Dejan Stancer | President | Global Chamber of Business Leaders
Dejan Štancer serves as the President of the Global Chamber of Business Leaders (GCBL), a role that places him at the helm of an international network of business leaders committed to shaping the future of global commerce. With a strong emphasis on ethical practices, sustainability, and innovation, Štancer’s leadership aims to drive transformative change in business practices worldwide. Through GCBL, he works tirelessly to ensure that businesses not only thrive economically but also contribute meaningfully to societal and environmental well-being. At EliteX, we are proud to have Dejan Štancer as Cover Story of the edition: Impactful CEOs: Making a Difference, 2024.
Dejan Štancer’s journey into the business world began over two decades ago, marking the start of a career shaped by a deep understanding of international commerce. Early on, he recognized that global collaboration was essential for addressing the challenges facing industries across the world. As he engaged with diverse stakeholders in international business, Štancer became increasingly convinced that a unified approach could lead to more impactful solutions. This realization eventually led him to found GCBL, where he now spearheads initiatives designed to foster cooperation among business leaders and drive innovation aimed at solving some of the most pressing global challenges. The mission of GCBL is clear and ambitious: to facilitate global collaboration among business leaders to promote sustainable growth and tackle critical global issues. In 2024, Štancer and his team are focused on strengthening global economic cooperation, driving digitization, and upholding ethical governance to build a more equitable and resilient global economy. Štancer emphasizes that the world is currently facing a deep moral and ethical crisis, with selfishness and greed at the forefront. GCBL is dedicated to connecting leaders and creating new values that foster trust between individuals. According to Štancer, trust is a key precursor to peace, a goal that he believes is not only desired but dreamed of by many across the world today.
“Our mission at GCBL is simple yet profound: foster trust, drive cooperation, and create a fairer, more resilient world economy.”
Štancer’s inspiration to lead an organization focused on creating meaningful change stems from his belief that business can and should be a force for good. Throughout his career, he has seen the tremendous power that businesses have to drive positive change, whether addressing inequality, promoting sustainability, or fighting climate change. As President of GCBL, Štancer is determined to harness the power of global collaboration to address these challenges head-on, ensuring that business leadership contributes to making the world a better place. Under Štancer’s leadership, sustainability and social responsibility are non-negotiable pillars of GCBL’s strategy. Every initiative launched by the organization is aligned with principles of environmental stewardship, human rights, and responsible economic practices. From organizing business forums to forming strategic partnerships, GCBL ensures that sustainability and social responsibility are at the heart of its operations.
One of the key initiatives launched by GCBL in 2023 was focused on reducing the carbon footprints of key industries. By bringing together leaders from various sectors, Štancer and his team explored innovative solutions for minimizing environmental impact. However, Štancer is quick to point out that while climate change is a critical issue, the absolute priority should be global peace and cooperation. He stresses that without peace, other efforts to address global challenges will be undermined.
Štancer believes that corporate leadership plays an essential role in addressing global challenges like climate change and social inequality. In his view, CEOs and executives have a moral responsibility to lead by example, embedding sustainability into their core strategies and using their platforms to drive social and environmental change. For Štancer, the role of corporate leadership goes beyond simply managing a business; it is about setting a higher standard for ethical and responsible behavior that others can follow. Innovation and social responsibility are key to GCBL’s success, and Štancer fosters a culture that encourages both. His leadership style prioritizes continuous learning, creativity, and ethical decision-making, ensuring that GCBL remains at the forefront of developing solutions that create positive social impact. By empowering his team to explore new ideas and approaches, Štancer ensures that innovation at GCBL is driven by a strong sense of responsibility to society and the environment. One of Štancer’s proudest accomplishments in the past year has been the expansion of GCBL’s Global Coalition for Cooperation and Peace. This initiative has successfully brought global companies together to support increased economic cooperation and integration, with the aim of deepening mutual trust between nations. According to Štancer, trust is the foundation of friendship, and friendship leads to lasting peace.
Another notable achievement is the creation of GCBL’s media brand, Global Times Magazine, which has quickly risen to prominence in the global media landscape. Launched just a year and a half ago, the magazine has already established itself on one of the world’s largest digital media platforms, positioning itself alongside some of the most well-known media brands. Štancer sees this accomplishment as a testament to the importance of strong leadership, clear delegation, and the ability to make difficult but necessary decisions. Diversity and inclusion are also key priorities for Štancer and GCBL. The organization actively promotes diversity by ensuring that its leadership teams and partners represent a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. Štancer believes that diversity drives innovation and strengthens the organization’s ability to address global challenges. To create an inclusive environment, GCBL has implemented training programs designed to ensure that every voice is heard and respected.
“True progress comes when we combine innovation with ethics, empowering global collaboration to address the challenges of our time.”
One of the challenges that Štancer has skillfully navigated is balancing the pursuit of profit with a commitment to social and environmental responsibility. At GCBL, profit and responsibility are seen as complementary forces rather than opposing ones. By incorporating sustainable practices into its operations, GCBL builds long-term value for both its members and society as a whole. Štancer acknowledges that while profit is important, it is not the most important thing in life. As such, GCBL frequently engages in initiatives that do not generate profit but are socially just or beneficial to the communities they serve. Technology plays a crucial role in Štancer’s vision for GCBL. Under his leadership, the organization has embraced digital tools to enhance transparency, efficiency, and connectivity within its global network. From AI-driven platforms aimed at reducing carbon footprints to blockchain for improving supply chain accountability, technology is a vital driver of GCBL’s mission. Štancer is particularly proud that GCBL is one of the strongest organizations in the world when it comes to introducing new technologies that provide faster and more efficient solutions to global problems. However, he is mindful that technological development must remain human-centered, emphasizing that there will be no progress without people.
For aspiring CEOs who wish to lead organizations with a strong focus on making a positive impact, Štancer’s advice is simple: lead with purpose. He encourages future leaders to keep the bigger picture in mind, ensuring that values such as sustainability and fairness guide their decision-making processes. Profitability is important, but it should not come at the expense of leaving a positive legacy. By staying true to their values, aspiring CEOs can drive meaningful change within their organizations and beyond. Measuring the success of GCBL’s impact initiatives is a top priority for Štancer. The organization employs a range of metrics, including environmental impact assessments, social return on investment (SROI), and feedback from GCBL members to ensure that its initiatives deliver real and measurable benefits to society and the environment. For Štancer, the satisfaction of GCBL members and the fulfillment of their expectations is a key indicator of success.
Partnerships and collaborations are at the heart of GCBL’s impact strategy. In 2023, one of the organization’s most significant partnerships was with the Business Coalition for a Global Plastic Treaty. This collaboration connected policy makers, NGOs, and businesses to accelerate the adoption of sustainable practices across industries, particularly in developing economies. Štancer believes that such partnerships are essential for driving positive change on a global scale. Štancer ensures that GCBL’s commitment to social and environmental responsibility is communicated clearly to all stakeholders, including employees, customers, and investors. Regular reports, public statements, and direct engagement with stakeholders help reinforce GCBL’s dedication to making a positive impact. The launch of Global Times Magazine has also provided GCBL with a powerful platform to share its progress and commitment to sustainability with a broader audience.
Looking ahead to 2024, Štancer has set ambitious goals for GCBL. His top priorities include deepening the organization’s focus on the well-being of its members, strengthening partnerships that empower underserved communities, and ensuring that GCBL remains a leader in driving positive global change. Štancer believes that by setting broad, ambitious goals, GCBL can achieve realistic outcomes that will have a lasting impact on the world. As Dejan Štancer continues to lead GCBL into the future, his vision for global collaboration, ethical business practices, and sustainability remains at the forefront of his work. His leadership serves as a powerful reminder that business can indeed be a force for good, shaping a better world for generations to come.
“Business should be a force for good, and it’s our responsibility as leaders to ensure that profit goes hand in hand with purpose.”
