Our Story Line

2022

First Study about Ethnic Albanians in BC Conducted

2023

Hosted “Besa, the Promise” in partnership with the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre

2023

Proclamation of Albania’s and Kosova’s Independence Day

2024

Albanian Professionals Networking Event

Albanian Business Platform Launch

2024

Albanian Professionals Networking Event

2025

2025

Albanian Professionals Networking Event - Calgary Edition

November is proclaimed Albanian Heritage Month

2025

Albanians in Canada - Nationwide study conducted with the UBC Centre for Migration Studies

2025

OUR PROGRAMS

Our Flagship Programs

Harnessing the strength of the diaspora to drive meaningful change and development.

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ABOUT THE PROGRAMS
Our programs are designed to address the unique challenges faced by the Albanian-Canadian community, emphasizing social empowerment, economic development, cultural preservation, and advocacy. Our pillars include community empowerment and integration, cultural preservation and promotion, economic and professional development, advocacy and policy influence, education and youth engagement. Through these comprehensive programs, we provide targeted support, foster meaningful connections, and empower individuals to thrive and contribute positively to the broader Canadian society.
Economic & Professional Development
We are committed to fostering the economic resilience and professional growth of Albanian-Canadians. Through business networking events, mentorship programs, skills development workshops, and access to resources, we help individuals and entrepreneurs thrive in their respective fields. By connecting professionals across generations and industries, we promote economic empowerment, innovation, and long-term success for our community.
We believe that strong communities are built through active participation and shared responsibility. Our initiatives aim to empower Albanian-Canadians to take on leadership roles, engage in civic life, and contribute meaningfully to the broader Canadian society. From organizing public dialogues to facilitating access to social services, our work bridges gaps and builds lasting connections that support integration, inclusion, and belonging.
ACSEP serves as a platform for the Albanian-Canadian community to advocate for its interests at local, provincial, and national levels. We work to ensure our voices are heard in policy discussions that affect our lives, particularly in areas such as immigration, education, and minority rights. By collaborating with institutions and amplifying community concerns, we aim to influence policies that promote equity, justice, and representation.
Starting a new life in a different country comes with challenges—and we're here to help. Our newcomer support services provide personalized assistance with essential needs such as housing, employment, healthcare access, language support, and cultural adaptation. We create welcoming environments where newcomers feel supported, informed, and equipped to build a successful future in Canada.
Our future lies in the hands of the next generation. That’s why we invest in youth through leadership training, civic engagement programs, academic mentorship, and scholarships. We create safe and inspiring spaces for young Albanian-Canadians to explore their identities, gain confidence, and develop the skills needed to become changemakers in their communities and beyond.
Culture is our foundation. Through arts, language, music, storytelling, and national commemorations, we protect and promote the rich heritage of Albanian identity. Our events and initiatives connect generations, educate the broader public, and strengthen cultural pride within our diaspora. We believe cultural continuity is essential to building a vibrant, unified, and resilient community.

Dr. Ryve Loshaj - Chair

Dr. Ryve Loshaj graduated from the University of Prishtina, Faculty of Medicine, Kosovo, in 1995. She completed a year of postgraduate training in Pediatrics at Mother Teresa University of Tirana, Albania. During the Kosovo War (1998–1999), Dr. Loshaj's studies were interrupted as she volunteered in field hospitals and on the front lines, providing medical assistance to wounded soldiers and displaced populations.

Following the war, she joined her family in Canada as a refugee and immediately began giving back to her new community. Dr. Loshaj volunteered at Surrey Memorial Hospital and with the Immigrant Settlement and Support Agency in British Columbia. She soon secured a position as a counselor for Kosovar refugees and later became the Coordinator for Health Programs at BC Multicultural Health Services.

In 2005, Dr. Loshaj moved to Nova Scotia to pursue her dream of becoming a licensed family physician. She worked as an emergency physician and served as an Assistant Professor in the Family Medicine Department at Dalhousie University. As a first-generation Kosovo refugee, Dr. Loshaj broke significant barriers to obtain her Canadian medical credentials—a lengthy and challenging process that allowed her to continue her dedication to medicine and serve communities across Canada.

Martin Diko - Vice Chair

Martin Diko is a versatile full-stack software engineer and technical program manager with a rich background in software design, development, DevOps, and Generative AI. Born in Bilisht, Albania, and having migrated to Seattle, Washington in 2004, he pursued his passion for computer science at the University of Washington Bothell. Martin's academic journey was marked by significant research contributions, notably in network motif detection, involving parallel and cloud computing. His curiosity for learning has earned him various certifications in Generative AI, Sitecore, and program management. 

Professionally, Martin has demonstrated exceptional leadership and technical expertise during his tenure at Microsoft, where he currently serves as a Principal Program Manager in the Cloud + AI Division. His adaptability and proficiency in managing complex technical projects has been showcased through his contributions to DikoDev, his own software design and development company focused on modernizing state government applications. His skills in Engineering Standards, AKS, and Site Reliability Engineering have been pivotal in his success. 

Martin's journey from Bilisht to Seattle, coupled with his impressive career trajectory, positions him as a role model in the field of software engineering and technical program management. His expertise in AI, DevOps, and software development, along with his leadership qualities, make him an invaluable asset to any professional networking event, especially one focusing on these domains.

Amarildo Ceka - Vice Chair

Born in Tirana, Albania, Amarildo Ceka moved to the United States to pursue his undergraduate and master’s degrees. During his time in New York, he worked at a hospital and became the first Albanian youth ambassador to the United Nations, advocating for global youth engagement and diaspora inclusion. He later returned to Albania to serve as an advisor to the Minister of Health through the LEAD Fellowship Program, supported by the Albanian-American Development Foundation (AADF). He also completed executive programs in public policy and leadership at Cornell University and Harvard University.

Amarildo is currently a PhD candidate at the University of British Columbia, where his research focuses on how health policies influence population health outcomes.

In his free time, Amarildo is deeply committed to community-building. Since relocating to British Columbia, he has led several community-based studies on the Albanian diaspora in Canada, including a UBC-sponsored demographic mapping of Albanians in BC and research on identity, integration, and youth engagement. He also initiated the development of a business directory and community website, and has organized professional networking events for Albanian youth and entrepreneurs.

He has also led major cultural initiatives, including the public screening of Besa: The Promise in collaboration with Vancouver’s Jewish community, and the launch of the Besa Legacy Scholarship, which supports exceptional Albanian-Canadian students.

Deniza Peja - Treasurer

Born and raised in Kosovo, Deniza Peja moved to Vancouver, Canada in 2015. She majored in finance and graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce Honours degree from the University of British Columbia. She joined TD Securities in 2019 where she held a variety of roles and recently transitioned into the role of Vice President in the Investment Banking team. She provides corporate clients with advice and execution on a range of corporate finance transactions including mergers and acquisitions, equity and debt financings.

In addition to her professional work, Deniza is passionate about mentoring young professionals and supporting initiatives that empower women in finance. Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, hiking, soccer, dancing, and values spending quality time with family and friends.

Ermira Progri - Secretary

A proud daughter of two Albanian refugees, Ermira Progri, was born and raised in Burnaby, British Columbia. She is a student of the Prestigious Scholarship class at the University of British Columbia. She is studying Political Science with the plan of pursuing law to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a human rights lawyer. 

In 2023, Ermira started her journey at the British Columbia Youth Parliament. She demonstrated her dedication to the organization by travelling BC to complete all four Regional Youth Parliaments while holding Cabinet positions for each. 

Due to her consistent participation, she was invited by the Premier to join Cabinet for the position of Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of the Lower Mainland for the 95th BCYP Sessional Year. Ermira earned the award of the 2024 Parliamentarian of the Year and currently holds the positions of the Minister of Service for the 96th BC Youth Parliament and Chief Returning Officer for the 38th Vancouver Youth Parliament.

Dr. Odrion Kalaci

Odion was born in Erseke, Albania, and emigrated to Windsor, ON in the year 2000. He completed undergraduate studies at the University of Windsor (Biological Sciences with a minor in French Studies) and medical school at Western University in London, ON.

His pediatric residency training was done at BC Children's Hospital in Vancouver, BC, where he fell in love with the city and has remained ever since.

Currently Odion works as a pediatrician in the NICU at BC Children's Hospital and also in his own community practice in West Vancouver. He is an enthusiastic teacher of medical students and resident doctors and has won numerous awards for this. He is also an advocate for pediatricians and is the current President of the BC Pediatric Society.

Outside of work, Odion enjoys traveling (44 countries so far!), outdoors, sports/gym, and spending time with his family and friends.


Fatmir Leku

Born in Drenas, Kosova, Fatmir Leku is a respected entrepreneur and community leader based in Vancouver, Canada. In 1997, he co-founded Leku Brothers, a family-run company specializing in custom window installations for major residential and commercial developments across British Columbia. Built from the ground up with his sons and close relatives, Leku Brothers has grown into a thriving business known for its craftsmanship, reliability, and strong work ethic.

Beyond his professional success, Fatmir is deeply committed to giving back—both to the local community in BC and to his hometown in Kosova. He has quietly supported numerous community initiatives, charitable causes, and cultural events, becoming a role model for younger generations of Albanian-Canadians. Whether it's sponsoring local youth activities, helping newcomers find work, or contributing to infrastructure projects back home, Fatmir’s impact reaches far beyond business.

Widely admired for his humility, generosity, and entrepreneurial spirit, Fatmir remains passionate about supporting his community and mentoring others on their journey to success. 

Dr. Alex Thomo

Born in Tirana, Albania, Dr. Alex Thomo completed his undergraduate studies in Computer Science at the University of Piraeus, Greece. In 1999, he moved to Montreal, Canada, where he earned his MSc and PhD from Concordia University. He began his academic career as a faculty member at Suffolk University in Boston, before joining the University of Victoria in 2004, where he is now a Professor of Computer Science.

At UVic, Dr. Thomo teaches courses on Artificial Intelligence, Data Mining, and Massive Datasets, and actively supervises graduate students in cutting-edge research. His research focuses on data systems, graph analytics, and large-scale information modeling. He has led and co-led major applied research initiatives in healthcare, defense, and the private sector.

Over the years, he has supervised more than 60 MSc and PhD students, many of whom have gone on to work at leading companies such as Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, SAP, and NVIDIA, or have become faculty members at universities across North America. His work bridges academic research with real-world applications, combining technical expertise with practical insight.
 

Perparim Hodo

Perparim Hodo is a dedicated community leader and successful entrepreneur who brings a wealth of experience and resilience to the board. Born in Kukës, Albania, Perparim pursued his education in Tirana, where he graduated from veterinary school. With a strong work ethic and a desire to build a better future, he immigrated to Canada as a skilled worker.

Upon arriving in Vancouver, Perparim shifted his professional focus and, in 2008, founded his own construction company. Through hard work, integrity, and a commitment to quality, he has grown the business into a reputable enterprise, contributing to the local economy and creating job opportunities for others.
Beyond his professional achievements, Perparim remains deeply connected to his Albanian roots and is passionate about giving back to the community.

As a board member, he brings practical insight, leadership, and a grounded perspective shaped by his immigrant experience. He is committed to supporting initiatives that foster inclusion, mentorship, and economic empowerment for newcomers and ethnic minorities in Canada.