Valbona Zeneli
Valbona Zeneli Toska is an Albanian economist and expert in international security. She has worked in both academic and government roles in Albania and abroad. She teaches international economics and works on topics related to security and development.[1][2]
Prof. Dr. Valbona Zeneli | |
|---|---|
| Born | Tirana, Albania |
| Alma mater | University of Bologna Georgetown University University of Bari Harvard Kennedy School |
| Occupation | Economist, Professor, Security expert |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Children | 1 |
Early life and education
Valbona Zeneli was born in Tirana, Albania. She is married to former Albanian Minister of Interior Igli Toska, and they have one child.
She studied economics and business at the University of Bologna in Italy, graduating with top honors in 2001.[3] Later, she completed graduate studies in international marketing at Georgetown University (2006). She earned her Ph.D. in political economy at the University of Bari in Italy (2011). She also studied executive leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School in 2009 and took part in training programs in Berlin and Munich.
Career
From 2002 to 2003, Zeneli was an advisor to Albania’s Minister of Economy. Between 2003 and 2005, she worked as a chief of protocol and economic advisor to the Prime Minister of Albania.[4][5][6]
From 2006 to 2011, she was an associate professor at the University of New York Tirana and also taught international economics at the European University of Tirana.
Since 2011, she has worked at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies in Germany. There, she leads programs on national security and strategic initiatives.[1]
Research and publications
Dr. Zeneli has written many academic articles and book chapters about European security, political economy, and development. Her research interests include Eastern and Southeastern Europe, good governance, anti-corruption, and reform in the security sector.[7]
She has given lectures and training to international government agencies. Her work has appeared in publications such as The Diplomat, The Globalist, and Modern Diplomacy.[8]
Work in Germany
At the George C. Marshall Center in Germany, she leads the Strategic Initiatives Department. She has developed programs for Central and Southeast Europe, the Black Sea region, and Eurasia.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Valbona Zeneli, Ph.D." George C. Marshall European Center For Security Studies. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
- ↑ "Valbona Zeneli Toska merr një detyrë të rëndësishme pranë Departamentit të Shtetit Amerikan". Panorama (in shqip). 2024-12-29. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
- ↑ "Biografia e Valbona Zenelit" (in shqip). Retrieved 2025-06-04.[dead link]
- ↑ "Valbona Zeneli – The Globalist". Retrieved 2025-06-04.
- ↑ "Valbona Zeneli, the Albanian woman who 'fights' for global security issues". ClassLifestyle. 5 October 2019. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
- ↑ "Valbona Zeneli: Dialogue and consensus, the only path for the Western Balkans". Gazetasi. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 2025-06-19.
- ↑ "Valbona Zeneli". Retrieved 2025-06-04.
- ↑ "Valbona Zeneli - The Diplomat". Retrieved 2025-06-04.[dead link]