Board Chair

Vjollca Krasniqi is a sociologist. She is Professor at the Faculty of Philosophy and Faculty of Arts,  University of Prishtina. She holds a Ph.D.from the University of Ljubljana, an M.Sc. degree in Gender, Development, and Globalization from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), and a BA degree in Philosophy and Sociology from the University of Prishtina. Her research interests are gender, nation-building, human rights, post-war justice, and social policy.  She has led and participated in numerous international research projects and published widely on these issues. Her recent publications include: Are we putting human rights into practice in Kosovo (co-author with Jane McPherson and Tatiana Villarreal-Otalora 2021); Skirts and Words: The Art of Acknowledgment, War Time Rape and Albanian Nationhood in Kosovo (co-author with Ivor Sokolić and Denisa Kostovicova 2020); Domestic Violence: Gendered State Rationality and Women’s Activism in Kosovo (2019); Migration and Human Rights in Kosovo: Perspectives for Social Work Education (2019).

Vice Board Chair

Edis has been engaged in various local organizations. As a youth and an independent cultural activist, he has contributed to the inclusion of Roma children by organizing awareness raising campaigns, youth trainings, several day exhibitions on Roma cultural heritage, youth visits to local government institutions, etc. Edis Galushi is the author of first Roma children’s newspaper, children songs in Roma language, poetry and theatrical performances and of various articles about the social, economic and political life of the Roma community. From 2007-2014 he worked as a journalist at Radio Television of Kosovo. He received his BA diploma in English language and literature from both University of Pristina (Kosovo) and University of Vilnius (Lithuania), and has recently gained his MA degree at the University of Zagreb. Currently, he works as a teacher and translator for Albanian, English and Serbian languages.

Risk Management Trustee

Mirlinda Kusari Purrini, the Founder of Kosovo's inaugural Women's Business Association, SHE-ERA, since 1999, possesses an academic background in economics and a Masters Degree in International Management. She established a local NGO, SHE-ERA, dedicated to humanitarian and developmental initiatives, pioneering fieldwork to analyze women's and marginalized communities' situations and implement projects fostering women's education and employment. Her endeavors have benefited over 20,000 women and girls, with a membership exceeding 2000 across Kosovo, championing human rights and gender equality. With over 24 years of experience in Small and Medium Enterprises, Gender Equality, and Women's Economic Empowerment, Mirlinda actively contributes to her community, excelling in policymaking for women, the commercial and private sectors, and civil society. Her unique approach, characterized by unwavering dedication and creativity, inspires women in business and promotes activism for the development of Kosovo and beyond. Her extensive international engagements, awards, and recognition underscore her pivotal role as an ambassador for women's empowerment and economic growth, reinforcing her belief that strengthening women's roles is vital for a nation's development.

Board Member

With close to two decades of working in civil society and business sector in Kosovo and internationally, Ariel Shaban is currently working as the Chief Business Development Officer at KIVO LLC, a highly innovative Kosovar-Dutch flexible plastic packaging producer, and a certifications and development consultant for REKS LLC, one of the best plastic recyclers in Europe, based in Kosovo.  He is also engaged as a Kosovo country consultant for the European Endowment for Democracy, supporting breakthrough activism and media initiatives in Kosovo.  Finally, he also engages in providing expertise for various civil society organisations in supporting their strategic development work in programming, fundraising and communications.   

In his free time, Mr. Shaban is a devoted husband and father of two sons, and whenever possible, writes scripts, directs and produces films, as an accomplished filmmaker.

Board Member

Verica has 45 years of work experience in education in different roles - professor in primary and secondary schools in Kosovo and Montenegro (27 years), school principal in Pristina (12 years) and director of the Directorate for Education in the Municipality of Gracanica (4 years). She has an extensive work experience in curriculum development, project management, training programs and capacity building for children and adults. She acquired a large number of certificates in the field of education, child protection and children's rights in local and international organizations including professional exam of education. She has been engaged in Training of teachers and school principals on the Project "Education Capacity Building" - GIZ, EU and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (6 years) She holds a degree from the Faculty of Science, Department of Mathematics and is a licensed master trainer for capacity building for education.

Board Member

Asha Kumari is an experienced treasury specialist with a career spanning almost twenty years and currently serving as Deputy Treasurer at Save the Children International (SCI). She plays a pivotal role in SCI’s global treasury operations, focusing on liquidity management, cross-border payments, compliance, and treasury system transformation.
At SCI’s London-based award-winning treasury team, Asha is at the heart of managing SCI’s complex international flows — including managing multiple currencies, high-risk geographies, and volatile banking environments. Her team has won the highly prestigious Runner up award at Eurofinance’s Treasury Excellence category in Risk and Resilience in 2022. Furthermore, she has focused on improving treasury visibility and efficiency, implementing global payment automation and use of innovative treasury compliance tools. In 2024 Asha was honored as “Woman of the Year – EMEA, Highly Commended” by Treasury Today for her contribution to treasury excellence and commitment to diversity, equity & inclusion. She has also been featured in numerous publications and interviews and is seen as a corporate treasury thought leader for her work in enabling rapid-responding financing for humanitarian operations, illustrating how effective treasury underpins front-line programmes. Her work at Save the Children underscores how behind the scenes, sophisticated treasury systems and processes make critical humanitarian assistance possible.
Prior to transitioning to the non-profit corporate side, Asha spent a decade in Goldman Sachs, one of the largest US investment banks, where she held the position of Vice President and was responsible for Treasury and Liquidity functions and projects, as well as Treasury risk oversight on their Moscow and Zurich treasury operations. 
With a career spanning both banking and treasury operations, Asha brings technical expertise, operational leadership, and mission-driven focus to a high-stakes global environment. She has a bachelor’s degree in commerce (B.Com).