Annual Forum

Welcome to the 12th Annual BAPA Forum!

The BAPA Forum is a yearly gathering of the Bosnian American community—an opportunity to exchange knowledge, share resources, and celebrate educational achievement. Whether you’re just starting your career or well-established in your field, this is a space to connect, collaborate, and grow.

Location: San Diego, California

Dates: October 10–12, 2025

Forum Weekend Overview

More detailed information will be announced soon!

Friday, October 10 — Informal Networking
- Sufi Mediterranean Cuisine | 5915 Balboa Ave, San Diego, CA 92111
  Kick off the weekend with great food and even better company!
Saturday, October 11 — Forum Day | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- 9:45 AM — 10:45 AM Registration | Coffee & Pastries
- 10:45 AM – 11:15 AM Welcome & BAPA Overview
- 11:15 AM – 11:45 AM Nidžara Pečenković
  - Humanizing Networking: How Our Bosnian-American Identity Fuels Real Connection and Collective Growth
- 11:45AM – 12 PM BAPA Mentorship Program
- 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch Break
- 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM Breakout Session | Speed Networking
- 1:45 PM – 3:00 PM 2025 BAPA Scholarship Recipients
- 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM Breakout Session | Industry
- 3:45 PM – 4:00 PM BAPA Membership Model
- 4:00 PM – 4:45 PM Breakout Session | Cultural Connection
- 4:45 PM – 5:00 PM Closing Remarks & Conclusion
Saturday Evening — Informal Networking
- Ocean Beach | Meet @ Wonderland Ocean Pub (5083 Santa Monica Ave)
  Join us for s’mores, music, and community under the stars.
Sunday, October 12— Informal Networking
- GARAGE Kitchen + Bar | 655 Fourth Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

Forum Registration

Register for the forum below. Regular admission is $50 and student admission is $35.
If you’d like to sponsor someone’s attendance, you’ll be able to add a donation during checkout.
Need financial assistance? Email us at bapanetwork@gmail.com—we want to make this forum accessible to all.
Please use a valid personal email address—your ticket confirmation will be sent there.
Note: Tickets are non-refundable.

Register for the 2025 Annual Forum

2025 Keynote Speaker

Nidžara Pečenković is a professor of English at Santiago Canyon College, an author of a bilingual children’s book, and a Ph.D. candidate at Chapman University. She teaches courses in composition, critical thinking, and literature, including children’s literature for future educators. Her research interests revolve around hegemony of English, a more humanizing praxis in the English classroom, and multilingualism and identity. Nidžara is from Bihać, Bosnia and lives in Southern California.

Congratulations to our 2025 Scholarship Recipients!

Ena Jovanović

Ena Jovanović is a third-year undergraduate student at Cornell University, majoring in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Her academic interests include nanotechnology, device physics, and photonics. Ena previously interned at the SHINE Centre, National University of Singapore, where she explored 2D material integration for photonics applications. She is currently an undergraduate researcher at the Cornell Nanoscale Facility, where she is investigating topological semimetal nanowires for next-generation on-chip interconnects. Ena was awarded the 2025 SRC SUPREME Undergraduate Microelectronics Fellowship. After completing her undergraduate studies, she hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering or Materials Science.

Jasmina Škrgić

A rising senior at Indiana University Bloomington, Jasmina is majoring in Law and Public Policy with a minor in Slavic and Eastern European Languages and Cultures. She serves as President of the Balkan Culture Club, where she organizes events that promote cultural unity and understanding across the diverse communities of the former Yugoslavia. Jasmina is currently interning with the Auburn City Government’s IT Department and has previously worked as a Teaching Assistant for Bosnian/Croatian/Serbian language courses. Passionate about cultural preservation and post-war reconciliation in the Balkans, she has conducted research on topics such as genocide denial, cultural heritage restitution, and the impact of climate change on intangible cultural traditions. After graduation, Jasmina plans to pursue a Master of Public Affairs with a concentration in policy analysis and international governance.

Andre Vlašić

Originally from Sarajevo, Andre is an upcoming third-year Business Management student at Florida International University in Miami, FL. Since moving to the U.S. to pursue his studies, Andre has distinguished himself through initiative and leadership, founding the first Entrepreneurship Club at Stockton University and earning a EU4Business grant for a creative industry startup. He has developed a solid foundation in event organization and promotional campaigns, contributing to projects for brands such as Carlsberg, Podravka, and dm drogerie markt. Currently, he serves as a journalist and media reporter for Media Marketing, covering advertising trends and regional communication industry festivals. With plans to pursue an MBA after graduation, Andre brings a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a deep commitment to using business as a force for creativity and cross-cultural connection.

Edina Naherović

A third-year undergraduate at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, Edina is passionate about helping others and is pursuing a degree in Human Communication Sciences on the Pre-Physician Assistant track. On campus, she proudly serves as Co-President of the Balkan Student Association, creating a welcoming space for students to connect over shared culture and community. Beyond campus, Edina is the sports coordinator for the Bosnian Youth of Chicago at the BECCA Center, helping young people stay active and engaged. She works as a rehabilitation aide at Athletico Physical Therapy and volunteers her time at the Lurie Cancer Center in downtown Chicago. Edina is excited to continue her journey in healthcare by attending a Physician Assistant program after graduation.

Leila Dizdarević

Leila Dizdarevic is a graduate from East High School. She has spent her time volunteering with Teen Trust and being a Waterloo Youth City Council member. Currently, she is an apprentice with John Deere where she focuses on CNC Machining. She plans to attend the University of Northern Iowa to major in Mechanical Engineering and remain an active member of her student body.