Liljana Pecova Ilieska is an expert in privacy, personal data protection, cybersecurity, and digital rights, with more than 20 years of experience across public institutions, civil society, and international organizations. She has worked at the Ministry of Interior and the Agency for Personal Data Protection, served as Director of the Council of Media Ethics, and collaborated as a consultant with organizations such as UNOPS, DCAF, the Thomson Foundation, USAID, IFES, CIPE, DevTech, DAI Global, and the OSCE Mission. She is a Chevening scholar in cybersecurity and a GCMC alumna, and has participated in international forums including GLOBSEC, the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), SEEDIG, and the ITU, among others.
“Mentorship is important because it accelerates learning and the transfer of practical knowledge, builds self-confidence and clear career direction, opens access to networks and opportunities, increases engagement and talent retention within organizations, encourages innovation through the exchange of perspectives, and reduces inequality by breaking down invisible barriers for women and underrepresented groups. At the same time, mentors develop coaching and leadership skills, while the community gains a culture of learning, trust, and mutual support.”