Emilija Kolar Receives SIFE BCIT Venture Partner Recognition Award

“Emilija is an outstanding leader. She has the natural ability to to inspire and motivate her team. She recognizes and appreciates the efforts of everybody’s contributions, never taking full credit, but always always attributing the success of Lions Lair to her team. Emilija leads by example and her passion for this project is contagious.”
- Meghan Dimma

“Having worked with Emilija for the past 3 months, I can confidently say that Emilija has been the constant driving force for my success within Lions Lair. She provides great motivation in daily activities and relevant insight into any questions that my arise. It has been a pleasure working with her and look forward to working with Emilija in the future.”
- Rhys Thow

Emilija Kolar, Project Manager of Lion’s Lair 2010 (profile)

Emilija is currently a second year Marketing Management student at BCIT, and the Team Leader of SIFE’s Lions Lair Project. Travelling to Canada from Yugoslavia during the Civil War, Emilija formed a humble passion for empowering others’ by living by the famous quote “be the change you want to see in the world” by Gandhi. Her compassionate heart and ability to inspire has created a successful difference in the community and in Lion’s Lair participants.

Mentored by Ray Williams, President of Ray Williams Associates Inc., through the Leaders of Tomorrow program of The Vancouver Board of Trade, she has developed the leadership and managerial skills to truly set her apart in her future career path.

SIFE BCIT could not be more proud to have her genuine enthusiasm on our team, and we look forward to watching the development of any future aspirations she may put her hands on.

Connect with Emilija on Linkedin

Experience

• What is your dream job?
  Emilija: I’ll have to let you know when I wake up!

• Why did you get involved with Lion’s Lair?
  Emilija: Lions Lair…where do I begin. It is what Lions Lair embodies as an initiative which drew me in to action. In our day to day lives we are driven with a rampant mission to achieve success…but what does that truly mean? Through this project I was empowered to align my values with my belief of what success quintessentially stands for: An interest to care and help others succeed.

• With this title “Project Manager” – did you have specific goals before you joined Lion’s Lair?
  Emilija: The title was a mere door to an even greater opportunity…one to lead. My specific goals before joining the Lions Lair project was to prepare myself to be able to support a team of driven and compassionate students on their mission to do something “larger then themselves,” to go far beyond the scope of their studies, and begin cultivating their sense of citizenship within their community.
• What are your personal outcomes from being in this position?
  Emilija: I have grown from this experience more than my answer can suffice. I was given an opportunity to lead…
• Is there anything you’d like to improve on in SIFE?
  Emilija: Continue to share the impact that these courageous SIFE members make by being a part of these projects, which make a difference every day in people’s lives, the community and each other.

Personal Questions

• When you’re not busy with school/SIFE, what do you like to do with your time?
  Emilija: I continue to keep up with my readings outside of the textbooks, and try to spend time with my family and friends; I have to remind them who I am from time to time!
• When not working on Lion’s Lair, where can we find you?
  Emilija: Is that a trick question…?! Well, I am also taking part in the Leaders of Tomorrow mentorship program which I have dedicated time to as well. Also, I would have to say either in the library, the Gym…or at the dinner table with my family.

Finish the Sentence

• I am proud that I…have been extended the opportunity to lead such a passionate and driven group of leaders on the Lions Lair Project. The Lions Lair has reached unconventional heights due to the team standing behind it. I have been privileged to stand by and support such a strong SIFE BCIT team of compassionate individuals inspired to make a difference in our community, and in each other. They have created something far beyond a project; they make an impact in someone’s life every day, and I could not be more proud by being a part of it with them.

• In five years I will be…on top of the world

• An embarrassing story or time…I ended up in the emergency room when I was competing at my first Track and Field meet for the SFU varsity team…it didn’t make me seem too promising!