Mark is currently a co-chair of MAAS/BESA, and the Chief Financial Officer of the Mentor Group -- a Boston-based Research Institute. He lived in Albania from 1996-1999 working as an independent consultant. Prior to moving to Albania, Mark worked for nine years for the World Bank in Washington D.C. as an economist focusing on energy, environmental, and natural resource management issues all over the world, including in Albania. He was a Professor of Economics at Dartmouth College from 1983-1985. Earlier in his career, Mark worked at several Washingtonbased economic policy institutes such as the Brookings Institution, Urban Institute, and World Resources Institute. Mark is a past member of the Board of Trustees of the National Albanian-American Council, and continues to serve on its Advisory Board. Mark was honored in 2006 as the recipient of the Individual Achievement Award from the Boston Mayor’s Office of New Bostonians,for his contribution to the Albanian American community in Boston. Mark holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Wisconsin, and did his undergraduate degree in Economics and Mathematics at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.

Katherine currently works as a Paralegal for the law firm of Barron & Stadfeld, P.C. dealing with Real Estate Law. She was an officer of Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) at Suffolk University, the largest fraternity for Beta Alpha Psi in Massachusetts, and provided community services in Boston, California and Connecticut. As a member of the organization, she also worked within the organization to ensure and assist the members of Beta Alpha Psi to find jobs when they graduated. Katherine holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Suffolk University Business School of Management, and is currently a third year law student at Suffolk Law School with a concentration in Financial Services.

Filgen currently works as an Investment Operations Analyst for John Hancock Financial Services in Boston. At his current position, Filgen supports the development of all investment manager performance measurements and reporting, using a range of internal and external resources and investment software. Prior to that, he worked as an International Income Analyst for the Global Department at Investors Bank and Trust/State Street Bank in Boston. Filgen served as Acting Treasurer of MAAS/BESA beginning in October 2008. Filgen holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration with a Major in International Business and a Minor in Management from Suffolk University.

Ada currently works in the finance industry at State Street Corporation in Boston. She graduated from Emmanuel College in 2007 with a double Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and History. Ada also completed a semester in Germany where she received a certificate in European Union Political Studies. While in school she was a student leader serving as Class Vice President in the Student Government and President of the Multicultural Club for two years; as well as a member of the Model United Nations Club where she attended nationwide conferences. She is a member of the Bashkimi Dance Group and now enthusiastically serves as an officer for MAASBESA.

Albion Calaj was born in Kosovo. He moved to the U.S. in 1999. He is currently a student at Northeastern University majoring in Business. Albion is also the Vice-President of the Kosovar- Albanian Society of Boston.

Alban currently works as a Mechanic Technician for AstraZeneca in Westborough, Massachusetts Prior to that, he has worked as Prosecutor for the District Attorney’s Office of Tirana. He has been member of MAASBESA since its inception and served in its Advisory Board. Alban holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Construction Engineering for Civil and Industrial Constructions from Polytechnic University of Tirana and a Bachelor of Arts in Law from the Law School of the University of Tirana.

Arber graduated recently in Computer Science from Salem State College in Salem Massachusetts, and previously studied at the American University of Bulgaria. Arber designed the MAAS/BESA web-site and continues to be responsible for its updating and maintenance, and ensuring that it gives a modern presentation of the organization. He also works for a number of other organizations as a free-lance web designer and developer. Arber joined "Bashkimi Dance" in September 2008, and continues to be one of its most active members.

Albana is a social worker and a philosopher by training, currently working for Loring, Wolcott & Coolidge Office as an estate administrator. Prior to this position Albana worked for the law office of M. Virginia McDermott, and for the International Social Services, American Branch in NY, where she provided professional casework services and consultation to over 30 international Social Service branches and correspondents worldwide as well as served as liaison between domestic and foreign social service systems in cases of international child welfare, custody matters, parental child abduction and family reunification. Albana has also volunteered as a social worker at the International Institute of Boston for over a year and a half during which time she provided support and services for Kosovo individuals and families as well as counseling and advocacy for them on a daily basis. Currently she co-chairs the Massachusetts Albanian-American Society founded to provide a wide array of social services for the Albanian-American community in Massachusetts. Albana was honored in 2006 with the Woman of the Year award by the Albanian-American Women’s Organization Motrat Qiriazi for her work in the Albanian American community in Massachusetts. Albana is a Fulbright Scholarship recipient and holds a Master of Science degree in Social Work from Columbia University.

Orgeta was born in Albania and moved to the United States in 1995. She is a graduate of Tufts University with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Psychology. Orgeta was a member of Tufts Psychology Society, which promotes a universal awareness of the themes and trends in psychology, guided students in forming career goals and provided information for internships and post-graduate work. Orgeta has been a member of MAAS/BESA since 2008 and was part of the organizing committee of Albanian Flag Day in 2008. She is the co-owner of a small business where she serves as the general manager and is responsible for maintaining good customer relations.