Venera Ismaili

Venera Ismaili was born in 1972 in Prishtina and has built a diverse professional career spanning the private sector, media production, and the cultural field. She began her professional journey in 1992 at the information technology company Infotrade, where she gained her first work experience in sales and administrative roles. In 2006, she continued her career at Asseco, one of the most successful IT companies in the region, where she worked until 2011.

From 2011 to 2018, she remained active in the private sector, working with Xella and PR Solutions LLC, gaining broad professional experience. During this period, she was also part of the production team of an episodic television show focused on women’s health before, during, and after pregnancy, marking an important intersection between media, social issues, and public awareness.

A long-time lover of the arts and culture, as well as a committed supporter of human rights initiatives, Venera decided to align her professional path with her personal values. Since February 2019, she has been working at Artpolis – Art and Community Center, where her work includes, among others, a strong focus on peacebuilding programs. In this role, she has several years of experience working with young people from all communities living in Kosovo, as well as across the Western Balkans region, using art and culture as tools for dialogue, trust-building, and social change.

She is part of the organizing team of the International FemArt Festival, a feminist arts and activism festival, and is also involved in organizing the first edition of the regional Circle Fest, which brings together young artists from the Western Balkans. Through her work, Venera aims to contribute to building a more just and inclusive society, grounded in genuine values, gender equality, LGBTQI rights, and a firm stance against sexual harassment, discrimination, violence, and all forms of oppression—whether directed at individuals or communities.