Meet Our Team
A dedicated group of volunteers behind FOLTirana 2026.
Core Conference Team
District Director
Katia Burdet has been a dedicated Toastmaster since 2012, serving as Club President, Area Director, Division Director and now as District Director of D109. A Purchasing and Facility Manager at SSI-SCHAEFER, she is also a professional coach and TEDx mentor. She leads with empathy and vision, inspiring membership growth through impactful projects and a culture of learning and fun.
District Program Quality Director
Laor is the current PQD of D109, having been a very active member of Toastmasters since 2019. He has extensive professional expertise in commercialization, product management and business planning for deep-tech startups entering the European and American markets. Laor also organizes local swing and blues dance festivals, and is an avid musician and dancer at these events.
Conference Co-Chair & Venue Manager
Nigel has been a Toastmaster since 2017, and has held multiple leadership roles at club and District level. He is a passionate communicator, innovator and strategic thinker who seeks to inspire and support new leaders, creative projects and memorable events. He is an environmental archaeologist with a passion and curiosity for the past, nature, travel and culture in all its forms.
Conference Co-Chair & Venue Manager
Kristi is an Electrical Engineer by trade. One of the founding members of Toastmasters Tirana, he helped to grow the club from a Demo meeting into a strong community. As VPPR last year, he strengthened visibility and engagement. Today, he is passionately committed to facilitating an exceptional District 2026 Conference, driven by creativity, connection and a belief in leadership through communication.
Education Chair
Franceska blends engineering logic with educational vision. As current District Administration Manager and Conference Education Chair, she connects details with purpose, people with structure, and ideas with execution. Her contribution to the Conference is to create clarity, ensure flow, and design a learning experience that not only inspires in the moment but stays with attendees long after the event has concluded.
Registration Manager
A passionate Toastmaster since 2021, Petra was the 2024-25 Division Director for Austria & Slovenia. As current District Harmony Team Chair, she fosters a respectful, inclusive and solution-oriented environment and serves as a neutral contact for conflict prevention and resolution. She is a consultant and trainer who bridges people, processes and technology, and helps organizations to turn complexity into actionable solutions.
Planning Manager
Pietro is a Project manager from Italy, living in Switzerland for 12 years. He is fuelled by a passion for Toastmasters as well as for Coldmasters (freezing swims in Lake Geneva). With no spouse, children or pets, he greatly values the time he can spend pursuing other interests, including reading European history, scaling the Alps and hunting for intriguing social connections.
PR Manager
Néstor is an entrepreneurial design strategist specializing in customized interior design for high achievers, personal branding, and event management. Those who know him have called him “Néstor the connector,” a role he embraces by bringing people and ideas together. He has been an active member of Toastmasters for 12 years, and last year was District PR Manager.
Volunteers Manager
A Toastmaster for 10 years, Godela has held various officer roles at club and District level up to Division Director. She likes to take on responsibilities, and takes pleasure and satisfaction from motivating people, helping them to grow and observing their personal development. As a teacher and scientist, she has a genuine interest in understanding people and their different personalities.
Website Manager
Shamil is a web developer who enjoys helping people turn ideas into clear, user-friendly web solutions. He built this conference website with a focus on usability and smooth navigation. As a former Toastmaster, he values effective communication, collaboration and thoughtful design. In his spare time, he enjoys pickleball and learning languages. He is always open to coffee chats and new collaborations.
Sponsorship Manager
Marjana is a marketing strategist and a founding member of Toastmasters Tirana. Currently serving as club VPPR, she works at the intersection of communication and strategy. Toastmasters has taught her that progress comes through showing up, practicing consistently and learning to speak with purpose, skills she applies in her work and her everyday interactions.
Social Events & Hospitality Manager
A dedicated member of Toastmasters Tirana since 2024, Arben has served as Treasurer and is now Club Secretary, helping to drive the club’s President’s Distinguished performance and achievements. With a solid professional background in compliance and risk management, he brings energy, commitment, organization and a solution-focused mindset to the conference’s organizing team.
District Finance Manager
Damien is the current D109 District Finance Manager. He inspires growth through integrity, transparency and flexibility. From relaunching and revitalizing clubs, to achieving President’s Distinguished, he connects people, strengthens communities and ensures financial clarity. His leadership blends multicultural insight, strategic vision and heart, proving that money managed with integrity empowers lasting success.
Master of Ceremonies
Voltisa is a passionate HR Consultant and entrepreneur. She has been actively involved in Toastmasters since 2024, where she has honed her communication and leadership skills. As a business owner, she balances her professional life with her many interests and her family. Careful to contribute to the society she lives in, she is also very much involved in charitable initiatives.
Support Team
Contest Team
Mikaela is a multilingual senior program manager with extensive experience in finance, operations and IT. Within Toastmasters, she is an active member of several clubs and has served in multiple club and district roles, supporting educational programs and speech contests. Her work has a strong cross-cultural perspective, and she has a deep interest in how communication fosters understanding and connection.