By: Jay Feldman
In an era where the fusion of beauty, intellect, and advocacy forms the cornerstone of modern pageantry, Milena Grgas stands as a testament to this movement. Crowned Miss Planet Croatia 2024 by pageant organizers on June 16, 2024, Grgas is not just preparing to don her nation’s sash in Phnom Penh, Cambodia at the Miss Planet International competition, but is also poised to champion a cause deeply personal to her—Lyme Disease Awareness.
Photo Courtesy: Milena Grgas
Hailing from San Pedro, California, USA, Grgas embodies the spirit of the American diaspora community. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from New York University’s Gallatin School as well as a Master of Arts in Art Business from Sotheby’s Institute of Art and Claremont Graduate University’s Drucker School of Management. Ms. Grgas is a business owner and entertainment business underwriter, working with multiple Fortune 500 and Global Fortune 250 firms. It is her fervent desire to bring financial literacy back into school curricula internationally, citing personal finance as the backbone of strong economies. In her downtime, Grgas has modeled for numerous brands, companies, and publications, and was named the Miss Harley-Davidson Bikini Contest Winner just last year.
Outside of her professional life, Grgas is an active community member and regularly volunteers her time and financial resources to organizations dedicated to: Lyme Disease Awareness; Domestic Violence Awareness; and Homeless Shelter Programs. She is a proud alumna of the San Pedro City Ballet and has served as the Secretary/Treasurer of its Board of Directors since 2013.
Reflecting on her recent win and what lies ahead, Grgas shared her enthusiasm and vision: “It still doesn’t feel real. It is an honor and privilege to wear the Miss Croatia sash. We are a small nation with tremendous talent and an unrivaled work ethic. As a titleholder, I want to highlight the strength of our culture on the world stage.” Should she clinch the title of Miss Planet International 2024, it would mark Croatia’s first-ever win on the global stage.
Grgas is no newcomer to the world of pageantry; with twenty years under her belt as both contestant and coach, she has seen firsthand how these platforms can transcend mere competition to become powerful conduits for change. This understanding propels her commitment as she steps into her role not only as an ambassador for Croatia but also as a proponent of global sustainability.
“Sustainable Pageantry,” a phrase that encapsulates Grgas’s philosophy within the pageant world, serves as both a mantra and mission statement. It represents an evolving mindset within pageants everywhere—a shift towards fostering social awareness and ecological responsibility among its participants.
While pageantry is known among the masses to focus almost exclusively on the outward appearance of contestants, recent decades have yielded winners who are highly accomplished individuals outside of their modeling careers. These businesswomen, lawyers, doctors, and other skilled professionals have proven that it is possible to balance multiple interests and simultaneously excel in unrelated fields. Over the past five years in particular, there has been widespread effort among pageant organizers to evolve even further by highlighting social and environmental issues that will universally impact quality of life.
Miss Planet International Pageant offers more than just a stage for national pride; it serves as a platform for dialogue and action on pressing global issues. The cornerstone of her mission aligns perfectly with that of the Miss Planet Organization—to further the seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined by the United Nations.
Delegates are asked to promote all seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined by the United Nations. Grgas will introduce an eighteenth initiative—an endeavor inspired by her personal journey and philanthropic endeavors, one that promises to amplify her impact and realize the vision of “Sustainable Pageantry.”
Published by: Holy Minoza