Ina Krasniqi
Ina Krasniqi is a Governance and Community Engagement Specialist with over a decade of experience in education, advocacy, and family engagement. Born in Tropoja and raised in Tirana, Ina’s journey took a defining turn at age 15 when she immigrated alone to New York City. Navigating a new country independently shaped her resilience, adaptability, and deep commitment to building connection and belonging—qualities that continue to inform her leadership and service today.
Currently serving with the NYC Department of Education on the FACE team, Ina supports and liaises with more than 50 parent leaders across multiple Community Education Councils. In her role, she guides councils through complex governance regulations, mediates challenging dynamics, manages operational systems, and strengthens communication between families and the Chancellor’s office. Her work includes planning and executing large-scale initiatives such as citywide Parent Coordinator Conferences for 500+ attendees, leading CCEC orientations for over 400 new parent leaders, and designing professional development workshops that reached parent coordinators across all five boroughs.
Ina holds a Master of Science in School Psychology and brings a trauma-informed, equity-centered lens to her work, prioritizing emotional safety, access, and inclusion for children and families with diverse needs. Prior to NYCPS, she served the Albanian immigrant community through immigration legal services and continues to give back as the lead teacher for the Brooklyn Albanian Roots Language Program. At her core, Ina is a relationship-builder and community connector who believes in joy, movement, and healing. Her work reflects a deep belief that meaningful impact is built one family, one child, and one community at a time.
• Rochester Institute of Technology
• University at Buffalo
• Albanian Roots - Rrënjët Shqiptare
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my journey of resilience and purpose. Arriving in the United States alone at just 15 from Albania, I learned early how to navigate uncertainty and advocate for myself, even while feeling the absence of holistic support for my mental health and future. That experience became my calling and led me to pursue degrees in psychology and school psychology, and to build a career dedicated to service.
Today, through my work with the NYC Department of Education, I focus on empowering parents as critical partners in supporting children’s success. Every challenge I’ve faced became a lesson, and those lessons now guide the way I serve my community. I am driven by the belief that with patience, trust in your inner voice, and joy in the journey, even the hardest seasons can become a source of strength and impact.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are personal growth, wellness, authenticity, and meaningful connection. I prioritize continuous learning through psychology, philosophy, and health, while honoring balance through movement and creativity like Zumba, dancing, and makeup artistry. In both my work and personal life, I value building genuine relationships, showing up with empathy, and creating spaces where people feel seen, energized, and empowered.