Amarela Peqini is an experienced nonprofit executive and strategic finance leader with more than 20 years of experience advancing financial sustainability, operational excellence, and organizational growth across nonprofit and international financial institutions. She currently serves as the Director of Finance and Operations at the Nonprofit Leadership Center of Tampa Bay, where she leads financial strategy and organizational operations to strengthen the organizations’ mission of empowering nonprofits through education and capacity building. 

Recognized for her ability to translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights, Amarela brings deep expertise in budgeting, forecasting, compliance, and grant management. She has designed and implemented initiatives that streamline back‑office systems, enhance internal controls, diversify revenue, and improve organizational transparency. Her leadership has contributed to stronger team engagement, more resilient operations, and expanded support for nonprofit leaders seeking to build their own financial and operational capacity. 

Amarela is also a certified facilitator for the Core Capacity Assessment Tool (CCAT) and the Entrepreneurial Mindset Profile (EMP). She uses these tools to help organizations and individuals assess strengths, identify growth opportunities, and build the strategic and entrepreneurial capabilities needed for long‑term impact. 

Before transitioning into the nonprofit sector in Florida, Amarela held senior roles in European banking, where she managed multimillion‑dollar loan and deposit portfolios, led cross‑functional teams, and drove CRM and digital banking innovations. Her international experience gives her a global perspective on resource management, stakeholder engagement, and data‑informed decision‑making. 

Amarela holds an Executive MBA from the University of South Florida, a Master’s in SME Development from the University of Bologna, and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of Tirana. She is a Six Sigma Green Belt and is fluent in English, Italian, and Albanian. She is passionate about building systems that empower people and organizations to thrive and achieve lasting impact.