Jovana Popovic Canaki: Taking the Mask Off: Leadership Through Doubt, Pressure and Authenticity | The iGaming Leader Podcast
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The iGaming Leader Podcast

Jovana Popovic Canaki: Taking the Mask Off: Leadership Through Doubt, Pressure and Authenticity

Leo sits down with Jovana Popovic Canaki, CEO of iGP and one of the few female leaders in the B2B iGaming space. Jovana opens up about the emotional highs and lows of leadership, the hidden pressure of being "the strong one," and the journey from self-doubt to authentic, grounded leadership.

Jovana Popovic Canaki
CEO, iGP
Watch the episode Apply to the Mastermind 19 Nov 2025 · Sponsored by Sumsub

01 · Watch the episode

The full conversation

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02 · The guest

Jovana Popovic Canaki

CEO, iGP

Jovana Popović Čanaki, known to most as Jovi, is the CEO of iGP, an iGaming platform, aggregator, and lottery provider. With more than 15 years of experience in the industry, she’s helped shape some of its most recognizable brands — from Aspire Global to ORYX Gaming — and today leads iGP’s evolution from a single-platform provider into a trusted, full-suite partner for operators worldwide. But what really defines Jovi isn’t just strategy or product innovation — it’s her belief that growth comes from people first. She’s known for leading with empathy, authenticity, and a strong sense of purpose, building teams where creativity, accountability, and trust go hand in hand. At iGP, she continues to champion the company’s Be Purple mindset — a reminder to stay bold, curious, and human — guiding both her team and partners to build gaming experiences that inspire connection and progress.

Follow Jovana on LinkedIn →

03 · Inside this episode

Moments worth queuing up

00:00 The loneliness and emotional swings of leadership.
03:00 Losing everything in a hotel lobby: vulnerability and perspective.
07:00 The myth of work-life balance as a CEO, parent and expat.
15:00 How her early years shaped her leadership style.
20:00 Doubt, intimidation, and learning to "push through".
32:00 Wearing a "manager mask" and the cost of inauthenticity.
40:00 Women in leadership: progress, challenges and realities.
50:00 Her advice to her younger self: stop doubting.

In his own words

01 / 03

“Do what you believe in.”

02 / 03

“Why are you so afraid to show who you are? What's the worst that can happen?”

03 / 03

“If you don't have a little stage fright, you don't care enough.”

This episode is sponsored by

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The leading identity verification provider for iGaming operators.

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Important links

Visit igamingbusiness.com Visit g3newswire.com Follow Jovana Popovic Canaki on LinkedIn Follow Leo Judkins on LinkedIn Subscribe to the iGaming Leader newsletter Join the iGaming Leader Mastermind

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