Ilir Zherka is the founder and chief executive officer of Civica. 

As the leader of four organizations, he helped secure record-level funding for international exchange programs; advance national service with the creation of the Service Year Alliance; win budget autonomy for Washingtonians; and convince the Clinton Administration to intervene in the Kosovo War to stop the ethnic cleansing campaign.

Ilir knows first-hand how policies get made having served as a federal political appointee, a legislative counsel in the U.S. Congress, and an advisor to presidential campaigns. 

Ilir is the author of Winning the Inside Game: The Handbook of Advocacy Strategies. He has taught emerging leaders at Georgetown University and serves as an organizational development associate with the Human Systems Dynamics Institute.

Ilir is a recognized leader. Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani presented him with the “Order of Independence” award. Former Washington, D.C. Mayor Vincent Gray recognized Ilir’s work on behalf of Washingtonians with an “Ilir Zherka Day” proclamation.  

He he has also received numerous other awards, including the Meyer Foundation Exponent Award, the National Urban League's Whitney M. Young Jr. Leadership Award, and the John F. Kennedy Award for Public Service. 

Ilir graduated with distinction from Cornell University and received his law degree from the University of Virginia.