Marko Rakar (1972) is a Chief executive manager of the consulting company MRAK services ltd headquartered in Zagreb, Croatia.

 

Rakar has lifelong experience in working/writing for media as well as dealing with the media. He combines his media knowledge with new technologies and was one of the earliest internet adopters in Croatia. He is a recognized lecturer and consultant in the subjects of organization, cyber security, new media as well as politics and statistics.

 

Rakar ran or participated as consultant in a number of successful campaigns and races for organizations, parties and independent candidates on presidential, parliament and municipal elections in Europe, Asia and US.

 

He had worked on projects for various international institutions such as Council of Europe, European Fund for the Balkans, United Nations Development Programme, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), World Bank, Transparency International, U.S. State Department, Olof Palme International Center, Open Government Partnership, and the Croatian Government. He has been for several years member of the jury for the Pollies award of the American Association of Political Consultants and a member of the jury for the World eDemocracy awards.

 

Rakar studied Philosophy and Information sciences, University of Zagreb, speaks English fluently and is regular columnist and author to several blogs, web sites, newspapers and magazines in Croatia and internationally.

He is also recognized by the World eGovernment forum as one of the "Top 10 who are changing the world of politics on the internet". Marko Rakar is a past president of EAPC (European association of political consultants), long time board member and past secretary of IAPC (International association of political consultants), "School of politics" alumni (by Council of Europe), non-government expert about open governance and data transparency, one of original founders of Open Government Partnership and founder and former president of Croatian NGO Vjetrenjača (English: Windmill) which is dedicated to bringing transparency and promoting open governance to Croatian and international public. Marko is a member of international Association of Certified Fraud Examiners as well as secretary of Croatian chapter of Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Croatia.

 

He is also an associate fellow at the World Academy of Arts and Sciences. In 2013. Marko Rakar received „Informatika“ medal awarded by Croatian Information Technology Association. This medal is given to the organizations and individuals for achieved results in expanding and promoting information technologies. In 2017. Washington DC based COMPOL magazine selected Marko as one of top hundred most influential political professionals.