American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo
Tel: +383 38 609 013, +383 48 109 900
Fax: +383 38 609 012
Email: info@amchamksv.org
AmCham
Street “Perandori Justiniani”, no. 132, 10000, Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo
Afrore Rudi, Deloitte
President of the Board
Afrore Rudi holds a BA (Hons) in Accounting and Taxation from London Guildhall University (England) and she is a member of Association of Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCA) and of SCAAK. She has more than 15 years of experience in tax advisory, mostly gained within Deloitte. Prior to joining the Kosova practice, Afrore previously worked for a Chartered Accountancy firm based in London and completed a six‐month assignment in Deloitte Bulgaria.
Agon Gashi, Meridian Express
Vice-President of the Board
Experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the retail industry and a value driven, result oriented pro-active leader in Kosovo. A season entrepreneur, change-maker and philanthropist with a track record of transforming Meridian Express from a small start-up into one of the leading retail companies in Kosovo, opening 43 locations, creating more than 600 jobs and showing passionate commitment to serve his community. Highly motivated and at the forefront of supporting Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR), Corporate Governance and adopting sustainable practices in the country. True believer in giving back to the society and a strong supporter of youth empowerment initiatives. Awarded national and international prizes for the recognized work and contribution in promoting and embracing CSR. Well networked, innovative, and successful speaker at prestigious business and social conferences at local and regional levels. A natural leader with collaborative nature and influence on several local organizations as a founder and a board member. Keen to find challenging situations and a strong desire to learn from them. Strong business development professional skilled in Negotiation, Business Planning, Analytical Skills and Marketing.
Jeta Zagragja, UCX
Secretary General
Jeta Zagragja is a technology entrepreneur, a start up mentor, investor, and an education advocate. She brings 15 years of practical experience in successful startups, financial industry, and non-profit sector in Kosovo and USA. Currently, she is a co-owner and Director of Sales, Marketing, and Operations at UCX, a Chicago-based innovative SaaS company. She’s formerly held positions as the former Chief Business Development Officer at Cacttus JSC and Chief Business Development Officer at Gjirafa Inc., amongst others. With her passion for innovation and demonstrated management skills, Jeta is a natural leader who pushes for workplace development, operational excellency, and business growth. She sets stretch goals and organizes resources to achieve the commercial, operational, and strategic initiatives. She’s a successful networker and relationship manager who leverages contacts to support business and philanthropic initiative and produces strategic execution plans that align with engagement or client objectives. Understanding that great achievements require team effort, she loves to mentor and empower teams, companies, and individuals develop. Jeta’s education background includes a B.A. in Applied Sciences from the Rochester Institute of Technology, NY, USA and an M.B.A. in Strategic Management from Roosevelt University in Chicago, IL, USA. Jeta is the co-chair of the Board of the Kosovo American Education Fund, Board Member at Swinto and CryptoKos Inframain J.S.C, a mentor at the Innovation Center of Kosovo and Uplift Albania.
Ardian Hoxha, Keiretsu Forum
Treasurer
Ardian is a changemaker, entrepreneur, investor, and speaker, with 20+ years experience in jewelry, education, media, entertainment, food industry, and telecommunications. He is the founder and investor in the American School of Kosova, Duplex Club, Albafone, Glam Radio, Green and Protein, SushiCo Kosova and SushiCo Albania. Ardian is also the founder and Chapter President of the Keiretsu Forum SEE (Southeast Europe). Keiretsu Forum SEE is the newest chapter in the Keiretsu Forum family covering 9 countries in the Southeast Europe region: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Hungary, Kosovo, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, Serbia, and Slovenia. Ardian holds an Executive MBA degree from the IEDC – Bled School of Management. He serves as a Board Member at AmCham Kosovo, and is also a very active Rotarian and a founding member of Rotary Club Prishtina.
Rick Heater
U.S. Ambassador's representative, Ex-Officio
Rick Heater is the Economic and Commercial Officer at U.S. Embassy in Pristina. In this capacity, he
advances the interests of the U.S. private sector; promotes women’s economic empowerment;
and covers the labor, environmental, science, technology, and health sectors. He previously
served in Zimbabwe, Mexico, and Sri Lanka. He holds a bachelor's degree from Fordham
University and a master's degree from the American Graduate School in Paris.
Valon Lluka, Mabetex Holding JSC
Member of the Board
Valon Lluka is the Executive Director of Mabetex Holding JSC, responsible for the company, and all companies that have been part of Mabetex Holding JSC since 2012. Lluka holds the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors at Banka Ekonomike as of June 2021 and Chairman of the Board of Directors at VIA - Vlora International Airport, as of May 2021. Throughout his professional experience, Lluka has proven skills to lead projects in various fields, in Kosovo and abroad, such as Albania, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Kazakhstan, the United Arab Emirates, the Republic of Ghana, Nigeria, etc. With 13 years of banking experience, starting from various supervisory positions at ProCredit Bank Kosovo, and ProCredit Bank Albania and continuing in the role of General Manager at Banka Ekonomike in Kosovo for 5 years, Lluka has contributed to the development of the sector banking, as a new post-war sector in Kosovo. Lluka was appointed Honorary Consul of the Republic of Ghana in the Republic of Kosovo, in 2015. During the period holding this position, Lluka has worked very closely with businesses in Kosovo and Albania, offering various opportunities to do business in the Republic of Ghana. He was also a board member of the Kosovo Banking Association, the Swiss Diamond Hotel, and Hirano Mushroom LLC. Lluka is also the co-author of the professional book "Money, Banks and Financial Markets."
Arianit Fazliu, Kutia Inc
Member of the Board
As the CEO & Co-Founder of Kutia, Arianit is responsible for leading the company and executing its mission to serve its customers. He is a board member of Beetroot Academy in Kosovo and a startup investor. Arianit is passionate about both growth and leadership and is directing his many abilities toward making Kutia the leading company in the region. To his role, Arianit brings a decade of experience in management, software development, and leadership. Before starting Kutia, he was a software engineer. He continued his career at TopTal.com – a platform that contains only 3% of developers in the world. From 2013 until today, Kutia has provided digital solutions for local and international clients of various industries, having in their portfolio clients, startups, and companies
who have earned millions of dollars from various forms of investment. Arianit is certified as a Digital Transformation Expert and a Scrum Master.
He has also invested in:
learning the Albanian language through songs.
Taulant Stublla, CISCO Systems
Member of the Board
Taulant Stublla joined Cisco Systems in charge for Kosovo and North Macedonia market since 2016. He brings an experience of over 11 years in the field of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) industry in international companies. Prior to joining Cisco, Taulant held the position of Enterprise Sales Manager in one of the largest distributors in the region ITD. He was responsible for developing the market and increase sales for Cisco and Microsoft solutions. He joined ITD from Asseco SEE where he was Project Manager for implementing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Billing Systems mainly in financial/banking sector, utility companies, and government accounts in Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Albania. Taulant started his career at Asseco SEE in 2010, where, as Sales Specialist and later Key Account Manager has contributed for the development of software systems. Taulant combines a business-driven approach with engineering knowledge to facilitate the crafting of advanced solutions for governmental and commercial customers and to build relationships across all stakeholders of the industry. He orchestrates cross-functional team members to deliver complete solutions and capabilities with the focus on providing outstanding customer experience and building long-lasting customer partnerships in a wide network partners. He has a successful track record in achieving and exceeding sales targets. Taulant has contributed to double numbers and diversify the focus countries’ portfolio, and he has a specific interest to promote seizing the benefits of ICT for digital transformation. For three years, Taulant is part of Cisco Systems Bulgaria, the hub for the region. He has finalized the Executive MBA in Financial Management in Sheffield University and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Prishtina
Dardan Shala, Devolli
Member of the Board
Born in Peja and graduated in Economics and Law. Working experience in both the Governmental (Kosovo Customs Service) and Private sectors. Founder of “D-Consulting” – Consulting company.
Currently, full-time engagement in “Devolli Corporation” in the position of General Director and Member of the Managing Board.
Dren Deva, Fresh Brothers LLC/Tafingo
Member of the Board
Dren Deva was born on January 16th, 1988 in Mitrovica, Kosovo, and moved to New York when was 11 during the Kosovo war. He has a double degree in Finance and Marketing from Hofstra University in New York. Dren is an Albanian American Entrepreneur who has established 3 businesses in the US and Kosovo creating employment opportunities both in US and Kosovo. Dren has established the first ethnic Balkan IPTV OTT (Over the Top) Platform in 2008- FASTV Inc thus creating a Balkan TV Platform for the diaspora in North America, enabling the diaspora to watch TV channels live from back home, Video on Demand and many features. Today the corporation FASTV is one of the most wellknown and respected IPTV platforms in America and covers the majority of the Balkan population in North America. In 2017 Dren also created FreshAlb the first online Albanian supermarket serving Albanian and European groceries to the diaspora anywhere in North America. With 2-3 clicks customers can purchase favorite Albanian groceries and have them delivered to their doorstep anywhere in the US and Canada. FreshAlb is also referred to as the Albanian Amazon among the community in America as it is a very common shopping tool for the Albanian community who is nostalgic and loves consuming Albanian and European products. Tafingo LLC was also established during the 2020 pandemic and started operations in Kosovo in 2021. Tafingo is an online real estate marketplace for Kosovo, with plans to expand in Albania, Montenegro & North Macedonia. The mission of the company is to create an easy-to-use experience for consumers in Kosovo and diaspora who are interested in purchasing a property such as apartments, lands, homes in which customers can visit Tafingo.com see listings, 3D virtual tours of properties and get in touch with agents who can accommodate their requests.
Astrit Leti, Tive Inc
Member of the Board
An experienced leader, operations strategist, and executive with an entrepreneurial spirit and a real passion for building and developing businesses while challenging the status quo. Having 19+ years of track record of business executive management development he currently runs the Kosovo operations as co-founder and an Executive Management Board member at TIVE Inc. Boston Massachusetts and Tive Kosovo.
Shpend Nura, KEP Trust
Member of the Board
Shpend Nura has more than 20 years of experience in the financial sector and consulting services. He worked for 10 years with Raiffeisen Bank in a different managerial position. Served as deputy
CEO for almost four years with BPB and has now been leading KEP Trust for 5 years in the position of CEO.
He is chairing the Board of AMIK for two mandates and serves as the chairperson of the Financial Sector Committee within AmCham. He is also a member of the Board of CEED.
Albanian