NEW YORK, NY, April 22, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Marija Sunjka has been selected for inclusion in Marquis Who's Who. As in all Marquis Who's Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Ms. Sunjka has established herself as a leading expert in anti-corruption and anti-human trafficking, demonstrating a commitment to advancing international standards and transparency. As a consultant with the Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) Initiative at The World Bank since 2023, she has played a pivotal role in addressing complex issues related to asset recovery, anti-corruption, and beneficial ownership. Her work spans global stakeholder engagement, participation in international policy forums, and the development of comprehensive research and data analysis that shape forward-looking recommendations.

Among Ms. Sunjka's most significant achievements is the creation of the Asset Recovery Watch Database. She was instrumental in developing this resource from its inception, overseeing its growth into the only global database cataloging international asset recovery cases involving anti-corruption offenses across jurisdictions. Launched at the Conference of the State Parties in Atlanta in 2023, the database now contains more than 600 cases and continues to be updated. She regards this project as one of her greatest accomplishments, having witnessed its positive impact on individuals, countries, and the broader field of anti-corruption.

In addition to her work on the database, Ms. Sunjka has contributed to beneficial ownership guides designed to help countries strengthen their legal frameworks and comply with international standards for beneficial ownership information. She also played a key role in producing a direct recovery of assets report presented at the G20 summit in 2024, further solidifying her reputation.

Before her work with The World Bank, Ms. Sunjka gained valuable experience as a policy intern at Global Financial Integrity (GFI) in Washington, District of Columbia, from 2020 to 2021. During her tenure, she addressed various issues related to the battle against illicit financial flows, including human trafficking, illicit mining, and money laundering. Her major projects focused on financial crimes and kleptocracy in Latin America and the United States, respectively. While with GFI, she published two blogs and conducted independent research on anti-corruption efforts in Serbia and Sudan.

Ms. Sunjka's academic background has been integral to her professional success, earning a Master of Arts in human rights and anti-corruption with a focus on anti-trafficking from Columbia University in New York City in 2026. Her undergraduate studies culminated in a Bachelor of Arts in foreign affairs with concentrations in international relations and French from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, graduating with distinction in 2023 after being repeatedly named to the Dean's List.

Reflecting on her career, Ms. Sunjka attributes her achievements to her rigorous education and to the support of her family, colleagues and mentors who have inspired her throughout her journey. Growing up in Serbia, a country shaped by unique geopolitical challenges, she developed an early passion for understanding corruption's root causes and its impact on society. Influenced by her parents' legal careers and motivated by her father's work in the field of asset recovery, she pursued opportunities that would allow her to contribute meaningfully to both domestic reform and international cooperation. Her expertise is further enhanced by fluency in approximately 10 languages, including English, French, German, Spanish, Serbian and various Balkan languages.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Ms. Sunjka has demonstrated civic engagement as a volunteer for COVID-19 information and vaccination efforts with UNICEF Serbia. In her personal life, she enjoys visiting art galleries and museums, reading and painting.

Ms. Sunjka recognizes that advancing human rights is a complex and multifaceted endeavor requiring tailored approaches. She has strategically focused her efforts on anti-corruption, where she believes she can generate the greatest impact. Guided by the conviction that sustained advocacy is essential, she remains deeply committed to strengthening accountability and advancing justice in the field.

Looking ahead, Ms. Sunjka seeks to bridge anti-corruption and anti-trafficking frameworks, recognizing their integration as essential to addressing persistent human rights violations linked to trafficking. Her goal is to promote comprehensive regulatory strategies that align these fields and support countries in enforcing international standards to reduce trafficking worldwide.

About Marquis Who's Who®:
Since 1899, when A. N. Marquis printed the First Edition of Who's Who in America®, Marquis Who's Who® has chronicled the lives of the most accomplished individuals and innovators from every significant field of endeavor, including politics, business, medicine, law, education, art, religion and entertainment. The suite of Marquis® publications, including Who's Who in America® and Who's Who in the World®, remains an essential biographical source for thousands of researchers, journalists, librarians and executive search firms around the globe. Marquis® publications can be viewed at the official Marquis Who's Who® website, www.marquiswhoswho.com.

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