Antigona Mehani (Political Science, '11) recognized as a 2020 UofL Alumni Fellow

Each year, as part of the Homecoming celebration, the University of Louisville and Louisville Alumni honor a group of distinguished graduates who are exemplary ambassadors for the university.

Antigona Mehani received her Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a concentration in public policy and criminal law and a minor in justice administration from the University of Louisville in 2011. She is currently a candidate for the MBA 2022 Cohort Program. She has participated in the Louisville Alumni “Run for the UofL” 5K since she became an alumna.

Mehani has been an advocate for equality since she could speak. After receiving her degree in political science, she tenaciously tackled issues facing the international community. With a bottomless optimism for a better future for all, Antigona has more than 10 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising and development, strategic planning, project management, marketing, and communications.

Recognized for her commitment and service to the community she calls home, Mehani was bestowed the highest honor from the state of Kentucky as a Kentucky Colonel, named Louisville Business First’s “40 Under 40,” and awarded the Young Professional of the Year 2015 from Young Professional Association of Louisville. In addition, she was chosen as Alumni of the Year, selected as a Bizwomen Headliners-Public Service Honoree 2018, and most recently as a New Voices of Philanthropy Honoree 2019. In recognition for her outstanding commitment to public service and to the people of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, she is now a proud Emerge KY Alumni.

Mehani serves on the boards of the Association of Fundraising Professionals Louisville chapter, the Louisville Independent Business Association, the World Affairs Council of Kentucky and Southern Indiana, and the St. Joseph Catholic Church Orphan Society. In addition, she lends her voice and knowledge in the Build Back Better Together: Social Infrastructure and Impact Focus Team in conjunction with Louisville Metro Government. Because of her passion for the betterment of our community, she will also work with the Office of Resilience and Community Services on their Homeless Encampment Task Force.

Mehani’s commitment to and passion for service is unmistakable.

Mehani is the former director of marketing and development for the Americana Community Center. Previously, she was the employment services manager for Kentucky Refugee Ministries’ Louisville office. She also served as the executive director for several refugee resettlement organizations out of state.

She is originally from Kosovo but has been calling Louisville home since 1999 when she moved with her family as refugees seeking shelter and safety. She is a proud Louisvillian and will continue to give back as much as she can for everything that was given to her.

“In my quest for happiness, I found helping resettle refugees and immigrants in Louisville, Kentucky has been rewarding," said Mehani. "The emptiness I had felt was replaced by serving others. There are so many people who experienced war and loss. It’s hard in the beginning; I know that. Through volunteering, commitment and giving back, I am at peace. I have found a purpose and believe that this work is my life calling.”

Learn more about the 2020 University of Louisville Alumni Awards

In 2020, we'll be featuring our 13 Alumni Fellows and Alumna of the Year via a virtual celebration, which will kick off on Tuesday, Oct. 6 and culminate on Thursday, Oct. 22 of Homecoming week. Each day, we will feature a celebration video of an honoree, showcasing the impact of their career and their time at UofL. We hope you'll join us in celebrating this year's honorees by viewing and sharing these videos, and commenting with your congrats.