Dr. Ina Gjikondi

Dr. Ina Gjikondi is the Director, Learning Innovation & Strategic Growth at the George Washington University’s Center for Excellence in Public Leadership (GW CEPL), where she leads strategic growth initiatives, fosters innovation, and strengthens relationships, particularly with the District of Columbia Government. She is also the founder of the One Humanity Lab, a platform that elevates leadership consciousness, advances social impact, and fosters collaboration with global education institutions, businesses, and nonprofits to drive collective action and transformative learning. Ina oversees key leadership development programs, including the DC Executive Leadership Program (ELP), Certified Public Manager (CPM®) Programs, the e-Co Leadership Coaching Certification Program, the Youth Development Professional Certification Program, and the coaching service portfolio, ensuring they remain responsive to the needs of today’s leaders.

In her role, Ina curates transformative learning experiences that honor energetic wholeness, deepen self-remembering, and help leaders awaken their inner power, sparking positive, sacred transformation while respecting the interconnectedness of all beings and the wisdom of the Earth. Her work bridges multiple ways of knowing—from eco-phenomenology to Indigenous science—and focuses on reconnecting with nature’s agency. By designing experiences that awaken creativity and leadership, Ina draws on practices of self-observation and interconnectedness to foster holistic awareness.

As an educator, researcher, and convenor, Ina integrates academic inquiry with real-world application, creating spaces for dialogue, exploration, and collaboration. In her roles as an executive coach, consultant, facilitator, intuitive guide, and strategic thought partner, she supports leaders in bringing their whole selves into their work and navigating complex challenges with clarity and purpose. Ina believes transformation begins with asking the right questions and engaging imagination, intuition, and creativity to co-create practical, meaningful solutions. Some of these experiences and perspectives are shared weekly in her “Leadership Apothecary” Newsletter on LinkedIn and Substack.

Before moving to the United States, Ina was a civil society advocate, political organizer, and lawyer in her native Albania, founding several nonprofits. She continues to draw inspiration from her son, Hadrian, who teaches her to slow down and show up for life with genuine curiosity. To deepen this creative dialogue, Ina founded Hadrian Series, a learning hub supporting families through embodied conversations and celebrating the wonders of life. Her calling for the world is embodied in the words "More Light and Love!"