Blaženka Urbanke, Sentor
24 November 2025
"My contribution to the Board would be grounded in practical expertise. I offer proven leadership and multidisciplinary knowledge. I seek this Board role to leverage our mentorship model and strong CEE network to contribute to EWEUN's vital regional and global expansion."
Personal Info
I am Blaženka Urbanke from Zagreb, President of Sentor, a Croatian non-profit organization. I am also a retired entrepreneur, a wife, a mother of two sons who now run our family business, and a passionate gardener.
Experience
My commitment to the Early Warning Europe mission is deeply personal. After shifting from an IT engineer to an entrepreneur in 1990, I co-founded HSM Company with my husband. Following 30 years of active management, we executed a complex and successful multi-generational succession. The company, which was thriving upon our retirement, is even stronger today under our sons’ leadership - a testament to a well-executed transition. Unfortunately, I know that not every entrepreneur is so fortunate in navigating this process.
Leadership & Impact
This personal insight into the stress and complexity of handover drove me to co-found Sentor in 2022. SENTOR (Senior Entrepreneurs) is an independent organization where entrepreneurs and business experts provide pro bono mentoring to entrepreneurs facing business challenges.
While initially focused on business transfer, we now actively support healthy companies planning growth and also those just a step away from bankruptcy - perfectly aligned with the Early Warning mission.
As President, I am proud to say that our growing network comprises more than 30 qualified mentors (most of them retired entrepreneurs) who have completed over 100 mentorship processes.
Contribution
My contribution to the Board would be grounded in practical expertise. I offer proven leadership and multidisciplinary knowledge across HR, Sales, PR, Marketing, and, importantly, Succession Planning and Execution.
Motivation
Sentor has benefited immensely from EWEUN’s vision, and we joined as soon as we learned about its mission. I seek this Board role, with the full support of the Sentor team, to leverage our mentorship model and strong CEE network to contribute to EWEUN's vital regional and global expansion.