Vedran Drakulić 🇦🇺

Vedran Drakulić OAM – the first Bosnian and Herzegovinian recipient of The Order of Australia Association (Order of Australia).

The Order of Australia is the highest Australian honour awarded to citizens for outstanding service.

With great pride, we announce that one of this year’s Futures Leaders Summit speakers will be Vedran Drakulić, a Sarajevo-born humanitarian whose life story embodies courage, compassion, and relentless dedication to community service.

Vedran arrived in Australia in 1995 as a refugee from war-torn Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the war, he served with the Red Cross as a logistician, translator, and press officer, working on both sides of the frontlines and delivering humanitarian aid to those who needed it most.

His commitment to community continued in Australia — through the Australian Red Cross, Oxfam Australia, RACV, and the Gandel Foundation. He transformed his wartime resilience into a career dedicated to humanity, social justice, and community development. Today, he is the CEO of the Hansen Little Foundation.

Vedran is a proud “Bossie” (Bosnian Aussie) and works tirelessly to give back. He actively supports numerous organizations, including the Vinnies CEO Sleepout, where he has raised over $250,000 in the past four years for homelessness support programs. He serves on the boards of several foundations and organizations, including AMES Australia, the Hobsons Bay Community Fund, and the Betty Amsden Foundation.

But perhaps most importantly — Vedran is a source of inspiration. His story shows that no matter where life takes us, strength of character, dedication, and humanity can create profound change.

At FLS, he will share insights, visions, and lessons from three decades of humanitarian and philanthropic work.

This is an opportunity for young people from Bosnia and Herzegovina to hear from and meet one of our most accomplished humanitarian leaders on the global stage — a Sarajevan who has made a worldwide impact.