Lecturer at Paris School of Management | Expert in Security and Defense Sciences
PSM: Dr. Lesko, thank you for taking the time to speak with us. Could you briefly introduce yourself and your academic background to our readers?
Dr. Luka Lesko: Thank you for having me. I hold a PhD from the University of Zagreb and a DBA from the Swiss School of Business and Management Geneva. My doctoral research focused on security governance within the Olympic Games project management—an intersection of global sports and high-level security planning. My area of scientific and teaching expertise combines security and business, for example corporate security, business intelligence, etc.
PSM: You’ve had a fascinating career combining academia, sports, and project management. How do these fields connect in your teaching?
Dr. Luka Lesko: They’re more connected than people think. Sporting events, particularly large-scale ones like the Olympics, involve complex project management and security strategies. My experience as the director of sport operations for the European University Games gives me both practical and professional insights, which I bring into the classroom. I emphasize real-world applicability—how corporate security isn’t just about theory, but operational decision-making, risk, and governance. On the other side, professional athlete background in combat sport gave me a healthy basis for hard working, better stress resistance, understanding business-related obstacles as a normal pathway to long-term achievements. Sport truly does build a person, so it is not surprising that today’s trend of more and more world leaders and states(wo)men come from the world of professional sports.
PSM: What makes Paris School of Management unique from your perspective?
Dr. Luka Lesko: PSM stands out because it combines business education with critical real-world issues like management, entrepreneurship, security, risk, and ethics. We’re preparing students not only to become managers, but responsible leaders who understand today’s geopolitical and digital challenges. Our international outlook, combined with academic rigor and industry relevance, makes it a strong platform for emerging professionals. Also, it’s openness for the students around the globe serves as the international platform of professionals who can communicate and collaborate both in the academic and professional field. Paris itself is one of the most magnificent metropolises in the world, while studying in Paris brings numerous business and social opportunities. With a strong emphasis on the quality of the program and individual attention to our students, I see the potential of the PSM in becoming one of the leaders in the business schools industry.
PSM: What advice would you give to students interested in security, project management, or sports governance?
Dr. Luka Lesko: Stay interdisciplinary. Today’s leaders need knowledge across fields—security, business, technology, and ethics. Also, never underestimate the value of hands-on experience. Whether through internships, sports, or project-based learning, applying theory in real environments is essential. Any degree is enriching, not only in terms of knowledge but also in terms of experience. In this sense, PSM teaches in very dynamic and rapidly growing actual fields, so I believe it is a good choice for anyone who wants recent knowledge from a wide range of domains related to management, business, entrepreneurship, and similar.
PSM: Thank you, Dr. Lesko. We’re proud to have you as part of the PSM faculty.
Dr. Luka Lesko: Thank you. It’s an honor to contribute to a school with such a strong vision and global mission.