Lori Amy
Summary
Internationally recognized expert in trauma and memory studies, certified as a dialogue facilitator and executive leadership coach. Professor and author, with numerous publications and 100+ conference talks, workshops, and seminars on understanding and healing individual and collective trauma. Civil society and democracy building expert with international experience bringing a trauma-informed perspective to social policy. Expert speaker and facilitator, adept at managing diverse groups, building trust, establishing and maintaining relationships, and creating safe spaces to tackle hard problems. Skilled analyst, with excellent writing, research, and communication skills. Human rights advocate, committed to social and cultural transformations for a fair, just, and equitable future.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Political Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
Pristina , Kosovo
01.2020 - 05.2020
- Researched and analyzed urgent political and policy issues, including Serbian-Kosovo dialogue, border integrity, Special Chambers criminal investigations, corruption, foreign relations and the environment.
- Wrote white papers, briefs, and memorandum.
- Assisted Prime Minister's cabinet as needed.
Academic Director and Human Rights Coordinator
OTTOnomy
Tirana , Albania
07.2015 - 12.2020
- Organized dialogue and anti-corruption events with women in parliament, high-level stakeholders, and activists in Albania and Kosovo.
- Worked with local and national government, international human rights organizations, and former political prisoners to advocate for opening the secret police files of the former communist regime.
- Served as consultant and expert speaker and facilitator for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on designing and implementing a national dialogue on opening the secret police files.
- Developed and implemented initiatives that used art, culture, and public education to heal collective trauma in Albania.
Fulbright Scholar & Visiting Professor, Gender and Policy
Department of Public Health, University of Tirana
Tirana , Albania
09.2009 - 08.2010
- With public health officials and institutions, developed theoretical frameworks and policy recommendations for treating violence as a public health issue.
- With human rights and civil society organizations, identified structural impediments to their work and strategies otovercome obstacles.
- With former political prisoners and families persecuted under totalitarian dictatorship, conducted participant observation, family visits, structured and informal interviews, and focus groups to identify needs, develop solutions, and advocate with government and the international diplomatic community.
Professor of Cultural Studies and Writing
Georgia Southern University
Statesboro, GA
08.1999 - 08.2019
- Director, Women's & Gender Studies Program, 2002 - 2009
- As the WGST Program Director, I secured program grants; led fund-raising efforts; managed program budget; oversaw WGST interns, student assistants, and office management.
- Recruited, mentored, and evaluated faculty; advised students and student organizations; recruited community advisory board and led university-community engagement initiatives.
- Organized local and national conferences, recruited speakers; and led university-community events.
- Developed WGST curriculum, strategic plan, program assessment and evaluation measures
- Served on university-wide strategic planning, personnel, multicultural, and diversity committees.
Expert Services
Academic & Civil Society
- Board Member, Kosovo Civil Society House, 2022-current.
- Think Tank & Civil Society Consultant, Berlin Process Summits, Poznan 2019 & Berlin 2021.
- Consultant and Facilitator, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, 2014 - 2018.
- Facilitator, United Nations Development Project, Budva April 2015.
- Editorial reviewer, Freedom House's Nations in Transit Albania Country Reports, 2015 - 2021.
- Peer Reviewer for multiple journals, including History of Communism in Europe and Journal of Narrative Politics.
- Peer Reviewer and Judgue for US Department of State programs (Fulbright-Hays Fellowships, Humphrey Fellowships, Junior Faculty Development Program); the American Councils for International Education; Democracy Program Initiative.
Education
Ph.D. English -
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida08-1996
M.A. English & American Literature -
University of California San Diego
La Jolla, CA12-1987
B. A. English -
University of Hawaii Manoa
08-1985
Skills
- Excellent research, writing, and communication skills
- Expert in trauma-informed policy and practice
- Experience working in government, civil society, and with the international diplomatic community
- Certified dialogue facilitator
- Talented analyst
- Able to strategically assess complex problems and imagine creative solutions
- Skilled at managing conflict & building consensus
- Adept at building and maintaining relationships
- Committed to restorative justice and creating social systems with a soul
Certification
- Executive Leadership Coach - George Washington University
- Dialogue Facilitator - Nansen Center for Peace and Dialogue
Publications
- Time Travels Through Albania: A Love Letter from the Future (in-process of shopping agents spring 2024)
- The Wars We Inherit: Military Life, Gender Violence, and Memory. Temple University Press, 2010.
- 27 Articles, book chapters, and published conference proceedings
Accomplishments
Manoas of former political prisoners.
- 2014 Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Fellow, Global Europe Program (for work on Trajectories of Violence, Structures of Denial, and the Struggle for Meaning in Post-Communist Albania)
- 2010 Human Rights Initiative Grant, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, for work with victims of Domestic Violence, Tirana, Albania
- 2009 -2010 Fulbright Scholar, Albania
- 2005 National Endowment for the Humanities Fellow (for work on The Wars We Inherit: Military Life, Gender Violence, and Memory)
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Political Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister
Office of the Prime Minister
01.2020 - 05.2020
Academic Director and Human Rights Coordinator
OTTOnomy
07.2015 - 12.2020
Fulbright Scholar & Visiting Professor, Gender and Policy
Department of Public Health, University of Tirana
09.2009 - 08.2010
Professor of Cultural Studies and Writing
Georgia Southern University
08.1999 - 08.2019
Expert Services
Academic & Civil Society
Ph.D. English -
University of Florida
M.A. English & American Literature -
University of California San Diego
B. A. English -
University of Hawaii Manoa
- Executive Leadership Coach - George Washington University
- Dialogue Facilitator - Nansen Center for Peace and Dialogue
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