Dr. Constantin von ALVENSLEBEN
Board Member and President of FIAA elected on February 26th, 2020
Born in 1962 in Germany, Dr. Constantin with a Doctorate Degree in Law and with an Economics Specialization from the London School of Economics, is the CEO of Tirana International Airport in Albania. Dr. Constantin comes with a long experience in airports and aviation, but also in the property development industry. He became familiar with Albania and its business environment since his first position as CEO of TIA during 2005-2007, where he successfully managed the Start-up phase of the only Airport in Albania. Meanwhile, he has held various senior management positions in organizations, including HOCHTIEF Concessions and HOCHTIEF Airport, affiliates of the leading construction firm HOCHTIEF Group. He has also been the Chairman of the specialized T&L Aviation Consultancy and held management positions in property development groups in Germany from 2012 through early 2019.
Dr. Constantin is a highly experienced executive with a broad international career in airport development and management in CIS countries, Eastern Europe and the United States of America, etc. He has also managed major acquisition and bidding processes at international airports in India and Australia.
In September 2019, Dr. Constantin relocated in Albania to undertake a new challenge as CEO of Tirana International Airport SHPK, this time owned by the Chinese company ”China Everbright” which is based and listed in Hongkong.
He brings with him important experience in airports, infrastructure development and senior leadership credentials, as well as a wealth of experience working in international markets and managing large projects throughout his career. With this extensive background, proven leadership experience and familiarity with operations in Albania, he has a full picture of the business environment in the country and the critical emerging issues, and he is looking forward to dedicate and contribute to a fostering FIAA and stronger role in the business community.
Stela DHAMI
Board Member of FIAA elected on March 20th, 2019
Stela Dhami is an Albanian citizen born and raised in Tirana, Albania. She conducted her studies in the United States, in the beautiful city of Portland, Oregon in the Pacific Northwest. She attended Reed College and University of Portland where she was awarded many merit-based scholarships based on her academic performance. She was on the Dean’s List for the entire duration of her academic career. She holds a BA in Economics from Reed College, a liberal arts college with emphasis on developing economies. She additionally holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Portland.
After her education Stela worked for U.S. Bank, a leading financial institution in the United States in their Business Center assisting many Portland based businesses with their financing needs. She additionally worked for Mercy Corps one of the biggest NGOs worldwide in their economic development arm aiding businesses with their business growth plans.
Since 2007, Stela is back in Albania and working for Colliers International, a global commercial real estate company. She is currently the Managing Partner of the office in Albania covering real estate brokerage, valuation and advisory services for many local and international clients.
Most recently Stela intermediated the process for the arrival and introduction to the Albanian market of Hyatt International Hotels. She is keen to work further in this market with the provision of real estate services to promote Albania as a travel and tourism destination on the rise.
Stela has been a long-standing member and supporter of FIAA and its activities in Albania and believes in its purpose and vision in being the main source of information and advocacy for international companies in Albania.
Elvin GURI
Board Member of FIAA elected on February 26th, 2020
Mr. Elvin Guri is an investor and entrepreneur with a successful track record in financial services.
He is the Investor in Telekom Albania. Since 2012, Mr. Guri has invested selectively in financial services (consumer finance in Albania, risk management and non-performing loans in Bulgaria); telecoms (including a stake in Telekom Albania); and in establishing Empower Capital, a private equity investment platform focusing on South East Europe. He is currently CEO of River Styxx Capital, an investment and advisory firm that he has founded and controls, and EMP Invest Bulgaria, the investment manager for Empower Capital funds. Born and raised in Albania, he earned a BA cum laude in Applied Economics and History from the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG) and an Executive MBA from the University of Oxford Said Business School. Having started his career with Price Waterhouse in Sofia, he spent more than five years with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), both in London and in Sofia.
Additionally, Mr. Guri actively supports several educational initiatives in Bulgaria and Albania, including AUBG (as a significant donor, Trustee and Chairman of the Finance and Property Committee), RIT/American University of Kosova, Teach for Bulgaria (“Zaedno v Chas”), Junior Achievement Bulgaria (significant donor), and Junior Achievement Albania (founding Board Member and donor). Mr. Guri is very much willing to join FIAA Board of Directors and bring his regional knowledge and support in the coming FIAA initiatives and help on further increasing the voice and role of the Association in the business environment
Bledar SHELLA
Board Member of FIAA elected on February 26th, 2020
Bledar Shella is the CEO of OTP Bank of Albania, former Societe Generale Albania Bank. Now the bank is part of OTP Group, which is one of the largest independent financial services providers in Central and Eastern Europe with full range of banking services for private individuals and corporate clients. OTP Group comprise large subsidiaries with more than 13 million clients and over 1500 branches, granting services in the field of insurance, real estate, factoring, leasing and asset management, investment and pension funds.
Bledar Shella started his career in October 2000 at the Currency Reserve Administration, at the Monetary Operations Department of the Bank of Albania. In April 2004, he was appointed Deputy Director of Supervision Department and Director of Inspections in the same institution.
After an eight-year experience at the Bank of Albania, in July 2008 he joined Societe Generale Albania Bank (today OTP Bank) as Head of Risk Management Department. In March 2015 he was elected Deputy General Manager and Head of Retail Division.
He also has an academic experience, started in October 2000 as a Professor of Finance at the Faculty of Economics, University of Tirana. From March 2013 to June 2014, was a Lecturer in Advanced Financial Analysis, part of the curriculum of the Master Program at the European University of Tirana.
As of December 2018 he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Societe Generale Albania Bank.
He holds a degree in Finance and Accounting from the Faculty of Economics, University of Tirana, Albania and a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) degree from the International Institute of Professionals, Charlottesville, USA. He is fluent in English, Italian and French.
Marinela JAZOJ, MBA
Executive Director of FIAA
Ms. Marinela Jazoj (Albanian) holds a Master Degree in Investment Management from University of Wales (London School of Business and Finance, UK). Since 2004, she is the Executive Director of the Foreign Investors Association in Albania (FIAA). During the last ten years she acts as a contact point for the International Investors aiming to know about Investment Opportunities in Albania. She is also active on the management of the Cross Border Economic Co-operations through EU funded projects.