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Ivan Tokić
Episode · #733

POSLOVNI ĐIR Ivan Tokić

Guest Ivan TokićHosted by Ojdana KoharevićMay 3, 2026
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation

For decades, associations for people with disabilities often focused on care and advocacy, not job creation. But the world changes, and so must their mission. Ivan Tokić, president of the Split County Association of the Blind, has led his organization through a significant shift, transforming it from a traditional support structure into a proactive employment engine. Under his leadership, the association has grown from two employees to thirty, actively creating opportunities where traditional paths have closed. Tokić argues that the biggest hurdles to employment for blind individuals aren't always what entrepreneurs assume, nor are they a lack of state support. This conversation reveals how a non-profit can operate with the strategic rigor of a business, urging leaders to rethink who they can hire and why.

Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
In 2019, Ivan Tokić and a team of younger members initiated a "generational shift" because the Split County Association of the Blind "wasn't heading in the right direction." This pivot towards employment and project work demonstrates that even established non-profits must embrace strategic renewal to stay relevant and deliver on their mission.
02
Taking over the association was "like taking over a company," Tokić says, describing how he relied on his predecessor, Vicko Cviličić, as a mentor for the first year. The wisdom of older generations, especially from those who built the foundation, is crucial for new leaders to navigate change, even when steering an organization in a new direction.
03
Historically, many blind individuals found employment in "reserved spots" as telephone operators at institutions like hospitals and courts, but these roles are now disappearing. Relying on protected job categories in industries facing technological obsolescence is a temporary solution; organizations must actively seek and train for new professions.
04
The association grew from just two employees when Tokić took over to thirty today, with five of those positions held by blind individuals. Significant growth in a non-profit, especially in direct employment, requires a business-like approach to securing funding and managing operations, moving beyond traditional volunteer models.
05
A key reason for unemployment among younger blind individuals, Tokić notes, is often a lack of social and communication skills, sometimes due to being "kept closed off in the house or, as we would call it today, under a glass dome." The most critical barrier to employment for some disabled individuals isn't a lack of opportunities or state incentives, but the fundamental development of soft skills, which can be overlooked in a protective environment.
06
Tokić highlights that "the state offers very good things" and incentives through the Institute for Persons with Disabilities (ZOSI) for companies employing disabled individuals. The issue isn't a lack of government support or funding for hiring disabled people; it's often a disconnect between available incentives and the perceived or actual challenges of integrating these employees.
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