Melvin Abela joined the IIJ with a strong background in event management and operations. He brings several years of experience working with some of Malta’s leading companies, where he was responsible for the planning and execution of corporate events, including conferences, seminars, and team-building activities.

In addition to event coordination, he has developed expertise in budgeting, preparing quotations, managing invoicing processes, and handling purchase orders, ensuring smooth and efficient operations from planning through to delivery.

He has recently completed a course in Facility and Management and is currently pursuing a Diploma in Leadership and Management to further enhance his professional skills and broaden his capabilities within the industry.

Zaha joined the IIJ as a Communications Assistant in 2024, she is a dedicated professional in design thinking and communications strategies. She holds a BA degree in Product Design from Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti in Milan, Italy. She is passionate about women empowerment, human rights, and equality. Prior to joining the IIJ, Zaha worked in design and community management between Italy and the Middle East.

Hollie joined the IIJ team on April 2023 , and has been appointed as Financial Assistant within the IIJ Accounting team. Hollie got her start in the accounting industry in 2016 while also doing her studies for the ACCA Diploma. During her work experiences throughout the years Hollie has learned and advanced her accounting skills while always growing, evolving, and never saying no to new tasks at hand. Prior to joining the IIJ team within her 7-year working experience Hollie worked both in a Law Firm and a Pharmaceutical company having gained exposure to the Law Industry with working closely to Lawyers and their appointed clients, while on the other hand being exposed to the Pharmaceutical Industry. This made up for a broad and diverse working experience.

Kyra joined the IIJ team as a Human Resources Officer in October 2022. Prior to joining the IIJ, Kyra worked as a Senior Manager of Human Resources, Training, and Administration within a government entity forming part of the Office of the Prime Minister in Malta. Prior to that, Kyra held the role of HR, Logistics, and Purchasing Manager within the manufacturing industry. Kyra holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Malta and is currently reading for a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management and Training from the University of Leicester.

Gulmira McHale joined the IIJ in August 2024 as the Resource Mobilisation Manager. She brings more than twenty years of experience as a senior officer at the United Nations and the Bretton Woods Institutions (World Bank and International Monetary Fund). Gulmira has provided policy advice on legal and regulatory reform, innovative financing and investment lending, prepared capacity development programs for governments across Sub-Saharan Africa, Eastern Europe and Central Asia, South and East Asia. She has facilitated fundraising and strategic dialogue with sovereign and non-sovereign donors, managed externally funded facilities and trust funds and she led replenishment and partnerships teams, respectively.

Prior to her career at the United Nations, World Bank and IMF, Gulmira spent seven years working as a Senior Attorney with US and UK law firms and as a Senior Counsel with the European Union and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). She is a member of the New York Bar and holds a JD, LLM, and Ph.D. in Law.