About
I am an accomplished political and security advisor, former FSN with extensive experience in international relations, human rights, counter-terrorism, and refugee assistance, having worked in Kosovo and other regions of the Balkans for over two decades. Throughout my career, I have held prominent roles at the U.S. Embassy and other U.S. government agencies, providing invaluable expertise in political analysis, human rights advocacy, and security operations.
From May 2014 to June 2022, I served as a Political/Security Advisor at the U.S. Embassy in Pristina, Kosovo. In this role, I played a key part in monitoring the policies and actions of Kosovo’s Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reporting directly to the Embassy and Washington on significant developments. My job was instrumental in drafting multiple iterations of the State Department’s Country Report on Terrorism, which analyzes trends, threats, and responses to terrorism. I also led efforts in Counter-Terrorism and Countering Violent Extremism (CT/CVE), collaborating with various embassy departments and international organizations to train Kosovo’s police force and other security institutions. My work with Kosovo’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and other institutions helped strengthen efforts to reintegrate foreign terrorist fighters and women repatriated from Syria. Additionally, I advocated for Kosovo’s integration into regional and international organizations and worked closely with key international partners on cybersecurity and CT/CVE initiatives.
Prior to this, from June 2005 to April 2014, I worked as a Political & Human Rights Advisor at the U.S. Office in Pristina. In this capacity, I provided expert analysis and advice on political and human rights issues, particularly related to ethnic minority integration, religious freedom, and Kosovo’s wartime past. I drafted crucial U.S. government reports, including the Annual Country Report on Human Rights, the International Religious Freedom Report, and the Worst Forms of Child Labor Report, while building strong relationships with both government and non-government representatives to monitor and report on key developments.
Earlier in my career, I served as a Program Assistant for the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) in Pristina, Kosovo. From 1999 to 2005, I oversaw multimillion-dollar programs across Kosovo, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia, working to assist vulnerable returnees and displaced persons. My role involved developing partnerships with organizations such as UNHCR, IOM, and the World Food Programme to ensure the successful delivery of humanitarian aid to those affected by the aftermath of the Kosovo war.
My early career began in 1998 with the U.S. Kosovo Diplomatic Observer Mission (KDOM), where I worked as a Field Assistant and Interpreter during the Kosovo conflict. KDOM provided critical assistance in refugee camps across North Macedonia, Albania, and Montenegro, supporting U.S. government efforts to facilitate the relocation and humanitarian aid for refugees, while also gathering important information for the International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia (ICTY).
Academically, I hold a Master of Arts in Global Diplomacy from SOAS, University of London (2019), and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from the University of London and LSE London (2010). I also earned a Certificate in Political Management from the School of Politics, New Bulgarian University (2005).
Fluent in Albanian, English, and Serbian, I have contributed to a variety of U.S. government reports, including the Country Reports on Terrorism, Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Child Labor and Forced Labor Reports. My dedication to promoting human rights, enhancing security, and fostering international cooperation has earned me recognition as a highly regarded expert in the field of diplomacy and political analysis.