Sonila Sulaj (Neçaj) is an accomplished professional with a diverse background in finance, accounting, social business, and sustainable development. She holds a degree in Finance and Accounting and has pursued post-academic studies in the field of Social Business and Sustainable Development. With over 15 years of experience across various sectors in financial institutions, she has played a pivotal role in the planning and execution of development projects throughout Albania and the Balkan region.
Sonila is a certified expert recognized by CEFE International GmBH, specializing in counseling and training in the private sector, with a focus on strengthening startups to promote sustainable economic development. Additionally, she holds a certification as a PREMA Expert, specializing in Profitable Resource Efficient Management. This certification underscores her expertise in implementing integrated, efficient, and profitable resource management strategies within enterprises. Her work involves enhancing the capabilities of "change agents" within organizations to improve resource efficiency, productivity, and the overall competitiveness of business models. This, in turn, contributes to a circular, inclusive, and resilient economy.
As a Program Manager at Yunus Social Business Balkans, Sonila has been actively involved in various projects funded by EU Funds, GIZ, Swiss Contact, and other organizations. Her role encompasses overseeing the entire project management cycle, from financial reporting to sub-granting scheme processes. In addition to her professional engagements, Sonila has contributed her expertise to capacity-building initiatives for public administration employees at the Public Administration School of Albania, focusing on EU management and audit processes. She was appointed as a member of the Civil Servant Corps (TND).
Sonila Sulaj (Neçaj) believes in the constant evolution of individuals, emphasizing that personal development brings us closer to our goals. Her impressive track record in finance, sustainable development, and social business demonstrates her commitment to making a positive impact on society through her work and expertise.
Jelena Kulidžan is an experienced communication expert, with a background in journalism and PR, gained in local, regional, and international media outlets and organizations. She graduated in journalism at the Faculty of Political Science in Podgorica in 2008.
During her 10 years long journalistic career on television, she closely observed and reported on events in different areas and cooperated with the high representative of the state, civic society, diplomatic core, etc, first as a journalist then as editor and anchor of prime-time news.
Aiming to continue professional development by gaining new skills, she has branched out to a new field – the public relations sector in 2015. By working in a PR agency for more than three years, she mastered advanced PR techniques, such as the production and implementation of different types of PR content, media appearances, strategies, campaigns, and managing social networks.
Before joining RYCO as a Communication and Visibility Manager, Jelena was working as Public Information and Communication officer in the Europe House for four years. Her main responsibilities included strategically arranging media presentations for Europe House and the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro. She also has valuable experience in planning and implementing high-profile events, campaigns, and long-term communication strategies, dedicated to the promotion of EU values and standards. Jelena is a certificated media literacy trainer.
Besides her professional interests, Jelena is passionate about promoting and protecting women's rights, while she likes to spend her free time hiking, dancing, and exploring new places.
Mr. Stefanovski possesses profound knowledge, skills and experience in financial management and grants management, which he has acquired while working for numerous organizations such as the International Rescue Committee (IRC), American Refugee Committee (ARC), American Bar Association CEELI, Center for Institutional Development - CIRa, We Effect Sweden and others, and implementing projects funded by the EU, USAID, SIDA, SDC and other local and international donors. His work experience also includes consultancy and training engagements in Financial Management, Strategic Planning, Project Cycle Management, Advocacy & Lobbying, Fundraising and Financial Sustainability, Human Resource Management, Leadership & Team Building.
Mr. Stefanovski holds a Master’s degree in MBA from the Faculty of Economics in Skopje and was also engaged as an Associate Lecturer of Finance Management for NGOs and Human Resource Development in the Civil Society Development Master Course at the South East European University, Macedonia. In addition, Mr. Stefanovski is an author of the Guidebook “Financial Literacy for Children and Youth” 2013.
Always in pursuit of better solutions, Mr. Stefanovski is an eager learner willing to think out of the box and offer new perspectives. As a key member of the RYCO Team, he is responsible for managing the organization’s finances and ensuring that its resources are used effectively to achieve its mission. With his combination of extensive financial expertise and sophisticated communication skills, Mr. Stefanovski is a valuable asset to our organization looking to improve its financial management practices and promote financial know-how among its stakeholders.
Mr. Stefanovski is a people’s person and likes to spend his leisure time socializing with other people and discovering new places. Reading and traveling are his favorite hobbies.
Ms Bonatti is the former Executive Director of Promoting Social Business Agency Albania and Advisor to the Minister of Social Welfare and Youth, where she was leading the working group for drafting Albania’s National Strategy of Social Business/Enterprise and Social Inclusion.
She is a Member of the European Commission’s Experts Group for Social Entrepreneurs.. Since 2010, she has initiated and led the Holistic Movement for Social Business in Albania, provided advice and assistance to various social business initiatives, and managed the first Social Business Incubator in Albania.
Ms Bonatti graduated from the Faculty of Economics, at the University of Tirana, and holds an MBA from Las Vegas University, Nevada, USA. Currently she is pursuing her PhD on Social Enterprise, at St. Gallen University, Switzerland.
She started her career in the NGO sector, as the Director of the Financial and Human Resources Department in Caritas Albania, and continued working for EU projects with donors, foundations, corporations, and the private sector. In addition, she worked on different projects funded by the EBRD, ILO, UNDP, World Vision, UN Women, and the EU.
During her stay in the USA, she worked as a Manager in the Corporate Division of the Wells Fargo Bank, and extended her expertise in Finance and Accounting, Project Management, and Social and Solidarity Economy. Since 2014, she has held the position of part-time lecturer at the Faculty of Economics, University of Tirana.
Ms Bulat holds BA in International Relations and MA in Project Management. Youth policy and youth empowerment are the focus of her work. Her civic engagement started in 1996 with Scouts. Since then, she has been volunteering, through which she has experienced how personal commitment can make social change.
Ms Bulat participated in the establishment of the National Youth Council of Serbia, going on to take up a leadership role as its Secretary General (2012 – 2017). She also worked as a consultant providing support in developing strategies, action plans and projects, providing training in organisational management, youth participation and intercultural learning in Serbia and abroad. She has been contracted by UN agencies, OSCE, Council of Europe, governmental institutions and various CSOs.
She was a member of the Working Group for the establishment of RYCO.