Alumni Association Board Biographies 2025

Premtim Shaqiri is the Chief of the Intelligence and Security Department at the Training and Doctrine Command of the Kosovo Security Force. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Applied Arts and Sciences from RIT Kosovo in 2018 and completed the Military Intelligence Basic Officer Leader Course at Fort Huachuca, Arizona (USA) in 2020. He has been awarded the KAEF Fellowship for graduate studies in Intelligence Analysis.

He previously served as Deputy Commander and Head of the Professional Program at the Centre for University Studies, Kosovo Defense Academy, where he played a central role in academic reform, instructor coordination, and international engagement. His earlier assignments within the Kosovo Security Force include service as a platoon leader and training officer.

Premtim is also engaged as a security researcher at the Sense Cyber Research Center, where he works on projects at the intersection of cybersecurity, national security, and strategic foresight. In addition, he serves as a member of the editorial desk of the Journal of Peace, Conflict and Security Studies.

He is the Head of the Organizing Committee for ISOMA 2025, a biennial international symposium that brings together military academies from around the world to explore developments in education, leadership, and global security. He is also the co-author of An Approach for a Character Development Strategy for the Center for University Studies, published in the Journal of Peace and War Studies.

Granit Hasani, MBA is a recognized leader in the private security sector with over 15 years of executive experience. In 2023, he founded The Rock – Smart Security to further advance his strategic approach to integrated and high-standard security solutions tailored to client needs such as: Cash in Transit Services, Security Guarding Services, Public Gathering Security, Outsourcing Services, Alarm Monitoring and Patrol Intervention Services.

Granit earned his undergraduate degree from the American University in Kosovo (now RIT Kosovo) in 2010, majoring in Management and Economics & Statistics, with a minor in Public Policy. He later completed his MBA at Staffordshire University in 2015, with a thesis titled “Cooperation of Universities with Businesses in Kosovo.”

His American-style education equipped him with the values and business acumen to establish and lead a certified and innovative company. The Rock holds official licensing from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and is certified in key international standards: ISO 9001 (Quality Management), ISO 27001 (Information Security), ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety), and ISO 14001 (Environmental Management).

Granit has represented Kosovo at leading regional security events such as the Adria Security Summit (2017 in Croatia and 2020 online), where he addressed shifting trends in the security industry and projected future developments.

His passion for innovation has also positioned him as the exclusive distributor and integrator of globally recognized security technology brands, used across residential, commercial, banking, and institutional sectors.

Beyond business, Granit is committed to youth empowerment and mentorship. He previously represented Kosovo in international youth platforms such as the Youth and Peace Festival (2003 in Greece and 2005 in the USA). A former professional table tennis player, he also represented Kosovo in multiple European Junior Championships.

In 2020, Granit was honored with the Business Elite "40 Under 40" Award, recognizing his excellence in security management, visionary leadership, and dedication to inspiring future generations.

Irisa Shala graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) Kosovo in 2023, where she developed a strong interest in finance, innovation, and the impact of technology on global markets. During her studies, she gained valuable professional experience working at Proton Group in Kosovo—an energy and IT company—where she was involved in projects at the intersection of technology and sustainable business solutions.

In 2024, Irisa began her MBA studies in Geneva, Switzerland, aiming to deepen her expertise in financial strategy, innovation management, and international business. In Geneva, she is actively exploring internships with global organizations and institutions focused on finance, technology, and sustainable development.

Irisa’s long-term goal is to contribute to international finance and innovation policy, with a focus on driving digital transformation and economic growth. Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, she enjoys traveling and is currently learning French to support her future international career.

Anesa is an RIT Kosovo Alumna through the World Learning scholarship and a Fulbright Scholar of Ohio University earning a MA in International Affairs/Development and War and Peace Studies. Anesa has a professional experience in development projects and policy serving as Deputy Chairwoman of Consultative Council for Communities in the Office of the President in the Government of Republic of Kosovo.

Anesa’s passion is to work for the unprivileged societies. Anesa believes that empowering others to act, and she recognizes that, sometimes, effective servant leaders help others not only to identify how they can contribute to a process, but also inspire their hearts to connect an idea to an action.

In her free time, Anesa is interested in exploring: cultures, heritage, gastronomy, and languages.

Arber Hajrizaj is a seasoned market researcher with over 12 years of experience transforming customer insights into strategic business decisions. He currently serves as a Customer Insights Researcher at Raiffeisen Bank Kosovo, where he leads both quantitative and qualitative research initiatives to improve customer experience and support product development. 

Prior to this, he held key research roles at IPKO Telecommunications and Kantar, managing complex research projects across sectors. Passionate about connecting companies with their customers, Arber also lectures on Digital Marketing Strategy at Creative Hub Kosovo. He holds a Master’s degree in Marketing Analysis from Ghent University.

In addition to his professional work, Arber actively contributes to education and youth engagement through several voluntary leadership roles. He is the Chairman of the Board at the Kosovo Erasmus+ Office, Advisory Board Member at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Ghent University.. He is also a long-standing Student Ambassador for Ghent University in the Western Balkans and a former National Representative and Advisory Council Member of the Western Balkans Alumni Association.

Jeta Bakija is a professional management consultant and human rights expert with over fifteen (15) years of experience working with local and international organizations in Kosovo and the Western Balkans. She is the Executive Director of JB Consulting, where she provides strategic consulting, program and project development, monitoring and evaluation, and organizational capacity building to NGOs, public institutions, and private sector clients. Her expertise spans human rights, gender equality, social inclusion, minority rights, governance, education, leadership, economic development, and advocacy.

Jeta is a Certified Management Consultant (CMC©) and an active member of the Business Consultants Council. She serves on the advisory boards of several regional and international bodies, including the ICMCI Member Growth and Development Committee and the UNDP ReLOaD3 Advisory Group. Her clients have included the Council of Europe, Save the Children, EU institutions, and various civil society organizations.

In addition to her consulting work, Jeta serves as the Head of the Project Office at Universum International College, where she leads the management and implementation of EU and donor-funded projects, coordinates institutional partnerships, and supports strategic development initiatives in higher education.

She holds a Master’s degree in Marketing, Advertising and Public Relations from the University of Sheffield and a Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy and Management from RIT Kosovo. Jeta is currently pursuing her PhD in Entrepreneurship and Innovativeness at Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Croatia.

Leureta Lumi earned her B.Sc. in Applied Arts and Science, concentrating on Management and Public Policy, from the Rochester Institute of Technology in December 2015. She was selected to attend the Clinton International Summer School in the UK before pursuing graduate studies in Geneva, Switzerland.
She holds two Master’s degrees in International Relations from Webster University Geneva and the Geneva School of Diplomacy, where she was awarded a full scholarship. During her time in Geneva, Leureta worked for various Permanent Missions to the UN and international organizations in Geneva, covering key global forums including the Human Rights Council, Universal Periodic Review, and World Investment Forum. She also worked for the Geneva School of Diplomacy as an Academic Adviser.
Upon returning to Kosovo, Leureta served as Advisor to the Minister of Defence, leading international cooperation efforts. She then worked as Program Coordinator and Researcher at the Kosovar Centre for Security Studies, where she published on NATO–Kosovo relations. She was later appointed Country Advisor to the NATO Advisory and Liaison Team (NALT), reporting directly to NATO HQ on political and security developments.
Now based in the United States, Leureta continues to engage in international affairs and is currently working with the United Nations Office in New York. She speaks Albanian, English, and French, and holds certifications from the George C. Marshall Center, the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, and the U.S. State Department.

Rea Kryeziu is a lawyer based in Kosovo with expertise in corporate and commercial law, litigation, and alternative dispute resolution. She has worked across both private and public sectors, including the banking industry, handling diverse legal and regulatory matters. Rea also has experience in public policy, contributing to the development of sound legal frameworks that support effective governance and business environments. She is an alumna of RIT Kosovo, Class of 2014, where she majored in Public Policy and Management and minored in Legal Studies.

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.