Mimoza Kusari-Lila facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mimoza Kusari-Lila
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Kusari-Lila in 2021
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| Leader of Alternativa | |
| Assumed office 8 February 2017 |
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| Preceded by | New office |
| Mayor of Gjakova | |
| In office January 2014 – July 2017 |
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| Deputy | Ramadan Hoti |
| Preceded by | Pal Lekaj |
| Succeeded by | Ardian Gjini |
| Minister of trade and industry | |
| In office 23 February 2011 – 2 October 2013 |
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| President | Atifete Jahjaga |
| Preceded by | Lutfi Zharku |
| Succeeded by | Bernard Nikaj |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Mimoza Kusari
16 October 1975 Gjakova, SFR Yugoslavia (now Kosovo) |
| Nationality | Albanian |
| Political party | New Kosovo Alliance (2009–2016) Alternativa (2017–present) |
| Spouse | Arben Lila |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Prishtina University of Colorado Duquesne University (MBA) |
| Known for | Deputy Prime Minister of Kosovo First women mayor in Gjakova |
| Signature | .svg) |
Mimoza Kusari-Lila (born October 16, 1975) is a well-known politician from Kosovo. She is a leader of the political party called The Alternative (in Albanian: Alternativa). She has held important roles, including being the deputy prime minister and minister of trade and industry for Kosovo from 2011 to 2013. She also served as the mayor of Gjakova from 2013 to 2017.
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Early Life and Family Background
Mimoza Kusari was born on October 16, 1975, in Gjakova, a city in Kosovo. Her father was a pulmonologist, a doctor who treats lung problems. Her mother was a teacher of the Albanian language and literature in elementary school. Mimoza's family lived for a short time in Peja before returning to Gjakova in the mid-1980s. She grew up with her three siblings.
Mimoza's Educational Journey
Mimoza Kusari finished high school at the Hajdar Dushi Gymnasium. She then went to the University of Prishtina to study economics. She focused on management and information systems. Mimoza worked full-time to pay for her studies during a difficult economic and political period in Kosovo.
Helping During the Kosovo War
From 1998 to 1999, during the Kosovo war, Mimoza helped people in need. She worked for organizations like Doctors Without Borders and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). These groups provide help and support during conflicts.
Studying in the United States
While working in a refugee camp in Republic of Macedonia for the American National Public Radio, Mimoza won a special scholarship. This was the Ron Brown Scholarship from the United States Department of State. It allowed her to study for her master's degree in the United States.
In the US, she studied at the Institute of Economics at the University of Colorado. She also attended Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she earned her master's degree in e-business. During her time there, she was very active in student life. She even started and became the first president of the Association of Business Women of Duquesne University. She was also one of only three Ron Brown scholarship students from Eastern Europe invited to a special event by the US Secretary of State, Madelaine Albright. After her studies, she worked as an intern at Bayer Corporation in Pittsburgh.
Returning to Kosovo
After coming back to Kosovo in 2001, Mimoza worked on projects to help local businesses. These projects were supported by the World Bank and USAID. She also worked as a project manager for the American University in Kosovo Foundation. Her work helped successfully open the university, which is now a leading educational place in Kosovo.
Her Path in Politics
Mimoza Kusari-Lila first became involved in politics in 2003. She was offered a job as a spokesperson and political adviser to the then prime minister of Kosovo, Bajram Rexhepi. She was the first woman to hold such a position. For over a year, she was the public face and voice of the Kosovo government. This was a challenging time, especially during the March 2004 riots.
Taking a Break and Returning
At the end of 2004, Mimoza took a break from politics when she married Arben Lila. She added his last name to hers, becoming Mimoza Kusari-Lila. Her son was born the following year.
She returned to public service later. She worked in the energy department and then as an executive director at the American Chamber of Commerce in Kosovo from 2006 to 2009. During this time, she also completed a research project at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. She focused on how financial markets grow in developing countries.
Becoming a Leader
In 2009, Kusari-Lila decided to run for mayor of Gjakova with the New Kosovo Alliance (AKR) party.
On February 23, 2011, she was named the deputy prime minister of Kosovo and the minister of commerce and industry. She held these important roles until October 2, 2013. She then resigned to focus on her campaign for mayor of Gjakova for the second time. This time, she won in the second round of voting. Mimoza Kusari-Lila made history by becoming the first woman mayor in Kosovo.
See also
- 2013 Kosovan local elections
- List of political parties in Kosovo
