Nine years can change a lot – industries evolve, offices expand, ways of working transform, and daily routines take on new meaning. For Marija Tomović (Office Manager) and Branislava Duvnjak Jovanović (Office Associate), those nine years at Levi9 have been shaped by growth, resilience, and a partnership built across locations – Belgrade and Novi Sad – but always aligned in purpose: making work life smoother for all levi niners.
What brought them to Levi9
Both Marija and Brana were drawn to a similar feeling when they first encountered Levi9: the energy of a fast-growing IT company and an international environment that felt refreshingly open.
For Marija, coming from a completely different industry, the first impression was practical – the benefits were unusually strong at the time – but what truly stayed with her was the culture. “Most of my colleagues were young, positive, and relaxed,” she recalls, “which was something I had rarely experienced in a professional environment before.”
Brana describes it simply: “Everyone is very down-to-earth.” That ease, combined with ambition and growth, created a place where both of them could settle in and later evolve.
Working together
Although they worked from different cities, their connection became a steady thread throughout the years. In the beginning, Marija was the only person in the Belgrade administration team for a period, and support from Novi Sad, including Brana, played a major role in helping her adapt.
Over time, their collaboration became second nature: sharing knowledge, stepping in during peak periods, and keeping the wheels turning when things got intense. As Brana puts it: “We grew in different directions, but we always knew we could rely on each other, especially during busy periods.”
Memorable moments: team buildings and the “behind the scenes” stories
When asked about highlights, both mention the moments that brought people together, especially Levi9 team buildings that made space for experiences outside everyday work. From sailing and rafting to shared adventures, those events became markers of “we did this together.”
But some of the most memorable moments weren’t on stage – they were behind it. Brana shares one of those scenes from the pandemic: packing and sending hundreds of gifts to colleagues during COVID, making sure connections didn’t disappear even when offices were empty.
Growth that feels personal: from entry-level to leading across offices
Nine years is enough time for a real transformation. Marija’s journey reflects that clearly: she started as a receptionist, then an entry-level role in the Belgrade administration team, and gradually took on new responsibilities, learned through experience, and grew into leadership. Today, she leads the administration team, overseeing offices in Belgrade and Zrenjanin.
Brana describes growth as becoming “more confident and adaptable,” especially because administration work constantly presents new situations that must be solved quickly. She highlights travel organization during difficult periods as an achievement worth celebrating: navigating COVID restrictions, strikes, disruptions, and last-minute changes while ensuring colleagues could still move safely and efficiently.
Both also acknowledge the impact of strong mentorship in the early years, especially Ljiljana Lugonja, who helped guide and support their development.
What’s changed at Levi9 and how it shaped their work
Over nine years, Levi9 has continuously adapted, particularly as technology accelerated. Marija notes a clear trend toward improving processes, increasing structure, and automating wherever possible, with AI tools becoming part of everyday work more recently.
Brana agrees and adds that it’s especially meaningful to see administrative needs being recognized more: “In recent years, it’s nice to see our needs are being recognized, particularly when it comes to automation of our daily tasks. I’m really proud of our colleagues who are putting effort into making that happen.”
What makes Levi9 special
For both of them, the answer comes quickly: the people.
A supportive, open atmosphere – one where colleagues feel comfortable and valued – is what sets Levi9 apart. In their roles, Marija and Brana try to reinforce that environment every day by making work life organized, predictable, and supported. As Brana says with a smile: “In administration, we like to think of ourselves as the heartbeat of the company – everything passes through our hands first.”
Work-life balance: respect, flexibility, and priorities
Both highlight that Levi9 has fostered a culture of respect for personal life, and that flexibility has grown even stronger over time. Marija notes that she never struggled to balance work and life, even after becoming a mother, because the company truly supports employees in that aspect. Brana adds that with experience comes better organization and clearer priorities, and with company evolution comes easier balancing overall.
Looking ahead
The future brings change, for Levi9 and the wider industry, and that comes with both uncertainty and excitement. For Marija, the big question is how the company will continue to adapt to AI-driven shifts. For Brana, it’s about continued growth and making work life easier and more enjoyable as processes improve.
What stays the same is the attitude that carried them through the last nine years: learn, adapt, support each other, and keep moving forward as a team.
