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Honorary Board Members:
Perteve (Domnori) Leka
Perteve Leka was educated at Shkodra’s ‘Pedagogic Institute’, graduated in Linguistics & History there and at the Faculty of Philology and Literature in Tirana where she was also an Instructor for School Methodology in Literature and Albanian Language, overseeing 14 night schools for this program. After retiring from the Albanian school system, she continued her pedagogical activities as an English Instructor at English-Albanian “Phoenix” School in Tirana, applying contemporary and Montessori methods for 5-6 year old children, and as a Trainer at “Lexo” School of young Teachers for pre-schooling. She has received an Award from Albania’s Ministry of Culture for her effective role in educational impact of pedagogical studies, and an Honorary Award as a Teacher from the “Order of Naim Frasheri”. For over a decade she has been a freelance Journalist for newspapers “Drita” and “Kosova” in Tirana, and Illyria in NYC, while being actively involved as Vice President of the M. & M. Ivanaj Foundation Institut.
Cristina Quaroni
Cristina Quaroni graduated in political science and international affairs at the University la Sapienza of Rome and holds a postgraduate diploma in international crisis management from UNED. She is currently living in Tirana as spouse of the Spanish Ambassador while continuing her professional activity as a consultant and entrepreneur within her family business.
AFËRDITA PRRONI
Afërdita Prroni, graduated in the Faculty of Philology, Tirana and Faculty of Law. Ms. Prroni is the Founder and Executive Director of the Human rights in Democracy Centre (2002), a domestic NGO that promotes and protects human rights in Albania, with special focus for the promotion and protection of women’s rights. Prior to 2002, Ms. Prroni was engaged in several projects carried out by human rights organizations operating in Albania, and is a Board Member of the M. & M. Ivanaj Foundation Institut in Tirana.
Executive Board Members:
Rezart Spahia
Rezart Spahia is a distinguished legal professional whose multidisciplinary career spans continents and reflects a deep commitment to civic engagement and cultural preservation. A New York-licensed attorney, Mr. Spahia has built a diverse career that includes roles as an archaeologist and corporate lawyer in Tirana, New York, and London, he has been recognized as a Hall Fame and Highly Regarded Leading Lawyer in Corporate, M&A, and Project Finance for his work with Frost & Fire Consulting, a premier legal and business advisory firm in Albania. As Executive Director of the Ivanaj Foundations, Mr. Spahia champions education, cultural preservation, and civic engagement in Albania and across the Albanian diaspora. In addition to his contribution to the Ivanaj Foundations, to which Mr. Spahia has offered legal services pro bono since inception, his nonprofit leadership includes serving as a board member of RIT Kosovo (American University in Kosovo Foundation), Vice-Chairman of the National Albanian American Council, board member of the Albanian Heritage Conservation Foundation, board member of the Albania’s High Council of Sports and vice-president of the Albanian Karate Federation. Under Mr. Spahia’s leadership, the Ivanaj Foundations continue to expand their reach and impact, advancing their mission to promote Albania’s intellectual, legal, and scientific traditions while inspiring future generations through education and cultural pride.
DHIMITRAQ RIZO
Dhimitraq Rizo was raised and lives in Tirana, where he completed his studies in 1978 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, issued by the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the University of Tirana. After graduation he began working at the "Enver" engineering plant in Tirana, at the time considered one of the biggest and best-established engineering plants in the country. During his 10-year tenure at this plant, he held different positions as Unit Manager, Multi-unit Manager, Head Engineer and ultimately as General Director of such. In 1989 he held a position in one of the city hall offices overseeing Zone One of Tirana, as Head of the Industry department, and from 1992 onward he started, managed and worked with multiple private businesses. A few companies he managed throughout these years were "Abikon", "Arkon" and "VTE Trading". He was also a partner in companies such as "Telcom Albania" and "Arsire Al". Most of these companies are and have been focused in the construction business in Albania. Mr. Rizo speak English, Italian and Greek, and holds the position of Special Director as a Board Member of the M.& M. Ivanaj Foundation Institut in Tirana.
ANI RIZO
Ani Rizo graduated from the University of Tirana with a degree in Economics. She has worked and held the position as an Economist for several years at a private firm named V.T. E. Trading, and also within her family business. Mrs. Rizo has being a loyal supporter for a long time, on a voluntary basis, of a variety of activities of the M. & M. Ivanaj Foundation Institut in Tirana, where she now holds the position of Treasurer of such organization.
FROST & FIRE CONSULTING
Frost & Fire Consulting offers unparalleled legal, organization development, human resources, and other business services to clients who operate or wish to explore opportunities in the Albanian or regional market. Its commitment is rooted in its members’ extended and distinguished experience in the private, public and international organization sectors. Frost & Fire Consulting takes pride not only in having deep insight into the existing issues and intricacies of the local business climate, but also in being intimately familiar with the expectations and mind-sets of their clients, whether they are foreign investors, multinational corporations, or governmental and international donor agencies. In merging the unique experiences of its team of professionals that has an extended and distinguished international and local experience, Frost & Fire Consulting can afford to offer superior quality services. Its members studied and graduated from the Schools of Law of the best universities in the world (Harvard, New York University, London School of Economics, Columbia, Lion III University, University of Maryland), have honed their skills inter alia by working with some of the most prestigious law firms in the world (Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP; Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP; Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, Hogan Lovells US LLP), and/or held top executive positions with government institutions in Albania (Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Economy, Albanian Power Corporation). This Consulting firm is involved in pro-bono services for the M. & M. Ivanaj Foundation Institut in Tirana, and it is part of this organization’s Board.