Every student’s path to Harvard Kennedy School is unique. What our alumni go on to do after graduating is equally varied.
We asked several HKS alums to tell us about their experiences before, during, and after HKS, and to reflect how their time at HKS shaped their careers and lives.
Zana Rudi MPP 2010 has a deep passion for her home country, Kosovo. She began working for Kosovo’s government immediately after graduating from her undergraduate institution and returned after completing her master’s degree at HKS. She continued working for the Government of Kosovo for 11 years, representing the country all over the world.
Here’s what she shared.
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“My education and experience at HKS were instrumental in shaping my ability to navigate complex leadership and policy challenges. The rigorous coursework provided me with the analytical and strategic skills necessary to excel in high-stakes environments.”
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Co-founds Innovate Partners Network
Innovate Partners Network (IPN) specializes in providing tailored consulting services, leveraging combined expertise to help organizations address complex challenges and achieve their goals.
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2017Nominated as ambassador to Panama by the president of Kosovo
“As an advisor to the minister and later as ambassador, I drew upon the lessons I learned at HKS to represent my country with clarity and purpose, build coalitions, and advance Kosovo’s diplomatic goals.”
Zana was nominated by the president of Kosovo as the most senior official representative in Latin America and the Caribbean. As ambassador from 2017–2019, she represented Kosovo in the Latin America and Caribbean region, establishing key relationships and securing strategic partnerships that expanded Kosovo’s diplomatic footprint and influence.
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Establishes Kosovo’s embassy in Panama
Zana was nominated by the minister of foreign affairs to establish and lead Kosovo’s embassy in Panama.
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Begins working as an advisor to the minister of foreign affairs of Kosovo
In this role, Zana provided the minister with advice and recommendations on foreign policy matters and drafted position papers on Kosovo’s membership in international organizations. She prepared documents on Kosovo’s foreign affairs and security and assisted in the establishment of the Diplomatic Academy of Kosovo.
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Graduates from HKS
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2008Begins MPP Program
“Every day overflowed with opportunities. There were often more events and activities than hours in the day to participate in them all. My time at HKS was not only transformative academically but also personally, as it expanded my horizons and deepened my passion for public service and global affairs.”
Zana immersed herself in the rich academic and professional environment of HKS. She recalls Modern Diplomacy: Peace and War in the 21st Century taught by Ambassador Nick Burns as being particularly insightful. Other notable courses included The Responsibilities of Public Action; Strategy, Structure, and Leadership in Public Service Organizations; and The European Union: Institutions, Decision Making, Politics.
Beyond the rigorous coursework, Zana valued guest speakers who shared their real-world experiences, as well as an array of vibrant events and discussions.
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2007
“I was drawn to Harvard Kennedy School for its unparalleled reputation for preparing leaders to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges. Coming from Kosovo, a country that underwent significant transitions—from war to peace, from socialism to a market economy, from being a part of Yugoslavia to an independent state—I wanted to deepen my understanding of governance, diplomacy, and public service to contribute more effectively to my country’s development and its place in the international community.”
Zana decided that the opportunity to learn from world-renowned faculty, engage with peers from diverse backgrounds, and join a dynamic community of change makers made HKS the ideal place to pursue her aspirations. The Kennedy School’s emphasis on blending rigorous academic training with practical leadership skills aligned with her goal of becoming a better advocate for state-building, democracy, and global recognition. She was inspired by the school’s mission to educate public leaders and its commitment to fostering cross-disciplinary approaches to solving complex problems.
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2006Begins work as chief of cabinet for the Ministry of Local Government Administration in Pristina, Kosovo
In this role, Zana participated in government working groups on elections and decentralization and contributed the groups’ recommendations ahead of Kosovo’s 2008 declaration of independence.
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Graduates from Graceland University with a bachelor's degree in international studies and minors in political science, history, and Spanish
“The Kennedy School’s emphasis on practical leadership and decision-making, coupled with the opportunity to engage with peers and speakers from diverse fields, prepared me to think critically, act decisively, and collaborate effectively.”
