About Me

I am a multidisciplinary professional with over 15 years of experience working across research, education, innovation design, social impact, and organizational development. My career began in architecture and academia in Albania, where teaching and knowledge-sharing shaped my passion for learning communities. Over time, this passion grew into broader work with organizations, women-led initiatives, and research-based projects spanning Europe, China, and the United States.

I currently lecture at Polytechnic University of Tirana (Design, Studio 5, Research Methodology) and Polis University (Product Development and Brand Strategy at master level). I contribute to SCiDEV — Centre for Science & Innovation for Development as a board member and research practitioner, and serve as an ECO+ Programme Officer at the National Erasmus+ Office, Albania, where I monitor and support Capacity Building in Higher Education projects.

As an innovation designer and consultant, I work with local and international entrepreneurs investing in Albania, providing strategic guidance in business transformation, human resources development, and growth. As the founder of WeWomen Albania, I create safe, inspiring, and practical spaces for women to connect, learn, and grow together.

At the core of everything I do lies one ambition: to activate knowledge in ways that create real impact — for people, organizations, and society.

Education

• Doctorate in Industrial Design — Joint International PhD Programme in Architecture and Urban Planning (IDAUP), University of Ferrara (Italy) & Polis University (Albania)
  Thesis: "Reinventing Furniture Design in the Post-Communist Era in Albania: Towards the Mass Customization Paradigm"
• Bachelor's in Architecture — Polytechnic University of Tirana, Albania (graduated with excellence)

International Experience

• Research Fellow — University of Arizona Center for Innovation (UACI), Tucson, USA (2022, 6 months via CIEE & Albanian-American Development Foundation)
• IIE READ Fellow — Institute of International Education, Research Expertise from the Academic Diaspora programme
• Professional experience across Albania, Europe, China, and the USA spanning EC-funded projects, Erasmus+ programmes, and private sector consulting

Publications

• "Vintage Design Furniture in Albania, a New Retro Design Paradigm in the Post-Communist Era" — European Journal of Engineering and Formal Sciences, Vol. 2, 2019
• "The Woman-Friendly City: Case Studies of Post-Industrial Areas in Tirana" — with Dr. Dorina Pojani (University of Queensland) and Dr. Joana Dhiamandi

Affiliations

• SCiDEV — Centre for Science & Innovation for Development (board member)
• Network of Albanian Women in STEM (NAW-STEM) — co-initiator
• National Erasmus+ Office, Albania — ECO+ Programme Officer
• Women in Uniform Alliance — documentary series
• Albanian-American Development Foundation — MIP fellowship alumna

Areas of Expertise

• Innovation Design & Architecture
• Product Design & Development
• Human-Centered Design & Business Strategy
• Women's Leadership & Community Empowerment
• Knowledge Brokerage & Organizational Development
• Industrial Heritage & Urban Transformation
• Higher Education, Training Design & Capacity Building
• Gender Equality in Urban Planning & STEM