People
Founders and Board
Constantine Alexander
Constantine Alexander is President Emeritus and original founder of the Balkan Economic Forum. He has been a member of the New York Exchange since 1991. He began his banking career in California as a Merrill Lynch Financial Consultant and served as a consultant to the Commission of the European Union in Brussels, Belgium. In 2013, he was selected as a member of Vice President Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project Leadership Corps.
Dr. Nina Mojsova Kjoseva
Dr. Nina Mojsova Kjoseva is a founder and CEO of the Board of Directors of Balkan Economic Forum. She works in Sparkasse Bank AD Skopje, member of the Steiermarkische Sparkasse Banking Group. She holds a MSc degree “Funds transfer pricing in banking” from “Ss. Cyril and Methodius” University, Faculty of Economics, Skopje, North Macedonia and a PhD in Economics and Finance from Cracow University of Economics, Poland. Her scientific research interests include macroeconomic and monetary policy, financial stability, financial cycle, sovereign risk, pricing of financial instruments, sustainable finance, international finance and banking, environmental economics.
Candice J. Alexander
Candice J. Alexander is Vice-President Emeritus and original founder of the Balkan Economic Forum. She holds a degree in Business Administration and an MBA from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. She also earned her Juris Doctor (JD) degree at Western State University in California which included law school academic credits for the Juris Doctor earned at Cambridge University in England. She served as a co-founder of an environmental conservation NGO, a co-founder of and regular volunteer at a wildlife rehabilitation centre, and a contributor to the procurement and implementation of two European Commission LIFE-Nature projects in Greece.
Alec Mally
Alex Mally is a Director for Global Economic Affairs at Foresight Strategy and Communications. He is also Chair of Democrats Abroad Greece and a Board member of the new firm Blue White Capital LLC. He holds a Master of Science in Financial Services, Diplomacy, Economics, and International Development from Georgetown University.
Dr. Sasho Kjosev
Dr. Sasho Kjosev is the president of the Balkan Economic Forum and a Full Professor in the Faculty of Economics at the University “Ss. Cyril and Methodius” in Skopje. He holds a PhD in Development Economics and a graduate diploma programme in development planning techniques from the International Institute of Social Studies of Erasmus University Rotterdam, the Netherlands. His professional interests include macroeconomic (development) planning, development planning techniques, national accounting, sustainable development, regional and local economic development, economics of innovation, labour economics and agricultural policy.
Dr. Ante Babic
Dr. Ante Babic s the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Center for International Development Ltd. and serves as an adviser to private firms as well as banks on macro-economic, sectoral and currency analyses as well as forecasts for the South-East European region. Currently he serves as Senior Policy Officer at European Commission DG ENER. He holds a PhD in International Economics, Monetary Economics, and Macroeconomics from the Faculty of Economics, University of Zagreb as well as a degree in Monetary Economics, International Economics and Macroeconomics from the Department of Economics of Harvard University.
Dr. Goran Petrevski
Dr. Goran Petrevski graduated from the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Faculty of Economics in Skopje. He also holds a master and PhD degree from the same institution. Since 2003, he has been with the Ss. Cyril and Methodius University, Faculty of Economics in Skopje teaching several courses at undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Professor Petrevski’s research interest covers the following areas: Monetary policy, Banking, International Finance, Fiscal Policy.
Boris Eftimovski
Head of Communications for the Balkan Economic Forum
Boris Eftimovski is an experienced consultant in the field of Public Relations, Lobbying and Business Development for various international and domestic companies, from which some are part of the Fortune500 list.
Boris`s main field of expertise is strategic communications, messaging and brand development. He has worked the client, agency, government and media side of the business, which gives him a unique understanding and perspective when it comes to strategic positioning and decision-making.
Boris has a strong international network of business leaders, businesses, company chambers, media outlets, lobbyists and decision-makers.
Advisory Board
Constantine Alexander
President Emeritus/Original BEF Founder
Candice J. Alexander
Vice-President Emeritus/Original BEF Founder
Nelu Neacsu
Founder and President of European Academy of the Regions
Dr. Nicolas Kyriakides
Cyprus Forum/University of Nicosia
Dr. Ksenija Dumičić
University of Zagreb/Faculty of Economics and Business
Toni Popovski
Freelance consultant in environmental protection, good governance and stakeholder’s involvement, sub-national government reform and decentralisation, regional and rural development and spatial and urban planningUNDP North Macedonia
Dr. Aneta Krstevska
National Bank of North Macedonia
Dr. Bruno S. Sergi
Harvard Extension School/Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies/University of Mesina
Dr. Gazmend Qorraj
University of Prishtina
Dr. Murat Yülek
Istanbul Commerce University
Dr. Zlatko Stefanović
Union University, School of Law in Belgrade, Serbia
Sotiris Karagiannis
University of New York in Prague, Czech Republic
Biljana Markovic Stamenova
PrimePoint Partners/ Progressive Academy for Executive Managers
Herjola Spahiu
NOA Albania – CEO and Vice Chairman of the Steering Council
Dr. Mijat Jocović
University of Montenegro/Faculty of Economics in Podgorica
Darko Angelov
Former Macedonian ambassador to Greece and Hungary, OSCE and Council of Europe staff member.
BEF AMBASSADORS
Suzana Kulaš
Suzana Kulaš (BEF Ambassador to EU) has been doing projects in the Balkans for 30 years in the areas of finance, gaming, FMCG, pharma and telecom for private clients, developing projects for EBRD, World Bank and UNDP. Holds Master degree in business and economics from the Faculty of Economics and Business at the University of Zagreb, postgraduate education at ESADE, Barcelona. Her second area of expertise is sustainability with 15 years of projects in Balkans including ZelenJava, first sustainable and green TV show in EasternEurope and education at Cambridge University Institute for Sustainability Leadership in domain of Sustainable Finance; Business Sustainability; Sustainable Supply Chain and Communication for Impact, consulting in last four years UNEP and EU LIFE program. Third area of expertise of Suzana is public advocacy and EU policy in the last 14 years from projects like EUforija for preparing businesses for EU accession, Croatian Exporters Association, to program and project management within EU LIFE program, European Commission, and European Parliament, she is delivering as a consultant in Brussels in the last four years.
Dr. Marius Alexa
Dr. Marius Alexa (BEF Ambassador to Romania) is a Romanian entrepreneur and is currently serving as Associate Professor at University Al. I Cuza and manager of the Institute of Corporate Governance and Sustainability. He holds a PH.D. in business models and is also the founder of Arhipelago where he manages the international business network Afaceri.ro. He is organising a series of business conferences, trade missions and exploratory visits in all Balkan countries in order to promote business collaboration and cultural ties.
Dr. Damir Bećirović
Dr. Damir Bećirović (BEF Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina) holds a Ph.D. in Economics, University of Tuzla and is a Director and Professor at the „International Business and Information Academy Tuzla“, and he is also one of the founders of this higher education institution. Damir is the founder of the International Scientific Conference on Digital Economy DIEC and the editor of the scientific journal Acta Catallactics. His scientific research interessts include finance, capital markets, behavioral economics, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation.
Dr. Sandra Jednak
Dr. Sandra Jednak (BEF Ambassador to Serbia) is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Organizational Sciences, University of Belgrade, where she currently serves as Vice-Dean for International Cooperation. She received her bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees from the University of Belgrade. Her research focus is on economic development. She also researches knowledge economy, the economics of ICT, energy economics, international economics, and higher education.
Dr. Agim Mamuti
Prof. Agim Mamuti, PhD (BEF Ambassador to Albania) has had various academic and governmental working experience in the past fifteen years. He has taught business courses at all university levels in many countries of the South- Eastern Europe, Turkey and Switzerland. Dr. Mamuti has authored four books and more than fifty scientific research papers in international journals and conferences.
Dr. Muhamed Krasniqi
Prof. Muhamed Krasniqi, PhD (BEF Ambassador to Kosovo) is a Doctor of Sciences for Traffic and Transport, and for many years is working as full professor at Tempulli College and was engaged in public institutions in the country and region. He is an author of several dispensations, applied and scientific research and a participant in local and international projects in the field of education, engineering, road safety, as well as organizer of many scientific round tables and international conferences. He is the founder of the Kosovo Association of Motorization AMRKS, National Leader of the European Road Assessment Programme, EuroRAP for Kosovo. Producer and Co-founder of the “Life Safety” International Film Festival, co-producer in the realization of over two hundred (200) weekly TV shows named “Road Safety”, President of the American organization IOHSK for Europe. In addition to the academic engagement and work with students, Professor Krasniqi is also noted for his volunteering in many activities for the community, with special focus in promoting education and cultured behavior in traffic.
Petar Martinović
Petar Martinovic (BEF Ambassador to Montenegro) is a Business Support Advisor to the Executive Director of INA in Montenegro. He holds a degree in Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services from the Faculty of Economy in Podgorica and a master’s degree in Management and Organization from the Faculty of Economy in Ljubljana.
Dr. Danijel Mlinarić
Dr. Danijel Mlinarić (BEF Ambassador to Croatia) is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business, the University of Zagreb, and the founder and president of the Center for Economic Diplomacy (signed Cooperation Agreement in January 2021). His research focuses broadly on economic diplomacy, financial and banking markets, and a correlation between economic theory and practice. He is an official juridical expert appointed by the Ministry of Justice Croatia for the fields: finance, accounting, banking, financial analysis, and firm valuation.
Gábor Szántó
Gábor Szántó (BEF Ambassador to Hungary) is a Managing Director of the Western Balkans Green Center, development agency of the Ministry of Energy. Master’s degree in International Relations from the Corvinus University of Budapest. Served 11 years as a Foreign Affairs specialist at the Office of the President of the Republic of Hungary, first as Desk Officer then Counsellor and Senior Advisor.
Our Team
Dr. Snezhana Hristova
Dr. Snezhana Hristova (BEF strategic advisor) currently serves as Dean of the School of Business Economics and Management at University American College Skopje. She is a graduate of the University St. Cyril and Methodius, she holds a postgraduate degree in International Management from Radboud University, and a PhD in Strategy from the University St. Cyril and Methodius. With over 14 years of experience in teaching, research and higher education institutional management and policy, she has acquired deep knowledge of higher education design, curriculum development and in education policy development.
Ragmi Jusufi
Ragmi Jusufi (Head of international business development and cooperation for the Balkan Economic Forum) is a former long-standing Security Officer at the Swiss Government PKI – Federal Office of Information Technology and Telecommunication. Graduated mechanical engineer – University Zagreb, Croatia. Master of Advanced Studies in ICT, postgraduate degree in ICT from the Lucerne University of Engineering and Architecture. His professional interest on the Balkans is focused on: planning and realization of projects for increasing the scope and degree of using renewable energy, environmental protection and development of the region, full digitalisation of the Balkan societies, and high quality dual education of the young people, adjusted to the business needs of the private sector.
Dr. Nadica Jovanovska-Boshkovska
Dr. Nadica Jovanovska-Boshkovska (Head of International Education and Cooperation) works as Chief Project Office for Europa RE, Swiss Reinsurance Company. She is also engaged as Assistant Professor at the School of Business Economics and Management, University American College Skopje. She has accumulated professional experience of 20 years working with the private and public sector in different managerial positions as well as Lecturer in the field of Marketing. She holds MSc in International Economics from Tor Vergata University, Italy and a professional development fellowship at Cornell University, USA. Her doctoral degree is focused on territorial marketing, earned at the St. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje. She has attended numerous national and international conferences, earned certificates, and published many articles in domestic and international journals and conference proceedings.
Aleksandar Marjanovik
Aleksandar Marjanovik (Strategic Advisor) is a graduate from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies, St. Cyril and Methodius University, Skopje. He is skilled in Business Planning, Databases, Servers, Windows Server, and Market Research. He is Founder and the CEO at Marjanovik Education.
Dr. Veland Ramadani
Dr. Veland Ramadani, (BEF strategic advisor) is a Professor of Entrepreneurship and Family Business at the Faculty of Business and Economics, South-East European University, North Macedonia. His research interests include entrepreneurship, small business management, and family businesses. He authored or co-authored around 180 research articles and book chapters, 12 textbooks, and 22 edited books. He has published in Journal of Business Research, International Entrepreneurship and Management Journal, International Journal of Entrepreneurial Behavior and Research, and Technological Forecasting and Social Change, among others. In 2021, in the study conducted by Stanford University (USA), he was ranked among the Top 2% of the most influential scientists in the world.
Luan Imeri
Luan Imeri (Head of social and financial education) is Head of the Center for Human Rights and Conflict Resolution (CHRCR) in North Macedonia. He also works as Associate in the Institute for Sociological, Political and Juridical Research-Skopje, Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje. Currently he serves as Global Network Board Member for Europe and Central Asia (ECA) of Aflatoun International in Netherlands. He holds a Bachelor Degree in Economics and MSc. Degree in Human Resource Management. His main areas of expertise are in social and financial education, human recourse management, human rights, peace education, and conflict management. He is certified Aflatoun Master Trainer delivering trainings for Aflatoun International social and financial curricula in ECA region.
Vlado Rikalovski
Vlado Rikalovski (Head of project development and implementation for the Balkan Economic Forum) has attained a master’s degree in international economics from Maastricht University, the Netherlands. His area of expertise lies in economic policy coordination and the functioning of the EMU. Bolstered by significant experience in the domain of economic research and analysis, he has committed himself to offering his proficiencies to a spectrum of international institutions, governmental bodies, and private enterprises. His intellectual contributions extend to the realm of economic and social analysis, with several publications. Furthermore, he has been actively engaged in delivering monitoring and evaluation services for projects and programmes funded by diverse international and national institutions and organizations.
David Gyori
David Gyori (Head of the Digital Balkans Initiative for the Balkan Economic Forum) is a respected figure in digital banking and financial technology consultancy, offering expertise to CEOs, boards, and top executives of leading banks globally. With five internationally published volumes on digital banking, payments, and wealth management, he holds a prominent position in the industry. Recognized as a Top 10 Global FinTech Thought Leader and Influencer, Gyori is a founding member of the World FinTech Association. He serves as CEO of Banking Reports London, a boutique advisory firm, and is International Resource Director at The Asian Banker Group. Over the past decade, Gyori has provided advisory services, including training programs and keynote speeches, in over 50 countries, shaping the global digital finance landscape.
