Executive Board
Zvonimir Poljak graduated from the University of Zagreb with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree, followed by an MSc and PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Guelph. Currently an Associate Professor at the Ontario Veterinary College, Poljak’s research focuses on animal health and One Health. He is actively involved in both the DVM and graduate programs as an instructor. Zvonimir has authored or co-authored over 150 peer-reviewed publications and is frequently invited to speak and lecture in Canada, Croatia, and internationally. He serves on several provincial and national advisory boards and committees within his field and is a member of editorial boards for multiple scientific journals. Since 2024, Zvonimir serves as the president of AMCA Toronto.
Born in Split, Croatia, Krešimir graduated Structural Engineering at the University of Zagreb. He moved to Canada in 1987 and is now the principal of Kremisco Engineering Inc. Krešimir was also called upon as an expert witness and translator for the Ontario Superior Courts of Justice. From 2012 to 2016 he was a member of the Board of Directors of Canadian Croatian Chamber of Commerce. Since 2017 he has been a Vice President of Alumni UniZg and since 2021 a member of the Council of the Government of the Republic of Croatia for Croats Outside of the Republic of Croatia. From 2001 to 2013 Krešimir held the post of the Vice President and from 2013 to 2024 he served as the President of AMCA Toronto. For his contribution to promotion of Croatian culture and alumni movement in Canada and for organization of donations to help alleviate damages from earthquakes in Croatia, he, along with AMCA Toronto, received a Special Recognition from Alumni UniZg in 2021. Krešimir is both, a former member of the Croatian Canadian Choir “Koledo”, as well as a former competitive water polo player with Jadran Split.
Miro joined the Board of Directors in 2019.
Ana Bacic is well-known for her passion of preserving and promoting Croatian heritage and language through her teaching, writing and community work in Kanada. Ana obtained a teaching degree from Zagreb University and completed the Masters of Education program at York University in Toronto. She continues to reach out to a diverse student population in the Dufferin Peel Catholic School Board. In addition to being a dedicated teacher, Ana Bacic has positively represented and impacted the Croatian-Canadian community as a published author, writer and editor. In 2011, her historical novel Time Machine was voted the best novel published in the diaspora, according to Matica Heritage Association. She served as an editor of Gaudeamus – an annual journal of Association of Alumni and Friends of Croatian Universities as part of AMCA Toronto. She continues to regularly write for a number of news portals mainly focused on diaspora topics. Ana Bacic has participated in numerous symposiums on Croatian culture, language and literature throughout Canada organized by the Croatian Academy of North America. Based on her background, dedication and community work in the Greater Toronto Area, Bacic was appointed to serve as the Coordinator of Croatian Language Programs in Canada by the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia. Her mission is to preserve Croatian culture, traditions and language in Canada.
Born in Ivanec, and raised in Zagreb, Steven attended the University of Zagreb, where he obtained an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree. Upon graduating, he worked as a loans officer at Kreditna Banka Zagreb, where he became the youngest member of the bank board. After moving to Canada in 1973, he worked as a Financial Manager for an international trade and tourism company. In 1991, with a partner he founded a company specializing in distribution of children’s furniture for Canadian and US markets. Upon retiring, Steven enjoys playing soccer and tennis, and likes to spend his summers on the Croatian coast. He has been an active member of AMCA since 1990.
E-mail: sgotal47@gmail.com
Vesna joined the Board of Directors in January, 2017.
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Born in Busevec (V.Gorica), Croatia. Graduated 1976 as a Mechanical Engineer (Master degree) on University of Zagreb. After moving to Canada in 1982 and working for several Canadian companies he founded Robic Group International Inc. in 1989. John has been member of AMCA Toronto since its founding in 1991. John has been member of the board for several years where he was instrumental in establishing and leading AMCA Scholarship program.
E-mail: john.robic@amcatoronto.com