Alumni Association Board Biographies

Dardan attended and graduated from the American University in Kosovo (RIT Kosovo) in 2014 where he was given the opportunity to tutor students who struggled with the English language. It was during this time that Dardan developed a passion for teaching and understood that his efforts could make a difference.

In 2014, Dardan began working as an elementary school teacher at International Learning Group School, where he taught English, Science, Social Studies, and Drama over the course of four years. In 2017, Dardan obtained his master’s degree in English Language from AAB University and decided to make teaching his career path.

In 2018, Dardan joined together with Egzon Gashi and Antigona Uka as a Co-Founder to launch Teach For Kosova (TFK). TFK is a nonprofit organization which seeks to develop teachers-leaders who are equipped to push for systemic change and create a system that prepares students for lifelong success.

Outside of work, Dardan is an avid reader, is learning how to play the mandolin, and enjoys watching and playing soccer. ​He is currently pursuing another master’s degree in Strategic Foresight and Innovation at RIT Kosovo and is expected to graduate in the summer of 2021.

Tringa holds a Master’s in Business Administration from The George Washington. She completed her undergraduate degree at Rochester Institute of Technology in Kosovo, where she studied economics. Currently, Tringa founded and works as an educational consultant at Ivy Journey Kosovo, which provides support to individuals to win scholarships and gain admission to prestigious universities. Besides Kosovo, she has worked on consulting projects in Peru, South Africa and Washington DC.

Leureta attended and graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology, in 2015. Graduating ahead of time, Leureta got accepted to attend a Peacekeeping course at Clinton International Summer School at the United Kingdom. Right after, Leureta decided to continue her master’s studies.

In 2016, Leureta started her master’s in international Relations at Webster University in Geneva, Switzerland.   Arriving in Geneva, Leureta was offered different internships within the United Nations, World Trade Organization, UNICEF, CICR, ILO and different NGOs. Leureta’s dream is to become a diplomat, therefore, she accepted internships from Diplomatic Missions at the United Nations at Geneva where she attended and reported on Human Rights Council, Universal Periodic Review, United Nations Forum on Business and Human Rights, World Investment Forum, Crans Montana Forum etc.

In 2017, Leureta was offered full scholarship from the Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations for a second master’s in International Relations and Diplomacy. While studying for her second master’s Leureta volunteered for the position of Academic Adviser at the Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations. At the same time, Leureta continued her work within the United Nations as a Human Rights Officer.

Now, Leureta is working toward her PhD studies in Political Science and International relations.

Beside her studies and work, Leureta enjoys traveling, reading, and learning new languages. Currently, Leureta is taking French classes to be prepared for her future diplomatic carrier.

Renea attended and graduated from the American University in Kosovo (RIT Kosovo) in 2013. During her studies she served as an Assistant to the Academic Advisor and as a Junior Academic Advisor after. She graduated with high honors majoring in Public Policy and Economics.

After her studies at RIT Kosovo, she joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an external expert – where she had the chance to contribute as a coordinator of International Interfaith Conferences, the Office of the General Secretary, and Security Conferences (i.e. Germia Hill Conference).

Being an advocate and passionate of education, in 2014, Renea joined e newly founded non-profit, TOKA. She started as a Project Coordinator coordinating educational innovative programs for youth. TOKA became a leading organization in non-formal education and service learning during her time there. She left TOKA as a Program Director after leading many educational programs that positively affected around 15,000 youth and around 500 teachers in Kosovo by empowering their soft skills.

Now she serves as a Teacher Trainer for primary school teachers at the British Council. She trains teachers on methods and techniques needed for building critical thinking, problem solving and coding skills in pupils.

Outside of work, Renea is a zealous CrossFit athlete, hiker, yogi and a healthy mind&body advocate.

Kaltrina attended and finished all classes in the concentrations of Economics and Management at RIT Kosovo in December 2017 (a semester earlier), with two recognition awards: Alpha Sigma Lambda Society Award (Excellence in Student Life) and Outstanding Academic Scholar. During her time at RIT Kosovo, she worked at the president’s office of RIT Kosovo for two years; during which years she was also engaged with RIT Kosovo Summer Program as its student coordinator. During 2016-2017, she served as the president of RIT Kosovo Economics Club.

After graduating she continued on being the general manager of the first hotel chain in Kosovo, Best Western Hotel Galla, where she saw and went through the whole process from obtaining the license from Best Western to recruiting and operating the hotel under international standards. In 2020, she accepted the role of Minister of Finance’s Adviser, as part of Kurti’s Government, where she was in large engaged and lead many areas of the execution of the Emergency Plan made in response to Covid-19, while being responsible for Customs and Tax Authority as well. After the government change, she came back to being the general manager of Best Western Hotel Galla. Currently, she is engaged at the Prime Minister Office as the Senior Advisor of the First Deputy Prime Minister.

She is passionate in contributing to different endeavors that she believes are beneficial and may bring changes to the country and society. 

Qemajl Pozhegu earned his Bachelor’s Degree from RIT Kosovo back in 2007. In 2009, as a EU Scholarship Receipeint, he completed his Master’s in Energy and Environment from Universitety of Lankaster, United Kingdom. Upon his return to Kosovo, he joined his family business company, Pozhegu Brothers, as its CEO. Since then, Qemajl is successfully planning, delegating and coordinating project activities related to real estate. Qemajl manages the company with 120 employees and an annual turnover of 7 million euro.

Besides his professional experience, he is also very active in volunteer work contributing his time to the New Born Rotary Club in Prishtina. He enjoys running and he's participated in numerous half and full marathons nationally and internationally.

Qemajl believes that his vast experience in the private sector in Kosovo, can be used to help other alumni to guide them through becoming successful business owners in Kosovo.

Granit Hasani graduated from RIT Kosovo in 2010 in Management and Economics/Statistics.

Granit is a dynamic senior manager, leading the biggest and most successful Albanian security company in the region since 2009, Besa Security. His long experience as general director allow him to bring a wealth of practical expertise in operations, finance, leadership, sales, HR, and security.

Granit has an MBA General earned from Staffordshire University (2015) with thesis "University-Business Cooperation: the Case of Kosovo". Thesis derives from his passion for a better future by breaking the wall within the university studies and business practices.

He enjoys playing table tennis - earned a couple of awards at national level. He speaks four foreign languages: English, Italian, Turkish and Bulgarian.

Granit believes that through his vast experience, he would bring RIT Kosovo alumni closer and together, not only with their own class, but with the wide alumni community

Hana is an RIT Kosovo Alumna and a recent graduate, a Chevening Scholar, of London School of Economics earning a MSc in Global Health Policy. Hana has a professional experience in health management and policy serving as Consultant/ Facilitator on Health and Social policies at Friedrich Ebert – Siftung (FES).

She is an active athlete and part of the Kosovo’s female boxing representation. She is a licensed Krav Maga & Krav Maga Law Enforcement Instructor.

Hana believes that her versatile and international experience will help understand the larger spectrum of the current and future alumni, and her field in policy formation could help further in the decision making for better overall alumni experience.