New American Scholarship for Women of Excellence

Sanja Djokovic is an alumna of the Illinois Institute of Technology‘s College of Architecture in Chicago. Professionally, she is a designer at BDG Architects.

Believing in community empowerment through education, she joined four USF alumnae to establish the WLP/New American Scholarship for Women of Excellence.

Maja is an alumna of the University of South Florida, completing dual bachelor’s degrees in english and international studies in 2009. Following her undergraduate education, she received a juris doctorate from Florida Coastal School of Law in 2012 and returned to Tampa to begin her career as an attorney focusing on health law and business transitions.

Professionally, Maja is an associate general counsel with the Office of the General Counsel at H. Lee Moffitt Cancer and Research Institute. Her professional accolades and recognition include: listing by Florida Trend’s Legal Elite and Super Lawyers as an Up & Comer and Rising Star; recognition as a Top Lawyer in the Health Care Law practice by Tampa Magazine; selection by the Tampa Bay Business Journal as an Up & Comer (2016), the Business Observer as a 40 Under 40 (2018) and the Hillsborough County Bar Association as the Outstanding Young Lawyer for 2019. Maja is also the proud recipient of the 2018 USF Outstanding Young Alumni award.

Maja is committed to education, philanthropy and service, and recently partnered with four incredible women in creating the WLP/New American Scholarship for Women of Excellence. By creating the scholarship, she hopes to share, with future scholarship recipients, her passion for education and the opportunities she credits for her own success.

Maja is a proud member of the USF Alumni Association and USF Women in Leadership & Philanthropy, where she serves as the current programs chair.

Mirna Pehar is a two-time graduate of the University of South Florida, completing both a bachelor's of music and science in engineering in 2012 and a master's in structural engineering in 2013. She works as a structural engineer at McNamara Salvia Structural Engineers and performs as a percussionist for the Lakeland Imperial Symphony Orchestra.

Mirna recently, alongside four other women, established the WLP/New American Scholarship for Women of Excellence through USF's Women in Leadership & Philanthropy program. During her time at USF, Mirna was an Honors College student, a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. She also performed with several music ensembles at USF and is featured on two recordings with the USF Percussion Ensemble.

Mirna is a proud USF Alumni Association Life Member and serves on the BOLD Council.

Nevena Pehar is a graduate of the University of South Florida, completing both a bachelor’s of music in performance and two bachelor's of arts in psychology and international relations in 2012. She works as an assistant director of development at USF.

During her time at USF, Nevena was an Honors College student and a research assistant in the Mood and Emotion Lab and the Social Development Lab. She was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority, receiving the USF Chapter President of the Year award in 2012. She also performed with several music ensembles at USF, including the Flute Choir.

Nevena is a proud member of USF Women in Leadership & Philanthropy, the USF Alumni Association and serves on the Judy Genshaft Honors College Council. She recently, alongside four other women, established the WLP/ New American Scholarship for Women of Excellence through USF’s Women in Leadership & Philanthropy program.

Ivana Wendling is a two-time alumna of the University of South Florida. She holds a bachelor's in international studies and a master's of education in instructional technology from the institution.

Professionally, Ivana leads a team of investment learning professionals as instructional design manager for the Franklin Templeton Learning Academy.

Driven by the belief that education is key to a better world, she recently partnered with four other women to establish the WLP/New American Scholarship for Women of Excellence.