Kristina O’Donnell is a strategic HR and business professional with extensive experience supporting organisations through growth, transformation and cultural change, acting as a trusted partner to executive teams across complex, highly regulated environments. She specialises in aligning global people strategies with business objectives, implementing organisational learning and development, and designing innovative HR solutions that promote inclusivity, empower leadership and sustain high performance.

Most recently, Kristina served as HR & People Development Manager, reporting directly to the CEO and executive team, where she led global HR strategy, talent management, succession planning and leadership development from March 2023 to March 2025. In this role, she oversaw compensation and benefits, ensured compliance with EU and international employment law, managed HR operations and technology, and drove change management, cultural alignment and DEI initiatives across the organisation. Her work included coaching senior leaders, resolving complex employee relations issues and delivering HR projects on time and within budget.​

Prior to this, Kristina worked as an HR Consultant with Burnetts Solicitors LLP, advising multiple clients on HR strategy, policy design and compliance, performance management and employee relations from 2021 to 2023. She led client projects in recruitment, onboarding, restructuring and transformation, developed tailored training programmes, implemented performance frameworks and improved HR operations, HRIS and payroll processes to enhance efficiency and employee experience. Earlier roles include HR consultancy for GYO Performance Solutions, HR project and compliance work with BAE Systems, HR generalist positions at Edrington Group and Ferguson Marine Engineering, and management and operational roles in local government, HMRC and care services, giving her a broad cross-sector perspective.

Kristina holds a BA (Hons) in Human Resource Management and an HNC in Business Management, and is a CIPD Associate with additional training as an ISO 9001:2015 Quality Lead Auditor, in cyber security for HR, leadership, and coaching and mentoring. Her core strengths include EU employment law and compliance, compensation and benefits strategy, employee engagement, HR technology and data analytics, workforce planning, leadership development, DEI, and creating neuroinclusive workplaces that enable diverse talent to thrive. Outside of work, she is enthusiastic and adventurous, enjoys swimming and outdoor activities such as paddle boarding, and is committed to continuous self-development through personal and professional goal setting.

Anita Plakolli serves as the Country Manager for Kosovo at the Stirling Centre for Strategic Learning & Innovation, where she leads the Centre’s strategic engagement and partnership development across Kosovo and the wider region.
With a strong background in development management, education initiatives, and community-focused programmes, Anita brings extensive experience in supporting capacity-building efforts and aligning institutional projects with long-term national and international priorities.
In her role, she is responsible for expanding the Stirling Centre’s presence in Kosovo by fostering collaborations with government bodies, universities, civil society organisations, and private sector partners. She plays a key role in promoting the Centre’s mission of strategic learning, innovation, leadership development, and transformational international programmes.
Anita is widely recognised for her professionalism, commitment to impact-driven development, and ability to build meaningful partnerships that support sustainable growth and learning opportunities for individuals and institutions across Kosovo.

Dr. Abdussalam Shibani is an Associate Professor in Project Management with over two decades of academic and research experience in the fields of construction and engineering management. He holds a PhD in Construction and Project Management and currently leads the MSc in Construction Management with Building Information Modelling (BIM), while also serving as a module leader in various postgraduate construction and project management courses.

Dr Shibani plays a key role in supporting the University’s internationalisation agenda through his work with international students, particularly those from the Middle East. In his role as International Student Champion, he provides personalised academic mentoring, cross-cultural guidance, and integration support—ensuring students adapt confidently to both academic standards and social life in the UK. His efforts contribute significantly to improving student experience and outcomes for learners from diverse backgrounds.

He also serves as Link Tutor for transnational education partnerships in Hong Kong and has held the role of External Examiner for programmes at Abertay University. His academic and professional credentials include a Diploma in Mental Health and specialist training in the application of Artificial Intelligence in project management.

Dr Shibani has undertaken extensive professional development in international education, including:

• Working with International Students
• Internationalising the Curriculum
• Teaching International Students (Parts 1 & 2)
• Strategies for Student Engagement
• Designing Assessments for International Learners
• Supporting International Students through Assessment
• Online International Learning (OIL) Workshops

These experiences inform his teaching philosophy and allow him to help international students build the academic writing and study skills required for success in UK higher education.

As a professional and experienced researcher, Dr Shibani has published widely in peer-reviewed journals and international conferences, contributing significantly to the fields of construction, project management, and engineering education.

Ahmed Hikal is an educator, trainer, and coach with extensive international experience across the aviation, renewable energy, and professional development sectors. Throughout his career, he has designed and delivered engaging, results-driven learning experiences that integrate academic insight with practical, real-world application.

He has served as a Board Member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) – Doha Chapter, where he contributed to advancing coaching standards and fostering professional growth within the Middle East. His expertise includes somatic thinking coaching and mentoring, enabling him to work effectively with individuals and organisations to inspire both personal and professional transformation. Ahmed’s academic contributions include his role as a Lecturer at ALM University in Dundee, Scotland, where he developed and delivered curricula bridging theory and practice. In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, he worked as a Training and Development Specialist with the Crew Lounge Aviation Academy, supporting aviation professionals in building the skills and competencies required for excellence.

Previously, Ahmed served as a Line Trainer at Qatar Airways, responsible for onboarding, mentoring, and assessing crew members to ensure the highest standards in safety, service, and operations. These experiences have strengthened his ability to lead diverse teams, develop talent, and adapt training methodologies across cultures.

At the core of Ahmed’s work lies a passion for empowering learners to reach their potential. By combining knowledge, experiential learning, and reflective practice, he creates transformative learning experiences that prepare individuals for success in both academic and professional environments.

Haya Elsherif is an accomplished marketing and communications leader with over nine years of experience driving digital transformation and strategic brand growth across the MENA region. Her career spans diverse sectors including space technology, academia, education, healthcare, fitness, and smart tech—where she has led high-impact campaigns and built strong digital ecosystems for audience engagement and brand elevation.

Haya holds two master’s degrees: one in Comparative Media Studies from MIU Egypt, and an international Master’s in International Marketing Management from IU of Applied Sciences in Germany. This combination of academic depth and global marketing expertise enables her to design data-informed, creative strategies that deliver measurable results.

Her professional toolkit includes SEO/SEM optimisation, social media strategy, paid media, stakeholder communication, content production, digital public relations, and brand storytelling. She has led campaigns across multiple platforms including Meta, Google, TikTok, and Snapchat, with a sharp focus on ROI and market impact.

At the Stirling Centre, Haya contributes to strategic communication, digital visibility, and audience engagement, helping ensure the Centre’s work reaches and resonates with global stakeholders.

Justine Cassar Gaspar is a globally connected leader in organisational learning, innovation, and sustainability, serving as the Stirling Centre’s Country Manager for Malta. She is the Owner and Director of Life Learning Academia Malta (LLAM), a respected hub for leadership and learning recognised by Malta’s Ministry for Education and the Chamber of Commerce. She is also a certified representative of the late Professor Edward de Bono, with whom she worked closely since 2011 to champion creative thinking and lateral problem-solving across borders.

With a professional footprint spanning diplomacy, education, and enterprise, Justine brings deep board-level experience and international insight. She currently sits on the board of the European Association for Political Consultants (EAPC) and serves as Chair of the EAPC Academy, where she promotes democratic dialogue and education. Her leadership has positioned LLAM as a trusted partner in national projects and strategic collaborations with major global corporations, including ENI Oil.

In addition to her academic partnerships—including with Harvard Business Publishing Education—Justine was recently appointed to lead GUD Malta, an international sustainability organisation. As Vice-Chair Franck Massicard stated, “Justine brings with her a wealth of board experience and is the ideal candidate for leading our team as we look to undertake sustainability initiatives in Malta and abroad.”

On her appointment, Justine remarked: “I am delighted to have been appointed to lead GUD Malta. It is an organisation with an impressive global network, a talented team of sustainability champions and a forward-looking strategy that aims to change mindsets on matters which are most important, such as securing a Just Transition for all. I will be very focused on driving meaningful outcomes in this regard.”

At the Stirling Centre, Justine leads Malta-based engagements, develops strategic partnerships, and contributes to advancing sustainable development, civic innovation, and transformational learning across the Mediterranean region and beyond.

Karima Talaat is a Senior Social Media Specialist, digital strategist, and content creator known for building impactful online presences. She began in 2020 with Egyptian Squash News, later managing Shoukry Squash Academy and the Egyptian Federation for Squash. At GN Marketing Agency, she led business operations for clients in F&B, education, and corporate sectors. Now at Incubator Company, she drives digital strategies for national sports organisations. She also manages X Project, a long-standing student activity at Cairo University, and creates Lahfa El-Helwany, a TikTok persona delivering marketing content tailored to its audience. Being the Marketing Officer at Stirling Centre for Strategic Learning and Innovation, she is working on transforming the social media strategy into a dynamic and visible online presence in line with the centre’s vision and strategic direction.

Narcis Delalić is a digital solutions specialist with a strong background in IT support, web development, and business information systems. With over eight years of hands-on experience in system administration and user training, he brings a practical, solutions-focused approach to digital infrastructure, website management, and enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems.

Currently serving as an IT Support and Business Systems Administrator in Sarajevo, Narcis leads the implementation and support of various business platforms and technologies. His work includes database configuration, fiscal system integration, technical training, and advanced troubleshooting. He has also created and maintained numerous WordPress websites through freelance platforms such as UpWork and Fiverr.

His technical proficiency spans across various ERP systems, SQL, Python, Django, HTML, CSS, and visual design tools such as Photoshop. Known for his reliability, adaptability, and continuous learning mindset, Narcis contributes to the Centre’s digital presence, platform development, and technology-enabled learning infrastructure.

Imtiaz Mehmood Arbi is a business leader, economic diplomat, and institutional strategist specialising in international trade, bilateral cooperation, and cross-border partnerships. With a distinguished career spanning corporate leadership, chamber representation, and diplomatic coordination, he brings extensive experience in advancing sustainable economic collaboration—particularly between Pakistan and China.

He serves as Chief Executive Officer of Duke’s & Duke’s (Pvt.) Ltd, where he provides strategic leadership focused on ethical governance, international market access, and sustainable corporate growth. As Commercial Ambassador of the Pakistan–China Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry (PCJCCI), he plays a pivotal role in promoting bilateral trade, investment facilitation, and industrial cooperation. His work includes high-level delegation management, MOU development, and fostering institutional linkages between public and private sector entities.

Imtiaz has held several strategic appointments, including Special Envoy roles in diplomatic coordination and corporate affairs, as well as advisory engagements with chambers of commerce and international consultancy networks. His expertise encompasses economic diplomacy, public–private partnership facilitation, corporate structuring, and professional services coordination.

He holds a Master of Commerce from the University of the Punjab and combines commercial acumen with institutional diplomacy to strengthen global partnerships.

Guided by integrity and national economic interest, Imtiaz advocates trade, education, and institutional collaboration as drivers of sustainable development and regional stability.

Elmar Guliyev is the Head of the Project Management Division at Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University and CEO of IB Education Center, one of the leading educational companies in Azerbaijan. He has over a decade of experience in project management, international partnerships, and higher education development, with a focus on building impactful collaborations between academia, industry, and global institutions.

At ASOIU, Elmar oversees the coordination and delivery of strategic projects, academic events, and industry-focused initiatives. He has played a key role in organizing international conferences, fostering cross-border research partnerships, and enhancing the university’s global profile. His leadership extends to the private education sector, where IB Education Center offers personal development, capacity building, and professional training programmes.

Elmar also has a strong background in the NGO and youth mobility sector. He has served as President of AEGEE-Baki, founded ESN Azerbaijan, and established the Baku branch of the garagErasmus Foundation. Through these roles, he has actively engaged in numerous EU and local projects, promoting cultural exchange, innovation in education, and the professional growth of young people.

In recognition of his contributions, Elmar was appointed as a judge for the QS Reimagine Education Awards 2025. He continues to champion the role of strategic learning and innovation as drivers for sustainable development in Azerbaijan and beyond.

Languages: Azerbaijani, English, Turkish, Russian
Areas of expertise: Project Management, International Relations, Higher Education Development, Industry Partnerships, Youth Mobility, Event Management

Dr. Donald Cog Senanu Agumenu is a distinguished professional with extensive expertise in leadership and management consulting, as well as strategic advisory services in governance, project management, international politics, trade, and strategic direction. He is a chartered Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute UK, Fellow of the American Academy of Project Management, Fellow of the International Association for People and Performance Development, IAPPD Global, as well as a member of the International Board of Standards -AAPM global certification board and advisory council. He serves as the President and Global Board Member of the International Association for People and Performance Development (IAPPD), responsible for the organisation in Africa (excluding the MENA region). He is a Peace Ambassador of the Universal Peace Federation, an organization with a General Consultative Status with the United Nations

Donald is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for African Diplomacy and Global Engagement. Donald Agumenu is the founder of Water for Rural Africa. This not-for-profit dynamic organization is at the forefront of addressing the current and progressive developmental issues within the global water-value chain, including the impact of climate change, with a focus on rural Africa. He is an entrepreneur, a certified professional trainer, author, and a former Senior Adviser and Special Aide to former President Rawlings of the Republic of Ghana. He is a member of the ruling National Democratic Congress.