An interview with Anđela Jakšić Stojanović
“The strength of leadership lies in integrity, knowledge, and a clear vision” – a principle that consistently guides the professional path of Anđela Jakšić Stojanović, a woman who has transformed her academic experience into leadership responsibility at the highest level.
The career of the Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, Anđela Jakšić Stojanović, demonstrates that true leadership is built on knowledge, dedicated work and the readiness to assume responsibility when it is most challenging.
In addition to her ministerial role, she is also an Associate Professor in marketing and management, with extensive experience in academic work, the management of higher education institutions, and international cooperation. During her career, she has held the positions of Dean, Vice-Rector for International Cooperation, Administrative Director and Director of study programmes at universities in Montenegro, while also gaining professional experience in the private sector as a Marketing Director.
“The strength of leadership lies in integrity, knowledge, and a clear vision, while professional credibility – regardless of whether we are speaking about men or women – is built exclusively through professionalism, consistency and tangible results,” the Minister emphasised during our conversation about women in leadership positions.
“This is an approach that, in my view, contributes to breaking down stereotypes far more than any declarative message or formal quota,” Jakšić Stojanović adds.
According to her, every woman with personal and professional integrity and credibility in public office sends a message and encourages younger generations by teaching them that knowledge, work, effort and dedication are our strongest allies in the fight against all forms of stereotypes.
Although we live in a time when women are present in management structures far more than in the past, gender barriers have not completely disappeared. These barriers are not always institutional; they are often cultural and stem from long-standing stereotypes about what leadership “looks like” and who is naturally expected to embody it.
“Bearing in mind the complexity of the issue, the response to gender barriers must be systemic and include all relevant social actors. The education system plays a key role in this process, as it should promote the values of equality, meritocracy and respect for diversity from an early age,” Jakšić Stojanović emphasised. She also added that this is precisely how the foundations are built for a society of equal opportunities to which we all aspire.
For her, the decision to accept the position of Minister of Education, Science and Innovation required the greatest degree of personal courage.
“It was not an easy decision to make, but the key motivation was the desire to contribute to improving our education system, so that our young people, including my own child, remain here so that we can build a better and more beautiful Montenegro for the generations to come, together. The future will show whether I made the right decision,” the Minister said.
Her advice to young women is to continuously invest in themselves and in acquiring new knowledge. She encourages them to devote genuine passion to everything they do, because only the things done from the heart can truly succeed.
“Believe in yourself and in your ideas. Do not allow failure to discourage you; instead, find in it an opportunity to recognise your own strengths and weaknesses,” said Jakšić Stojanović.
“Learn from your own mistakes and step outside your comfort zone, even though it is not always easy,” she concludes.