Slovenian by birth, Swiss by business, French by way of life, Bosnian & Croatian by heart and origin, and above all, a sincere European. Edo is a prominent figure with a diverse background in business and philanthropy. Currently living in Paris, Edo is passionate about fostering connections, and is deeply committed to uniting Bosnians in the diaspora and strengthening ties among people from the former Yugoslavia, with a vision of integrating them into the European Union. Edo firmly believes that the success of every Bosnian worldwide represents a victory for all of us.
Edo SABANAGIC
Founder and President of 5MFBH
Slovenian by birth, Swiss by business, French by way of life, Bosnian & Croatian by heart and origin, and above all, a sincere European. Edo is a prominent figure with a diverse background in business and philanthropy. Currently living in Paris, Edo is passionate about fostering connections, and is deeply committed to uniting Bosnians in the diaspora and strengthening ties among people from the former Yugoslavia, with a vision of integrating them into the European Union. Edo firmly believes that the success of every Bosnian worldwide represents a victory for all of us.
Born in Bosnia and Herzegovina and later moving to the UK, Jasmine identifies as a global citizen. She holds a BA in English and English Literature from Kingston University and a Masters in Education from the Open University in the UK. With a diverse career in education and broadcasting, she is now the Dean of Academic Affairs at the DAVE School and serves as Editor-in-Chief for the 5 Million Friends of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Passionate about writing and community service, Jasmine draws inspiration from her mother and takes pride in her two grown children.
Jasmine AVDAGIC-CARPENTER
Editor-in-Chief of 5MFBH
Born in Bosnia and Herzegovina and later moving to the UK, Jasmine identifies as a global citizen. She holds a BA in English and English Literature from Kingston University and a Masters in Education from the Open University in the UK. With a diverse career in education and broadcasting, she is now the Dean of Academic Affairs at the DAVE School and serves as Editor-in-Chief for the 5 Million Friends of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Passionate about writing and community service, Jasmine draws inspiration from her mother and takes pride in her two grown children.
Based in New York City, Hana Arnautović was born and raised in Detroit, USA, and maintains strong ties to her Bosnian heritage. Passionate about language learning, travel, and connecting with diverse cultures, she is driven by a desire to learn about the world through meaningful engagement with people and their experiences. As a student of Political Science and Economics at Columbia University, Hana focuses her studies on Western Balkan development and EU-US relations, exploring the intersections of political movements, economic systems, and social issues. Her experiences span academic research, non-profit initiatives, and civic service both domestically and internationally. Committed to fostering cross-cultural dialogue, Hana advocates for education and collaboration as tools to empower Bosnia and Herzegovina and its diaspora communities.
Hana Arnautović
Social Media Team Member & Editor of the LinkedIn group "Bosnians and Herzegovinians in North America," and Article Writer.
Based in New York City, Hana Arnautović was born and raised in Detroit, USA, and maintains strong ties to her Bosnian heritage. Passionate about language learning, travel, and connecting with diverse cultures, she is driven by a desire to learn about the world through meaningful engagement with people and their experiences. As a student of Political Science and Economics at Columbia University, Hana focuses her studies on Western Balkan development and EU-US relations, exploring the intersections of political movements, economic systems, and social issues. Her experiences span academic research, non-profit initiatives, and civic service both domestically and internationally. Committed to fostering cross-cultural dialogue, Hana advocates for education and collaboration as tools to empower Bosnia and Herzegovina and its diaspora communities.
A former top-performing banker in Canada turned transformation coach, Marisa is passionate about trauma healing and women’s empowerment. Marisa leverages her extensive experience in leadership and transformation to help support and guide others through trauma recovery and self-mastery, helping them reclaim their power and voice. Marisa’s first visit to Bosnia in early 2024 deepened her commitment to advocating for women’s rights, particularly in Bosnia and the Balkan region, and she is eager to make a positive impact on others healing journeys within the 5MFBH association.
Marisa Hannewyk
Vice-President & Worldwide Women's Rights and Trauma Healing Ambassador
A former top-performing banker in Canada turned transformation coach, Marisa is passionate about trauma healing and women’s empowerment. Marisa leverages her extensive experience in leadership and transformation to help support and guide others through trauma recovery and self-mastery, helping them reclaim their power and voice. Marisa’s first visit to Bosnia in early 2024 deepened her commitment to advocating for women’s rights, particularly in Bosnia and the Balkan region, and she is eager to make a positive impact on others healing journeys within the 5MFBH association.
Benjamin SELIMOTIC
Chief Marketing Officer
Born in France and deeply connected to Bosnia by heart and heritage, David identifies as a European student of Political Science, engaging with peers from across Europe. Multilingual and well-traveled, he has studied in diverse cultural contexts, which has shaped his global perspective and deep appreciation for European cultures. Passionate about EU institutions, David aims to work on European identity and its evolution in the Balkans, striving to support the integration of former Yugoslav countries into the European Union. Currently based near Paris, he is committed to fostering connections within the Bosnian diaspora in France and Europe, strengthening ties among those linked to the former Yugoslavia. He is also dedicated to involving the younger generation in promoting Bosnia on a global scale.
David Cosic
PR & Communication Manager for France and EU
Born in France and deeply connected to Bosnia by heart and heritage, David identifies as a European student of Political Science, engaging with peers from across Europe. Multilingual and well-traveled, he has studied in diverse cultural contexts, which has shaped his global perspective and deep appreciation for European cultures. Passionate about EU institutions, David aims to work on European identity and its evolution in the Balkans, striving to support the integration of former Yugoslav countries into the European Union. Currently based near Paris, he is committed to fostering connections within the Bosnian diaspora in France and Europe, strengthening ties among those linked to the former Yugoslavia. He is also dedicated to involving the younger generation in promoting Bosnia on a global scale.
Born French and raised Bosnian, Adrien identifies as a global cosmopolitan with no single place central to his identity. Multilingual and well-traveled, he has lived, worked, and studied in various cultures, shaping his worldview and resilience. His experiences have equipped him with the skills to achieve his goals. Adrien is currently writing a Doctorate thesis on the "Attractiveness of Diaspora Professionals to Collaborate Remotely with Home Country Organizations: The Case of Bosnia and Herzegovina," which aligns with his regional commitments within 5 Million Friends of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Adrien SALETA
General Secretary of 5MFBH
Born French and raised Bosnian, Adrien identifies as a global cosmopolitan with no single place central to his identity. Multilingual and well-traveled, he has lived, worked, and studied in various cultures, shaping his worldview and resilience. His experiences have equipped him with the skills to achieve his goals. Adrien is currently writing a Doctorate thesis on the "Attractiveness of Diaspora Professionals to Collaborate Remotely with Home Country Organizations: The Case of Bosnia and Herzegovina," which aligns with his regional commitments within 5 Million Friends of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Emina PASANOVIC
PR & Communications Manager
A renowned violinist, Violeta, born into a family of 15 musicians, was named the best musician of the former Yugoslavia and personally recognized by Yehudi Menuhin. With an illustrious career spanning performances in the U.S., Japan, and Europe, she currently teaches at the prestigious Scola Cantorum in Paris. Violeta is also the Artistic Director of Music On The String International and serves as an Artist-in-Residence at Château de Maison Laffitte in France.
Violeta proudly shares: "Music, like the highest form of diplomacy, has the power to connect the incompatible, from the most diverse notes to the most diverse human souls."
Violeta Smailovic-Huart
Ambassador of the 5MFBH association for Music
A renowned violinist, Violeta, born into a family of 15 musicians, was named the best musician of the former Yugoslavia and personally recognized by Yehudi Menuhin. With an illustrious career spanning performances in the U.S., Japan, and Europe, she currently teaches at the prestigious Scola Cantorum in Paris. Violeta is also the Artistic Director of Music On The String International and serves as an Artist-in-Residence at Château de Maison Laffitte in France.
Violeta proudly shares: "Music, like the highest form of diplomacy, has the power to connect the incompatible, from the most diverse notes to the most diverse human souls."
