How GLS is Equipping the Next Generation of Leaders: Luka’s Story from Croatia

At just 23 years old, Luka Kukec from Zagreb, Croatia, already understands something many professionals take years to learn: leadership starts with integrity, humility, and the courage to live out your faith—even in the small, everyday moments.

As a business and economics student at the University of Zagreb, Luka is balancing student life, part-time work at Colliers, and a growing passion for leadership through his role as a producer at the Global Leadership Summit (GLS) in Croatia. His journey with GLS began in high school when a career path test connected him to his mentor, Nolan Sharp—GLS’s national coordinator in Croatia—who invited him to help organize the Summit.

That invitation changed the course of Luka’s life.

“I’ve been involved with GLS since 2020 as a producer,” he shares. “Being in business school and attending the Summit has helped me live out my faith more courageously and work with integrity more courageously.”

Surrounded by global thought leaders and a local community hungry to grow, Luka found a space that shaped not only how he leads but who he is becoming. The leadership lessons he’s learned through GLS have equipped him to approach difficult decisions at university and at work with greater conviction.

“It reminded me that I’m not alone. When you’re surrounded by people who also want to grow as leaders, it changes your mindset. You start thinking: ‘What I do matters. Even as a student, I can make an impact.’”

Luka believes the GLS experience is especially vital for young people.

“Sure, we can scroll through leadership videos on YouTube or TikTok—but attending the Summit in person? That’s a whole different experience. You hear world-class talks in a setting where you’re learning alongside others, networking with potential future employers, and being challenged to grow.”

For Luka, leadership isn’t about waiting for the perfect position or title—it’s about showing up and making a difference wherever you are. From campus conversations to part-time jobs, he sees every moment as a leadership opportunity.

“God’s been showing me that special things happen in the small things,” he says. “The everyday conversations, the way you carry yourself, your integrity—that’s how faith comes alive and how change begins.”

Watch Luka’s story and see how GLS is inspiring young leaders across the world to step into their calling with faith, integrity, and purpose.