BEA 2026 – Award Recipients (Photo: Walter Sudetić)
Toronto, Canada – May 10, 2026 – Nearly 700 guests gathered outside of Toronto over the weekend for the 22nd Annual Business Excellence Awards gala hosted by the Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce. The evening brought together business leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals and other members of the Croatian community, Canadian political representatives, and members of the Croatian diplomatic corps for an evening celebrating business achievement, entrepreneurship, education, community service, and cultural pride.
“At its core, this evening has never really changed. It’s about our Croatian-Canadian community,” Ivan Grbešić, executive member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, told the packed ballroom, emphasizing the enduring purpose of the event. “Before the titles, before the achievements, before the formalities, this night is about people coming together. Connection. Recognition. Celebration. And a reminder of how far we’ve come, together.”
Reflecting on the sacrifices of earlier generations and the accomplishments now visible throughout the community, Grbešić added: “Take a look around the room tonight. Not only at quantity – another packed house – but at quality. This is what progress looks like: real people, real stories, and real impact.”
BEA 2026 – Welcome Address by Ivan Grbešić (Photo: Walter Sudetić)
The opening remarks highlighted Croatian-Canadians recently making headlines nationally and internationally, including: Archbishop Petar Rajič, recently appointed by Pope Leo as Prefect of the Papal Household, stepping into one of the Vatican’s most prominent diplomatic and administrative roles at the heart of the Holy See; business executive Victor Dodig, long-time leader in Canadian banking who has recently drawn attention for his involvement with Croatian basketball giant KK Cibona as part of its turnaround efforts; Ivan Čondić, CFO of NuVista Energy, who recently contributed to a landmark US$2.9 billion M&A sale transaction of his publicly listed company; singer Daniella Pavičić, recently honoured by Večernji List with the “Večernjakova Domovnica 2026” in the category of Music; Toronto FC goalkeeper Luka Gavran, who made history by scoring a goalkeeper’s goal – becoming only the third goalkeeper ever in Major League Soccer history to do so, and the first in Toronto FC history; and Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanović, recently appeared on Croatian television (Dobro Jutro Hrvatska, HRT) in connection with his efforts in Zagreb in promoting Canada as one of the hosts of the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
The evening formally opened with the singing of the national anthems of Canada and Croatia, led by Julijana Hajdinjak and Andrew Sporčić, followed by a blessing delivered by Father Marko Štefanec of Holy Cross Croatian Roman Catholic Church in Hamilton.
BEA 2026 – Fireside Chat with Robert Andjelić (Photo: Walter Sudetić)
The special guest at this year’s event was Robert Andjelić, Founder and CEO of Andjelic Land Inc. Introduced as “a visionary entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist,” Andjelić engaged in a fireside chat with Joe Draganjac, executive member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, and Nick Pocrnić, Director Mining Specialist at Scotiabank. His story is one of determination and entrepreneurial drive – and one of doing it his way and not the way of the masses.
Andjelić shared reflections on entrepreneurship, resilience, long-term value creation and his thoughtful approach to agriculture and stewardship of one of our most important resources – the land itself. Born in Croatia, then part of communist Yugoslavia, he and his two siblings were smuggled by their mother across the border to Austria in 1958, joining his father, who had fled earlier, in Winnipeg, where the family began renovating homes. Andjelić built one of North America’s largest private farmland portfolios through disciplined investing and a long-term approach to agricultural land ownership. He may have left Slavonia but a part of Slavonia has never left him – it remains deeply embedded in his outlook, values, and long-term vision.
Today, Andjelic Land Inc. manages more than 250,000 acres across the provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba, with the farmland portfolio estimated to be worth over $1 billion. Widely recognized as the largest private farmland owner in Canada (outside of the Crown) and second-largest private cropland owner in North America (second only to Bill Gates), Andjelić has become one of the most influential figures in Canadian agriculture.
Before entering agriculture, Andjelić founded Sun X, a family-owned industrial real estate company whose eventual sale became the largest commercial real estate transaction in Manitoba at the time. After selling the majority of his commercial real estate portfolio in 2007, he expanded into global commodities trading before turning his attention to farmland investment in 2010.
BEA 2026 – Award Presentation to Mila Babić (Photo: Walter Sudetić)
A number of business awards, recognizing outstanding Croatian-Canadian achievement across multiple categories, were presented at the gala: Andjelic Land Inc. and Robert Andjelić received the Large Business of the Year Award; Trinity Engineering and Consulting Inc. led by Adrian Abramović was honoured as Small Business of the Year; Mila Babić, Executive Vice‑President and Chief Client Services Officer at the Ontario Pension Board, was presented the Executive of the Year Award; Nikolina Švorinić, Founder of founder of Beauty By Nikolina, received the Entrepreneur of the Year Award; and Dr. Ivan (John) Galić received the Professional of the Year Award. Gabriela Bobetić was presented the Community Achievement Award for her decades of volunteerism and dedication to preserving Croatian culture and community life in Canada, and particularly in her community in Montréal.
BEA 2026 – “Resurrection”, the commemorative award print by Anton Cetín (Photo: Walter Sudetić)
Award receipts were presented with a commemorative award print, “Resurrection”, by Croatian-Canadian artist Anton Cetín. “The print, which is a deeply symbolic tribute to the City of Vukovar, reflects themes of remembrance, resilience, dignity, and renewal. Through subtle national symbolism and the calm, resolute figure at its centre, the piece reminds us that tragedy does not end in silence – it endures through resilience, memory, and hope”, said Krešo Mitar, the gala’s co-master of ceremony.
A central theme repeated throughout the evening was the importance of inspiring youth. Speakers and attendees alike emphasized that one of the core purposes of the gala is to showcase role models from within the Croatian-Canadian community so that students and young professionals in attendance can see what is possible, and be encouraged to aim higher in their own academic, professional, and personal journeys.
BEA 2026 – Another Sold-Out Gala (Photo: Walter Sudetić)
One of the Chamber’s highest priorities continues to be investing in youth and supporting the next generation of Croatian-Canadian leaders. Proceeds from the evening’s silent auction and raffle were donated to the Croatian-Canadian Scholarship Fund, developed in partnership with the Croatian-Canadian Library.
BEA 2026 – Scholarship and Bursary Recipients (Photo: Walter Sudetić)
Scholarships ($2,000) and bursaries ($1,500) were presented by the Croatian-Canadian Scholarship Fund, with the assistance of Croatian Ambassador Vice Skračić, to students Jessica Tomačić (University of Toronto), Gabrielle Šraka (Toronto Metropolitan University), Sabrina Pavliša (University of Toronto), Alan Milković (University of Toronto), Joseph Vlašić (Brock University), and Mato Brinovac (University of Calgary), recognizing their academic achievement, leadership, and continued involvement within the Croatian-Canadian community.
The celebration was brought to a spirited close with the performance of traditional Croatian songs by Zlatni List and their tamburitzas.
“On behalf of the Chamber and members of our Croatian-Canadian community, congratulations to all of our award, scholarship and bursary recipients and special thanks to our inspiring guest Robert Andjelić for flying in from Calgary to share his remarkable achievements and speak about his perspective of what lies ahead for Canada and for the world economy more generally. Robert’s willingness to travel across the country to join us for the event says a lot about him and the value he attributes to his Croatian roots and the recognition of his achievements by his own community clearly meant a lot to members of his family who were in attendance”, said Wanita Kelava, Manager of the Chamber.
BEA 2026 – Canadian and Croatian Political and Diplomatic Dignitaries with Members of the Board and Manager of the Canadian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce (Photo: Walter Sudetić)
