Sometimes, a career begins not with certainty, but with a question. For Biljana Mishikj, it was:
“What would happen if I just tried?”
Still a student, she walked into her first job interview at a bank with no expectations — and set in motion a successful career that would span more than two decades.
In the first edition of the Meet WOBA Members series, we spoke with the CEO of Iute Macedonia about how her path in finance evolved — not through meticulous planning, but by embracing the unknown. From traditional banking to fintech innovation, Biljana has led with curiosity, clarity, and a deep commitment to building systems that endure.
When asked about rejection, she doesn’t cite a single defining incident. It was subtler.
“It wasn’t a hard ‘no’ in words, but in energy — when growth was no longer possible, and the space around me stopped inspiring or enabling meaningful impact,” she says.
In leadership research, this ability to sense when an environment no longer supports growth — and to act on it — is a quality shared by high-performing CEOs. In a 2024 Harvard Business Review study, this trait ranked above risk-taking and visibility.
“Today, success means enabling others through my leadership — when my team feels supported and recognised, and when the organisation takes bold, responsible steps that improve lives,” she reflects. “That’s the kind of legacy I want to create. Not just growth on paper, but real, sustainable impact.”
This mirrors a wider shift in global leadership: a move away from individual performance towards team resilience and values-led strategy.
“Don’t wait to feel ready — just move,” she advises. “Curiosity will take you further than certainty ever could. Impact is built in discomfort. The most meaningful progress, personally or professionally, rarely comes when things are easy.”
She doesn’t aim to eliminate self-doubt — she manages it.
“I treat it like feedback, not as fact. It’s natural, especially when you’re entering new territory. The key is to stay focused on action. Confidence grows through movement, not perfection.”
Today, she puts these principles into practice. At Iute, gender equality is not treated as a target, but as a natural part of the company’s culture.
“More than half of our team are women,” she notes. “The same goes for leadership. That hasn’t happened by design, but by recognising talent, potential, and performance. It’s not about representation for its own sake — it’s about making better decisions and building stronger teams.”
The data supports this. McKinsey’s 2023 Diversity Wins report shows that companies with gender-diverse executive teams are 25% more likely to outperform financially. Harvard Business Review has also found that gender-balanced boards excel in long-term planning and risk oversight — both critical for fintech and regulated industries.
And yet, the numbers remain low: globally, women hold just 28% of senior leadership positions. In fintech, fewer than 8% of CEOs are women.
About the Meet WOBA Members Series
Meet WOBA Members is a storytelling initiative by Women on Boards Adria. Through first-person reflections, we highlight the professional journeys, values, and voices of women in leadership across the region. Stay with us as we continue to build visibility and connection across the WOBA network.
