Maja Kazazic
Bosnian Genocide Survivor, Mental Health Advocate, Amputee, Entrepreneur
SPEAKER FEE RANGE: $15,000–$18,000 [FEE NOTE]
TRAVELS FROM: Florida
Maja (My-a) is a survivor of the Bosnian Genocide, and surmounted great odds to become a prosperous entrepreneur. Her tenacity led to founding a powerful web development, eCommerce and training organization like Vela Business Solutions. Companies like United Healthcare seek her strategic expertise to develop plans for increasing profitability and productivity. Media outlets like BBC News, The Discovery Network and The Los Angeles Times have featured her triumphs and remarkable story. The guiding principles of resilience, courage and hope, have enabled Maja to flourish. On stage, Maja, demonstrates how these pillars can support a companies objectives, as well as inspire us to persevere.
When she was 16 years old, Maja (My-a) Kazazic's life changed forever. In the summer of 1993, two years into the Bosnian War – a genocide that killed 250,000 people and injured millions - a rocket propelled grenade exploded in her courtyard destroying her home and killing five of her friends. Her legs were shattered in the blast, and her face and arm were peppered with shrapnel.
Maja was treated in a local makeshift basement hospital that lacked medical supplies and antibiotics. Her left leg became infected and over the next couple of months flesh was cut from her leg until she eventually underwent an amputation – all without the benefit of anesthesia.
Kazazic lay close to death when she was selected to be one of three children evacuated for treatment. She left her home and her family with only a teddy bear, a t-shirt and a rock. As people in Maja's new hometown of Cumberland, Maryland learned of her story, the community volunteered their time, money, and effort to make her whole again.
Maja was determined to succeed; she had the will to overcome any obstacle. Despite the challenges presented to her as a below-the-knee amputee, she was able to build a new life beyond anyone’s expectations. She learned how to walk again, finished high school and college, and eventually started a very successful software company whose clients included Fortune 100 companies. She has since learned to windsurf, play tennis and golf, and even run. She completed her first 5K in 2009.
As a result of the tragedy she endured, Maja was left with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder which left her living through constant panic attacks and night terrors, rendering her unable to function at times. On the recommendation of her clinician, Maja adopted Rosie, an amputee Great Dane, and they have been an inseparable pair ever since. With Rosie’s help, Kazazic's PTSD symptoms have abated.
Kazazic and Rosie have given hope and inspiration to countless people with limb loss and those struggling with the adjustment and depression. Kazazic has been featured in Reader's Digest, Good Houskeeping, Woman’s World, the Los Angeles Times, the Philadelphia Inquirer, as well as ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News, CTV, BBC News, and on the Discovery Health Network.
Maja was treated in a local makeshift basement hospital that lacked medical supplies and antibiotics. Her left leg became infected and over the next couple of months flesh was cut from her leg until she eventually underwent an amputation – all without the benefit of anesthesia.
Kazazic lay close to death when she was selected to be one of three children evacuated for treatment. She left her home and her family with only a teddy bear, a t-shirt and a rock. As people in Maja's new hometown of Cumberland, Maryland learned of her story, the community volunteered their time, money, and effort to make her whole again.
Maja was determined to succeed; she had the will to overcome any obstacle. Despite the challenges presented to her as a below-the-knee amputee, she was able to build a new life beyond anyone’s expectations. She learned how to walk again, finished high school and college, and eventually started a very successful software company whose clients included Fortune 100 companies. She has since learned to windsurf, play tennis and golf, and even run. She completed her first 5K in 2009.
As a result of the tragedy she endured, Maja was left with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder which left her living through constant panic attacks and night terrors, rendering her unable to function at times. On the recommendation of her clinician, Maja adopted Rosie, an amputee Great Dane, and they have been an inseparable pair ever since. With Rosie’s help, Kazazic's PTSD symptoms have abated.
Kazazic and Rosie have given hope and inspiration to countless people with limb loss and those struggling with the adjustment and depression. Kazazic has been featured in Reader's Digest, Good Houskeeping, Woman’s World, the Los Angeles Times, the Philadelphia Inquirer, as well as ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox News, CTV, BBC News, and on the Discovery Health Network.
- Finding Purpose in Chaos and Uncertainty
Maja’s Keynote addresses the questions we all have during these challenging times: How should we be feeling? What should we be doing? Where do we go next? Maja offers her insights on how to make sense of the chaos, live a purpose-driven life, and lead purpose-driven organizations and teams in the midst of an ever changing workscape. - From Genocide to Pandemic: Parallels, Lessons, and Our Future
This Keynote addresses Maja's time in the Bosnian genocide and draws parallels between the two eerily similar scenarios. While offering lessons from the genocide that helped her community survive and thrive. - Turn Obstacles into Advantages
Maja was ecstatic when she got her first prosthetic leg, but she was shocked to realize that she forgot how to walk. So she had to re-learn first with a walker, then crutches, then cane. No matter what we do in life or in business we will face obstacles and failures, but the key is to get up, learn from our experiences, improve each time and implement our knowledge to reach any goal! - Change = Growth
Maja's childhood dream was to become a professional athlete - that all changed when she lost her leg. Instead of fighting it, Maja embraced the change. This inevitable change led to Maja motivating and inspiring people around the globe. It is only when we embrace the change do we experience growth and reach heights that often change the world.
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