DORINA PATUZI LEAD Albania Program,

the Puzzle I Had to Accomplish

By Rudina Hoxha

“I am working on influencing strategies and how to become a more resilient leader.

I would like to thank this program for the insights in delivering knowledge and opening new opportunities,” says Mrs. Dorina Patuzi, one of the 10 Fellows of the 20222023 Class of LEAD Albania Program.

During this Programme, she is serving as Advisor to the Albanian Minister of Tourism and Environment, Mrs. Mirela Kumbaro.

“LEAD Albania is a program full of energy and intense performance. I was fortunate and blessed to select a ministry covering a priority sector such as Tourism and Environment,” Mrs. Patuzi said adding “Tourism is essential for the progress of tomorrow. I am privileged to work with the actual Albania’s Minister of Tourism and Environment, Mrs. Mirela Kumbaro who is a source of motivation and encouragement, and every day brings us a distinct challenge, though a delightful, colorful one.”

Learn more about her ‘LEAD’ experience by reading the full interview below:

Dorina, you have a consolidated career in finance and in government relations. What brought you to the LEAD Albania Program?

First, I would like to thank you for this interview and for the opportunity to share my experience so far with the audience and wider interest groups. I would say that achievements and success always require attention and active participation in programs and professional networks which aim to improve or upgrade skills. The world is becoming every day more competitive; thus, it is imperative to stay tuned with the best knowledge suppliers. In this context, when I first read about the LEAD Albania Program, I felt enthusiastic, and I realized that this program would have been part of the puzzle that I had to accomplish.

LEAD Albania program is a one-lifetime event where in every participant builds a fantastic network of professionals and meets inspiring young people; deepen self-awareness and strengthen influencing skills delivered by best trainers through a challenging leadership training tailored only for the LEAD Albania Fellows.

Second, after 15 years of experience in private and public institutions, I decided to work within the system from another angle, following another dynamic, that of the Advisor. What is special about this experience is that while you serve as an advisor at the Cabinet, per se are political environments whose role in the administrative democratic environment is fundamental. In democratic administrative structures, political advisers can help civil servants in ministries understand the political environment in which they operate.

Considering the long experience in the civil service, in particular my work supporting foreign investors who have chosen Albania for the development of their businesses, has in return strengthened in me an evergrowing career system, while on the other hand learning how to act professionally and strategically. For the good sake, this program mainly supports senior professional officials, who have gained consolidated technical experience and who can advise on building policies and political strategies, without being imposed to have been before engaged in political sphere. Harmonizing and adapting systems of political cabinets governed by individual directives, where political advisers and civil servants work together, based on the understanding that ministers may reflect on a wide range of advice, both practical and political, to make the best decisions based on all the facts. Cooperation between the two groups depends significantly on individual professionalism and the understanding that both parties serve the same purpose, emphasizing integrity and service to the current elected government.

This vibe and the challenging feature of the program led me to the LEAD Albania and still amazes me!

What kind of skills do you aim to build on?

LEAD Albania program provides to every cohort the opportunity to get trained by one of the best leadership training centers, such as Center for Creative Leadership. Up to now, we have taken diverse training and coaching sessions, like influencing modules or key leadership and influencing challenges, developing a leadership legacy, how to build and deliver feedback. These are only some of our ‘moments’ just for you to flavor the uniqueness of this program. To be honest, I am working on influencing strategies and how to become a more resilient leader. I would like to thank this program for the insights in delivering knowledge and opening new opportunities.

The LEAD Albania experience is supported by an educational component where Fellows participate in one of the best US Universities on: European integration, public policy, decision making, foreign policy, security policy, leadership, and soft skills development.

Why did you choose the LEAD Albania Program in particular? What expectations did you have of the programme?

The Albanian-American Development Foundation for years now has consolidated a strategic portfolio with many projects and programs leading the most important sectors in the country, such as in education and leadership, cultural and ecotourism, entrepreneurship by high integrity and transparency. The current class is the 10th cohort of the program; thus, I would like to thank with great gratitude the Co-CEOs of AADF, Mr. Martin Mata and Mr. Aleksandër Sarapuli and all the team who work with passion and commitment to perform and progress year by year the best leadership program in the country. Following my previous experience as a MIP Alumni in New York, I had the certainty of the professionalism and integrity of this program. This program has encouraged me to think optimistically and take on difficulties, to remain focused and adapt on new environment even and to learn from the accomplishments of other people. After six months now, my expectations are fully fulfilled.

What elements of the programme made the greatest impression on you? What can you say about the activities you have taken part in the context of this program?

LEAD Albania is a program full of energy and intense performance. I was fortunate and blessed to select a ministry covering a priority sector such as Tourism and Environment. Tourism is essential for the progress of tomorrow. I am privileged to work with the actual Albania’s Minister of Tourism and Environment, Mrs. Mirela Kumbaro who is a source of motivation and encouragement, and every day brings us a distinct challenge, though a delightful, colorful one.

To share my experience so far, I can mention two recent activities I took part; one is the joint event organized by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment in collaboration with the United Nations World

Tourism Organization which was a great success and a memorable occasion.

FESTA (Future Environmental Sustainable Tourism in Albania) was a first international tourism forum of its kind organized in Albania. A platform for a range of panels and discussions amongst policymakers, entrepreneurs, operators of hospitality and all those who contribute to the shaping of this vital industry. Focused on the current trends of sustainable travel, using insights, while exploring the transformational power of the travel industry and jointly strategize how to move forward in the road ahead.

Being among important actors who are at the forefront of the professionalism networking experience among all attendees, against a background of Albanian food, culture, music, and hospitality.

A month ago, we organized the official participation of Albania in ITB Berlin, another success which brought Albania in the center of the best international communication channels and at every level.

Therefore, one element that I would highlight is the support and the incentive that AADF provides for us. We recently started producing a weekly podcast named as Lead Up Podcast with the support of AADF. This is an initiative of the current class of Lead Albania aiming to promote and bring to the public voices of Alumni and guests relevant to the developments and AADF projects portfolio. This activity has gathered the great interest of all and we are confident of developing this Podcast furthermore.

What about your cohort of fellow participants? How would you describe this experience so far?

Fellow participants are all unique in their diversity of experiences and contributions in the society. From the beginning, we discovered a friendly environment around us and realized that we all shared the same expectations and commitment to the program. These inspiring young people are hardworking people and motivated to make out the best of their everyday challenges. I have had enough time to get to know each of them and share life experiences, insights, concerns or even toast with them for any achievement at work. The program itself allows us to build a strong partnership among us while we meet each other during training sessions twice a week and after them for a fancy drink. This program has people onboard who share positively their challenges and provide feedback to perform better in every step.

How do you feel the programme has impacted you as a leader in daily life?

I significantly felt the impact in my daily routine and professional work. I have improved level of self-awareness and self-confidence; have learned how to use influencing strategies to achieve the goal and have helped me to be more resilient. I have also improved the way I deliver messages in order to be understood properly. The program has developed leadership qualities and helped me to differentiate in significant moments the manager from the leader.

Would you recommend the LEAD Albania Program to another peer, colleague or friend of yours who is looking to transition into a more senior role or develop their leadership competencies?

I would highly recommend the Lead Albania Program to every young professional, whether they want to leave a mark at the host institutions or develop their leadership legacy; whether they aim to upgrade in their leadership skills, engage in politics or looking forward to experiencing one of the best leadership programs in the country.