Project Manager, Entrepreneurship Program, Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF)

At AADF Ermira is responsible for developing and implementing projects that encourage entrepreneurship and socio-economic development in Albania. She has over 16 years of experience and expertise in project management, finance, and impact investment.

Prior to AADF, she worked in impact investing, serving Business Consultant and Portfolio and Investment Manager at Yunus Social Business, supporting the development of social businesses in the Balkans. 

Ermira continuously contributed to several national or international startup competitions as a mentor and Jury member. She has been part of the organizing and implementing team for many Incubation and Business Acceleration Programs. Ermira holds a Ph.D. in Management from the University of Tirana

Jolta Kacani, PhD is a certified trainer, coach and mentor of start-ups and agile enterprises. She has been actively advising enterprises in the Western Balkan region on innovation ecosystems and in developing sustainable business plans. She has received international recognition for innovative research in financial management and global value chains. She serves as the Vice Head for Advocacy in Western Balkans Alumni Association actively supporting the young generation in their transition from higher education into professional and entrepreneurship life. She is a full time lecturer and has extensive professional experience in the management of large and complex projects during her tenure at Deloitte Central Europe. She has undertaken numerous professional trainings in innovations hubs among which in Sweden, Spain and China. She holds a PhD in International Economics from Barcelona Tech and a Master of Science from the University of Manchester.

Urša Žorž is an entrepreneur, event manager that has her own company Eventio, which was founded in September 2010.

She is one of the three founders of the largest event for women entrepreneurs in Slovenia, "500 businesswomen", and the founder of the event for young people, "Nobody understands me". She organized more than 130 different events, conferences, international congresses, employee and business partner meetings ... She is also a speaker (motivational speaker, speaker on organizing events, networking, entrepreneurship, etc.) and mentor, helping people to grow and improve their business. Recently, she has dedicated herself to teaching entrepreneurial knowledge to young, innovative people.

Melisa Hujić is an entrepreneur and the owner of the fashion brand Etiquette. After ten years of working in the non-governmental and private sectors as a graduate economist, she wanted to do more creative jobs, and that how the Etiquette is founded.

The most important lesson about entrepreneurship is: Do not hesitate, but go boldly into the realization of your idea, right away. Everything you do out of love will eventually give great results, new insights, new acquaintances, and pushing boundaries. You have to work hard, and be persistent and in the end, every effort will pay off.

Ana coordinates the Startup Factory acceleration program at ZICER – Zagreb Innovation Centre. She has previously led a cleantech accelerator, also at ZICER. Before that, Ana worked for cultural nonprofits in New York City and on a USAID-funded healthcare program in Uganda.

Over 10 years of experience in the implementation of international projects in the field of sustainable development, energy efficiency and environmental protection. Certified mentor and educator to support businesses and startups.

Every free moment in nature, an urban gardener, involved in numerous socially responsible local initiatives.

Urša Žorž Požrl is an entrepreneur, owner of Eventio, an event management company, that was founded in September 2010.

She has organized more than 130 different events, conferences, international congresses and is one of the three founders of the biggest event for women entrepreneurs in Slovenia, called »500 businesswomen«. She is also a speaker and mentor that helps people grow and improve their businesses. In the past few years, she has dedicated herself to teaching entrepreneurial knowledge to young, innovative people.

Michael Freer is a social entrepreneur based in Kaštel Stari. Proud to call Croatia his home, he runs social enterprise ensoco where he works with local companies and nonprofits to improve their social impact whilst developing new revenue streams. He also runs Jedna Mladost, a youth club in Split.

Vanja Perić is the co-founder and CEO of AymoLive, a live stream platform and community for performing arts. She's passionate about bringing ideas to life and building from zero.

Diana Mudrinić graduated in political science from the University of Zagreb and obtained a specialization degree in political science from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. She has worked in various sectors in the telecommunications industry, interned at the International People’s Criminal Court and the European Parliament. Upon returning to Croatia, she became part of the startup scene in Zagreb and founded an advisory company. She has also been actively involved in developing strategies and initiatives for urban development, as well as technological and social entrepreneurship. During the pandemic in 2020, she took on the role of director in the newly established municipal company in Šibenik, Trokut Šibenik Technology Incubator, where she initiated a series of initiatives such as the NEET Academy, entrepreneurial incubator, and STEM camp for children. The main focus is on fostering entrepreneurship and the development of Dalmatia as a startup hub. Trokut Šibenik now hosts nearly 100 companies on over 6,000m2, regularly using and discovering new technology. Part of her mission is to share her knowledge and experiences, as well as her passion for entrepreneurship and new technologies.

Anna Quaia has more than a decade of experience in managing training projects on the topics of entrepreneurship, sustainability and economic-financial education. She works for the Cooperative Education Area of Confcooperative Friuli Venezia Giulia, the most important cooperative organization in Italy.