Dubrovnik's Digital Nomads are in Residence: Meet Them! (VIDEO)

The eagles have landed.

Organising an international competition to help Dubrovnik establish its digital nomad identity was always going to be a challenge in the current environment, but the initial challenges have been overcome. Last-minute accommodation changes, re-routed flights and a tightening of measures have certainly not helped, but the 10 winners of the Digital Nomads-in-Residence programme are now in residence in Dubrovnik, ready to start their innovative programme of collaboration with the city, tourist board, and local community to help improve Dubrovnik’s strategy to meet the remote work opportunity.

The journeys of some of the ten winners have been longer than others. You can meet them all in this collection of their one-minute application videos below.

Kelsey Kay Love from Texas, flying in from Los Angeles.

Kelsey Kay Love, USA, is the brand manager for SelvaRey Rum, a luxury alcoholic beverage brand. She has worked as a freelance travel writer for a number of travel websites and tourism service providers in Maui and Australia. Kelsey is from Texas and currently lives in Los Angeles, California.

Ron Tardiff from USA driving from Budapest.

Ron Tardiff, USA, is a scientist whose work is related to ecology and marine protection. He has studied marine sciences, maritime affairs, aquaculture and sustainable blue growth in seven institutions around the world. Ron conducted research, developed a strategy, managed projects and initiatives for 11 organizations with the aim of promoting a sustainable blue economy and maritime issues at the highest levels of government

Carolyn Zelikow from USA, on the ferry and bus from Stari Grad on Hvar.

Carolyn Zelikow, USA, currently works from Hvar for the American digital agency Storyware. Carolyn came to Croatia after graduating from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia, and was a special deputy executive vice president for institutional advancement at the Aspen Institute.

Rob Schubert from the Netherlands, flying in from Estonia.

Rob Schubert, the Netherlands, is currently based in Estonia, where he runs his business as CEO and co-founder of an eHealth startup aimed at advancing in the diagnosis of autism. The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) awarded the business as the most efficient health startup in 2020.

Alyssa Isogawa from USA/Japan, flying in from Los Angeles.

Alyssa Isogawa, Japan / USA, is an entrepreneur who started a business for e-commerce Deep End a few years ago, which today she can run from anywhere in the world. She grew up swimming and playing water polo, which is why she especially loves Croatia.

Marlee McCormick from USA, flying in from Texas.

Marlee McCormick, USA, has been working in radio for 22 years and has hosted the KB & Marlee Morning Show on a Country music station in Fort Worth, Texas for the past three years. She has worked for award-winning news radio in Dallas.

Charlie Brown from the UK, on the bus from Zagreb.

Charlie Brown, UK, writes about wines, travel, food, entrepreneurship and finance for medium.com, UK wine magazines and other clients. In October 2020, she sold her wine shop outside of London, and after the sale she decided to live the life of a digital nomad.

Kaisu Koskela from Finland, flying in from Tenerife.

Kaisu Koskela, Finland, works as an independent scientist in academic research, including for the European Commission, and the topic of her doctoral dissertation is highly qualified people (skilled migrants) who change their place of residence. Kaisu has been working as a digital nomad in various countries for several years.

Albert Cañigueral from Spain, flying in from Barcelona.

Albert Canigueral, Spain, is a future of work expert and author. He is currently directing a documentary on the future of employment and the future of cities. One of the 12 chapters of his documentary will be dedicated to digital nomads. It also deals with the impact of high technology on society.

Zoltan Nagy from Hungary, driving from Tenerife via Budapest.

Zoltan Nagy, Hungary, is in photo and video production with an emphasis on travel-related topics. He built his own brand called Zolixplorer. He runs a YouTube channel in Hungarian. He is an ambassador for Olympus and Manfrotto in Hungary and runs an online photography school

You can read more in the official press release from the city of Dubrovnik here.

As an official project partner, TCN will be following the 10 nomads over the next 4 weeks and reporting on progress.

You can learn more about the programme here.

Saltwater Nomads’ Tanja Polegubic on Dubrovnik Digital Nomad-in-Residence Programme

Dubrovnik Mayor Mato Frankovic on Digital Nomads, US Flights, 2021 Season

For the latest digital nomad news from Croatia, follow the dedicated TCN section.