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Ajla Karajko

Discover more about

WHO I AM

Discover more about

WHO I AM

In my own words...

“If you want to be a grocer, or a general, or a politician, or a judge, you will invariably become it; that is your punishment. If you never know what you want to be, if you live what some might call the dynamic life but what I will call the artistic life, if each day you are unsure of who you are and what you know you will never become anything, and that is your reward.” – Oscar Wilde

My journey has been one of exploration and discovery, a winding path abundant in triumphs and trials, and always accompanied by the question: “What’s next?”. From the vibrant corridors of academia to the dynamic world of entrepreneurship, with a sprinkle of this and that in between, I’ve embraced a dance – sometimes a struggle – between creativity and strategy, innovation and tradition, vision and execution, risk and resilience. In a world made for specialists, it took me years to accept this deliberate (or not?) smorgasbord of jobs, projects, and pursuits as “a reward”. However, I now know it truly is. More than ever before, I treasure my boundless curiosity and the courage to traverse multiple paths – sequentially and simultaneously, and often both. In an age where digital tools can master almost any specialized task, I trust on my multipotentiality to leverage diverse expertise to transform the unknown into opportunities, and turn challenges into triumphs, as they are nothing else but an invitation to create something extraordinary. 

I continue to learn and create.

01 Education

Columbia University - School of International and Public Affairs

Master’s Degree, International Finance and Economic Policy

Columbia University - The Harriman Institute

Certificate Program in Russian, Eurasian, and East European Studies

Columbia University - Barnard College

Bachelor’s Degree, Major in Economics and Minor in Italian language

Copenhagen Business School

Bachelor’s Degree, International Business

Danish Institute for Study Abroad

Bachelor’s Degree, Globalization and European Economics

United World College of the Adriatic

High School, International Baccalaureate Diploma Program

02 Certification

Project Management Professional (PMP)

Issued by Project Management Institute

AWS Business Professional

Issued by Amazon Web Services (AWS)

AWS Technical Professional

Issued by Amazon Web Services (AWS)

DevOps Navigate - Business

Issued by Amazon Web Services (AWS)

AWS TCO and Cloud Economics

Issued by Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Blockchain Essentials

Issued by IBM Initiative Cognitiveclass.ai

The Basics of Entrepreneurship

Issued by The Athena Leadership Lab

The Art of Negotiation

Issued by The Athena Leadership Lab

03 Honors

Top 18 Global Talents

Bestowed by HeySuccess

Dean’s List (2010-2014)

Bestowed by Columbia University - Barnard College

Intercultural Leadership Platinum Award

Bestowed by Danish Institute for Study Abroad

NSHSS Honorary member

Bestowed by The National Society of High School Scholars

Informatics Youth Champion

Bestowed by Municipal, Cantonal and National Educational Institutions

Mathematics Youth Champion

Bestowed by Municipal, Cantonal and National Educational Institutions

Physics Youth Champion

Bestowed by Municipal, Cantonal and National Educational Institutions

04 Awards

P.E.O International Peace Scholarship

Awarded by The International Peace Scholarship Fund

The Harriman Institute Fellowship

Awarded by Columbia University

OCS Summer Internship Grant

Awarded by Columbia University

Frances Evans Land ‘55 International Scholarship Fund

Awarded by Mr. James N. Land, III & Mr. and Mrs. George R. Walls

Raphael Marino Scholarship Fund

Awarded by Ms. Michele Steinbock

07 Affiliations and Representation

08 Philanthropy

Safe House Hope

Investor and Project manager, Renovated a Safe House

Reconciliation through Play

Investor and Project manager, Built a School Playground

Bead the Difference

Investor and Project manager, Funded School Supplies

09 Volunteering and Contribution

UNICEF

Volunteer - Miss Sarajevo by Bill Carter, Presentation and Fundraising

Global Poverty Project

Volunteer - 1.4 billion Reasons Premiere

Concern WorldWide US

Volunteer - Concern Spring Run

Creative Engagement in Conflict - Middle East

Moderator

Elderly Care - Duino

Volunteer

10 Sports and Leisure

Creative Writing

Published Author

Piano

Elementary Music School Diploma

Digital Photography

Certification and Award Recognition, Centro Internazionale d’Arte Fotografica

Skiing

National Youth Representative

Karate

Black Belt

Climbing

Member, Club Alpino Italiano

In my own words...

“If you want to be a grocer, or a general, or a politician, or a judge, you will invariably become it; that is your punishment. If you never know what you want to be, if you live what some might call the dynamic life but what I will call the artistic life, if each day you are unsure of who you are and what you know you will never become anything, and that is your reward.” – Oscar Wilde

My journey has been one of exploration and discovery, a winding path filled with both triumphs and challenges, and accompanied by an ever-present question: “What’s next?”. From the vibrant halls of academia to the dynamic world of startups, with a sprinkle of this and that in between, I’ve embraced a dance – sometimes a struggle – between creativity and strategy, innovation and tradition, vision and execution, risk and resilience, you name it. In a world made for specialists, it took me years to accept this deliberate (or not?) smorgasbord of jobs, hobbies and projects as “a reward”. But it truly is. Though my expertise spans various domains, the blend of these seemingly disparate fields has forged a unique capability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds, to see beyond the conventional, to find innovative pathways where others might see obstacles…and, if I may humbly add, to drive your business success.

01 Education

Columbia University - School of International and Public Affairs

Master’s Degree, International Finance and Economic Policy

Columbia University - The Harriman Institute

Certificate Program in Russian, Eurasian, and East European Studies

Columbia University - Barnard College

Bachelor’s Degree, Major in Economics and Minor in Italian language

Copenhagen Business School

Bachelor’s Degree, International Business

Danish Institute for Study Abroad

Bachelor’s Degree, Globalization and European Economics

United World College of the Adriatic

High School, International Baccalaureate Diploma Program

02 Certification

Project Management Professional (PMP)

Issued by Project Management Institute

AWS Business Professional

Issued by Amazon Web Services (AWS)

AWS Technical Professional

Issued by Amazon Web Services (AWS)

DevOps Navigate - Business

Issued by Amazon Web Services (AWS)

AWS TCO and Cloud Economics

Issued by Amazon Web Services (AWS)

Blockchain Essentials

Issued by IBM Initiative Cognitiveclass.ai

The Basics of Entrepreneurship

Issued by The Athena Leadership Lab

The Art of Negotiation

Issued by The Athena Leadership Lab

03 Honors

Top 18 Global Talents

Bestowed by HeySuccess

Dean’s List (2010-2014)

Bestowed by Columbia University - Barnard College

Intercultural Leadership Platinum Award

Bestowed by Danish Institute for Study Abroad

NSHSS Honorary member

Bestowed by The National Society of High School Scholars

Informatics Youth Champion

Bestowed by Municipal, Cantonal and National Educational Institutions

Mathematics Youth Champion

Bestowed by Municipal, Cantonal and National Educational Institutions

Physics Youth Champion

Bestowed by Municipal, Cantonal and National Educational Institutions

04 Awards

P.E.O International Peace Scholarship

Awarded by The International Peace Scholarship Fund

The Harriman Institute Fellowship

Awarded by Columbia University

OCS Summer Internship Grant

Awarded by Columbia University

Frances Evans Land ‘55 International Scholarship Fund

Awarded by Mr. James N. Land, III & Mr. and Mrs. George R. Walls

Raphael Marino Scholarship Fund

Awarded by Ms. Michele Steinbock

07 Affiliations and Representation

Columbia University - School of International and Public Affairs

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Mentor

Columbia University - Barnard College

Alumnae Admissions Representative

One Young World

Country Ambassador for BiH

Mondo 2000

Representative

Organizacija Naša Djeca - Monitori Dječijih Prava

Representative

08 Philanthropy

Safe House Hope

Investor and Project manager, Renovated a Safe House

Reconciliation through Play

Investor and Project manager, Built a School Playground

Bead the Difference

Investor and Project manager, Funded School Supplies

09 Volunteering and Contribution

UNICEF

Volunteer - Miss Sarajevo by Bill Carter, Presentation and Fundraising

Global Poverty Project

Volunteer - 1.4 billion Reasons Premiere

Concern WorldWide US

Volunteer - Concern Spring Run

Creative Engagement in Conflict - Middle East

Moderator

Elderly Care - Duino

Volunteer

10 Sports and Leisure

Creative Writing

Published Author

Piano

Elementary Music School Diploma

Digital Photography

Certification and Award Recognition, Centro Internazionale d’Arte Fotografica

Skiing

National Youth Representative

Karate

Black Belt

Climbing

Member, Club Alpino Italiano

The companies I've collaborated with

The nature of my collaboration with each company varied in terms of role, level of involvement, and duration, reflecting a diverse range of contributions across different capacities and seniority levels. While some details are protected by NDAs, I welcome inquiries for more detailed information where possible.

Get in touch with me