When the heart takes the lead
Behind the man of transformation projects and numbers lies a deep love for animals. It is not always something people notice at first glance. But those who truly know me understand that my greatest passion has nothing to do with spreadsheets or reports. It is dogs.
That passion did not start with a grand plan. It began with the adoption of a single rescue dog from Bosnia. When I later saw for myself the conditions in which hundreds of dogs were living there, I knew I could no longer remain a bystander. What seemed like a one-time visit evolved into more than a decade of volunteer work.
That experience taught me something important: my professional life and my personal motivations were not as far apart as they appeared. My heart was with the dogs, but my real contribution came through organizing, structuring, and improving processes. I did not just want to save a dog. I wanted to help build a system that could create a lasting impact.
Evenings, weekends, and holidays were devoted to projects, transport operations, spay and neuter campaigns, and educational initiatives. Not because I had to, but because I simply could not do otherwise. Once you have seen firsthand what is needed, it becomes very difficult to look away. What still moves me today is the realization that saving a single animal may seem insignificant in a world full of challenges. Yet for that one animal, it means everything. And if nobody takes action, nothing changes at all.
My partner, Tanja, and I still share our lives with rescue dogs, including two that we adopted from Bosnia this year. And honestly, if I were to come across another dog in need tomorrow, I already know exactly what would happen: reason, time, and convenience would once again take a back seat. My heart would take the lead.
Perhaps that is the common thread running through my story. During the day, I work with numbers, processes, and facts. But what truly drives me is compassion. The belief that the knowledge and experience you have gained should not be used only for yourself, but also to give someone, or something, a better chance in life.That may not be what people expect when they first meet me.
But it is who I am.