Jelena Gavrilović Šarenac
Jelena Gavrilović Šarenac is communication specialist with more than 20 years of experience in communication, crisis management, marketing, leadership, and event organization in multinational companies. Experienced as external consultant and lecturer for communication topics. Former President of Serbian society for public relations (2016-2019) volunteering for the benefit of the communications profession.
Master’s degree in communication (2022), Thesis: the impact of COVID-19 on business communication. PWC Business Coach advanced level (PCC) and NLP master (DVNLP).
Jelena is currently Head Corporate Communications for Henkel Serbia and Henkel Adria (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Hercegovina) in charge for internal and external communications, crisis management and public affairs. In her role, she is developing and implementing communication strategy and leadership communication, supporting top management in communication and positioning with different stakeholders. Also, Jelena is experienced in managing topics like corporate social responsibility, sustainable development, and employer branding.
She holds experience in marketing being Marketing Director for all brands during nine years at Mercedes-Benz/DaimlerChrysler Company, and Planning Director on the Coca-Cola account at the marketing agency Publicis.
In 2019 Jelena worked on a special communication project for the Novak Djokovic Foundation in Belgrade during several months and in 2017 she was member of a team to develop Strategy for Communication for the city of Pančevo. In 2019 was program manager for Business module at the IAA Serbia (International Advertising Academy).
Jelena is regular guest speaker, panelist, presenter at conferences for topics corporate communication, crisis communication, digital transformation of internal communication, storytelling, public appearance, sustainable development. Lecturer at LSPR (London School of PR, Belgrade), DOBA university Maribor on topics corporate communication and crisis communication. Guest speaker at FON university Belgrade, FMK Belgrade – Sindigunum University, ESEM Executive MBA.
Jelena actively participates as jury member in national and international competitions: CoCo (Corporate communication Henkel) Awards 2022, 2019; Žute Patalone Awards for best campaign with the purpose 2021-2022; Effie Awards Serbia 2017-2021 (Jury Vice President); Wannabe Digital Awards 2018; BBICC (Belgrade Business International Case study Competition) 2012-2017; Students competition PRilika 2016 and 2017 Belgrade; ICCO (International Communication Consultancy Organization) Awards 2016; Serbian Society for Public Relations award PRiznanje 2012-2014.
Specialized also in leadership and planning at IESE Barcelona, IEDC Bled school of management and Cranfield university. Using coaching and NLP skills for people development and stronger teamwork and performance. She graduated at the Moscow State University, BA in management and studied in London at the College of Law. Jelena is fluent in German, English, Russian, French and Serbian.
She was awarded Henkel Excellence Award in 2022. (bronze) and in 2019. (silver) for corporate communication projects and in 2016. with prestigious PRO.PR award for regional contribution to the communications profession.