EP 94: From Global Markets to Boardrooms: Marija Zivanovic-Smith’s American Dream Unfolded

Marija Zivanovic-Smith is a seasoned technology executive with extensive experience across both Fortune 500 companies and startups. Her expertise spans international market access, digital transformation, and growth marketing strategies. Throughout her career, Marija has been instrumental in driving business growth by modernizing brands and increasing market influence. As a Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), she led the re-imagination of NCR's brand, driving a 91% positive engagement in employee communications and generating significant revenue through digital marketing initiatives.

Marija also served as the first Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for IEX Group, Inc., where her leadership increased site traffic by 85% and drove a 327% increase in qualified leads from marketing activities. Her strategic oversight has significantly shaped brand perception and corporate growth.

In addition to her executive roles, Marija has contributed to various boards, including Browne Academy and Onboard Inc., and has been recognized with numerous awards for her leadership and impact, such as the Stevie Award for Female Executive of the Year and the Serbian Medal of Honor. Fluent in English and Serbian, Marija holds a degree in International Politics from Georgetown University.

Key themes emerging out of our conversation:

• Not everything is your problem to solve.
• Seeing possibilities when others believe they don't exist.
• Hire the best people possible, those who are even better than you.
• Doors open when you make an effort to understand another language.
• When you're 100% "on" all the time, you are thinking, but you're not reflecting.
• Recognizing that we are not alone when facing dilemmas and figuring out the "how."
• Learning to tell your story is essential in defining your unique value proposition as a human.
• Being self-aware, imagining yourself as your own replacement—what would you do differently?
• When considering board service, think deeply about what you want to gain from the experience.
• Leadership is about making mistakes. Great leadership is about learning from them and not repeating them.
• Leadership involves integrating phenomenal individual perspectives into a great collective that produces outstanding results—and has a lot of fun along the way.
• Leadership is about listening more, asking questions, and offering solutions only when necessary.
• Reflecting on the war of the former Yugoslavia in the '90s shows how circumstances like war lead to cultural deterioration and the erosion of trust in human relations.
• Sometimes, it's okay to let certain things fail. It's okay to face skeptics, develop a thick skin, and, most importantly, have fun.
• When you spot something toxic on your team, act quickly—not for yourself but for the wellbeing of your team.
• Work-life balance is about ruthless prioritization—not everything gets done, and not everything is a priority.

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