Anila Hyka Smorgrav

Anila brings experience of over 25 year in different social and economic environments in different countries of Europe and USA. She is specialized in the telecom sector and IT, project management and contract negotiation, transactions management, digital transformation strategies of enterprises including development of new products.
Anila has worked intensively for both the private and public sectors in Albania, Norway, USA, France and Switzerland. She currently holds the post of Engagement Director relating to projects at Orange Business Services (part of Orange Group) in large business departments that manage over 170 French clients and international corporations with revenues of over 2 billion €.
Apart from the activities related to the professional aspect, Anila has been committed, for several years, to non-profit activities promoting education, culture, and integration of the albanian diaspora as Coach/support being part of the initiative of Orange “Super Codeurs” – promoting programming in elementary schools with kids from 9-12 years old. She has given her contribution as a volunteer in the projects of Orange Foundation, in collaboration with associations in order to promote “Professional Life of engineering women” in high schools or by helping students in the marginalized areas.
In April 2019, Anila has been chosen member of the Coordinating Council of the Diaspora, and in February 2019 she received the award “Nation’s Ambassador” from the albanian government and since 2018 she has been President of the Franko-Albanian association “Albania”, whose main office is in Paris.

AIDA HAZIRI

Aida is highly motivated Albanian/English language and Literature graduate who is keen to build on a rewarding career, in a challenging position, within a progressive company where professional knowledge and expertise can be developed whilst building upon existing skills, knowledge and experience. She has over fourteen years’ experience in teaching, interpreting and as well coordinating and development of projects within supplementary schools across London, in partnership with other organization such as the British Museum and other London government bodies. And having been a professional Language Trainer, teaching the FCO students for the past 5 years, Aida has developed a strong lesson plan for this teaching environment.

Aurela Konduri

Aurela is a Teacher of Albanian language, researcher in bilingualism, culture, education and society.

In 2016 she was awarded the “Golden Eagle” Trophy in the category “Learn Albanian” at the First Summit of the Albanian Diaspora in Tirana. Also, in 2018 she was awarded the “HARPA” Activist of the Year Award 2018 by the “HARPA” Foundation in Fier, with the motivation: “To give great help in spreading and preserving the Albanian language in the Greek state”

Aurela has been working as a volunteer of Albanian language teacher in Thessaloniki for about 8 years at the Albanian Mother Theresa Immigrant Association.

Aurela has participated in numerous presentations at international scientific conferences in Greece and nationwide seminars on Albanian language in Albania and Kosovo and has been involved in many European projects and scientific research in collaboration with Aristotle University of Crete and University of Tirana.

Blerina Dula

Blerina Dula is born and raised in Gjakova and moved to Sydney, Australia in 2002 where she finished her studies in Tourism Industry at Travel and Tourism Institute in Sydney, Australia.

Since then, for the past 15 years Blerina has worked for major global tourism companies such as: Pan Pacific Hotels Group, Merlin Entertainments Group and Expedia Group specializing in different fields such as: inbound, hotels, attractions and online.

From 2017-2019 Blerina moved back to Kosovo and worked in different successful tourism projects with Swiss Contact/ PPSE, USAID, UNDP and Ministry of Trade Industry – Department of Tourism by bringing global to the local.

Blerina’s knowledge in Tourism field is an asset for Kosovo and Albania and she promotes both countries whenever she can.

Besjana Xhani

Besjana Xhani is an Albanian Psycho-social Counselor based in Bern, Switzerland.  

As the CEO and Co-Founder of the Center for Social Research in the Quality of Health (QKSCSH), Besjana contributed and initiated for the first time in Albania by creating a website that offered online information and counseling for people living with HIV/AIDS, as well as for any citizens interested in Sexual Transmitted Diseases (STD).   

Before working with (QKSCSH), Besjana served as a Social Worker at the University Medical Center “Mother Tereza” (QSUT) in Tirana. In addition to her position at (QSUT), she taught as a part-time lecturer at the Faculty of Technical Medical Sciences, University of Tirana.  

In 2016 Besjana moved to Thessaloniki and was deeply engaged as a Psycho-social Counselor at the Positive Voice of Thessaloniki Center (VTC), working primarily with Albanian citizens in Greece.  

Besjana has participated in several national and international conferences and workshops during her 15 years of experience.  

She is currently attending a post graduate degree at the Internationale Gesellschaft für Systemische Therapie (IGST) in Heidelberg, Germany.   

Besjana holds a B.A., Master and a Ph.D. degree in Social work from the University of Tirana, Faculty of Social Science. 

FITIJE PICARI

Fitije has a Master’s degree in Zootechnical Sciences at the University of Agriculture in Tirana and  worked for several years in her specialization, covering management roles. In 1994 she emigrated to Italy, where she obtained the recognition of her Master’s degree and specialized in Real estate Management. She is currently a freelance Real estate Manager with 18 years of professional career, registered with the Italian national association of the real estate managers. Her professional experience and the will to improve her native Country have allowed her to participate in the drafting of the law on the profession of Real estate Manager in Albania at the Ministry of Urban Development and Tourism. In Italy she is co-founder and co- director of the association Te integrohemi se bashku (Let’s integrate together), with the aim of helping the integration of foreign women in Italian society.

Leonora Zoto

Leonora Zoto is a qualified Albanian specialist in political science and she owns a Ph.D in Migration Policy and Human Rights and a Master Degree in European Public Policies, both from the University of Crete, Greece.

Her scientific interests are focused on public policies, welfare state, immigration policy, human rights, rights on asylum, gender equality, women rights and education. She has written a range of scientific papers on these issues that have been presented and published in international conferences and reviews. She gained a valuable work experience while having the position of the Dean of the Faculty of Economics at Logos University College in Tirana for 3 years in a row.  Before and after that she worked on governmental institution as social researcher and specialist on tourism. She is fluent in English, French, Greek, Italian and German.

Her work experience is very precious because enriched her qualifications with the necessary organizational and communication skills and made a significant part of her professional identity.

LINDITA SEMANJAKU

Lindita majored in Leadership at Fort Hays State University, Kansas USA.

She was the President of the “Korabi” non-profit organization whose mission was to help children in extreme poverty with basic needs and funding for education.

As a Human Rights Activist she has been a strong voice for women’s rights, for LGBTQ people, for people with disabilities, for women raped during the war in Kosovo, protests for immigration reform, etc.

She was the creator and coordinator of the “Youth leadership development” program. She is the Producer and moderator of the show “Your Voice” on Albania TV Chicago. Whose mission is to promote and give voice to Albanian women who are inspiring role models with their valuable work and contribution to making the world a better place.

Prof.Ass.Dr. Lindita Nebiu Hyseni

Date of birth 15/08/1986 | Nationality Kosovar

Experienced professor with a demonstrated history of working in the information technology and services industry. Skilled in PHP & MySQL, PhP Frameworks such as Laravel and Slim, Python Frameworks such as Django and Flask, Data Migration, Databases (SQL, MySQL, Oracle), .NET Framework, Transact-SQL (T-SQL), Business Intelligence Development, Research on Information Systems, PhP and Python frameworks, Blockchain Technology (in process). Strong education professional with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in E-Technology.
Created and validated successfully the Integrated Framework for Conceptual Modeling of the Information Systems through two mixed method case study. Experience in holding the Online Lecturing per UKZ `students during COVID 19 PERIOD as professor of Faculty of Computer Science and experienced in 2007-2008 as Student where I follow Distance Lectures in Sweden through video conferences from SEE University. Also experience as professor of seminars for PhD and EUxEU students in University of Foggia in ITALY.

Lumnije Emini

Lumnije Emini is a teacher based in Geneve, Switzerland.

She has been working as a teacher in the Supplementary Learning of the Albanian Language, for more than 30 years where she is still working.

From 2001, she started working in the framework of several projects developed by the Department of Public Education (DIP).

Lumnija also works in the integration project, and has been appointed by the Department of Education of Geneva (DIP) to do the evolution of students in their mother tongue (Albanian students).

From 2016 she is a teacher in the reception class of Collège de Montbrillant with Albanian students to enable faster integration in the language of the country.

She is also a member of the commission for learning the language and culture of origin (ELCO) of the lower cycle in (DIP) and a representative of the pedagogical group within the LAPSH in DIP.

She has attended various formations that have been approached by the Minister of Education of Kosovo and Albania.

For the work done, she has received many acknowledgments.

She graduated in 1990 from the University of Pristina, receiving the title of Classroom Teacher.

Ingrid Mukeli Tendler

After completing her studies in film directing, at the Higher Institute of Arts, in 1988, she was named director of different artistic television programs such as “Koha ne pentagramin tim” – and different music shows during 1995-1997. “Jo vetëm Kafe”, was a show that attracted a great deal of audience, in which she has been the author, host and the director at the same time.

Ingrid is the author of several TV shows, she is a music and literature editor, and the TV host and director of “Yesterday” – things you will never forget- a TV show about music and art in the World during the 50s’, 60s’, 70s’ and 80s’ and she selected several movies of different genres, very highly rated by AFI (American Film Institute).

In 2016, Ingrid became part of “Glanzing Tendler Performances” association, the mission of which is the “Cultural Diplomacy”, promoting art and successful Albanian artists, by “placing” them in the same scene as their colleagues from other countries.

In 2017, Ingrid organized “Vienna Salutes Tirana”- which held at “Konzerthaus”, one of the most prestigious operas in Austria and Europe, sponsored by the “Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Austria” (BMEIA) & “Glanzing Tendler Performances”. The same show has also been held in the “Palace of Congresses”, and marks the beginning of the “Cultural Year” between Austria and Albania in Tirana.

Ingrid possesses a Master of Applied Arts at the University of Vienna in Art Management.

Magda Myrtezai

Magda has been working for 20 years in the media (press), she has been involved in the education and orientation of young people and has also coordinated and written books in this field.

She has participated in many expositions of the journal “L’étudiant” and Onisep (National office of information on teaching and professions, under the tutelage of the Ministry of National Education). Magda has also worked as an iconograph (selection of photos, shooting and text editing) for several magazines such as “Design and Decoration” and she has been a translator for the Ministry of Defense.

Magda hold a Master’s degree in History and Geography at the University of Paris Nanterre and a degree as Librarian and Documentalist at the Catholic Institute of Paris (ICP).

Her hobbies are reading, art, photography and culture. She’s curious and able to make easy contacts with other people and has the ability to adapt to different situations.

She has a 17-year old daughter.

Nevila Dudaj

Nevila Dudaj is an Albanian entrepreneur based in West Hartford, Connecticut, United States.
She is the founder and manager of Adriatik Tours LLC, a US based Tour Agency, specialized in selling tour packages to Albania and the Balkans.
Nevila also is currently working as a general manager at Adriatik Hotel, is a 5 Star Historic Luxury beachfront hotel , independently owned by Dudaj Family, a family business.
Before founding Adriatik Tours LLC, Nevila founded another successful business in Albania called “Vip Line Center”, which has a strong leading position in Tirana and the services are highly appreciated from albanians, as well as foreigners.
Despite her entrepreneurial skills she also has worked as a business excecutive in a real estate.
She has more than 20 years of experience in Travel and Hospitality Management, Business Development, Real Estate, Sales ,Marketing, Media and PR.
Nevila, has participated in several national and international conferences and workshops during her 20 years of experience.
She is also an active supporter and motivator, of many women Entrepreneur initiatives in Albania, start and follow up of STARTUPS andwomen owned businesses.
Nevila holds a BA in Economics, also in Law, from the University of Tirana.

Nermine Aliji Ademi

Nermine Aliji Ademi comes from Tërnoc, Municipality of Bujanovac. She is a lawyer and philologist by profession. She completed law and Albanian language studies at the University of Pristina in 2012. She worked for a long time in the civil sector, engaging in many projects, and in January 2017 she founded the organization Center for the Advancement of Youth and Women QARG, which has aim to improve the position of young people and women, through informal education and their economic empowerment. She also worked as a collaborator of the OSCE office in Bujanoc, in the implementation of several local projects, and also worked for five years for the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Serbia as an expert for the compilation of matura exam and as an editor of summaries of tasks for the preparation of the matura test. In July 2020, she was appointed as a secretary of the municipal assembly in Bujanovac, becoming the first woman ever to be appointed to this position. Her engagement in the public sector of local government never prevented her from continuing with various activities in cooperation with local civil societies, carrying out a series of activities for women and young people from the community.
In September 2023, she translated her first book from Serbian to Albanian, entitled “How to cope with the death of our loved ones”.
She is communicative, flexibile and always open for cooperation in any project idea that aims to improve the position of Albanian women, economic empowerment and capacity building to activate them in public social life, making them important actors in decision-making processes.
She speaks Serbian and English fluently.

Remka Huruglica

Remka Huruglica is a Canadian-Albanian journalist and activist who started the Albanian Canadian radio show “Radio e Diela” in Toronto, Canada in 2011. Remka attended the University of Prishtina where she studied Language & Literature however, she always had a passion for the journalistic arts. She approached CHIN radio with the idea to host a show where Albanian listeners can enjoy music and news from the local Albanian community as well as around the world. Aside from hosting the radio show, Remka has organized many fundraisers in the last 8 years to collect funds for impoverished families in both Albania & Kosovo. In the last 20 years, Remka has volunteered for organizations such as the Terry Fox Foundation and is avidly involved in campaigning for the Liberal Party of Canada. Remka is also the founder of the Canadian-Albanian Women’s Association which currently holds 50 members. Her current profession is in interior design.

Remzije (Rema) Zeka-Sherifi

Remzije is cofounder of  Albscott, Albanian /Scottish association and for more than 15 years directing  Maryhill Integration Network (MIN)  to support and  to create a unique, safe and welcoming environment, to enable  communities to come together to share and explore the richness of cultural diversity in Scotland, and encourage people to participate, contribute and embrace opportunities.

She believes that the arts is a powerful way to reach out and change attitudes, culminating in MIN publications, exhibitions, costume making and fashion displays, international choir, contemporary & folk dance ,theatre production,  events at local ,city-wide and national levels.

In 2006 Rema established “Echo”, first international dance and theatre production in Scotland. In partnership with Barrowland ballet, she has produced more than 15  theatre productions exploring refugee plight, journeys of death, settlement and issues faced by new communities in Scotland performed across Scotland and 8 of production’s performed at Theatre Royal. Remzije’s   book “Shadow Behind the Sun” which was published in 2007 was short listed for the Saltire Prize and for Scottish Arts Council first book prizes. It recounts her experiences as a refugee and contains interviews with asylum seekers describing the conditions in which they live, placing them at the heart of the tragedy of exile.

Rema is no stranger to awards, in 2009 she was the Winner of The Evening Times’ Glasgow Community Champion Public Service Individual Award  and  in 2010 Winner of The Evening Times’ Glasgow Community Champion of Champions Award.

She also received Community Champion Award for Arts and Culture from the Scottish Minority Ethnic Achievement Committee, UK migrant women of the year 2013, a Soltire Outstanding Women of Scotland 2017. Last year Rema, on 45 Anniversary of Radio Gjilan -Kosovo, has received a special recognition,  for her contribution and work at this radio station. This year she is the winner of special Scottish Women in Business Spotlight Award.