Ama Konadu Abebrese is an award-winning British-Ghanaian actress, television presenter, and producer. Born in Ghana and raised in London, her stellar film credits include the Academy Award-nominated Azali, the Netflix feature Beasts of No Nation, and Sinking Sands, for which she won the 2011 Best Actress AMAA Award.

Kofi Okyere-Darko (KOD) is the Presidential Adviser on Diaspora Affairs to the President of the Republic of Ghana. Appointed in February 2025, KOD brings extensive experience in connecting Ghana with its global diaspora. A celebrated media personality and creative entrepreneur, he is the CEO of Nineteen 57 and founder of the Rhythms on Da Runway event. His career spans fashion, event management, and broadcasting, making him a key figure in fostering cultural and economic collaboration between Ghana and its diaspora.

Ermonela Xhafa brings over 30 years of experience in the Albanian governmental and public sectors. She holds a Master of Science in Global Security from Cranfield University, UK, and is currently pursuing doctoral studies in Commercial and Public Law. Throughout her distinguished career, she has held leadership roles across multiple ministries and national agencies, specializing in human rights, governance, and justice reform. In July 2024, she joined the National Agency of Diaspora as Executive Director, where she works to strengthen ties with the Albanian diaspora, promote national integration, and foster international partnerships.

Blerta Lazebeu is an intercultural expert, certified translator, and diaspora engagement professional originally from Albania and based in Berlin. She serves on the Diaspora Advisory Board for GIZ’s Shaping Development-Oriented Migration programme. With a background spanning academia, civil society, and cultural diplomacy, she has spent years driving diaspora initiatives focused on women’s empowerment and community building.

Dr. Erinda Ndroqi is the founder of the Albanian Institute for Activism and Social Change and a human rights practitioner with experience since 1997. She has completed doctoral studies in Public Law and holds a Master of Arts in European Studies (2005). As Executive Director of the Institute for Activism and Social Change, she led a team of experts in the evaluation process of Albania’s National Strategy on Diaspora 2021–2025, supported by GIZ. This process helped shape the roadmap toward the development of a new strategic framework, providing sound recommendations on improving institutional architecture, strengthening data-driven objectives, and enhancing diaspora engagement in civil and political rights. 

Valmira Guzi is a local consultant for the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Albania, currently playing a vital role in drafting the new National Strategy on Diaspora. She contributes to the development of strategic frameworks, stakeholder coordination, and the integration of best practices into national diaspora policies. With extensive experience in coordinating interinstitutional processes, she has worked closely with governmental bodies and civil society to strengthen Albania’s alignment with EU and international standards. Ms. Guzi brings a strong rights-based and developmental perspective to her work across migration, anti-trafficking, and social inclusion frameworks.

Paddy Siyanga Knudsen is a Zambian development economist with over 17 years of experience covering development cooperation, regional integration, and migration governance. She has supported governments, EU institutions, UN agencies, and civil society across Africa, Europe, and Asia. She is Vice President of the Global Research Forum on Diaspora & Transnationalism (GRFDT) and serves on the GIZ Diaspora Advisory Board.

Prajwal Sharma serves as the Head of the Migration and Development Department at IOM Nepal. He oversees portfolios covering Labour Mobility, Protection, and Immigration and Border Governance. He leads crucial programmes on regular migration pathways, diaspora engagement, GCM implementation support, and return and reintegration.

Prakash Subedi is a Technical Manager at BMW Group in Munich, Germany, serving as an expert in 4G, 5G, and satellite communication technologies. Alongside pursuing his doctoral degree in Wireless Communications at Penn State University, Mr. Subedi actively contributes to diaspora-led development through Himalayan Pariwar e.V., collaborating with GIZ to advance digital inclusion and sustainable development in Nepal.

Nadia Okudzeto is a Senior Investment Promotion Officer at the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC). Leading the Diaspora Desk Team under the Investment Promotion & Business Development Division, she plays a vital role in attracting, engaging, and facilitating diaspora investment into Ghana by providing strategic linkages and guidance within the local business environment.