Q: You have been part of Ryder Albania for over 20 years — can you tell us a little about your journey with the organisation?
A: Ryder Albania is truly the organisation where I grew up, both personally and professionally. When I first joined in 1996, I never imagined I would stay so long. At that time, palliative care seemed like an entirely new and challenging field, and I thought I would gain experience by moving across different jobs. But my journey unfolded differently. I was fortunate to begin my career surrounded by people who worked with passion and integrity.
Over the years, I witnessed and contributed to the growth of Ryder starting as a field social worker, then becoming involved in training and education, later in project development and management. Ryder was one of the first organisations in Albania to introduce multidisciplinary care, and working in teams where every professional focused on the well-being of patients and families gave me invaluable lessons.
Q: How has your past experience shaped the way you approach your new role as CEO?
A: My years with Ryder have taught me that leadership begins with listening and with respect for every role, no matter how small it may seem. Having started as a field social worker, I know firsthand the challenges our teams face every day, as well as the strength and compassion they bring to their work. This experience keeps me grounded and reminds me that our service is built on teamwork.
Q: What are your priorities as you step into the role of CEO?
A: My first priority is to ensure that the quality of care we provide to patients and families remains at the heart of everything we do. This means supporting our staff, listening to their needs, and helping them feel valued and motivated. Another priority is sustainability. For over two decades Ryder Albania has grown thanks to the dedication of its people and the generosity of supporters, and I want to ensure that continues.
Q: What challenges do you see for hospice and palliative care in Albania, and how do you hope Ryder will respond?
A: The main challenge is that hospice and palliative care in Albania are still not fully recognised as essential services. Too often, families face the journey of serious illness without the support they need, and services remain limited to only a few parts of the country.
Sustainability is another concern. Much of what we do depends on the generosity of donors and the dedication of a small but passionate team. In Albania, fundraising is not yet part of the culture, this sometimes leaves organisations like ours in a vulnerable position.
What gives me confidence is Ryder’s history of finding creative ways forward, even in difficult times.
Q: What gives you hope in this work, especially when things are difficult?
A: What gives me hope is always the people. I think of the families who, even in moments of pain, show so much love and resilience. I think of colleagues who give their best every single day, often in silence and without recognition, simply because they believe in the dignity of every person.
Hope, for me, comes from believing that kindness and compassion are stronger than difficulties, and Ryder has always been proof of that.
