Mahmudije Dina
Mahmudije is an MBA Candidate at Bentley University. She holds a Master of Science Degree in Translation and Interpretation from the Faculty of Foreign Languages, University of Tirana. For three years, she worked as a Translator and Interpreter at a translation company in Tirana. In this role, she delivered translation services between English and Albanian language and performed interpreting services for both national and international entities. She is dedicated to continuous learning and growth, aspiring to leverage her diverse skills to make meaningful contributions.
Irisi Gjishti
Irisi Gjishti is currently a MIP fellow, pursuing a Master in Economic Development at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee. She graduated in 2018 from the University of Tirana, holding a BA and MSc degree in Economics
For four years she had been working in the Ministry of Finance and Economy, Department of Budget Programming and Analysis, where she was mainly responsible for evaluating organic structures proposed by central government units and for drafting and analysis of the salary policies for the public sector.
Irisi aims to acquire a global perspective on economic development and gain a thorough understanding of concepts and methods of contemporary research analysis on a wide range of economic issues. She perceives this program as a great opportunity to explore strategies and policies focused at reducing economic inequality and promoting inclusive and sustainable growth.
Livia Hoxha
Livia Hoxha is an MIP Fellow, currently pursuing a Master's in International Development Policy at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. Her master's studies at Duke University focus on Environmental and Energy Policy and Management.
She has completed her Bachelor's studies at the University of New York Tirana as a Valedictorian Student and MBA studies as the best-graduating student at the same institution.
Following her studies, Livia began her career as an expert at the Ministry of Finance and Economy at the General Directory of Public Debt and Foreign Aid Coordination, where she contributed in managing and strategizing the domestic debt portfolio to ensure fiscal sustainability, as well as issuing debt instruments like Eurobonds in International Capital Markets in the interest of the Republic of Albania.
She then became a Monitoring and Evaluating Officer at the Program and Project Management Directory in the Field of Economic Development. As a Monitoring and Evaluating Officer for IPA projects at the Ministry of Finance and Economy of Albania, her role centered on ensuring these projects meet EU standards and goals, was responsible for assessing project effectiveness, focusing on their impact on Albania's economic growth and adherence to EU policies.
Livia has also amassed valuable insights through internships at the UNHCR Albania and the Central Bank of Albania, along with significant contributions to various non-profit organizations. Her diverse experiences have not only broadened her understanding of international development and financial management but have also honed her skills in policy analysis and strategic planning.
Armela Lato
Armela Lato attended the Agricultural University of Tirana where she successfully completed the 5-year degree program in veterinary medicine. She is a committed veterinarian who is passionate about ensuring the health and well-being of animals. Her interests are focused mostly on small animals, with a special interest in dermatology.
As a part of her veterinary training, she participated in various internships not only with farm animals but also with small/companion animals. As an ERASMUS+ grant recipient, she spent the fall semester of her 4th year of veterinary studies in Zagreb, Croatia where, among other tasks, she completed a clinical rotation within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. While a veterinary student, Armela was an active participant of a student organization where she was responsible for developing and conducting teambuilding activities that included technical discussions and social events to enhance belonging and inclusion.
During her graduate internship, she served in the public administration in Berat, Albania. Her duties included actively participating in farm registration, inspecting livestock meat harvesting procedures, and administering vaccinations to hens at an egg production facility.
Outdoor activities are her favorite pastime. In addition, she enjoys travel, baking, and reading books.
Kejsi Prifti
Kejsi Prifti earned her BSc in Biological Sciences from the University of Cyprus in 2021. During her second year of studies, she joined the research team of the Drosophila Infection and Carcinogenesis laboratory where she worked as an undergraduate researcher up until the completion of her thesis with a focus on genetics and molecular biology. After her graduation, she continued her research career at the University of Florence where she joined the Physiology lab of the Department of Natural Sciences and investigated neurodegenerative diseases. Upon her return to Albania in September 2022, she joined the Intermedica laboratory as a biologist, where she gained hands-on experience in disease diagnostics and healthcare. Currently, she is pursuing her MPH degree with a focus on Epidemiology and Policy at the University of Missouri–Columbia, and she has joined the microbiology laboratory of the Molecular Microbiology and Immunology Department as a scientist. Her team is working on exciting projects that will impact the future of public health and save lives.
Griselda Shehu
Griselda Shehu is a lawyer with a passion for environmental and energy law, currently pursuing her Master of Laws (LLM) at Duke University School of Law in Durham, North Carolina. She completed her Bachelor's in Law and Master in Civil Law at the Faculty of Law, University of Tirana, Albania. During her time at the University of Tirana, she engaged with different organizations like Elsa Albania and AIESEC, actively participating as a Team Member in the 26th Annual Willem C. Vis Moot, thereby honing her practical legal skills.
Throughout and following her studies, Griselda gained experience working in the private sector as a legal assistant. Afterward, she took on the role of Appeals Inspector at the National Environment Agency in Tirana, Albania. In this position, she practiced her legal skills as part of an interdisciplinary department that served as the first layer of protection against wrongly imposed fines for violations of environmental laws.
Her commitment to law, energy, and the environment is evident through her involvement in the European Forum Alpbach, an interdisciplinary forum discussing the future of Europe and democracy. Here, she primarily focused on democracy and the climate crisis. Griselda also engaged in environmental action programs by participating in the European Solidarity Corps.
Brendon Shuke
Brendon Shuke is a MIP fellow currently pursuing a master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence at the University of Rochester in New York.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Tirana in 2019 and has since been working as a software engineer.
During his career Brendon has worked as a Java and Android software engineer in many large-scale projects for the private sector and Albanian government platforms.
He holds several professional certifications in the software development field, and he is an advocate for clean code.
After completing several milestones in his software development career, he decided to shift his focus to the emerging field of Artificial Intelligence and plans on becoming an AI developer following his master’s degree.
Siera Skendo
Siera Skendo is part of the 2023-2024 MIP Fellowship cohort, pursuing a Master of Laws (LLM) in International and Comparative Law at The George Washington University School of Law, Washington DC. She is currently Research Assistant to distinguished Professor Sean D. Murphy, the Manatt Ahn Professor of International Law at the George Washington University.
Ms. Skendo holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) in International and European Law, with a specialization in Public International Law and Human Rights from The Hague University of Applied Sciences in The Hague, the Netherlands, graduating with first-class honors. While studying in The Hague, Ms. Skendo was awarded the ‘Holland Scholarship’ by the Dutch Ministry of Education and was actively involved in several student associations. Afterwards, Ms. Skendo went on to pursue her first Master’s degree at Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom. She completed her LLM degree in Public International Law with distinction in 2021.
Over the past seven years, Ms. Skendo has studied and worked in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Belgium and the United States. Before embarking on her studies in Washington DC, she worked at the Directorate-General for External Policies at the European Parliament in Brussels, focusing on matters of enlargement for the Western Balkans, particularly Albania, Kosovo, and North Macedonia. From 2021 to 2022, Ms. Skendo was part of one of the Defence Teams in the Specialist Prosecutor v. Hashim Thaci et. al case before the Kosovo Specialist Chambers (KSC) in The Hague. She has additionally interned at the Presidency of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague and at the Ministry of Justice of Albania in Tirana.
Her passion, background and work experience all center around international law. Ms. Skendo hopes to use her comprehensive international education and work experience to contribute to the development of Albania’s justice system, as well as further Albania’s goals and position internationally.
Ana Xifaj
Ana Xifaj holds a solid foundation in finance, having earned a Master of Science in Finance from the University of Tirana in July 2019, following a Bachelor of Science in Finance in September 2017. Ana's professional expertise is notable, especially during her time at Union Bank in Tirana, Albania. In her role as a Specialist in Business Banking Products from March 2019 to July 2023, Ana made significant contributions to the enhanced performance of the SME department. As an Independent Consultant based in Tirana, Albania, Ana carved a niche as a Social Media Strategist from May 2021 to February 2023.
Ana is not only a professional achiever but also a committed contributor to leadership and community involvement. She served as a Coordinator for the Dua Center, a nonprofit organization, displaying organizational and leadership skills. Her activism with Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, and volunteer work with New Vision Organization showcase her dedication to social impact and community development. Engaging in various activities, Ana emerged as a Semi-Finalist in the International Debate Competition founded by the European Union in June 2022. She also assumed the role of a Youth Trainer for EU Policy Hub and served as a Youth Mentor for UNICEF Albania.