Jonida Leka

Jonida Leka

Jonida Leka is a seasoned Grants Administration, Research and Human Resources professional with over 15 years of progressive experience (2007–2025) in academic medical centers and large healthcare institutions in the United States of America. After 25 years of living and working in the US, she returned to Albania with a strong commitment to bringing her international expertise to the country, contributing to strengthening local systems and supporting long-term sustainable development.

Most recently, Jonida served as Grants & Contracts Administrator at The Ohio State University (2024–2025), where she managed complex NIH-funded research and training grants, overseeing application development, regulatory compliance, financial management and stakeholder coordination, ensuring full compliance with regulations and supporting the successful implementation of federally funded research programs. Previously, she held key roles at Nationwide Children’s Hospital (2022–2024), supporting NIH grants, human resources operations, staff onboarding processes, and data-driven initiatives for diversity, equity, and inclusion, as well as contributing as a strategic partner in talent recruitment.

Her career foundation includes extensive experience in clinical and medical social work, program coordination, and healthcare administration (2007–2022) at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and other large hospital systems. This interdisciplinary experience has given her a deep understanding of the interaction between people, programs, and institutions, enabling her to bring a person-centered and systems-oriented approach to grant administration, research, and human resources.

Jonida completed her Master’s in Social Work (2022) and Bachelor’s in Social Work (2016) at The Ohio State University and is fluent in Albanian and English. She has been honored with a competitive fellowship in the US for her work in support of underrepresented communities, an accolade that reflects her long-standing commitment to equity, inclusion, and organizational excellence.