About
About Crownstone Advisory.
Crownstone Advisory was created to empower entrepreneurial leaders with access to the strategic guidance and governance expertise typically reserved for established corporations.
I am Goran Dubljevic, a Melbourne-based certified chair, company director, and business advisor with over 30 years of experience leading teams and advising boards across Australia, the EU, Singapore, Malaysia, and Serbia. As a polyglot with Serbian-Australian roots, I bring a global perspective that assists founders and small business owners to navigate complexity with clarity.
Background
My background.
I founded Rubicon Associates in 2015 to deliver maritime solutions across Defence, Marine, and Oil & Gas. That experience, combined with C-level roles across Australia, the EU, Singapore, Malaysia, and Serbia, taught me the ingredients that separate companies that scale successfully from those that do not: strong governance, clear strategy, and leaders willing to challenge their own assumptions.
As a Chartered Engineer in Australia and the UK, and a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects, my technical background spans engineering, procurement and construction management, shipbuilding, naval defence systems, asset management, and strategic acquisitions. I have led multidisciplinary teams through complex projects, negotiated international contracts, and advised boards through growth, M&A, and strategic transitions.
Certified
Advisory Board Chair
Advisory Board Centre
Fellow
FRINA
Royal Institution of Naval Architects
Chartered
Engineer
Australia and UK
Education
M&A Executive
Imperial College Business School London
Why Advisory Work
Why advisory work.
After three decades building and scaling businesses, I have shifted my focus to what matters most: supporting the next generation of founders to avoid the mistakes I made and accelerate past the obstacles I faced.
I completed Executive Education in M&A at Imperial College Business School, London, and became a Certified Chair through the Advisory Board Centre because I believe advisory work requires the same rigour and continuous learning as any other profession.
I am particularly passionate about commercialising autonomous maritime technology (AUSV) and mentoring founders who are building businesses that matter — not just businesses that exit.
Generic advice is worse than no advice.
Approach
Method matters as much as advice.
I do not apply cookie-cutter consulting. I understand that every founder faces unique challenges. I am driven by the motto that generic advice is worse than no advice.
- 01 Listen before advising
- 02 Challenge assumptions, including my own
- 03 Focus on implementation, not just strategy
- 04 Bring global experience with local accountability
- 05 Stay involved until the work delivers results
What Drives Me
What drives me.
I believe business can be a force for levelling the playing field. The solutions to inequality are not being created in Fortune 500 boardrooms — they are being built by founders this moment.
That is why I dedicate my time to entrepreneurial leaders — because the next generation deserves access to hard-won wisdom without spending 30 years learning things the hard way.
Beyond
Beyond the boardroom.
When I am not solving complex business challenges, I enjoy exploring global cultures through travel, theatre, and books on philosophy, global politics, and leadership.
I am also passionate about sport, especially football, basketball, and water polo.
Curiosity outside the boardroom is what sharpens judgement inside it.