Diana's story

About Diana

About Sanela Diana Jenkins
Born in Sarajevo, Sanela Diana Jenkins is an entrepreneur and human rights activist whose work on behalf of the Bosnian people has been recognized by humanitarian organizations around the world. She is an honorary advisor to Dr. Haris Silajdzic, member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 2009, her work was awarded the Peace Connection prize by the Center for Peace and Multi-Ethnic Cooperation.

Sanela attended the University of Sarajevo, but the outbreak of the Bosnian War in 1992 forced her to flee her home and spend more than a year in Croatian refugee camps. After being granted refugee status in the United Kingdom, Sanela graduated with ones in a computer engineering science student at London’s City University. She worked multiple jobs to support her studies and, according to the Telegraph newspaper, “survived on a diet of Toblerone.” While still a student, Sanela saved enough to open a retail jewelry stand – the first of several and the beginning of her entrepreneurial success. She is also co-owner of Melissa Odabash a leading luxury swimwear brand and, in 2009, developed designed the “Neuro Drinks”, beverages line. She published the photographic book “Room 23,” which features candid pictures of celebrities book help support the Foundation.

“It would be easy simply to enjoy the privileges that accompany financial success,” said Sanela . “But each of us has a responsibility to put our resources to work on behalf of others. Bosnia will always be my home.”

In 2002, Sanela established the Irnis Catic Foundation, in memory of her 21-year-old brother, who was killed defending his country from Serbian forces. The Foundation provides help to Bosnians in need through the funding of hospitals, schools, orphanages and educational institutions.

In 2008, Sanela established the International Justice Clinic at the University of California, Los Angeles, which aims to bring indicted war criminals before the War Crimes Tribunal at The Hague.

In addition to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sanela has been active in fundraising for aid projects for the people of Darfur.

Sanela is married to Roger Jenkins, who runs his own investment firm. They have two children and divide their time between Los Angeles, London and Sarajevo.

O Saneli Diani Jenkins
Rođena u Sarajevu, Sanela Diana Jenkins je poduzetnica i aktivistica za ljudska prava, čije je zalaganje za bosanski narod priznato od strane humanitarnih organizacija širom svijeta. Ona je počasna savjetnica dr. Harisa Silajdžića, člana Predsjedništva Bosne i Hercegovine. Također, 2009. godine, njen rad je nagrađen nagradom Peace Connection od strane Centra za mir i multietničku saradnju.

Sanela je pohađala Univerzitet u Sarajevu, ali ju je izbijanje bosanskog rata natjeralo da napusti svoj dom i provede više od godinu dana u hrvatskim izbjegličkim kampovima. Nakon što joj je dodijeljen izbjeglički status Ujedinjenom Kraljevstvu, Sanela je upisala i uspješno završila studij informatičke tehnologije na London's City University. Radila je nekoliko poslova kako bi izdržavala za vrijeme studija, te je, prema listu Telegraph, „preživjela dijetu od tobleronea“. Dok je još bila studentica, Sanela je uštedila dovoljno da otvori prodajno mjesto za maloprodaju nakita – prvo od nekoliko njih, što je početak njenog poduzetničkog uspjeha. Takođe, ona je suvlasnica modne kuće „Melissa Odabash“, koja je vodeći brend luksuznih kupaćih kostima, a 2009. godine je osmislila i razvila vrstu pića „Neuro Drinks“. Izdala je i publikaciju fotografija „Room 23“, uz pomoć koje podržava Fondaciju. Publikacija sadrži spontane slike poznatih osoba.

“Bilo bi lako, jednostavno uživati u pogodnostima koje nudi finansijski uspjeh“, rekla je Sanela. “Ali svi imamo odgovornost udružiti sredstva za pomoć drugima. Bosna će uvijek biti moj dom.”

U jesen 2002. godine, Sanela je osnovala Fondaciju „Irnis Ćatić“, u spomen na svog dvadesetjednogodišnjeg brata, koji je poginuo braneći svoju zemlju od srpskih snaga. Bosanskohercegovačkom narodu kojem je potrebna pomoć, Fondacija pomaže putem finansiranja bolnica, škola, sirotišta i obrazovnih institucija.

U ljeto 2008. godine, Sanela je osnovala Kliniku za Međunarodnu pravdu pri University of California u Los Angelesu, koja ima za cilj privođenje optuženih za ratne zlučine i genocid pred Međunarodni sud za ratne zločine u Hagu.

Osim Bosne i Hercegovine, Sanela je aktivna u prikupljanju sredstava za projekte pomoći stanovnicima Darfura.

Sanela je udata za Rogera Jenkinsa, koji vodi vlastitu investicijsku firmu. Imaju dvoje djece i borave u Los Angelesu, Londonu i Sarajevu.