Đurđica Protić is an entrepreneur and leader, as well as the founder and president of MUZZA, an association dedicated to promoting science, technology and STEM education among children and young people.
She began her professional career in banking, holding senior management positions at Ljubljanska banka and Hrvatska poštanska banka, including the roles of Retail Banking Director and Management Board Member. Following a successful banking career, she and her husband founded the family business Zvona catering, now operating as Zvona usluge, which provides catering, food production, confectionery and corporate food services.
Inspired by the curiosity of her five grandchildren and her visits to science centres across Europe, she founded MUZZA with the aim of making science and high-quality education accessible to as many children as possible. Together with her team, she has developed numerous free educational programmes and established partnerships with universities, faculties, scientific institutions and leading Croatian companies.
Through MUZZA Science Week and other projects, she has brought together more than 40 partner institutions and organisations and welcomed over 55,000 visitors. In 2025, MUZZA Science Week received the Gold Award in the Educational/Training Event category at the international BEA World Festival in Rome. Her long-term ambition is to establish a permanent, modern science and interpretation centre in Croatia where children and young people can learn through play, exploration and experimentation.