From a girl who once dreamed of studying at European universities to a successful entrepreneur in the United States. This is the story of Neviana Zhgaba, an Albanian from the diaspora who, with determination and passion, has built a new life between technology and winemaking, while always preserving her Albanian identity.
How did your journey to the U.S. begin? What pushed you to leave Albania and how were the first years there?
In Albania, I studied at the “Preka College” high school in Korça. At first, I dreamed of continuing higher education in cities like Rome, Paris, or London. But in my last year of high school, I met the man who is now my husband, and that made me reconsider my plans. I decided to apply to universities in Connecticut, USA, where fortunately I received a scholarship to study at Fairfield University.
The first years in America were not easy—everything was new and sometimes challenging—but I faced it with determination and optimism. I had a clear goal: to build a better life and to fulfill my potential.
Tell us more about your current work and how your career has evolved over the years.
After finishing university in just three years, I had a fast start in my career by being hired into one of the world’s top leadership programs in technology, offered by General Electric. I spent 14 years of my career there, implementing financial systems and data programs across GE businesses worldwide.
During that time, together with my husband, we built our family and welcomed two sons. While they were still young, we found a 17-hectare property in Connecticut where we initially planned to build our home. But first, we decided to plant a vineyard and create a winery. For the first five years, we dedicated ourselves to planting the vines and building the winery, and afterward, we built our home.
Today, Aquila’s Nest Vineyards has been ranked as the best winery in Connecticut for the past four years. In 2024, we won the U.S. National Award for Small Business as Connecticut’s Manufacturer of the Year, and in 2023, we were listed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce among the 70 best small businesses in America. We were also honored with the Best Agrotourism in the Diaspora award in 2023 by Albanian Excellence.
This experience has been an extraordinary journey from technology to entrepreneurship—a testament to how passion and dedication can create something unique. We often organize Albanian music events, where we have had the pleasure of hosting artists such as Vedat Ademi, Irma Libohova, Mira Konçi, Flaka Krelani, Faton Maçula, Arbër Hetemi, and Ernest Muhaxheri.
What makes a professional successful in the U.S.? Do you have a golden rule you follow?
Success in the U.S. doesn’t come only from technical skills or degrees but from a combination of factors closely tied to character and how you interact with others. For me, some of the key elements of professional success are:
- Emotional intelligence – knowing how to listen, understand, and respond with empathy in every situation is crucial in such a dynamic and multicultural work environment.
- Commitment and persistence – not giving up when facing challenges and giving your best in every task you take on.
- Teamwork and relationship-building – networking and collaboration are essential for professional growth.
- Initiative and critical thinking – being proactive and acting as a problem-solver, not just a task executor.
- Adaptability – the ability to keep up with rapid changes, whether in technology, markets, or organizational culture.
My golden rule has always been: work with integrity, passion, and long-term vision—not just to move forward yourself, but to lift others up with you.
How difficult or easy has it been to preserve your Albanian identity in a different cultural reality?
For us, it hasn’t been difficult—we’ve done it with pride and love. At Aquila’s Nest Vineyards, we have a wall dedicated to Albanian heritage, where we display iconic figures like Mother Teresa and Skanderbeg, along with traditional costumes, carpets, and images from cities like Korça, Kruja, and Butrint.
Two of our main wines are inspired by Albanian women: “Queen of Illyria”, honoring Queen Teuta, and “Zana e Malit”, linked to Albanian mythology. We also organize frequent Albanian music events with artists, and during harvest season, we’ve invited youth groups to perform traditional dances. Albanian culture is an integral part of our lives in the U.S.—not only have we preserved it, but we’ve also found beautiful ways to share it with the international community that visits us every day.
Do you follow the business and innovation scene in Albania? How do you see the potential of Albanian youth?
Yes, I follow it with great interest, and I truly believe that Albanian youth are among the most talented in the world. I’ve had the pleasure of working with some of them to build the brand identity of our vineyard—one of them was an outstanding designer from Albania who helped create our visual identity. I’ve also collaborated with others in the operational side of the winery.
Even in the U.S., young Albanians have achieved great success, holding important positions in global companies and even in federal institutions. This shows not only their potential but also their hard work, ambition, and values. I strongly believe that with the right support and opportunities, Albanian youth can become leaders not just in Albania but worldwide.
Do you ever think about returning or building bridges of cooperation between the U.S. and Albania?
We don’t currently plan to return, but in the future, we would love to build bridges of cooperation—especially in agritourism, which holds incredible potential in Albania. It would be a pleasure to collaborate with other Albanian businesses in this field, to exchange experiences, develop joint projects, and promote Albania’s natural beauty, culture, and hospitality in international markets.
What motivates you every day? Do you have a ritual, habit, or motto you follow?
At our winery, we have a saying that guides our spirit every day:
“Create a vision so clear that all fears become irrelevant.”
This motto has guided us, especially when we opened the business during the extremely challenging COVID-19 pandemic. What motivates me daily is the desire to build something meaningful—for my family and for the community. Believing in our vision, even when others didn’t see it yet, was the strength that pushed us forward every day.
Which book, person, or experience has influenced the way you think today?
I’ve read a lot over the years, but two series that left a deep mark are Balzac’s The Human Comedy and the Harry Potter series.
Balzac taught me much about human nature, ambition, society, and the moral struggles we face—a deep and realistic mirror of the world. Meanwhile, Harry Potter, though a magical story, inspired me to believe in the power of friendship, courage, and fighting for what’s right, even when it seems impossible.
Both shaped a mindset that combines realism with imagination, and practicality with idealism—a perspective that has helped me immensely in life and in business.
What advice would you give to young Albanians who dream of working abroad, especially in the U.S.?
My advice would be: don’t be afraid to dream big and work hard for those dreams. The U.S. is a land of endless opportunities, but also fierce competition. What makes the difference is the combination of knowledge, integrity, courage, and commitment.
Wherever you go, preserve your Albanian identity and values—they are a source of strength and authenticity. Don’t wait for someone to open the door for you—create your own opportunities, even from scratch. Be curious, work with passion, and connect with people who inspire you.
And most importantly: believe in yourself, even when the road seems difficult. Great things take time and persistence, but every small step brings you closer to success.
What values do you think you’ve inherited from Albania that help you in your work today?
From Albania, I’ve inherited many core values that serve me daily in life and work:
- Hard work and perseverance. I come from a family persecuted during communism, even though my great-grandfather was among the first teachers at the Mësonjëtorja (the first Albanian school). This family history taught me that relentless effort and especially perseverance are the keys to overcoming any difficulty.
- Hospitality and respect for people. These values help me build strong relationships with clients, partners, and my team.
- Pride in origin and culture. This gives me strength to preserve and promote my identity in every step I take.
- Adaptability. Growing up in a country with challenges and constant change taught me to be flexible and to find creative solutions.
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