The LEAD Albania program, a leadership initiative, is one of AADF’s core investments in leadership development, a central pillar of its mission in Albania. The concept of the program is derived from the White House Fellows Program in the United States…
Joani Leka is a lawyer with eight years of experience in private practice, working within multidisciplinary legal and tax teams on matters involving international businesses, organizations and domestic corporations.
His experience spans commercial and tax law, dispute resolution and regulatory matters across a range of sectors, with a particular focus on energy and natural resources. Working across these areas has given him a practical view of the legal and regulatory environment shaping business and investment in Albania.
He has a particular interest in European integration, as well as in the relationship between law, regulation and economic development.
Sara Caushi is a physics engineer with over seven years of experience in public administration and the private sector, specializing in EU funds management, institutional reporting, and risk management.
Since 2021 she has served at the Agency for Agricultural and Rural Development (ARDA), where she has been responsible for IPARD II payment authorization, risk coordination, and currently leads the Reporting Sector, delivering technical and financial reporting on national and EU-funded agricultural schemes to the Ministry of Agriculture and the Prime Minister’s Office.
Holding a Master of Science from the Polytechnic University of Tirana and a certification in energy auditing, Sara is committed to modernizing public administration through digital transformation and data-driven decision-making.
Leonard Proko is an environmental and climate change professional with over 12 years of experience across the private sector, international consultancy, and environmental projects in Albania.
He holds an MSc in Environmental Engineering from the University of Strathclyde, completed as a Chevening Scholar, as well as Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Environmental and Energy Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Tirana.
His expertise includes environmental management, climate change, air quality, and industrial environmental compliance, developed through experience in the cement industry and internationally funded projects, including those supported by the EBRD and IFC.
His professional interests include environmental and climate policy, sustainable development, industrial decarbonisation, and Albania’s alignment with EU environmental standards, with a particular focus on linking technical expertise, evidence-based policymaking, and effective environmental governance.
Arnold Kapinova is an archaeologist and cultural heritage professional with nearly a decade of experience in heritage education, community engagement, digital innovation, and cultural tourism.
His work spans Albania and the Western Balkans, including cross-border and educational initiatives with Cultural Heritage without Borders Albania. Through European mobility and entrepreneurship programmes in Spain, he explored how digital tools can improve public access to cultural heritage.
His work focuses on making heritage more accessible, participatory, and meaningful while strengthening connections between communities, culture, and the public.
Daena Madhi is a photonics scientist with more than a decade of experience in research institutes and industry across Germany, Denmark, Spain and Portugal. Her career bridges advanced scientific research and executive leadership, from developing photonic technologies in Europe’s leading laboratories to running a technology company.
She holds a PhD in optical physics from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and an MSc with Honours in Advanced Optical Technologies from Erlangen-Nürnberg University (FAU). She has held research positions at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light in Germany and CIC nano GUNE in Spain.Since 2021, Daena Madhi has served as Chief Operating Officer of FileRun, a software company based in Portugal.
She now brings her international experience to support innovation and technological transformation in Albania.
Saimir Bakalli is a senior civil society, governance and social development professional with over 15 years of experience in NGO leadership, EU- and UN-funded programme, social inclusion, and institutional cooperation, with particular expertise in the social reuse of seized and confiscated assets.
As Executive Director of the Joscelyn Foundation, he has led initiatives transforming confiscated assets into community services and social enterprises, creating employment opportunities and supporting vulnerable groups. His work in this field has received support from the OSCE and the European Union Delegation to Albania and has been promoted as a good practice in the Western Balkans.
Saimir holds degrees in Psychology, Social Work, Clinical Psychology and an Executive MBA. As a LEAD Albania Fellow, he focuses on strengthening policies and institutional mechanisms for the social reuse of seized and confiscated assets, contributing to community development, good governance and the rule of law.
Relations, and Regional Policy Studies and is currently pursuing doctoral studies at the University of Tirana, with a research focus on human capital, institutional capacities, and national security.
Since 2016, she has led the National Youth Congress of Albania, while also serving as a lecturer at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tirana, since 2017. Her experience spans strategy development, institutional development, research, and cooperation with public and international stakeholders.
Her contribution to leadership, youth empowerment, and regional cooperation has been recognised through international awards and programmes, including “Architect of Tomorrow”, “Youth Ambassador of Peace”, the Austrian Leadership Program, and the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program.
Juxhina Gjoni is an Albanian security and defence consultant, expert specializing in civil–military cooperation, operational environment analysis, and transatlantic security affairs.
She is the founder of Women in International Security Albania and has lectured on NATO Civil–Military Cooperation (CIMIC) Doctrine and the PMESII–ASCOPE framework. Internationally, she led the Youth Atlantic Treaty Association (YATA), representing networks across 32 NATO states, and completed training at NATO Centres of Excellence.
In Albania, she is a recognized security analyst, frequently appearing on national television.
Mona Xhexhaj has 13+ years of experience in Albania’s civil society sector, leading EU-funded initiatives on enlargement, rule of law, governance, and youth engagement.
She holds a dual BA in Political Science & International Relations (UNYT/Empire State College, USA) and a Postgraduate Diploma in European Politics and Policy (UCL, Chevening Scholar). Since 2018, she has been Executive Director of the Academy of European Integration and Negotiations (AIEN), advancing capacity building on EU accession and fostering a 320+ member expert network.
She has contributed to IPA, Jean Monnet, and Europe for Citizens programs, specializing in research, project management, and stakeholder engagement, while serving in national consultative mechanisms on EU integration.
Kestrina is a financial professional with over 12 years of experience in national and international markets, specializing in financial analysis, strategic planning, and emerging markets.
She has guided institutions, governments, and UN agencies in aligning financial practices with sustainability objectives, promoting entrepreneurship, EU integration, and inclusive growth across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Western Balkans.
Currently, she advises organizations on integrating sustainability and competitiveness into operations and actively mentors young professionals while advocating for women’s economic empowerment.
Erblin Jaku holds a Master of Public Policy from the London School of Economics and degrees in Journalism and Communication and Public Relations from the University of Tirana.
He has over a decade of experience across media, academia, and policy, collaborating with international organisations such as the Council of Europe, the European Union, and UNDP. He previously served as Editor in Chief at Top Channel and currently lectures at the University of Tirana.
His work focuses on media freedom, democracy, governance and public diplomacy, with a particular interest in strengthening democratic institutions in Albania and the wider region.
Dea Llagami is a legal professional specializing in competition law, market regulation, and EU integration, holding advanced degrees from the University of Amsterdam and KU Leuven. She has served at the Albanian Competition Authority, contributing to legislative reforms, EU alignment, and representing Albania in international forums such as the OECD Global Forum on Competition. A licensed attorney and assistant lecturer at the University of Tirana, Dea combines legal expertise with policy experience to support institutional reform, rule of law, and Albania’s EU accession process.
Alban Avdulla is a lawyer specializing in the intersection of energy and technology, holding three master’s degrees, including one from Duke University in Intellectual Property and Technology Law.
He has contributed to international initiatives such as the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence and gained early experience interning at the UK House of Commons and lecturing at the European University of Tirana.
Alban provides legal counsel and representation in Commercial, Civil, and Energy Law, notably supporting renewable energy producers managing over 100 hydropower plants, influencing regulatory changes, and promoting sustainable energy development in Albania.
Adi Muja is a lawyer with over five years of experience in private practice and civil society, specializing in legal consulting, contract negotiation, compliance, and legislative analysis.
He has collaborated with the Albanian Parliament on anti-corruption and accountability initiatives and serves as General Director of ECOAST, an NGO for socio-cultural development.
Holding advanced degrees in Private Law and EU Business Law, Adi combines legal expertise with institutional cooperation to promote transparency, good governance, and the rule of law in Albania.
Kej Lili holds Bachelor’s and master’s degrees in industrial engineering from TU Darmstadt, specializing in Electrical Engineering and IT with a focus on alternative energy and energy distribution.
She has conducted research on sustainable innovation and gained professional experience in Germany through projects supporting the EU’s decarbonization goals in project management, process optimization, and renewable energy.
Returning to Albania, Kej aims to contribute to the country’s energy transition and alignment with EU environmental standards, while her passion for travel reflects her curiosity, adaptability, and openness in both life and leadership.
Amanda Terpo is an urban and mobility planner with over 10 years of experience in sustainable development, mobility strategies, and project management.
She works as an independent consultant, designing policies and initiatives that connect planning, people, and sustainability. She has led projects on environmental governance, sustainable mobility, and youth engagement, including contributions to the Western Balkans Green Agenda.
Previously Vice Dean at Polis University, Amanda now lectures on urban mobility and GIS, combining academic expertise with practical applications. As a professional she holds a PhD in Architecture & Urban Planning and an MSc in Urban Planning.
Boralda Minaj is a marketing and PR professional with over 9 years of experience, specialising in communication strategies, digital marketing, and the organisation of international events.
As the Founder and CEO of B Limitless Agency, she has brought global events such as Junction Hackathon and Slush’D to Albania, building bridges between local startups, international investors, and the global innovation ecosystem.
Boralda has experience in the public sector leading national campaigns and high-level communication, and in the private sector developing marketing strategies that drive brand growth and partnerships.
