In the 84th episode of the Alumni Connect podcast, we welcome Aleš Križnar, Secretary General of the Basketball Federation of Slovenia. His journey began in basketball, but also took him through music, studies at the School of Economics and Business, an exchange in Finland, work in Vienna and a year in the United States. In the conversation, he reflects on leading EuroBasket 2013, the responsibility behind major projects, and the trust, decision-making and business thinking that underpin successful sporting stories.

On Tuesday, 9 June, the alumni community welcomed Adriano Martella, Creative Director of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games Closing Ceremony. In an online presentation, he took us behind the scenes of an event many of us had watched on screen, revealing that behind the magnificent images lay far more than spectacle alone. Through his storytelling, the ceremony unfolded as a carefully considered narrative about place, people, creativity and legacy.

When Magdalena Bogatinovska arrived in Ljubljana from Skopje at the age of 25, she came with a clear goal: to pursue a master's degree at the School of Economics and Business. What she did not anticipate was how profoundly the move would shape both her personal and professional life. Over the past five years, Slovenia has become a place she now considers home, while her career has taken her from a student role to managing one of the largest sales regions at Visionect, a company developing workplace management solutions for organisations around the world. As an alumna of the School of Economics and Business, Magdalena credits her studies with helping her develop the critical thinking and adaptability required in an industry that is constantly evolving. Today, she works with partners and customers across several continents, combining technology, business development and relationship building. Yet despite working in a highly digital environment, she remains convinced that successful business is ultimately built on trust, curiosity and genuine human connections.

In Episode 83 of the Alumni Connect Podcast, we were joined by Sašo Šmigić, a Member of the Management Board at Generali Investments, one of Slovenia’s leading investment management companies. During the conversation, he reflected on how retail investors view capital markets, how market volatility, uncertainty and current trends influence their behaviour, and why discipline and a healthy relationship with money are crucial for long-term investing.

Cycling was once seen primarily as a form of rehabilitation after injury. Today, for many people, it is a way to relax, explore, socialise and even spark new ideas. After attending the SEB Alumni webinar on preparing for a cycling tour, I came away with a much better understanding of why so many people are drawn to the sport and why an increasing number choose to spend their free time on two wheels.

David Benedek has been building his career in the financial industry for almost three decades, from investment banking in New York to senior leadership positions at NLB, Triglav Insurance and, today, Sava Re. As one of our alumni, he emphasises that it was his studies at the School of Economics and Business that first opened the door to the wider world and provided experiences that significantly shaped his professional path. His studies at Indiana University and exchange experience in Singapore introduced him to an international environment, teamwork and a practical approach to solving business challenges. Today, he places the greatest emphasis on people, company culture and thoughtful decision-making. He believes that, in the long run, values, curiosity and a willingness to learn matter most.