On Thursday, 28 May, at 4:00 pm (CET), we are offering an exclusive opportunity for joining the free webinar with Mike Zafirovski, Co-Founder and Board Member at Macedonia2025, Founder and President of The Zaf Group. This virtual discussion is the next installment from our series titled ‘MK2025 Growth Series: Utilizing Diaspora’s Know-How for Support of Domestic Business’ addressing a topic related to leadership strategy, development and talent management. The aim of these virtual events is to utilize the capacity of our renowned diaspora members and share experiences on how world-renowned companies cope with the global crisis.
This webinar is titled ‘Leadership Challenges and Opportunities During the Current Pandemic Crisis’. It will be moderated by Marta Naumovska Grnarova, Owner and General Manager of Zavar Company. Marta is part of our Kellogg alumni network. In 2018, she received the esteemed scholarship for the Zafirovski Executive Education Program at the Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management (EDP – Executive Development Program). She is the Managing Director of Zavar Design; founder and president of MAMEI – Macedonian association for metal and electro industry; in the past five years, she was also the Program Director of Skopje Design Week and Board member at NL Chamber.
About the instructor:
Mike Zafirovski is founder and president of The Zaf Group, a family office investing and advisory firm. The Zaf Group acquires and oversees well-run family businesses with revenues between $50-300 million, with intention of owning in perpetuity. In addition, Mike is an executive advisor to The Blackstone Group (since 2011) and he sits on the board of directors of Boeing (since 2004) and Stericycle (since 2012). For Zaf Group direct investments, Mike serves as chairman of the board for ACP, an IT solutions provider; and board member for evolve24, a predictive data analytics firm. He is the sponsor of the Zafirovski Executive Education Program.
These activities build on a track record of respecting the heritage of market leading companies, while helping them achieve new levels of talent development, profitable growth, and operating performance. During the course of his corporate career, Mike served as CEO/president at Nortel, Motorola, and five GE businesses in the high tech, industrial, consumer, and financial services industries. In 21 years of P&L responsibility, revenue growth exceeded 8% per year, annual productivity gains averaged above 6%, and EBITDA margin increases averaged 350bps per year. In his first P&L role at GE, Mike acquired and successfully integrated 18 family-owned auto auction businesses.
From 2006 to 2010, Mr. Zafirovski was appointed by the President of the United States to the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC), providing recommendations to the president on a wide range of policy issues related to telecommunications, IT, cybersecurity, and other national security concerns.
Mike holds a B.A. in mathematics from Edinboro University in Pennsylvania where he captained the soccer and swimming teams. In 2002, Edinboro University awarded him an honorary doctorate degree in public service. He is a visiting lecturer at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management. He and his wife, Robin are on Duke University’s Parents’ Committee (former national chairs).
He received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor in 2004; the Distinguished Leadership Award from the NY Hall of Science in 2008; the Medal of Honor from the President of Macedonia in 2013; and the inaugural John I. Bitove Philanthropy Award in 2018. Also in 2018, The Navy Seal Foundation bestowed on Mike and his wife, Robin the “Patriot Award,” in recognition of their extensive philanthropic contributions to society, commitment to the Navy Seal community, and spirit and example of Patriotism.
Save the date 28 May (Thursday) – 4:00 pm (CET) and make sure that you register for our virtual event ‘Leadership Challenges and Opportunities During the Current Pandemic Crisis’ at the form available below.
Secure your spot. Now is the right time to refine your professional skills and learn something new!
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