Presence is what connects my work in culture with my walking work with business leaders. Both music and the experience of pilgrimage teach us about the transformative power of genuine, mindful presence in an age of uncertainty and distraction. Without culture, we cannot be a community, and without returning to our own values, life loses its meaning. Culture and walking are not luxuries, but among the few remaining refuges of values. They are tools for building both individuals and society.
Boris Trupčević became the most famous pilgrim among Croatian managers when he "left everything" and walked the Camino de Santiago. He wrote two books about this: The Pilgrim Manager (2024) and 1000 kilometers of Returning to Self (2023). He was a long-time editor-in-chief and CEO of 24sata, director at Styria Media Group, and president of the Croatian Newspaper Publishers Association. He has won more than a hundred international media awards. He was CEO of Večernji list, editor-in-chief of Story magazine, journalist and editor at Jutarnji list. He served on the board of directors of the International News Media Association. He founded the Pride of Croatia award. After his media career, he was the global CEO of the Swedish beauty-tech company Foreo. Today, he is a consultant, strategic advisor, mentor, and coach. He is a Nordic walker, licensed mediator, and TEDx speaker. He directs the Croatian Music Institute, the oldest Croatian concert hall, a 200-year-old cultural institution.