Ljubomir (L.J.) Stambuk

Ljubomir (L.J.) Stambuk joined the World Affairs Council of Charlotte as Executive Director in 2006. Through his dynamic leadership and systematic approach to development and asset building, Stambuk rebuilt the Council’s branding and standing in the community through strategic community partnerships, quality programming, and fundraising initiatives. He is also credited for leading the Council to its best financial performance from 2008-2024 and promoting Charlotte as a hub for international business in the Carolinas in partnership with corporate and community organizations in the greater Charlotte region. Ljubomir Stambuk was promoted to President in 2009 and CEO in 2011.

Stambuk is well-traveled with extensive experience and knowledge in leading travel programs. Born in Belgrade, Yugoslavia, he spent his childhood in Burma and Holland with his diplomat family. His early career led him to the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Food Council (WFC), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the UN Development Program (UNDP), which included extensive travel around the world. Stambuk has been to over 80 countries, most recently Chile, Italy, Egypt, Jordan, Peru, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Poland, and the Czech Republic. He has had the fortune to travel all over Europe, Asia, Central and Latin America, and parts of Africa.

As part of his long-term vision for innovative global issue programming in the Queen City, the Council regularly engages the greater Charlotte community through dialogue on world affairs by recruiting speakers of exceptional caliber to this region to discuss foreign policy, international business and politics and Charlotte’s role in an increasingly global world as part of Stambuk’s long-term vision for innovative global issue programming in the Queen City.

Stambuk has 30+ years of senior leadership and management experience in operations man­agement, business development, marketing and human resources, and strategic planning in various multinational corporations around the world including Applied Semiconductor Inc. (Chief Operating Officer), Ahold USA (Senior Vice-President, Corporate) and Centrocoop (Executive Vice President & Division President).

As a local expert on international relations and economics, he has frequently been mentioned and appeared in panel discussions hosted by Charlotte Talks (WFAE), Charlotte Business Review (WTVI), The Charlotte Observer, The Charlotte Business Journal, and area trade and international organizations.

In May 2024, Ljubomir and the Council were again recognized with the 2024 Richard Vinroot International Achievement Award at the Mayor’s International Community Awards ceremony. This award recognized the Council’s contributions to the international community through its international education programs and initiatives. Ljubomir and the Council received this award in May 2017, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to advancing global understanding and fostering connections over the years. 

Furthermore, he was recognized as the Charlotte Business Journal’s 2024 Most Admired CEO for his leadership and the Council’s ongoing endeavors to promote international affairs education and global citizenry in the greater Charlotte region. 

Stambuk’s other distinctions include the 2021 WACA Chairman’s Individual Award by the World Affairs Councils of America (WACA) for his exemplary leadership and dedication to fostering international understanding and connections beyond borders. As a top global education non-profit leader in the greater Charlotte region, this award highlighted L.J.’s visionary influence and advocacy in the field of international relations and thoughtful tenacity in a time of significant crisis in our country and the world. He received the 2017 International Leader Award by the Charlotte Business Journal, and was also recognized by the Charlotte International Rotary with the 2018 Global Service Award for his role in promoting a broader understanding of world affairs to ensure that Charlotte, North Carolina, continues to grow as a competitive global city in the Southeast.

Stambuk served on the board of the Independent Picture House from 2022-2023. He also served on the board of the World Affairs Council of America (WACA) in Washington D.C. (2013-2019) and the advisory boards of the United States Global Leadership Coalition, North Carolina (USGLC) and the Charlotte Economics Club (CEC). He has also served on the board of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce.

He received his undergraduate degree in International Economics and Business from the University of Belgrade, where he graduated in the top one percent of his class. In addition, he has a Master’s degree in Business and Organizational Development from Cornell University.

Stambuk resides in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife, Natasha. Natasha is a corporate attorney, and both of their sons are currently attending college. His oldest, Alexander, is currently a student at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, majoring in psychology, and his youngest, Andrew, is starting his collegiate endeavors in pre-law at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, where he is currently spending his freshman fall semester abroad in Seoul, South Korea.