Marija Felkel is an HR expert with more than 25 years of international experience in high-tech innovative industries. She is one of the leading authorities in the field of human resources with an excellent understanding of global trends. She pays special attention to talent identification and development, creating successful partnerships between business operations and the HR function, as well as managing culture and employee experience. She actively promotes STEM fields, women's equality in business, and equal representation in management positions, while emphasizing the values of humble and responsible leadership.
As of February 1, 2026, after four years at Nomad Foods, she joined the Perutnina Ptuj Group as Human Resources Director and a member of the Executive Board of the Perutnina Ptuj Group. Her primary focus will be on enabling business success, strengthening organizational structures, supporting leadership effectiveness, and ensuring that human resources acts as a true business partner across all markets where the Group operates.
What can you expect from the panel "The Position of HR on the Board: The Reality of Practice"
The panel brings together HR managers who are also board members of their organizations – professionals who daily balance business strategy and responsibility toward people. Through personal experiences and concrete examples, we will discuss the changing role of HR at the highest level of decision-making, the new responsibilities such a position brings, and the challenges and pressures HR leaders face as part of the management team. The panel's goal is to open an honest and realistic conversation about the actual influence of HR in the board – without idealization, but with a clear focus on the future of HR leadership. In this interesting discussion moderated by Domagoj Lipošinović, the participants will be Mojca Domiter, VP Group People & Culture, Atlantic Grupa, Marin Mlinarić, Director People & Culture Croatia and Slovenia – Member of Management Board at Philip Morris International, Marija Zovko, People & culture director Carlsberg Croatia group and Marija Felkel HR Director, Member of the Executive Board, Perutnina Ptuj Group.