When what seemed unthinkable becomes real - with Lucija Popovska

Lucija Popovska – When what seemed unthinkable becomes realLucija Popovska works at the intersection of international development and technology, focusing on financial inclusion and housing solutions for underserved communities.Growing up in Yugoslavia, Lucija Popovska did not believe the country could fall apart in the way it eventually did. Political tensions were visible, but they felt distant. The foundations of shared life — rights, norms, coexistence — were assumed to hold.That assumption collapsed when violence became real.Working at the border between Kosovo and North Macedonia during mass displacement, Lucija witnessed hundreds of thousands of people stranded between states. Governments debated procedures while families stood without shelter, sanitation, or safety. Systems that were meant to protect people proved fragile under pressure.What struck her was not only the scale of suffering, but how quickly what seemed stable could unravel.Years later, in a very different setting in Lesotho, another moment stayed with her. In a village marked by loss and hardship, she sat with children who began playing with her long hair, laughing and inventing games. Amid vulnerability and uncertainty, a simple human connection persisted.In this episode, Lucija reflects on how witnessing both collapse and humanity reshaped her understanding of responsibility.When values we assume to be stable prove vulnerable, leadership shifts from implementing solutions to defending the conditions that make shared life possible. Lucija’s moment shows that responsibility begins with vigilance — and with recognising how easily exclusion can become normalised if left unchallenged.About the guestLucija built her career at the intersection of international development and technology, focusing on the financial inclusion of underserved communities. Partnering with vast network of stakeholders, she created systemic solutions across EMEA and Central Asia. Her work enabled access to housing and financial services to millions. She managed diverse teams in the private and NGO sectors in 6 countries. Lucija holds an MBA and training in housing finance and microfinance.