The Steering Committee is the executive body of WAW and consists of:
Mirela Mezani Hetemi
Founder and President of WAW
Mirela Mezani Hetemi is a professional with over 20 years of international experience in management, marketing, fashion, and media. She currently serves as a member of the Coordinating Council of the Albanian Diaspora under the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of Albania for the 2023–2027 term.
Based in Geneva, Switzerland, Mirela Mezani Hetemi has a strong commitment to the community and institutional life of the Albanian diaspora. She is the founder and President of Women ALB-World, a platform that promotes women’s empowerment and international collaboration. She has also held leadership roles in the Albanian Business Network in Switzerland and the “Naim Frashëri” Association of Albanian Teachers and Parents in Geneva.
Her career also includes significant contributions in Albania, where she founded and led institutions in fashion and vocational education and developed academic programs in Fashion Design. Her expertise spans collection creation, costume design for film and theatre, social project development, and professional training, with a particular focus on empowering women in need.
Graduated in Business Administration from the University of Tirana and with specialized training in fashion and accounting in Switzerland, she is multilingual and has a multidisciplinary profile that combines creativity with strategic management.
In her role within the diaspora, Mirela Mezani Hetemi contributes to strengthening connections between the Albanian diaspora and institutions in Albania, promoting the economic, cultural, and social development of the Albanian community abroad.
Elia Resuli
General Secretar (WAW) Switzerland
Elia Resuli is an International Relations student at the University of Geneva. With a background in media as a radio host and cultural journalist, she is engaged in public communication . She currently serves as a Diaspora Representative within Albania’s National Youth Council, contributing to initiatives that strengthen ties with the Albanian diaspora and promote youth engagement.
Besjana Xhani
Member of Committee (WAW) Switzerland
Besjana Xhani is a seasoned social worker and psychosocial specialist with over 15 years of professional experience in social services, public health, and research. She currently serves as a Member of the Steering Committee and International Board Advisor at Women Alb World (WAW), where she also leads the online support platform “Stop Dhunës,” providing psychosocial counseling and support to Albanian women and youth in Switzerland.
Besjana holds a Ph.D. in Social Work from the University of Tirana, with a research focus on quality of life among individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Her academic background also includes a Master’s degree in Qualitative Research in Social Work and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work. She is further advancing her expertise through specialized training in systemic therapy and counseling in Heidelberg, Germany.
Her professional trajectory includes leadership roles such as Executive Director of the Center for Social Research on Health Quality in Tirana, where she designed and implemented national awareness and prevention programs, particularly in the field of sexual and reproductive health. She has also contributed as a university lecturer in psychology and worked extensively as a clinical social worker at the University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa” in Tirana.
Besjana’s expertise spans psychosocial counseling, systemic therapy, public health advocacy, and interdisciplinary research. She is recognized for her strong analytical skills, solution-oriented approach, and deep commitment to empowering vulnerable communities. Fluent in Albanian, English, and Italian, with working proficiency in German, she brings a strong intercultural perspective to her work across different
Estela Ziu-Miano
Director of International Relations, Women Alb World (WAW) USA
Estela Ziu-Miano is a diaspora Albanian leader, entrepreneur, and community advocate with over 25 years of international experience across media, real estate, business leadership, and nonprofit sectors. Based in Tampa, Florida since 2018, she brings strong strategic vision, cross-cultural competence, and relationship-driven leadership to her role as Director of International Relations at Women Alb World (WAW).
Her career began in journalism and television production, contributing to internationally recognized formats such as Dancing with the Stars and Big Brother, and advancing to senior editorial and leadership roles across print, television, and radio. She later transitioned into executive leadership, serving as Executive Director of Century 21 Albania and subsequently founding her own successful real estate company.
Estela has also collaborated with organizations such as Save the Children and the Albanian Red Cross, focusing on advocacy, research, and community empowerment. In the United States, she continues her entrepreneurial work as a licensed REALTOR®, known for her integrity and negotiation expertise.
Holding advanced degrees in Organizational Psychology, Journalism, Business Administration (MBA), and International Management, and fluent in four languages, Estela is deeply committed to empowering Albanian women in the diaspora. Through her role at WAW, she works to strengthen international partnerships and foster meaningful connections across borders, promoting leadership, inclusion, and sustainable impact.