POSLOVNA ŽENA Nina Išek Međugorac

Guest Nina Išek MeđugorecHosted by Dea UlupMay 3, 2026

Nina Išek Međugorec

About this episode

What you'll hear in this conversation

Nina Išek Međugorec has spent her career on both sides of the communications divide: first in agencies, then within one of Croatia's largest corporations. As Director of Corporate Communications at Hrvatski Telekom, she now directs the strategy and the resources to shape how a major company speaks to the world. Her perspective reveals the distinct advantages of each environment — where one offers breadth and rapid learning, the other grants the power of full execution. This conversation explores the often-unseen work that defines corporate influence, the subtle dynamics of gender equality in the workplace, and why, for some, work isn't just a job, but a way of life. You'll walk away with a clearer picture of what it means to truly own a communication strategy, from its invisible internal mechanics to its public face.

Insights from the conversation

What to take from this episode

Nina Išek Međugorec began her career in agencies, driven by a clear goal: 'If I want to be good at what I do, I really have to search for an environment that will offer me the best knowledge.' The best training ground isn't always the final destination; agencies offer unparalleled exposure and rapid skill development, proving a crucial proving ground before you commit to a single corporate mission.

As a corporate communications director, Nina Išek Međugorec notes the key advantage: 'You are the budget owner.' This ownership allows for the full implementation of ideas and the acceptance of calculated risks, transforming a diverse agency background into the power to deliver tangible, owned results.

The unseen aspect of corporate communications is 'extremely demanding,' Nina Išek Međugorec explains, involving daily participation in 'all micro-decisions of every part of the company.' The true influence of a communications leader often lies in these invisible internal integrations and advisory roles, rather than in public-facing campaigns.

While corporations 'are truly doing a lot in the area of women's equality,' Nina Išek Međugorec emphasizes that 'regardless of this formal part, there is still a lot of room for improvement at the personal and direct level.' True workplace equity doesn't just come from policy; it requires a culture actively shaped by the personal example of leadership.

For Nina Išek Međugorec, the line between work and personal life blurs into a deliberate integration: 'My definite choice is what I do, I live, and what I live, I do. That is something I don't compromise on.' This isn't about imbalance; it's about actively choosing environments where your professional self aligns completely with your values, making your work an extension of who you are.

In public relations, Nina Išek Međugorec has 'insisted on research from the beginning,' despite common budget excuses. She argues it's 'one area for which there should always be a budget,' because strategic communication cannot truly be effective without this foundational understanding. Make research a non-negotiable investment, not a discretionary spend.

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