“Oh no, I was hoping you wouldn’t remember me,” was the initial reaction of Ms. Mirna Despot, Regional Director of the IGEPA Group, when we invited her to be the first interviewee in Print Magazin’s new series dedicated to women in leadership positions within the printing industry.
Driven by the fact that more and more women are leading companies and teams in the graphic arts industry, we decided to take a casual yet insightful look into their professional worlds, as well as the parts of their daily lives that remain outside of meetings and spreadsheets.
Mirna embodies that rare combination of flawless professionalism and warm, friendly approachability. Her drive to get things done is constant, which is why she has successfully managed the IGEPA Group in the region for 26 years.
Throughout her career, she has learned to solve problems and make decisions independently—one of the defining traits of a true leader. She approaches her work like a modern-day Sisyphus, but one who has learned not just how to push the boulder, but how to master it. And she truly enjoys it.
Our conversation was so pleasant that Mirna, who is well-known for her discipline and punctuality, ended up running a bit late for her next meeting. This was the ultimate proof that we managed to scratch beneath the surface of dry, everyday business.
Let’s start with that initial reaction of yours. Why were you hoping we would bypass you, and what do you think about the “wave” of women taking on leadership roles in our industry?
Honestly, the media spotlight isn’t my natural environment, but this initiative was truly hard to turn down because the theme is wonderful and praiseworthy. The truth is that women have always been present in the graphic arts industry, but it is only now that they are stepping into executive positions. I look forward to reading about the experiences of other female colleagues, as I believe each of us brings a unique “touch” to this highly technical world.
How did your professional journey unfold, from your very first steps to your current position as the Regional Director of the IGEPA Group?
My beginnings literally involved making coffee and answering phones. I initially joined IGEPA as temporary help after graduating from the Faculty of Economics, thinking it was just a temporary stop until I found “something that actually interested me.” However, the company’s dynamic growth and the German corporate influence completely won me over within the first year. I grew alongside the company during the wild 2000s, a time when the economy was developing rapidly.
When IGEPA asked if we were ready to take over the management of the entire region from Zagreb, I answered “yes” without overthinking it. I wasn’t fully aware of what that entailed, nor did I have enough experience for such a massive challenge, but I was guided by my heart and intuition. Today, 26 years later, I save my heart a bit more for private moments, but I still heavily rely on intuition in business.
The graphic arts industry, and technology-related sectors in general, have traditionally been male-dominated. Did you ever feel the need to work harder to prove yourself just because you are a woman?
Interestingly, not really. I actually felt more prejudice regarding my age than my gender. I entered management relatively young, so people didn’t always take me seriously at first. Gender was never a limitation for me in business. I have been surrounded by men my entire life, since my university days, and it is the same in my professional life today. In fact, I work very well with my male colleagues.
