Dr. Ahmet Shala is a well-known figure in the fields of economics, entrepreneurship and
academia. He holds a Doctorate in Leadership and Organizational Sciences from James Madison
University (JMU), where he has served as the university’s Global Ambassador since 2022.

He began his professional career immediately after graduating from the Faculty of Economics at
the University of Pristina in 1985, joining the renowned company Trepça, where he quickly
advanced to leadership positions. During this period, he completed significant specializations in
international business in London.

Dr. Shala was among the first entrepreneurs in Kosovo in the early 1990s.
In June 1999, he joined the efforts of the First Government of the Republic of Kosovo in
rebuilding the newly liberated country. Following the establishment of joint governing structures
with international institutions (UNMIK-JIAS), he held key leadership roles within European
Union structures in Kosovo from 2000 until the end of 2007, playing a crucial role in
transforming Kosovo’s economy into an open market economy.

In January 2008, Dr. Shala was appointed Minister of Economy and Finance in the first
internationally recognized Government of the Republic of Kosovo. During his tenure
(2008–2011), he led significant fiscal and legislative reforms.

From 2012 to 2015, Dr. Shala served as the Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo to Japan.

Since 2015, he has been a visiting professor at James Madison University (JMU), Christopher
Newport University (CNU), and Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) in the United States, lecturing on topics such as leadership, public and financial policies, transitional economies, regional cooperation, and sustainable peacebuilding. He is frequently invited as a speaker at international conferences and delivers lectures at prestigious institutions such as Harvard University, the London School of Economics, the University of Birmingham, Waseda University, and others.

In addition to his academic engagements, Dr. Shala continues to hold leadership positions in
various organizations operating in the fields of education, business, and public policy at national,
regional, and global levels.