LeadersLearnersCreators

Arbërie Nagavci

Burbuqe Grajçevci

is a Human Resource Officer for the Privatization Agency of Kosovo. Ms. Grajcevci is responsible for recruitment and selection of staff, and developing policies and procedures for the Human Resource department. Previously, Burbuqe worked for the Student’s Services Center LINK, an OSCE project, as a Coordinator / Career Counselor. Ms. Grajcevci is currently pursuing a master’s degree in research from Prishtina University, where she holds a bachelor degree in Psychology While in Washington DC, Ms Burubuqe aims to gain knowledge on creating organizational culture and creative responses to foster high quality and cost effective services in human resources. Ms. Grajcevci will also research additional implementation topics in the Human Resources field that would have a wider impact in Kosovo. Such as:  creating an Association for Human Resources Professionals, by utilizing the network of existing professionals from other countries, the potential result would be a framework for HR Professionals and a guide for licensing future professionals. The foreseeable end result would provide universities and school systems guidelines and trainings for their own HR efficiency operations.  During Washington Leadership Program, Ms. Grajçevci did her research at The International Public Management Association for Human Resources.

Diturie Hoxha

has served as Executive Director for Kosovo Banker’s Association since 2005, where she manages day to day work of the Association. Ms. Hoxha represents the collective commercial banks that coordinate with the Central Bank, government, media and public opinion, and social partners. Ms. Hoxha is also develops position papers for the banking sector. She studied Political Science at the Prishtina University, and holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from IEDC School of Management in Bled, Slovenia. Ms. Hoxha’s leadership project was research on how to develop a certificate training program for the Kosovo Banker’s Association, offering courses in banking education. The goal is to have KBA upgrade its training program and related examination process to more align itself and Kosovo with international banking standards and banking management.  During Washington Leadership Program, Ms. Hoxha did her research at The Consumer Bankers Association. Ms. Hoxha successfully implemented her project on Banking Certification Programmes/European Foundation Certificate in Banking as of May 2011.

Drita Haxhaj

is an Education Inspector for the Inspection Department’s Regional Office in Peja, created by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. Prior to this position, Ms. Haxhaj served as a Gender and Community Officer in the same office. In addition, she also served as a teacher for seven years in the Peja region. Ms. Haxhaj’s leadership project is designed to initiate and conduct activities to improve quality of education. This goal will include: prompting professional development in order to transfer the experience in Kosovo; working directly with children and teachers and conducting assessment research; education and publication of data as a condition of building quality in the Kosovo Education; formulate strategies aimed to benefit early childhood development. Ms. Haxhaj’s project will have special attention on how to improve the inclusiveness in the education of children with disabilities within culture, family and community cooperation.  During Washington Leadership Program, Ms. Haxhaj did her research at The Hyde-Addison Elementary school where her Instructional Coach was Kathleen Sheehy.

Fadile Dyla

serves as Director of the Department of Infrastructure and Technical Services, in the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology since 2002. Her responsibilities include: improving the environment for teaching and learning in Kosovo; develop and monitor design and building standards for education buildings; managing and monitoring the infrastructure of more than 1200 education buildings in Kosovo; coordinating municipality donors of Kosovo. Ms. Dyla studied in the University of Prishtina, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Architecture, where she received an Architecture degree in 1998. Ms. Dyla’s leadership project will focus on promoting good practice in sustainability, safety, security, innovative design, evaluation and investment in educational infrastructure to ensure a quality education environment. She stated that this can be achieved through developing guidelines for safety, energy efficient and green growth; promoting sustainable concept through green growth; guidelines for maintenance of school buildings; promoting and supporting implementation of guidelines for school standards and norms in municipal levels.  During Washington Leadership Program, Ms. Dyla did her research at Montgomery County's (Maryland) school system.

Shpresa Kika

has fulfilled the role of Senior Marketing Officer for ProCredit Bank since 2002. Ms. Kika is responsible for: organizing the marketing and promotion activities of the bank; writing and launching marketing campaigns for different products in the business department. Ms. Kika received a certificate in General Business from Malvern House International Ltd in London, UK in 2008. From 2002-2004, she attended a Hyper Island (Advanced Professional Education & Training) in cooperation with IPKO Institute Management Program, where she received a Management Diploma. Ms. Kika furthered her education in Business Management, Finance, and Corporation Financial Reporting while studying in Vienna, Austria. Ms. Kika is also a dedicated environmentalist, and it is this reason why she has determined to focus her project on energy efficiency. The leadership project will be implemented in conjunction with Pro Bank, with Ministry of Energy and Mines and Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. The goal is to educate and raise awareness amongst Kosovo citizens of the concept of energy conservation by promoting the practice of energy efficiency amongst daily activities. This project is foreseen to be implemented through: practical conversation tips through loan officers; interactive activities, informative meetings with Pro Bank branches; and lectures on energy efficiency in primary and secondary schools. During Washington Leadership Program, Ms. Kika did her research at The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy with mentor Jennifer Thorne Amann and The Frontier Finance International instructed by Elizabeth Wallace.

Taibe Canolli

currently serves as Head of Department for Administration and Personnel in Kosovo Police. Joining the Kosovo Police in 2000, her responsibilities extend to: spearheading the center for public safety education and development; managing the training department; deputy regional commander for administration; and police station commander. Ms. Canolli’s project will encompass building an efficient management system for the Kosovo Police force, particularly focused on specialized management of human resources. In addition, Ms. Canolli will research how to install a standardized process for training officers, and requirement hours for officer promotion. This would include compiling tests and scenarios for the officers to complete, beginning from the grade of sergeant to the grade of colonel.  During Washington Leadership Program, Ms. Canolli did her research at The Montgomery County Department of Police and the Metropolitan Police Department of Washington DC.

Valbonë Kadrijaj

is Head of the Training Center for the Kosovo Energy Corporation (KEC). Her main activities and responsibilities include analyzing the training needs for all KEC staff, and managing the implementation of those training areas. Prior to this position she was Technical Training Coordinator for Training Department in KEC. Previously, Ms. Kadrijaj served as a dedicated teacher in Technical schools in Prishtina and Deçan. She studied at Prishtina University in Technical Faculty, receiving her degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1993. Ms. Kadrijaj’s leadership project will focus on researching the labor market’s needs, developing a curriculum that would highlight the needs of quality assurance processes, the process of licensing, and the accreditation process. She is also persistent and determined to learn how this training center can become National Training Center independently from KEC, and work in coordination with the government of Kosovo. During Washington Leadership Program, Ms. Kadrijaj did her research at The Edison Academy is one of six academies in the Fairfax County Public School system instructed by Bradley R. Rickel.