stage persona and creative musical performances with her brother Laka, she is often engaged as a moderator for various live programs, promotions, festivals, conferences, and summits. Since 2015, she has been working as a television host, while also remaining active in the marketing industry for nearly twenty years, in roles including team leader, producer, PR manager, and professional consultant.
Alma Abdagić Hadžijagić
Donji Vakuf, 1976
Once best known to the public as a television host, she was born in Donji Vakuf and moved to Sarajevo as a child, where she still lives today. She earned a degree in Comparative Literature and a master’s in Gender Studies from the University of Sarajevo.
A singer-songwriter, she now successfully builds her professional career as a real estate agent. Often called the Balkan Joan Baez, she is the author of unforgettable ballads whose lyrics (and melodies) have been performed by some of the region’s biggest music stars.
Jasminka Vučković
Banja Luka, 1963
She completed both high school and the Faculty of Medicine in her hometown. A specialist in general medicine, she also pursued additional education in family medicine and obtained a master’s degree from Keele University in England.
She contributed to the development of the Program for Rare Diseases in the Republic of Srpska and is a member of the Coordination Team for the Advancement of Early Childhood Growth and Development, as well as the Commission for Rare Diseases. Since 2017, she has been the Director of the Solidarity Fund for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Diseases, Conditions, and Injuries of Children Abroad. The mother of a son.
Indira Kučuk Sorguč
Sarajevo, 1971
History professor, publicist, writer, culturologist, screenwriter, anthropologist, producer, and sharp critic of contemporary Bosnian society. One of the first Bosnian women playwrights and satirists whose comedies, cabarets, and short plays received widespread popular acclaim from audiences.
She has distinguished herself as an editor of cultural sections in numerous print media and as a critic of theatre, film, and literature. She has published several scholarly works, some of which have been included in school textbooks. She is the author of six short story collections and a book of theatre criticism titled Caesarean Section (Carski rez). She also wrote the book, directed the film, and curated the exhibition Suada and Muše: The Footballer and The Ballerina (Suada i Muše: Fudbaler i Balerina).
She has initiated numerous cultural projects, festivals, and events. She is currently the director and curator at the Sarajevo Museum and the president of the Association for the Promotion of Cultural Values FILTER, where she promotes independent theatre and fosters creative freedom among young people.
We’ve brought together, in one place, the most well-known “imperfect” women we admire.
We launched the #IAmNotPerfect campaign and wrote a book.
We brought together 45 women from Bosnia and Herzegovina whom we consider true role models — leaders in culture, art, science, sports, business… Women whose achievements can seem out of reach.
We asked them to share one personal anecdote — an intimate story from their lives, a moment when they were everything but perfect.
Stories illustrated by
Ana Jovanović
Banja Luka, 2000
Graphic designer, illustrator, and audio-visual artist. During her studies at the Academy of Arts in Banja Luka, in the Department of Graphic Design, her artistic expression eagerly explored painting, photography, videography, music, and dance — searching for one medium that could fully satisfy her.
Now firmly anchored at the crossroads of media, she has found fulfillment by combining seemingly disparate artistic streams. Personal growth and impact are what unite them all, and each new work is aimed at pushing her own boundaries, with the goal of leaving a lasting impression.
Anđela Nikolić
Vršac, 2003
A fourth-year student at the Faculty of Technical Sciences in Novi Sad. She developed a love for drawing and computers in her hometown.
She is currently focused on illustration, graphic design, and game design, and in her free time she enjoys making jewelry for her friends.
Azra Šahinović
Bihać, 1993
Basic and secondary education was completed in Bihać, after which she enrolled at the Academy of Fine Arts in Sarajevo, at the Department of Graphic Design. During her studies, she developed a particular interest in photography, typography, and marketing.
After graduating from the Academy, she enrolled in a Master’s program in Marketing Management at the Faculty of Economics in Sarajevo, earning the title of Master of Marketing Management. In 2019, she moved to Budapest, where she currently lives and continues her professional career as a designer in a marketing agency.
Danica Stamenković
Zrenjanin, 2000
She completed primary school and Zrenjanin Gymnasium in her hometown.
She is the middle child in a family with a brother and a sister. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree at the Faculty of Technical Sciences in Novi Sad, in the field of Graphic Engineering and Design, which she chose driven by her long-standing love for art, design, and illustration.
In addition to visual arts, she also nurtures her musical side – she completed lower music school, majoring in flute. By combining creativity, technical knowledge, and artistic expression, she is dedicated to creating visual content that merges aesthetics with message.
Dragana Ilić
Bar, 2002.
She lived in her hometown until the age of six, after which she moved to Sombor, where she completed primary and secondary school. She is a final-year student of Graphic Engineering and Design at the Faculty of Technical Sciences in Novi Sad.
Besides design, she has a great passion for literature and is also active in a student movement opposing social injustices, authoritarianism, and corruption.
Džejla Džaferović
Sarajevo, 2003
A student in the Department of Graphic Design at the Academy of Fine Arts in Sarajevo. In her artistic expression, she strives for an illustrative approach and the integration of different media and visual disciplines.
She has participated in several local, regional, and international exhibitions. Notable among them are the Fluid Design Forum in Cetinje, “Connecting Stories” in Kansas, the 26th Balkan Review of Young Comic Artists in Leskovac, the exhibition “Kiosk System K67: Sarajevo 2024,” and the 27th National Children’s Book Festival “From the Fairy-Tale World of Raina Boiseleka” in Bulgaria. In her free time, she actively engages in illustration and caricature.
Edina Voloder Mujkić
Mostar, 1998
Her place of birth reveals two key things – that she is a proud Herzegovinian and that she prefers winter.
She graduated in Business Informatics but has been working as a graphic designer for several years. She usually spends her free time with her husband and their cat, Yuki. After a full day in front of Photoshop, she most enjoys ending her day immersed in a book.
Jelena Žilić
Banja Luka, 1989
She has nurtured her love for art and design from an early age and pursued formal education at the Faculty of Information Technology and Design in Banja Luka. During her studies, she honed her skills in graphic design, illustration, and drawing.
Through her work, she combines art and functionality – her tools are Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign, and illustration is her way of bringing ideas to life and creating visual stories. Beyond her career, she is dedicated to her family – a mother of two wonderful daughters and the wife of an artist.
Kiara Marjanović
Banja Luka, 2008
She graduated from the “Gemit-Apeiron” Secondary School as a dental technician, but her interests extend from anatomical models to artistic forms.
She also received musical training at OŠ “Vlado Milošević.” In her free time, she divides her attention between the piano, color palettes, and clay sculptures, while foreign languages open doors to a world she is just beginning to explore.
Lara Perić
Banja Luka, 2006
A graduate of the “Bl. Ivan Merz” Secondary School, whose talent first came to life in a solo exhibition at the UDAS Cultural Center. She has marked her artistic journey by participating in three charity exhibitions organized by Viartis, and her work in the “Goran V. Janković” competition on the theme of Demofest 2023 demonstrated that her creativity knows no bounds.
Martina Crepulja
Pančevo, 1990
She attended Ringling College of Art and Design in the United States, where she successfully earned a Bachelor of Applied Arts with a focus on Illustration.
Some of the numerous clients whose projects she has successfully completed include: Atomic Kid Studios, where she worked on animations for clients such as Edgewell, Lego, and Rail Europe; the representative agency Illustration Online, with projects for Exodus Travel, National Geographic Learning, Oxford Picture Dictionary; and many others.
In her free time, she volunteers on artistic projects, including Monster Project 2017/2018 and Women of BiH. In the future, she plans to continue working as a freelancer and further develop her illustration skills.
Milica Čvokić
Banja Luka
A talented artist living and creating in Banja Luka. With degrees in art and architecture, as well as studies in animated film, she is a multi-talented creative and an award-winning student. Her passion lies in illustration and animation, but she also enjoys exploring as a muralist – she simply loves adding a splash of color to the walls around her.
She is also one of the pioneers of the Animacikl project, which brings together animation and cycling, and has been an active member of the Dares Animation Society since 2022. Her artistic signature is recognized for its unique approach and sensitivity to themes, ranging from children’s books to more serious illustrations and animations, including projects with a socially responsible focus.
Nataša Jovanić
Doboj, 1989
She earned her Graphic Arts degree at the Academy of Arts, University of Banja Luka, in 2012, and three years later received a Master’s degree in Graphic Arts, also from AUBL.
She completed her Master’s studies in Visual Communication, specializing in Illustration, at the University of Arts in Berlin. She has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions and has received several awards in the fields of graphic arts and visual creativity. She currently lives and works in Berlin.
Nataša Kragulj
Prijedor, 1990
She graduated from the Academy of Arts in Banja Luka, Department of Graphic Arts, under the mentorship of Professor Nenad Zeljić, and later earned a degree from the Academy of Illustration and Design in Berlin, studying under Professors Irmele Schautz and Katja Spitzer.
She has participated in several solo and group exhibitions held in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belgium, Germany, Poland, and beyond. She currently lives in Banja Luka, where she works as a graphic designer at the agency Stars&More.
Nina Batinica
Novi sad, 1997
She graduated from the Academy of Arts in her hometown in 2020, at the Department of Graphic Design and Communication. Alongside design, she developed a strong interest in illustration.
She has participated in numerous group exhibitions around the world, primarily showcasing posters but also illustrations (Ecuador, Poland, Peru, Russia, Spain, etc.). In Paris, as part of the Week in the East festival, she held a solo exhibition and conducted a workshop for children.
She is the recipient of two awards at Ilustrofest 2022: one for Best Illustration and another as the winner of the Dobri Rode Moj competition.
Ružica Panić
Ključ, 1988
A painter whose work is imbued with calm, introspection, and the poetry of everyday life. She graduated in Painting from the Academy of Arts in Banja Luka, where she developed a recognizable style in which the human figure and landscape merge into delicate visions of inner worlds.
She has held numerous solo and group exhibitions, notable among them: Ćutanje (Banja Luka, 2011), Razgovori (Banja Luka, 2012), Povratak sebi (Banja Luka, 2019), Na ivici sna (Banski dvor, 2022), and Retrospektiva (Prijedor, 2023).
Sabina Cvjetković
Mostar, 1985
She graduated in Painting from the Academy of Fine Arts in Sarajevo, where she also completed a Master’s degree in Graphic Design. She works in animation, graphic, and pattern design.
In animation production, she contributed to several short films and one feature-length animated film. She then moved to Dubai, where she further developed her skills in design and animation for AR and VR applications and worked on the award-winning interactive app and children’s coloring book Colorbug. There, she discovered her passion for pattern design and completed the British online school The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design. In 2019, she launched her own brand, EMOTIV, which encompasses pattern collections and illustrations applied to various products. She currently lives and works in Sarajevo.
Sanja Račić
Banja Luka, 1999
A 2D/3D animator and illustrator from Banja Luka, where she completed her studies in animated film. Through illustration, she found her way into animation—where drawings move and emotions gain rhythm. With four years of experience, her work combines warm, textured visuals with playful storytelling—seemingly cheerful and whimsical, yet carrying a quiet, serious undertone.
In her illustrations, she most often explores themes of women, using a gentle yet powerful approach to express emotion and identity.
Tatjana Vidojević
Banja Luka, 1979
She earned a Master’s degree in Painting at the Academy of Arts in her hometown. She works as book and children’s book illustrator, character design, and animated film production.
She illustrated the graphic novel The Sea Was Calm in collaboration with writer Tanja Stupar Trifunović. Her work is characterized by emotional depth and the ability to convey powerful messages through visual art, making her creations both distinctive and inspiring.
Vanja Veseli
Kovin, 1999
After finishing secondary school, she enrolled at the Polytechnic Academy of Applied Studies in Belgrade, where she graduated in Graphic Design.
During her studies, she developed a strong interest in visual communication, branding, and digital media. She lives and works in Serbia, actively participating in projects within the fields of design and visual arts.
100% heart. 0 profit.
Like our previous projects, #IAmNotPerfect is a fully socially responsible initiative.
All proceeds from the sale of the book I Am Not Perfect are being directed entirely toward charitable purposes, aiming to support young people in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
By choosing to purchase it, you are supporting initiatives that provide psychological support and strengthen the mental health of children and youth. Together, we can offer understanding and encouragement to those seeking strength and hope.
Because every story shared in this book can mean a new chance — a real one — for someone.
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