Irena Talijan

I became a Basketball star at the age of 15 when I signed my first contract as a professional player, marking my entry into the business world. Basketball shaped me. It taught me the value of teamwork and the importance of taking pride in our efforts, not just our victories. Today, when I focus on empowering people to reach their full potential, I’m incredibly proud of all the teams I’ve worked with, and, more than anything else, what I have learned from them.

With over a decade in the aviation industry, I can confidently say the sky is my limit!

At ZAV, I’m not your ordinary Aviation Consultant who is running the operation behind the scenes or on-site. As Business Development Consultant I reshaped company culture and brand identity’ reaching new heights and moving onto the Key Account Relationship role.

As an HR & Operations Subject Matter Expert, I’ve built HR departments from scratch, transforming them into epicenters of policy, training and leadership development, driven by empathy and strategic vision. Having expertise in Learning and Development, unique emotion is born in me every time I see teams, organisations or individuals grow because of the knowledge I’ve shared. I’ve sailed the Seven Seas with Carnival Cruise Line, where I led Learning and Development programs, coached current and future leaders, trained on safety, security, excellent service and much more – all while keeping everything running smoothly.

Not to mention, I am a Scrum Master, thriving on Agile methodology, with background in high-volume recruitment for the cruise and hospitality industries and proficiency as a high-flying Flight Attendant and CRM Trainer with Qatar Airways.

I always like to say I have more than one profession and two industries I fell in love with: Aviation and the Cruise industry. By doing more than one job, I end up doing all of them better. I always follow my curiosities, which brings passion to my roles and leaves me more fulfilled. Experience gained through doing different roles, left me with an ability to identify where ideas should interact.

Whether I’m in the boardroom, on the deck or up in the sky, my determination is making things happen and bringing a little bit of fun along for the ride.

Beyond my diverse career, my world centers around my family especially my dog and my travels. I’m all about traveling the world and finding a perfect spot for my beach house while enjoying Italian wine with my sisters around the globe. Spending time with my loved ones is my fuel to fly!