People
Founders and Board
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.
Dr. Ivana Vojinović
Dr. Ivana Vojinović is a leading expert in the field of environment, climate change and EU integration in Montenegro. Out of the 20 years of professional experience, Ms. Vojinovic spent 10 years in the Government of Montenegro on the position of a Deputy Minister/General Director for environment and climate change. Since Montenegro opened negotiations with the EU, the Government appointed her for conduction of Montenegro’s negotiation process with the EU in Chapter 27-Environment and Climate Change.
Currently she is a Director of the Centre for Climate Change, Natural Resources and Energy of University of Donja Gorica. Ivana Vojinović holds PhD degree in the area of environmental economy and EU integration and possess 13 years long teaching experience at the University of Donja Gorica, currently at the Faculty of Polytechnics and Faculty for Culture and Tourism.
Due to her outstanding contribution to strengthening bilateral relations between Montenegro and Republic of Italy, particularly in the area of environment, President of the Republic of Italy awarded her with the highest recognition that can be awarded to a foreigner, “Cavaliere Dell’Ordine della Stella d’Italia”.
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.
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. 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
Dr. Stefano Grimaz
Chairholder of the “UNESCO Chair on Intersectoral Safety for Disaster Risk Reduction and Resilience”, University of Udine (Italy)
George Kremlis
Honorary Director of the European Commission and Ambassador of the EPLO to Bulgaria, Doctor honoris causa of the Varna Free University
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.
Nelu Neacsu
Founder and President of European Academy of the Regions
BEF AMBASSADORS
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.
Garyfallia (Fay) Selimi
Garyfallia (Fay) Selimi, PhD(c), MSc (BEF Ambassador to Greece), is the Deputy Director of the Circular Economy & Climate Institute of the European Public Law Organization (EPLO) and the Official Representative of EPLO at the UNECE Espoo Convention and the SEA Protocol. Holding an MSc in Economics and Sustainable Development and pursuing a PhD in Public Law with a focus on the “Legal Protection of Climate”, she is Attorney at Law with expertise in environmental law, climate law, energy law, EU law, and sustainable development policies. As a partner at Vakalopoulos Law Firm, she offers extensive experience as a sustainability expert and legal advisor in circular economy and sustainability for municipalities, international organizations, and private and public sector entities. She is also the co-founder of the international scientific forum “Circular Gaia Symposium”.
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. Sanja Arsova
Dr. Sanja Arsova (Head of Circular Economy Transition for the Balkan Economic Forum) is a MSCA Fellow and a PhD graduate at the University of Sheffield (UK). Her PhD was part of the ReTraCE Project (Realising the Transition towards the Circular Economy), funded by Horizon 2020 EU’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks, aiming to support the implementation of the European Commission’s Circular Economy (CE) strategy. Her research is focusing on formulating and implementing CE policies at the regional level, and their links with regional development strategies. She has been involved in various EU funded projects related to the CE transition – completing secondment mobility with the ProCEdS project and co-authoring an E-Book for the JUST2CE project. Before this engagement, Sanja had worked at the European Central Bank for two years, as an analyst in Directorate Internal Audit and as a trainee in Directorate General Finance. She holds a First-Class BA (Hons) in Finance and Accounting from the University of Sheffield, and she has also been involved in the REINVEST, a transnational research project which had the goal to enhance the research collaboration and cooperation between the EU and India.
Currently, Sanja is part of an international group of researchers, investigating the interconnections between CE, sustainability, resilience, and regional development, with a focus on how these concepts can collectively contribute to sustainable regional growth, economic stability, and environmental resilience.
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.
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.
