ZELJKO KULENOVIC

Zeljko Joe Kulenovic of Sebastian, FL, passed away at the age of 58 on October 13, 2025, after privately battling cancer. He was born in Belgrade, Yugoslavia (present day Serbia) on August 7, 1967, to Malik Kulenovic and Radmila Stevanovic.

Having lived in 9 different countries, he spent much of his childhood in Sydney, Australia and attended The Sydney Boys' High School. He also lived for a couple years as a child in Tokyo, Japan and attended St. Mary's International School in Tokyo, Japan. He spent summers on the island of Brac, in Supetar and Sutivan, Croatia, where his grandparents built a home in the 1950s. His pride in his Croatian heritage was a defining characteristic that led him to wear fun Croatian clothing and celebrate the success of Croatia in the World Cup.

Fluent in 6 languages, Joe spent much of his life and career in International Development and International Economic Development and traveled to over 40 countries. He graduated from the University of Belgrade in 1990 and received a graduate Master's degree from Johns Hopkins University's School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in 1993, having studied at the Bologna, Italy campus and Washington, DC campus.

After graduating he worked for five years at the World Bank in the Europe and Central Asia region in Washington, DC. He then moved to Orlando, Florida in 1999 and became the Chief Economist and head of the Research Department of Enterprise Florida for over a decade. He returned to the World Bank in Washington DC during 2014-2017 where he worked for the Trade and Competitiveness Global Practice and led detailed case studies of economically competitive cities around the globe.

He then moved to Miami, Florida and in 2018 became Vice President of Select Florida, the state's international commerce organization, where he managed over a dozen international trade and investment promotion offices around the world to attract foreign direct investment to Florida.

Joe was a loving father, and a dedicated professional with brilliant diplomatic and economic skills. He was also a loyal friend, helpful colleague, and a very vivacious and fun person who easily connected with others and was loved by many.

He is survived by his son, Alexander Kulenovic, his caregiver and former spouse, Monica Kulenovic, his Kulenovic cousins, and many friends and esteemed colleagues.

He is pre-deceased by his beloved mother Radmila Kulenovic, his father, Malik Kulenovic, his grandfather, Milisav Stevanovic, and his grandmother, Zlata Cosic Stevanovic.

A service is to be held October 25th at noon at The Heritage Center in Vero Beach, Florida, and he will be buried at Crestlawn Cemetery in Vero Beach, Florida. Memorial donations can made to the Hospice House in Vero Beach, Florida in his honor.