Dardeli back at the top: Irex starts with a new vision!

Dardeli back at the top: Irex starts with a new vision!

On September 1, 2025, Aleksander Dardeli took office as President and CEO Irex. The IREX Foundation Council confirmed Dardeli in this position after he previously worked as an executive Vice President of the company. Dardeli has over 25 years of experience in international development, especially in the areas of education and public institutions. In his previous role, he was responsible for the global expansion of Irex and the integration of Development Gateway, which brought significant progress in the digital systems of the company. David A. Gross, the chairman of the board of trustees, was positive about Dardeli's return and emphasized his ability to navigate the organization through complex global challenges. Kate Thompson, who held the leadership in interim, emphasized the dynamic energy that Dardeli will bring into the organization.

In his new function, Dardeli faces the task of redesigning Irex's global strategy in times of geopolitical tensions and digital changes. His previous activity as a Chief Operating Officer at Save the Children, where he headed transformative initiatives, has well prepared him to implement the necessary changes in the organization. Experts believe that his return is considered a stability game and that he will help Irex to better adapt to the requirements of the changing international development environment. Especially against the background that non-profit organizations such as IREX are under pressure to demonstrate measurable successes in the education sector and the reform of the public sector.

Strategic orientation and challenges

Dardeli's vision for the coming years will be formative for Irex. The strategic planning for 2025 to 2028 focuses on results, scaling and innovation. Dardeli emphasizes the need to play a transformative role in education and to support leaders in various sectors. He must also face the challenges that technological evolution in education brings with it, as stated in the UNESCO World Education Report 2023. The report emphasizes that education systems have to adapt to technological change, with the use of digital technologies both opportunities and risks. It is emphasized that high -quality digital educational resources are necessary to promote learning success and ensure the participation of everyone.

Dardeli is expected to advance public sector modernization and digital governance, especially in questions that affect postal conflict institutions-as was the case in his previous commitment in Kosovo. The role of AI in the education system could also become more important under Dardeli, since the need for binding rules for the use of digital technologies is becoming increasingly urgent, as the UNESCO report demands.

Outlook

The challenges in front of which Irex is facing are complex. Analysts expect Dardeli to focus the organization on data-supported and efficiency-oriented approach. Major u.S. And multilateral donors adapt their funding priorities, which increasingly focuses on the IREX programs. Dardeli's commitment could not only influence the internal structure of the company, but also change the perception of Irex as a reliable partner for institutional cooperation. In addition, he could drive strategic partnerships and acquisitions, which would shape the future orientation and influence of IREX in the international development landscape.

The most important goal during Dardeli's term will be to emphasize Irex in the global educational landscape as an innovative and effective partner who not only accepts the challenges of the digital age, but also actively designs it.

For more information about these developments, visit the articles Ots,, Business News Today and Cooperation International.