Maja Kazazic
Genocide Survivor. Mental Health Advocate. Entrepreneur.
Maja's childhood dream was to become a professional athlete. Like all of us, she made plans and had a vision what her life would look like. Unfortunately, her idyllic childhood was cut short by a genocide that killed and injured more than 250,000 people. Like thousands of others Maja and her family never gave up hope and found a way to survive no matter what!
One day when she was chatting with her friends a bomb exploded killing all 5 of her friends. Maja was severely injured. Due to lack of medical resources her leg had to be amputated without anesthesia, and the only way to fight the infection in her body was to cut the infected flesh off twice per day. For pain, Maja only had a teddy bear she would bite and scream into until it was over. Even though she was on the brink of death, Maja never gave up hope of surviving and playing her beloved sports.
Few days from her imminent death, Sally Becker, an artist from London, showed up at her bedside telling her that she got a permission to rescue 3 injured kids and Maja was one of the candidates. And twenty minutes later Maja found herself on a stretcher not knowing where she was going, when or if she would be back, leave her parents and everything she has known and loved behind. As scary as that is to a 16 year old, Maja's hope of getting better and being rescued became real. She ended up in a US Army Hospital in Germany and eventually in the USA where she received medical treatment.
After having over 100 surgeries Maja had to relearn how to walk again. But she never gave up hope on her dream to run and play sports again. It took 15 years and meeting a special dolphin, Winter, which would eventually lead to the development of new prosthetic leg materials that allowed Maja to run her first 5K marathon and being able to walk pain free. These new materials didn't just help Maja walk and run pain free but also thousands of other injured US Veterans who suffer from similar injuries.
Just when her life was going perfect Maja developed a severe case of PTSD. Finally the years of pain and suffering caught up and her days were filled with extreme panic attacks, fear, and night terrors which left her barely able to function. Never losing hope, Maja knew she would get through this, and once again, help came from an unexpected source - an amputee Great Dane named Rosie!
Despite all the obstacles she faced, Maja put herself through college and landed a job in a large insurance company where her career skyrocketed. During her tenure, the products she created generated millions in revenue, putting them at the forefront of the tech world. Eventually she branched out on her own and started a very successful software company. Within a month of opening her door Maja secured her first six figure yearly retainer. While her client retention was at 99% Maja had high hopes of doing something more than making money!
This led to Maja becoming a speaker which gives her life purpose and a meaning. She wanted to use all of the knowledge and experiences that she accumulated over the years to give hope and help others. Her story travels the globe inspiring and changing lives of millions. She uses lessons she learned and brings them to your attendees.
Maja’s keynote addresses the questions we all have during these challenging times: What should we be doing? Where do we go next? How should we be feeling?
Maja uses her insights 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 workspace.
GENOCIDE AND HAPPINESS
Maja Kazazic is an internationally recognized speaker, entrepreneur and genocide survivor. Through her compelling story that circled the globe, Maja helps and inspires audiences to perform better in sales, marketing, customer service, leadership, and other areas of not just business, but also in life.
BECAUSE BUSINESS AND LIFE GO TOGETHER
During the genocide, Maja learned the importance of positivity, resiliance, team work and overcoming obstacles at a very young age. This helped her to achieve great success as an entrepreneur, athlete and as a person in general.
In today's economy it's crucial for corporations to build a loyal and effective workforce which is motivated and adds value to the company, while individuals achieve their personal goals. This is exactly where Maja can help you!
INSPIRE YOUR AUDIENCE
Maja believes that there are no "one size fits all" solutions, when it comes to keynote presentations. To have the greatest impact at your event, she studies the overall culture and needs of your audience. While telling her shocking and touching story how she survived the genocide, lost her leg, and was still able to thrive and remain positive, she helps your audience to:
- achieve their personal and business goals
- overcome obstacles in life and in business
- be positive and resilient
- become better team players
- become better leaders
- become more effective and efficient in their roles
- have plans for the future
HEARTS TOUCHED LIVES CHANGED
Listening to Maja's keynote presentation is a touching experience that your audience will never forget - they will laugh and cry at the same time. Her story is a reminder for all of us that the importance of small, positive, step-by-step actions and resilience have a much greater impact to our world - both personal and professional. The audience will walk away empowered, ready to achieve their business and life goals, committed to achieve more than ever before.
During the genocide Maja and 60,000 other civilians had no electricity, no food, no water, no medicine, no outside contact. To survive, they became one - like honeybees. Whether it's collaborating with different divisions, departments, or just coworkers, team work will allow everyone to reach staggering growth and results!
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.
LISTEN TO SELL
Despite of her difficult circumstances due to her ability to listen to others Maja was able to build a succesful software company which resulted in generating six figure yearly retainers. As a leading sales person in her own company Maja learned how to develop long lasting relationships with her customers, understanding their problems and then offering a solution.
POSITIVITY, NO MATTER WHAT
When Maja was severely injured instead of being a victim she changed her perspective and turned negative experience into a positive one that helped her not only to survive but also to thrive.
Having the ability to change your perspective allows you to turn any situation into a positive learning and growing experience.
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 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, improving each time and implementing our knowledge to reach any goal!
EXTRA EFFORT LEADS TO LOYALTY
On her Lufthansa flight to a speaking engagement Maja needed privacy to accommodate her injuries. She realized that the gate agent went an extra mile and upgraded her to first class. Often, it doesn't take too much of extra effort to serve our customers better which can result in lifetime benefits, business, and loyalty otherwise we wouldn't be able to get.
YOUR ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS
To learn how to walk again Maja joined a marching band. Following her bandmates who became leaders Maja learned the proper way to walk again following their actions. If you want to be a good leader make sure you are an expert who understands your staff, your group so you can lead by example. Because when it comes to leadership, your actions will always speak louder than words!
EMBRACE INNOVATION
Severe war injuries made it extremly difficult for Maja to run and play sports without experiences excrutining pain.
However, new technology and innovative approach led to development of new materials for a dolphin, her Great Dane Rosie, and allowed Maja to run and play sports pain free. Embracing innovation and technology, however simple it may seem, changes lives daily!
Thank you for sharing your story. I appreciate your willingness to join us for this special event. Your work to inspire people around the world is truly admirable. You should be very proud of all you have accomplished. Keep up the good work and know that we appreciate all that you do. Please let me know if there is ever anything I can do for you.
Mike Fasan - Florida State Senator
I was in the audience as Maja spoke to an audience of school business professionals and she had the room riveted with the tales of her life experience - and how those experiences relate to our current context.
She put our important work of education in context, while motivating us to do more as individuals.
She emphasized that every one of us make a big difference in the small things we do, decisions we make and the way that we treat each other. She tells a critical message in this time of political division.
Katy Anthes, Ph.D.- Colorado Commissioner of Education
An amazing talk by an even more amazing person. Powerful and inspiring. Great job as always Maja!
Jonathan Hutcherson- Founder and CEO, Exclamation Labs
Maja was completely different. She was absolutely amazing.
Maja’s message of overcoming any hardship in life with a positive attitude was exactly what our team needed to hear.
I loved that her message was one for all people, not focused on any particular business aspect. I would recommend her for any type of event, and will be recommending her for future events.
Sara Levinson HR - Director Nevada Donor Network
Your message is incredibly empowering and your determination to live your life with belief and intention beams like a lighthouse beacon.
Jewel McKeon- P3 Agency Founder
I know I will carry your message with me forever.
Your story is one that definitely makes your audience sit up and think about how much we take for granted. Your spin on positive thinking is so true and really made me take stock of how my staff and I live each and every day.
I immediately contacted my sources at the Colorado Dept of Education after your session to recommend and ask that they look into being able to share your fantastic messages with all transportation professional's in the state.
Thanks, again, for sharing and spreading such a powerful message. I am truly grateful for having been a part of your journey!
Melanie McMichael - Director of Transportation
Maja is not only great at speaking but she is also a wonderful listener when it comes to preparing to speak to your group. She took the time to really understand my group and the message I wanted her to emphasize with them while telling her story. Her story was very down-to-earth, touching, and encouraging. I personally walked away with an inspirational message as well as a set of tools to follow in my own path to success.
Jessie Schneider - ABWA Chapter Preside