The current FOA Board of Directors is composed of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers who have served in Albania. 

Join the FOA board!

If you are an RPCV from Albania or Montenegro, join our board and continue serving communities you once called home.

Current Board Members

Jacqueline Labrador - President

Jacqueline served in the Community Economic Development sector from 2015 to 2017 at the Regional Directorate of Social Services, the Civil Society Development Center (CSDC) in Durres, and managed Albanian Model United Nations. During her service, she developed Durres' first digital community media platform for youth, mentored and trained girls in developing Android applications, coordinated field visits and trainings for youth in digital media and literacy, and assisted with multiple NGO's with media visibility. After Peace Corps, she continued working overseas for UNICEF, UN Women, and WHO in Lao PDR, Belarus, and the Asia Pacific in child health, gender, global vaccination efforts and a USAID-funded food security program. Now she works for a private company in the environmental and engineering space. During her free time, she renovates a house, skis, ferments stuff, and hikes in Big Sky country. Jacqueline is part of Friends of Albania because she wants to continue contributing to the development of Albania and stay connected to a place that shaped who she is today.

Kyle Roberts - Treasurer

Kyle served as Friends of Albania President from 2017 to 2019. Kyle served as a Community & Organization Development volunteer in the Peace Corps at the Bashkia Fier, USAID Planning & Local Governance Project, and Albanian-American Development Foundation from 2012 to 2015. Today, he manages the planning department of one of Oregon's fastest-growing cities. Some of Kyle’s hobbies include long-distance cycling, travelling, and birding. Kyle is part of the Friends of Albania board because he wants to continue serving Albania. He also wants to contribute to the development of Albania and keep the Peace Corps spirit alive.

Jill Conway - Grants Coordinator

Jill served at the Kavaje Directory of Public Health as a Health Extension Agent from 2013 to 2015. Jill held positions on several committees as the Outdoor Ambassadors Camp Coordinator, Anti-trafficking in Persons Grants Coordinator, and the Volunteer Advisory Committee Whip. She also started the Kavaje Young Adults Center, wrote a popular blog that went viral in Albania, and completed a cervical cancer training of trainers project. Now, Jill currently works as a Program Analyst with the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Services, supporting policy initiatives for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. She enjoys bike riding, hanging out with her cat Shpirti, and kayaking. Jill is part of the Friends of Albania board because she is passionate about supporting current Peace Corps volunteers in implementing sustainable projects in their communities. She also enjoys remaining in contact with Albania, a place she considers her second home.

Will Burchell - Fundraising and Membership

Will Burchell was a Community Economic Development volunteer in Bashkia Roskovec from 2015 to 2017. While there he worked with municipality staff as an advisor and professional skills trainer. Much of his time was spent with the community youth. Being around so many bright and talented young people in his town fostered his optimism for the future of the country and the work that PCVs are doing. Will lives and works in New York City and enjoys cooking, traveling, and exploring the city. He is excited to keep his connection to Albania strong as a board member for Friends of Albania, and enjoys the role it plays in funding the efforts of current volunteers.

Luciana Thomas

Luciana served in Albania as an English Teacher in Bushat, Shkoder from 2023-2025. Luciana started many youth development programs at her school including Model European Union, Write On! English Writing Competition, English clubs, Debate Club, and Girls Leading Our World (GLOW) coding and leadership camp. Throughout her time in Albania she became interested in the legal aspects of development aid and is attending law school starting fall 2026. Luciana enjoys traveling, swimming, reading and volunteering. Because she received an FOA grant during her service, Luciana joined the Friends of Albania board with hopes of providing the same support to current volunteers that she received.

Benjamin Roe

Benjamin served as a Peace Corps Organizational Development Volunteer in Kukës, working with local NGO, the Center for Youth Progress, where he developed and implemented youth development and tourism projects. In his time as a volunteer, Benjamin implemented multiple coding and leadership camps and co-organized the inaugural Kukes Half Marathon.

Benjamin now lives in San Diego California, where his hobbies include surfing and hiking. He is a part of the Friends of Albania Board in order to maintain his connection to Albania, and to ensure that Peace Corps Volunteers are able to continue the great community work that they do with their community counterparts.

Alex Sessums

Elyse Pickering

Founding & Previous Board Members

Friends of Albania was created in 2009 by Group 10 Peace Corps Volunteers as they left Albania with a collective feeling to continue the Peace Corps experience.  This interest in creating FOA was sparked by a desire to remember experiences, speak Albanian and connect with others who are interested in this special part of the world. 

Founding Members: Paul Mastin, Katie Mastin, Dan McGinley, Marisa Bowersox, Kenji Yamada, Chuck Schroeder, Bill Trunk

Previous Board Members: Juliet Kosarzychi, Adam Kirk, Kendra Bruce, Alex Moskaluk, Karen Price, Will Bevins, Laura Hammett, Rebecca Mueller, Larry Koziarz, Emily Franchett, Daniel Shibley, Casey Loving, Joyce Wolf, Brenna Mickey, Alison Bregstein, Denis Dias.

Previous PCV Liasons: Ari Cooper, Katie Mcbride