Arber Toska has professional experience at some very important law firms in Albania such as Optima Legal and Financial and ADY Legal and Development, and later moved to the banking sector, more specifically, Fibank Albania, where he served as a specialist in the AML and Compliance Department. In addition to his legal skills, Mr. Toska benefits from an interesting versatility at international level, in particular due to the diversity of experiences and the plurality of languages he can express himself, all very valuable skills for a lawyer aiming to work in an international environment.
Arber Toska holds a Master’s degree in European and International Law from University Grenoble Alpes, France, he holds another Master’s degree in Human Rights from the same University after having been awarded for a scholarship of excellence by IDEX (scholarship awarded to foreign students for very high results) and a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Tirana, Faculty of Law.
The variety of fields of Law that he has studied, the numerous training attended in some of the most prestigious Universities in Europe such as Paris-Panthéon-Assas University, as well as his work experience, make him a person capable of intervening in various fields. As he points out: This would be the answer to my passion for knowledge.
Ms Bakuli holds a law degree from the Faculty of Law, University of Tirana. Since the beginning of her career, her professional development has been focused on the field of public procurement. She has worked in the public administration holding the status of a civil servant for more than twelve years.
Ms Bakuli has also been engaged as an external procurement expert for several institutions of the healthcare system as well as a short-term expert for international organizations in Albania such as UNICEF and WHO.
Her professional background includes a wide range of training activities on procurement management, prevention of conflict of interest and anti-corruption policies.
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. Ismaili has more than 22 years of longstanding experience in managing and leading projects in the area of EU Integration, Education, Social Inclusion, Employment in different Internatonal Organizations, such as: UNDP, UNOPS, USAID, CARE International, etc. She has also extensive experience in Monitoring and Evaluation of EU funded projects under the Result Oriented Monitoring (ROM) methodology and was engaged as regional expert for Western Balkans 6 to provide external assessment and feedback on the performance of different aid/development projects and programmes financed by European Commission (EC).
Ms. Ismaili holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Pedagogy from University of Skopje, and a Master’s Degree in Management of Human Resources from University of Tourism and Management, Skopje.
Ms. Myftari holds a B.A. in English Language and Philology from the National Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece, and a Master's degree in Applied Foreign Languages and Cross-Cultural Negotiation from Université Paul Valéry, Montpellier, France.
In her early career, she worked as an Administrative Assistant in the banking sector at CITIBANK N.A. and Alpha Bank S.A. from 2009 to 2018. Subsequently, Ms. Myftari transitioned into International Relations within Higher Education Institutions. She joined the Department of International Relations at the University of Montpellier, managing various Erasmus+ funded projects as a Project Manager until November 2020. Her project portfolio included initiatives promoting Sustainable Development in European HEI campuses, fostering Internationalization at home in South Mediterranean HEIs, and coordinating the inaugural 'Welcome week' for international students at the University of Montpellier in 2019.
Born in Albania, raised in Greece, and later moving to France for a career in International Affairs, she joined RYCO in November 2020. At RYCO, she initially served as a Program Grants Assistant and later as a Grants Officer for the Superschools Western Balkans School Exchange Scheme. As of October 2023, Ms. Myftari holds the position of Project Manager for two significant projects: "RYCOgnized - YPS Advocacy Efforts in WB6," focusing on peacebuilding, regional youth cooperation, and youth empowerment in the Western Balkans, and "Jeunes des deux Rives," dedicated to youth education in citizenship, international solidarity, and civic engagement among young people from the Mediterranean basin.
Mimoza Gavrani professional track record showcases a remarkable proficiency in orchestrating prosperous collaborations with academic institutions and think tanks, indicating her adeptness in harnessing diverse perspectives and knowledge bases. Her capacity to nurture and maintain relationships with stakeholders across various tiers, spanning from local to international levels, underscores her ability to navigate complex large regional and transnational networks and engage with diverse interests.
Her career trajectory underscores a steadfast dedication to advancing initiatives aimed at bolstering senior management within International, regional, and non-governmental organizations operating within the Western Balkans. This commitment is underscored by her proactive involvement in endeavors aimed at enhancing various facets of the region's landscape, encompassing political dynamics, socio-economic development, regional cooperation, and inter-ethnic relations.
Mimoza's expertise lies not only in strategic planning and execution but also in advocacy, as she consistently endeavors to champion initiatives that contribute to the advancement and stability of the Western Balkans. Her multifaceted skill set and nuanced understanding of the region position her as a valuable asset capable of driving positive change and fostering sustainable growth within the complex socio-political context of the Western Balkans.
Notably, she has served in various capacities including as a Political Analyst at Politiko, an Expert on Advocacy and Policy Development at Open Society Foundations, and Policy Expert at the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC). She has also held executive positions and Project Manager roles at organizations like Caritas Switzerland, Danish Refugee Council, World Vision International and Council of Europe. She is actively engaged in various professional networks and organizations including, Rotary Club, Kosovo United States Alumni (KUSA), German Marshall Fund, National Democratic Institute (NDI), Soros Foundation Kosovo, and Trust Building Forum of United Nation, among others. These memberships reflect her commitment to fostering cross-border cooperation and promoting dialogue on critical issues.
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.
Sanda Bajramovic is a Communication Expert with a broad experience in the communication field. She holds a bachelor’s degree and a degree of specialist in Journalism from the University of Montenegro, as well as a master’s degree in Advertising and Public Relations from Kookmin University, South Korea.
After several years in journalism, in 2014 Sanda started her career as Communication Officer-Media Advisor at the Cabinet of Minister of the Interior of Montenegro, where she carried out tasks related to external and internal communication of the Ministry, as well as planning, organizing and monitoring activities. She was a member of several working groups, including the group for the implementation of the Strategy for informing the public about Montenegro’s accession to the EU.
In 2017, she received a scholarship from the Indian Government, where she gained her diploma in Development Communication and Journalism, and in 2019 she was granted a scholarship from the Korean Government, where she gained her master’s degree.
She also has experience working for a prominent Public Relations Agency, part of the Represent Communication System and an affiliate of Weber Shandwick, dealing with communication and digital strategy development, as well as campaign and content writing.
She attended numerous trainings in the field of public relations, including strategic work with the media, crisis communication, anti-corruption campaigns, fighting disinformation and many others.
When she’s out of the office, you can find her in a yoga studio or in Korean language class.
With a rich tapestry of experience spanning sixteen years within the MENA region, Feras Kheirallah emerges as a seasoned catalyst, adept at weaving connections, steering discussions, and nurturing collaborative ventures. His expertise traverses the domains of youth engagement, education, governance, social contracts, and the critical endeavor of Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE).
From 2015 to 2023, Feras assumed the position of Representative in Beirut for the Berghof Foundation, concurrently shouldering the role of Senior Programme Manager within the MENA Unit. His experience also encompasses collaborations with esteemed international entities, including the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), where he lent his insights. Additionally, he served as Programme Manager for Jordan and Iraq at the Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES) and provided his expertise as a Consultant to the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) in Amman and Beirut, contributing valuably to GIZ initiatives.
Over the years, Feras cultivated his unique mediation and facilitation style, drawing upon his extensive background. He steered dialogues spanning diverse social, political, and religious spectrums. His experience extends to adeptly moderating an array of events and gatherings, both on national and international fronts such as the International Labour Organization (ILO). Moreover, Feras has penned numerous articles and analyses delving into the impact of the Arab Spring on the Social Contracts and state structures in Jordan.
His academic credentials include a Master's Degree in Law from the University of Cologne, Germany, and a Bachelor's Degree in Law from Yarmouk University in Jordan.