Board Members

Our board members are a diverse group of dedicated professionals, each bringing a wealth of expertise and experience from various fields. Committed to guiding our organization towards achieving its mission, they collaboratively lead with passion, innovation, and a profound commitment to excellence. Get to know the visionary minds steering our course and shaping our future.

EaglesLand Cultural Society of BC

SOME WORDS ABOUT US

Holta Hoxhaj

Chair of Eaglesland Albanian Society of BC

Mrs. Holta Hoxhaj was born in Vlorë, Albania, into a family with a strong cultural tradition. She graduated in 2003 from the Polytechnic University of Tirana with a Master’s in Architecture and Urban Planning. For over 20 years in Albania, she worked as alicensed architect, contributing to urban planning, architecture, property valuation, and legal/technical work in institutions such as the Court, Municipality, and Ministry of Transport.

In 2018, Holta continued her studies at UBC and Langara College Vancouver, earning a diploma in Real Estate and Construction, and later expanded her training at BCIT in Building Code Part 3. She has worked on more than a hundred architecture and design projects in different countries around the world. Holta currently works as an Architect/Designer in a major Canadian corporation in the hotel and restaurant sector, managing building permits and coordinating with municipalities, and is also a licensed real-estate agent in Vancouver BC. She is in the process of becoming a registered Architect with the Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC).

She has been a member of the EaglesLand Albanian Cultural Society of BC since 2018. Holta actively supports the community through volunteer work and is a member of Women in Architecture (WIA) Vancouver and Abreast In a Boat, contributing to architectural education and breast-cancer awareness initiatives.

Tahir Maloku

Vice Chairman of Eaglesland Albanian Society of BC

Mr. Tahir Maloku was born in Gjakova, a city filled with history, culture, and challenges and where he spent his earlier years. In 2001, He enrolled in graduate studies at University of Prishtina, in the Water and Environmental Management program, funded and led by the University of Helsinki. In 2003, he moved to Vancouver with his family.

In 2007, after many efforts, Tahir was certified as a Water Treatment Operator – Level III through the Environmental Operators Certification Program. In 2017, he took another significant career step, being promoted to the role of Operations Supervisor, responsible for 23 employees. There he faced numerous challenges and now hold the position of Plant Manager. Tahir manages a budget of 14 million dollars and is responsible for the quality and quantity of drinking water that supplies 2.8 million residents and entire industries in Metro Vancouver. This is an important role, where technique, safety, responsibility, and leadership come together every day.

Tahir is married and the father of two boys. Outside of work, he find peace in soccer, paddle boarding, skiing, and reading, especially books on leadership.

Ardita Fishta

Secretary

Ardita Fishta has been a member of the of the Albanian Society of BC since it was created in 2006, and 2 years later was elected as a Board Member and appointed as Secretary. On the general election in November 2016 Ardita was voted Vice President of the Albanian Association. In December 2021 Ardita decided to step down from board for some needed time off. In June 2023 Ardita has returned as Associate member of the Board and she has been appointed Secretary.

In Albania, Ardita attended University of Tirana from 1989 to 1993 graduating from the Economic Faculty as Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration.From 1994 to 2000 she worked in the Institute of the Transport Studies in Tirana.

In 2000 Ardita emigrated to Canada. She has worked as Account Manager from 2005 to present in several companies in the Financial Industry in the Lower Mainland. Ardita and her husband volunteer twice a month in their neighbourhood since 2010 helping vulnerable people. She is a student of Fine Arts and since 2019 her paintings have been exhibited in several Exhibitions around Lower Mainland. Under Ardita’s leadership, Albanian Association of BC participated 2 years in a row in the largest BC multicultural Festival – Fusion Fest and in 2018 Albanian Pavilion received the second place for the “Best Cultural Pavilion” at the Fusion Fest.

In 2019 the Ambassador of Albanian Republic in Canada Mr. Ermal Muca awarded Ardita a Certificate of Gratitude in recognition of he contribution in promoting Albanian national values and Canadian-Albanian friendship.

Estref Resuli

Treasurer

Mr Estref Resuli has proudly served as First Chair of Eaglesland Albanian Society of BC from 2006 -2013. A strong believer in Community values as a current Board member and Treasurer of the society, he strives to promote help, cooperation, and positive spirit within the Albanian-Canadian community.

Estref received his Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from the Polytechnic University of Tirana in 1988.He received his Certificate in Immigration Advising from UBC in 2007 and used his knowledge and expertise by providing voluntary advise to Albanian community members in BC regarding immigration matters He graduated with distinction in Network Administration and Security Professional Program at UBC/BCIT in 2010-2011. He is currently Senior Information Technology Specialist at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Vancouver Campus.

Albanian Canadian Excellence Society Board in April 2017 has presented Mr. Resuli Certificate of Gratitude, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the community. In 2019 Albanian Ambassador of Albanian Republic in Canada awards Estref Resuli Certificate of Gratitude in recognition of his contribution in promoting Albanian national values and Canadian-Albanian friendship.

Adison Vukaj

Secretary of Youth

Mr. Adison Vukaj is the youngest member of the "Eaglesland Albanian Society of BC" association, elected to the presidency of the Association in November 2022, and charged with the task of Secretary for Youth. Adison completed his studies at CDI college for computer science and currently works for HRG Ltd. and Toro Group of Companies for more than three years. Addison is passionate about extreme sports and snowboarding.

Ramize Murtezi Shala

Press Secretary

EDUCATION:
University of Prishtina, Philological Faculty, 99/2000-06.12.2006 (Kosovo)

Degree-Diploma PROFESSOR

University AAB/RIINVEST, Mass Communication-Journalism 19.02.2014

Degree-Diploma MSC OF SCIENCE

MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES:

MEMBER BORD: ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS OF KOSOVA

Ex-Manager in NGO "STRAIGHTLIGHT IN EUROPE

Golden Medal for Courage in journalism, “Pjeter Budi “College, 29.12.2011

Gratitude for special treatments of sensitive topics - International Festival for Human Rights “One World” 23-27 December 2013

Gratitude for contribution to advancing gender equality-Women members of the Parliament of Kosova, 2015

Award for valuable contribution to the Albanian journalism in support of abused women- “Mbreteresha Teute” Club from Croatia, 2019

AUTHOR: The book “Un e perdhunuara…” (The shape of pain) 21 December 2018 "

Professional Experience: Over 20 years in audio-visual media.

Tina Cipllaka (Ferro)

Secretary of Women and Activities

Mrs. Tina Cipllaka has been e member of the Albanian community since 2012 .
Her passion is to promote and empower the community, loves to bring new ideas and enjoys to organize cultural celebrations.

In 2022 Albanian Ambassador of Albanian Republic in Canada awards Tina Cipllaka the Certificate of Gratitude in recognition of her contribution in promoting Albanian national values and Canadian-Albanian friendship.

In 2017 Tina Cipllaka attended the Sauder School of Business at the University of British Columbia and Graduated as a Real Estate Agent .
She is currently a Realtor with Royal LePage West in Vancouver . She is also a hockey mom and supports her local hockey community.

Edison Heba

Board Member - Legal Affairs

Mr. Edison Heba has been a member of the "Eaglesland Albanian Society" since the days of its establishment and has served in various functions as a member of the Board, Chairman, Secretary and currently a member of the Board of Directors. Along with his passion to help strengthen the positive values and traditions that Albanians bring to Canada, Mr. Edison Heba is dedicated to his work as a trial lawyer.

Among other things, Mr. Heba's resume includes a Law degree from the University of Tirana as well as from UBC Law in Vancouver. Mr. Edison Heba has also contributed as a counselor for young immigrants where he worked for the Surrey Delta Immigrant Services Society. Also, Mr. Heba has helped in the translation of some school materials from English to Albanian that have been used in some elementary schools.

In 2019, Mr. Ermal Muca, Ambassador of the Republic of Albania in Ottawa, presented Mr. Edison Heba a certificate of appreciation for his contribution to the promotion of Albanian national values and Albanian-Canadian friendship.
From January 2021, Mr. Edison Heba has the honor and privilege to serve as Honorary Consul of the Republic of Albania in British Columbia.

Ardian Lagji

Board Member

Mr. Lagji has been e member of the Albanian Society since it was created in 2006 and 2 years later was elected as a Board Member and was appointed as Treasurer of the Society.
On the general election in November 2016 Ardian was voted as Chair of Eaglesland Albanian Society of BC, and mantained that position until November 2025.

In Albania he attended the University of Tirana from 1990-1995 and was graduated from the Economic Faculty as Bachelor of BA. From year 1989 -1999 Ardian was the CFO and later served as the Chair of the company Art-Export Import until the summer of 1999 when he, his wife and 2 sons emigrated in Canada and were settled in Vancouver.
After working in several position as accountant Ardian attended part and full time the studies at BCIT for Financial Management Diploma and later continued his studies at National Payroll Institute in Canada and was Certified as Professional Payroll Manager.
During the years of Service he has been in different position as Payroll and HR Manager as was involved as a Subject Mater Expert as a Payroll Consultant for a variety of Businesses in BC.

In 2019 Albanian Ambassador of Albanian Republic in Canada Mr. Ermal Muca awarded Ardian a Certificate of Gratitude in recognition of his contributions in promoting Albanian national values and Canadian-Albanian friendship.

Ardian has volunteered in other position and Societies in Vancouver among them as an Accountant for the non-profit Society; North-West Piano Ensemble Society since 2008.