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Saranda Belica is a multilingual collaborator, connector, and communicator whose work bridges transformative innovation and public trust.
With two decades of experience spanning economic development, government, and academia, she brings an international background and a deeply relational approach to building ecosystems where business and community move forward together.
QuantumCT — an innovation initiative launched by University of Connecticut, Yale University, and Connecticut state leadership — tapped Saranda to lead ecosystem development, a role that reflects her ability to translate complex, high-stakes initiatives into structured programs that earn stakeholder confidence.
As part of QuantumCT's leadership team, she authored the organization's $10M state proposal, integrating workforce innovation, entrepreneurship, and community programming; secured a $1M Congressionally Directed Spending award; and authored the Regional Community Engagement section of the flagship $166M National Science Foundation application aimed at accelerating technology innovation and boosting U.S. competitiveness.
Previously, Saranda served as Director of Business Development at AdvanceCT, a corporate-led nonprofit that drives job creation and capital investment through business attraction, retention, and expansion.
Her practice is grounded in a builder's instinct: constructing durable systems from the ground up, engaging stakeholders to inform good governance, and bringing the community along for the journey.
Saranda's path to this work spans political campaigns, international trade missions, and grassroots community organizing. Her expertise weaves together media, culture, technology, advocacy, and strategic communications — and she has advised CEOs, elected officials, community builders, and business leaders across all of it.
Saranda is based in Connecticut and maintains deep ties to the Balkan region, where she returns often.