Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation celebrated 15 years of successful work. On that occasion, they awarded a special prize to Aleksandra Vesić for her contribution to the development of philanthropy in Serbia. Miloš Janković, Director for Partnerships at the Catalyst Balkans, received the award on her behalf.
The text about Alexandra, created on this occasion, is transmitted entirely.
The influence of Aleksandra Vesić on the development of philanthropy in Serbia and throughout the Western Balkans was more remarkable than anyone would assume.
She was a counselor, a visionary, a moral compass, a critic, an architect of philanthropy, a mentor, and the most incredible support. Not only in Catalyst, where she was a co-founder, nor Trag Foundation, where she was the director. Not only in the AWC where she grew up but also in the Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation, partners in the Charity Coalition, and the entire civil society in Serbia.
On August 23, 1969, she was born in Kruševac, where she spent her childhood. She graduated from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Belgrade - she had a great engineering brain that she decided to use for the common good: the development of feminism, charity, and civil society.
From 2003 to 2009, she was the Balkan Fund for Local Initiatives director, now known as the Trag Foundation. After that, she continued her career as an independent consultant and a consistent voice of integrity.
Out of passion for philanthropy, in 2013, she co-founded Catalyst Balkans as the initiator of philanthropic infrastructure in the region. Alexandra has developed a methodology for collecting data and has written numerous reports, which today are the basis for everyone to develop fundraising strategies, donor strategies, and public policy proposals.
With her unique knowledge and values, and excellence in everything she does, she helped us gather and shape the Coalition for Charity. She led our public advocacy strategy, always with constructive and consistent suggestions.
Her sudden death in October 2021 left a big gap among everyone who knew her and collaborated with her. But her voice continues to be heard.
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