AmCham Talents - The Power of Change: Shaping Tomorrow Through Innovation

Gordan Kolak is an experienced manager and expert in strategic management and the restructuring of complex business systems, with additional professional experience in the field of national and homeland security. Since taking over the leadership of Končar in 2020, he has successfully led a comprehensive transformation of the company, with a strong focus on renewable energy, digital transition, and international expansion.

Under his leadership, Končar has become the largest Croatian net exporter and one of the region’s leading drivers of technological innovation. At the same time, the company has reached record levels of revenue, profit, profit margins, and newly contracted business, further strengthening its position as a regional industrial and technology leader. Particular emphasis has been placed on internationalization, expansion and modernization of production capacities, investment in research and development, and the strengthening of corporate culture and organizational resilience.

Before joining Končar, Gordan Kolak built extensive executive and consulting experience through leadership roles at several major companies, including DOK-ING, King ICT, Megatrend, Megatrend poslovna rješenja, and Dalekovod proizvodnja. He is recognized for his expertise in business, financial, and organizational restructuring, as well as strategic planning, implementation, corporate governance, and audit.

He graduated from the Faculty of Engineering, University of Rijeka, and earned his master’s degree from the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Zagreb. Throughout his career, he has continuously developed his knowledge and skills in strategic management and security through academic education and advanced professional training at prestigious American and European civilian and military institutions.

In addition to his business career, Gordan Kolak actively participated in the Croatian War of Independence and contributed to the development of Croatia’s defense system. He also took part in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Sierra Leone and remains engaged in the development of Croatia’s national security and defense framework.

In his lecture, Gordan Kolak will share his perspective on how innovation, strategic clarity, and organizational resilience shape long-term competitiveness, and on the role of leadership in driving transformation in a rapidly changing world.