The Leaders50 list recognizes 50 inspiring leaders from around the world based on three criteria: their contribution to the success of organizations and economies, their responsibility towards the environment and the broader community, and their personal leadership qualities. They place great emphasis on the long-term legacy these leaders are building.
They are selected every two years, but only award-winning members are proposed. Thinkers50– these are individuals who are professionally engaged in organizations and management and have been recognized for their outstanding work. From all the nominations, they select 50 leaders who can be an example for the whole world.
Among them they also recognized Jureta Knez!
50 inspiring leaders from all over the world
Jure shared the stage, with the award in his hands, with the names: Satya Nadella (CEO, Microsoft), Niels Christiansen (CEO, LEGO Group), Ted Sarandos (Co-CEO, Netflix), Mary Barra (CEO, General Motors), Bill Anderson (CEO, Bayer), Jensen Huang (Co-founder, President and CEO, NVidia), Kenneth McGrath (CEO, Lidl), Doug McMillon (Former President and CEO, Walmart), Michael Miebach (CEO, Mastercard), Florent Menegaux (CEO, Michelin Group), Kevin Nolan (President and CEO, GE Appliances)… and others. You can see the full list here here >>
And as if that alone wouldn't be extraordinary...
50 inspiring leaders from all over the world
A special award was announced in the Talent Magnet category. »The award goes to the leader, the pioneer who attracts talent and positively influences others outside of his own company. He creates exceptional opportunities for the community, for employees, and with Katapult and the City of Acrobatics, he also creates exceptional opportunities for other entrepreneurs in the country. Through his work, he has a strong impact on society and the environment and leaves an exceptional mark. The award goes to: Jure Knez!«
Jure, who even wore a tie for this occasion, stepped on stage and accepted the award. In his speech, he naturally first emphasized: »I come from Trbovlje, a small town in Slovenia. But who knows where Trbovlje are?« Of the five hundred participants from all over the world, two of them, surprisingly, even raised their hands; some were wondering where to even find Slovenia on the map. »Well, for those of you who don't know,« Jure explained, »Trbovlje are between Hrastnik and Zagorje,« the hall erupted in laughter. Here it is now, everyone knows.
Next, in a few minutes, he told their incredibly incredible story. In front of the audience of the best business schools in the world, among the directors of some of the world’s largest companies… there was a boy from a small town, with much fewer opportunities and role models in his home environment, who suffered in the transition from the socialist regime of Yugoslavia. The former restrictions on private entrepreneurship left us with few models and history of entrepreneurship on which to stand firmly and catapult ourselves into the world. Many of the participants in the gala event didn’t even know this, as they come from countries with centuries of history of entrepreneurship. So, the boys from a small town, then plagued by unemployment and depression, after just a few years came to NASO. When they restored most of the decaying industrial facilities and succeeded in the world as Dewesoft, it was crucial for them to also help the environment from which they came. Thus, Katapult was created to support new business ideas. »Let's give young people the opportunity to create even more than we have.« The idea spread even further into the story of the City of Acrobatics. Jure ended the speech with his eyes filled with tears as he said: »This award belongs to the entire team. Thank you for allowing us to live our dreams together.«
The Commission has recognized the extraordinary impact they have on the local environment and on Slovenia's entrepreneurship. They are observing the revival of Zasavje as a small miracle, or as they put it »hidden gem«. They admire the employee-ownership system and the establishment of a foundation with a noble purpose. However, with Dewesoft’s 100-year plan, they are clear that decisions are made completely differently from the perspective of short-term company success – this is what shows visionaryism and a sincere concern for the environment.
It is truly incredible that this, for a small story about a small city, is recognized as one of the world’s best leadership business practices.
Jure, Trbovlje has once again put itself on the map, this time as a business leadership council!
And the feelings? »Yes, this award is truly something special. It is incredible to sit at the same table and learn live from world-class leadership legends that I have only read about in books so far. What is even more surprising is the simplicity of these people.«
We are proud to the skies! This is not a selection of leaders from the best and largest companies, but of leaders who have the strongest positive impact on society, the environment, and future generations.
