The Jefferson Institute is an independent trans-Atlantic research and education institute.
We are inspired by Thomas Jefferson's challenge to pursue truth, wherever it may lead, and his vision of foreign policy at its best: to prevail through ideas and commerce.
Support decision makers in security sector reforms with innovative research and analysis to better identify strategic priorities, and the practical steps for success in policy and programming.
Exploring the increasing complexity
of international development aid, as public and private agencies seek
out new approaches and partnerships.
Senior Personnel
Aaron Presnall
Director of Studies
Field: Political Economy
Areas of Interest: Regulatory processes; informal economies; European transition states; democratization; trade as an instrument of growth.
Dr. Presnall is a political economist specializing in issues of banking and telecommunications regulatory transition, and the roles of information and participatory politics in regulatory outcomes. In addition to scholarly works and popular opinion pieces, he has written on the business and political environment of Europe for the Economist Intelligence Unit, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and numerous private and governmental organizations in Europe and the United States.
Dr. Presnall has an extensive background in project development and management and has short and long term work experience in most countries of Southeast and Central Eastern Europe. Before joining the Jefferson Institute, he served with the EastWest Institute for seven years in Prague, then in Belgrade as EastWest’s Regional Director of Southeast Europe. He earned a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Virginia.
Carolyn Todorovic
Director of Human Resources
Field: Business Administration
Areas of Interest: Carolyn has extensive corporate experience in two leading US retail companies. She was VP/Managing Director for Europe for May Department Stores from 1996 to 2005 and prior to that General Manager for Central/Eastern Europe for Macy’s in the regional buying office in Budapest.
She is a graduate of the University of Michigan, Center for Russian and East European Studies, with post graduate work in economics.
Scott Walker
Director of Communications
Field: Political Science
Areas of Interest: Scott specializes in publications editing, media relations and US politics.
Prior to joining the Jefferson Institute, Scott served as press secretary and special projects manager for a member of the US House of Representatives. He also has worked as editor of daily news briefings for senior executive officials of the US and UK governments.
Zoran Hrncic
Lead Programmer
Field: Programming, Philosophy, Psychology
Areas of Interest: Communication systems; advanced internet applications; applied cognitive science; computer assisted education; computer games design.
Zoran Hrncic is a web consultant, designer and developer. He has educational background in philosophy and psychology and 10 years of experience as a programmer in pHp, VB script, Java script, Action script, CFML, C++ and Java. He has developed several automated production lines and a number of Internet/Intranet applications .
Biljana Presnall
Director of Finance
Field: Business Development
Areas of Interest: Finance and business development in CEE
Biljana is the author of the Textile Industry in Serbia, 2004 and Fruit and Vegetables 2006: Competitiveness of Serbian Economy; as well as many other analytical works on the business climate in central and eastern Europe.
Biljana received a BA from Belgrade University and finished a MA and conducted doctoral work at Charles University in Prague. She served as Market Representative for May Merchandising Company in Eastern and Central Europe, and also worked for the East West Institute in Prague.
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