Board
Mrika Aliu
Mrika Aliu has been elected chairwoman of the board for a two-year term 2022-2023. Mrs. Aliu, a Master of Public Health graduate from Dartmouth College in the US, currently works as a Human Development Specialist at the World Bank based in Pristina. She was the Executive Director of AMC from 2013 to 2019 and under her leadership, AMC has paved the way for the implementation of programs and projects that address maternal and child health issues such as the supply of medicines and medical equipment for clinics at UCCK. , improving quality to address access to health care services, and advocating with healthcare stakeholders in Kosovo on a variety of health policies.
Valon Xharra
Valon Xharra is a Senior Vice President for the global risk management firm Gavin de Becker & Associates. Based in Los Angeles, Valon provides specialized crisis management consultation for Fortune 500 companies and advises them on how to manage political and operational risks. Valon is passionate about entrepreneurship and is an investor and partner in several successful businesses spanning technology, real estate, fashion retail and luxury events management. Valon served four years as a diplomatic analyst for the U.S. Department of State during the war in Kosovo, where he provided expertise in negotiations between the U.S. Government and the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA). Valon earned a Masterâs degree in International Affairs from Columbia University and a MBA from Boston University. He is a Fellow at the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation and the PaciïŹc Council on International Policy. He is an avid competitive runner and a passionate backer of womenâs and childrenâs rights. Valon Xharra was a chairman of AMC board on the period 2018-2021. One of the biggest successes for AMC at the time the board was led by Mr. Xharra has been organizing the annual charity event âMeet us Halfwayâ in New York, USA, where for years we managed to raise thousands of dollars to support AMC programs that always focus on improving the health of mothers and children in Kosovo. We would like to express special gratitude and thanks for the contribution of Mr. Xharra to the AMC mission, a contribution that has turned our foundation into one of the leading non-governmental organizations in Kosovo. At the same time, we are very happy that Mr. Xharra will continue his contribution to AMC, in the position of Deputy Chairman of the Board.
Ilir Hoxha
Ilir Hoxha MD is a Specialist in Public Health. He holds a Master of Science in Health Systems Management awarded by London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and PhD in Public Health awarded by University of Bern. He is Fulbright Fellowship recipient for research work at The Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice, New Hampshire, United States. Since 2002, Ilir is involved in advisory and research work that support health policy processes in Kosovo and beyond. In 2006, he established DI Consulting, which specializes in provision advisory services and solutions in health care. As of 2011, he serves as Project Adviser, for Solidar Suisse, in a long-term project that facilitates participation of civil society actors in policy processes related national health reform in Kosovo. Between years 2010 to 2014 he has served as external adviser, in matters related to implementation of health insurance reform, for Ministers of Health of Republic of Kosovo, Dr. Bujar Bukoshi, and Dr. Ferid Agani. Ilir is Assistant Professor, at Department of Community and Family Medicine, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, and Professor, at Department of Health Management of Heimerer College in Prishtina. In addition, he has served as board member for American University in Kosovo, Centre for Research, Documentation and Publication, Institute for Advanced Studies GAP, Balkan Investigative and Reporting Network and Prishtina Institute for Political Studies. Currently he serves as board member for Foundation Kosovo Luxembourg and TOKA.
Aferdita Ademi-Osmani
Aferdita Ademi-Osmani is a Medical Doctor and Senior Public Health (PH) Expert with more than 20 years of experience as Manager and Project Coordinator of complex international health programs and projects and working experience in Kosovo, Macedonia, Slovenia and Switzerland. She has very good skills in facilitating health policy elaboration, implementation, monitoring and evaluation as well as ensuring active and inclusive multi-stakeholder participation and coordination (she provides technical assistance and worked with a number of Ministers of Health).
Merita Stavileci Mustafa
Merita Stavileci Mustafa has an extensive experience is development cooperation and support to public policy reforms in many areas. She holds a Master of Science degree in Public Policy and Management from the University of London, UK, and has attended numerous certified trainings in project management, public health and management. Merita currently holds the position of Senior National Programme Officer at the Swiss Cooperation Office in Pristina and is responsible for designing and steering support programmes in the health sector.
Zarrin Munusamy
Zarrin Munusamy is an aviation lease and charter consultant with 15 years of experience at Air Charter International (ACI), a Dubai-based company with it branches in Europe and worldwide operations. Zarrin is currently the Regional Director for Europe and Africa, in charge of client acquisition, commercial and contract negotiation, as well as strategic sales and business development. She is based in Pristina where she manages ACIâs Kosovo office, which she also set up. Zarrin started her career in real estate, working her way up over 10 years at Rahim & Co, one of Malaysiaâs largest real estate and property management companies, to head Residential Lettings and Expat Relocations â one of the companyâs six departments. Both in- and outside business, Zarrin has a passion for empowering the younger generations and helping them develop professionally and personally. To this end she has taken time out twice for half a year to volunteer fulltime for a non-governmental organization in Kosovo in the early days after the war. Zarrin has a strong commitment to the oneness and progress of humanity, principles she is striving to implement in all aspects of her life. She is married and lives with her husband Pierre in Pristina.
Honorary Board Members
Dr. George Little
Dr. George Little is Professor of Pediatrics and of Obstetrics & Gynecology at the Dartmouth Medical School and the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in the United States where he is neonatologist. He served for over a decade as Professor and Chairman of the Department of Maternal and Child Health at Dartmouth before it became separate departments of Pediatrics and Ob/Gyn. In addition to clinical research, his interests have focused on perinatal health policy, systems development and regionalization, outcomes, reproductive and perinatal ethics, the family in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) and international health. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and an Honorary Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). In addition to the AAP and ACOG he has been actively involved and served in leadership and consultative positions with a large number of organizations including NACHRI ( National Association of Childrenâs Hospitals and Related Institutions), NPIC ( National Perinatal Information Center), AHA ( American Hospital Association ) and the MOD ( March of Dimes) as well as federal and state governmental agencies . He is a producer of Dreams and Dilemmas, an award winning cinema verite film focused on parental involvement in clinical decision making as well as other films. He is the author of numerous peer-reviewed publications, monographs and chapters. At the present time he is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics Helping Babies Breathe (HBB) planning committee having been a founding HBB Co-Director and is a liaison to the Survive and Thrive GDA. He is also presently involved in improving pregnancy outcomes in Kosovo where he has served as an advisor to the Ministry of Health. He has served with a US Agency for International Development (USAID) Child Survival Project in Egypt and as a consultant to the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the United Arab Emirates University in Abu Dhabi. Early in his career he served as a Peace Corps staff physician in Nigeria and Malawi and then as the Regional Medical Officer for Sub-Saharan Africa.
James C. Strickler
James C. Strickler, MD, Professor of Medicine and Community and Family Medicine Emeritus, graduated from Dartmouth College, Dartmouth Medical School, and the Cornell Medical College. He trained in internal medicine and physiology at the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center in NYC. From 1954-1956 he served as the independent medical officer aboard the USS Kenneth Whiting in the western Pacific. In 1958-59 he was the Chief Medical Resident at the New York Hospital. From 1959-62 he was a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Physiology and from 1962-67 served as Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Cornell Medical College. In 1967 he moved to Dartmouth as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs to plan, along with Dean Carlton Chapman, the transition from a two-year, basic medical science program to a full MD curriculum. He served as Dean of the Dartmouth Medical School from 1973-81 and sponsored the development of the Brown-Dartmouth MD Program. Following his deanship, he qualified in geriatrics and as a member of the faculty of the Dartmouth Medical School, specialized in the care of the elderly until 1996, when he retired from clinical practice. After working with Cambodian refugees in Thailand in 1982, Dr. Strickler joined the Board of the International Rescue Committee. Along with Ambassador Winston Lord, he co-chaired the IRC Board from 1999-2004 and is now Chairman Emeritus and an Overseer of the IRC. As a member of the IRC Board he made over 35 trips to visit refugee programs in Asia, Africa, the Balkans, Central America and the Mid-East. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Global Health Council and is a former Chairman of the Board of the National Council for International Health. Dr. Strickler continues to teach international health at the Dartmouth Medical School and since 2000 has coordinated the Schoolâs extensive activities in Kosovo, which have included a continuous, bilateral, student exchange program with the School of Medicine at the University of Prishtina and three, sequential, USAID funded health programs to improve primary, antenatal and perinatal care throughout this former province of Yugoslavia. Dr. Strickler recently founded the Kosovo based Foundation for Healthy Mothers and Babies and was a charter member of the Board of Trustees. This foundation, now dissolved, has evolved into the nonprofit organization Action for Mothers and Children, and Dr. Strickler is the Honorary Chairman. His 14-year interests in Kosovo recently facilitated a new academic liaison between Dartmouth and the American University in Kosovo. In 2012 Kosovo President Jahjaga presented Dr. Strickler the Mother Teresa Medal and in 2013 the Albanian American Medical Society honored him with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his humanitarian work in Kosovo.
Elia Zaharia
Elia is the daughter of George Zaharia and Yllka Muji. Yllka Muji is the famous Albanian actress who was given the title of âMaestro of Artsâ in recognition of her career in the National theatre. Elia Zaharia is the fiancĂ©e of Prince Leka of Albania. She graduated from the St. Denis University in Paris, in theatre. Following in her motherâs footsteps, Elia is very interested in the film industry, taking part in a number of short script films in France, whilst supporting her brothers projects in Albanian. From a young age Elia has shown vocal talent for light Albanian Music. From 1999 until 2002 Elia took part in a successful girls group called âSpirit Voiceâ, giving her the opportunity to take part in concerts throughout the Albanian region, including war torn Kosova, where the group was very active in supporting the humanitarian aid activities. Elia is an actress who lived in the beautiful city of Paris for 8 years, and parallel studies, she was an actress of the Theatre of Paris in several plays. She has also studied in âConservatoire Ă Rayonnement RĂ©gional de Bordeauxâ in Bordo, France from 2003-2005, and later in âCours Florentâ until 2007. Besides her passion for theatre, Elia is also a singer and philanthropist and will soon be crowned as Princess of Albania. Since 2010, Elia lives in Tirana, Albania and is engaged in many theatre projects as well as her newly founded Foundation. Being member of the Royal Family of Albania, Elia spends a lot of time on the Royal Family activities as well. Elia is the President of Queen Geraldine Foundation whose purpose is to provide humanitarian support to families in poverty, orphans and children of all social strata of the population in need.
Richard Lukaj
Richard Lukaj is a founder and Managing Partner of The Bank Street Group LLC, a US registered Broker Dealer headquartered in the New York metropolitan area. Rich has over 20 years of investment banking experience and has executed hundreds of transactions over the course of his successful investment banking career, ranging from mergers and acquisitions, underwriting of debt, equity and derivative securities, restructurings, exclusive sales and other financial advisory mandates. He has broad experience in a variety of industries including Media, Communications, Technology, Consumer, Retailing, Energy, Aerospace, Specialty Finance, Real Estate and Natural Resources. Richard has been recognized as a significant voice for economic development, stability and pro-democratic initiatives in Southeastern Europe. Mr. Lukaj was the Chairman of the National Albanian American Council (NAAC), the leading organization in the United States with offices in Washington and throughout the Balkans. He developed a reputation with diplomats in the US and abroad for pragmatic thinking and acting as a reliable bridge between the region and the international community. Mr. Lukaj was honored for his work by the Republic of Albania by being selected as the Honorary Consul to the United States and later confirmed by the U.S. Department of State. Richard has also been active in philanthropic activities throughout the region, both as a significant donor personally and prolific fundraiser. He was a founder and currently serves as the Chairman of the A.U.K., which has partnered with the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Dartmouth University and other prominent educational institutions to deliver the highest quality accredited private education in Southeastern Europe. Richard was also a founder of the Hope Fellowship program, an organization partnered with USAID which provides leadership training for women of the Balkans and arranges for executive exchange programs with the largest corporations and governmental and non-governmental agencies of the United States. He also led the Hands of Hope campaign which targeted multi-year fundraising initiatives which raised funds and collaborated with organizations such as Mercy Corps., AmeriCares and many others to transform the standard of living for orphans and young people in the region. More recently, hejoined in founding the Foundation for Healthy Mothers and Babies in Kosova in honor of his late daughter Adelina, which delivered over $500,000 in medical essential medical equipment and supplies to Kosova this year alone. Richard has also been a founder and/or supporter of APEN (Albanian Professional and Entrepreneurs Network), âMotrat Qiriaziâ, the leading Albanian womenâs organization, the Albanian American Cultural Foundation, the Albanian American National Organization and numerous other Albanian regional, religious, educational and cultural institutions. In addition to his advocacy and philanthropic activities, Richard established the Lukaj Foundation and has been extremely active in promoting investment in the region and has led numerous business/investor delegations related to potential investments in the area. He has contributed to the development of investor conferences in the US and Europe related to potential investments in the Balkans, particularly focused on Albania, Kosovo, Macedonia and Montenegro. Richard also led delegation visits by various congressional groups, OSCE observation teams, international election monitors, various ambassadors and orchestrated and participated in the visits of President William J. Clinton and New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and other such dignitaries to the region. Richard has personally known and interacted with many of the pertinent leaders of Albania since the fall of Communism and is seen as a non-partisan activist for Albania and Albanian affairs. He is also well known among the international entities that are engaged in the region, particularly the U.S. embassies in the region, UN, USAID, EBRD, the World Bank/IFC and NATO representatives in the area.
Philip Sigwart
Philip has spent most of his career working in banking in emerging markets. He is currently based in Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo where he works in a senior management position for Equity Group Holdings (Kenya). Prior to that, he was CEO of ProCredit Bank Kosovo, the leading bank in Kosovo, and Chairman of the Kosovo Banking Association. Before that, he was CEO of ProCredit Bank in Georgia. He started his career with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in Russia. During his time in Kosovo, Philip helped found the Kosovo based Foundation for Healthy Mothers and Babies and was acting Chairman of the Board of Trustees. This foundation, now dissolved, has evolved into the non-profit organization Action for Mothers and Children. Philip has a Bachelor and a Masterâs degree in Economics from the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland, and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Ardiana Bunjaku
Ardiana Bunjaku is a highly accomplished professional who has garnered a prominent reputation in the field of accountancy and auditing. Boasting
an extensive career spanning over two decades, she has made substantial contributions to the progression of the accountancy profession in
Kosovo, as well as on the global stage. This has been achieved through active engagement in various national and international committees and organizations, including the Kosovo Development Strategy Committee, the Kosovo National Qualification Framework working group, and theAdvisory Committee to the Tax Administration Authority.
Furthermore, she has been instrumental in the reform of higher education in accounting and auditing at the University of Prishtina. Ms. Bunjaku has served as a member of the quality assurance committee in the Kosovo Board for Standards and Financial Reporting, for two terms she served as a member of IFAC PAODC and one term on CAP, Board member, audit and risk committee member in NLB Bank, she has also held the position of board member at the American Chamber of Commerce.
In her capacity as Executive Director, Ardiana Bunjaku has played a pivotal role in transforming SCAAK into a leading accountancy organization. Her forward-thinking vision has spearheaded the expansion of SCAAKâs service portfolio, encompassing diverse certification programs and specializations catering to both the public and private sectors. Under her guidance, SCAAK has emerged as a notable example of digitizing the accountancy profession. Ms. Bunjaku has proactively advocated for institutional cooperation to foster the development of the accountancy profession in both the public and private sectors. This has resulted in a unique collaboration between professional accountancy organizations and the supreme audit institution, facilitating the establishment of public sector auditor certifications.
In addition to her noteworthy professional achievements, Ardiana Bunjaku has consistently demonstrated a commitment to philanthropy and community service. Her impactful contributions are evident in her dedicated service as President and Board Member at Action for Mothers and Children, where she has played a significant role in making a positive difference. Ardiana Bunjaku has consistently demonstrated a fervent commitment to giving back to communities and empowering individuals, particularly women. Her commendable efforts in this regard were acknowledged by the President of Kosovo, who appointed her as one of the seven women involved in the development of Kosovo Womenâs Chamber of Commerce -G7, an NGO dedicated to the economic empowerment of Kosovo women. Ardiana also served as the vice president of this organization.
Furthermore, Ardiana is actively involved in community leadership as the President of the Rotary Club Prishtina, showcasing her commitment to fostering positive change and addressing societal needs. Among her numerous achievements, Ardiana Bunjaku holds a doctoral degree in Economics and Management, possesses an Insolvency Practitionerâs Certificate, is a member of INSOL International, and is licensed as a First-grade Appraiser in Kosovo. With her extensive experience, expertise, an dedication, Ardiana Bunjaku continues to be a driving force in advancing the accountancy profession, professional education, and the economic development of Kosovo. Her leadership, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment have earned her widespread respect and recognition both domestically and internationally.
Agron Abrashi
Dr. Agron Abrashi: A Life Dedicated to Medicine, Community, and Humanitarian Work
We are honored to welcome Dr. Agron Abrashi as our honorary board member, recognizing his invaluable contributions to medicine and his dedication to improving the health and well-being of communities both in Kosovo and abroad.
Dr. Agron Abrashi began his medical education at the Faculty of Medicine in Prishtina, where he studied from 1974 to 1980. He later completed his state exam in September 1988 in Rijeka, Croatia.
His training and specialization are extensive, including radiology training at the Paul Scherrer Institute, where he received a certificate on April 22, 1997. He further specialized in general internal medicine, receiving his certification as a specialist on September 8, 2002. Additionally, he underwent various management training programs, including Management 1 & 2 at Gustav KĂ€ser in 1989 and 1990, and a Manager Program at Baxter on February 24, 1994. He also became an experienced quality auditor on June 5, 1991.
Dr. Abrashi’s early career saw him working at the Medical Center “Isa Grezda” in GjakovĂ« from June 1, 1980, to May 31, 1982, and later at a medical center in Pula, Croatia, from June 1 to September 31, 1983. In December 1983, he migrated to Switzerland, where he worked in various roles in hotels and as a medical technician in institutions for the elderly.
From 1987 to 1995, Dr. Abrashi served as a local and international auditor for qualitative activities and as a coordinator for the registration of new products in cardiovascular surgery in Switzerland. He also held the position of international cardiovascular surgery research manager for Baxter Edwards in Irvine, California. Between November 1992 and August 1995, he represented Switzerland as an expert in implant lamina in the technical commissions and working groups of ISO and CEN organizations.
In 1995, Dr. Abrashi became a physician and Chief of Unit at the Paraplegic Center in Notwil, Switzerland, specializing in internal and general medicine. He then assisted in Dr. Edwin Edelmann’s practice in Uzwil from 1996 to 1997. On August 1, 1998, he opened his private medical practice in Schwanden, becoming the first Albanian to do so in Switzerland.
Dr. Abrashi’s contributions extend beyond medicine, including initiating and leading the “Association of Albanian Doctors in Switzerland” and holding key positions in various organizations, such as the Rotary Club and Action for Mothers and Children in Pristina. His commitment to raising awareness and aid for Kosovo during and after the war has been significant, leading to various projects in health, culture, art, music, and sports. He has been honored with numerous awards, including the “Ambassador of the Nation” title at the Tirana Diaspora Summit and the “Children’s Friend Award” from KOMF in Pristina Champion for Mothers and Children Award – AMC. Dr. Abrashi remains actively involved in community service, inspiring many through his dedication to improving lives both in Switzerland and Kosovo.
