During his time at Meridian, Bogdan served as the Program Director for some of the organization’s most significant exchange programs including: the U.S. Congress – Korean National Assembly Exchange Program, Meridian second longest running exchange program, which for over 20 years has brought together Congressional interns and students from the two countries for a unique opportunity to broaden their understanding of the U.S. – Korean bilateral relations; the Department of State Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs’ Science Envoy Program which selects each year cohorts of eminent U.S. scientists and engineers who are able to leverage their expertise and networks to forge connections and identify opportunities for sustained international cooperation; the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Press Center Media Programs which brought foreign journalists to the U.S. for media engagement opportunities; the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy (CDP) Global Emerging Leaders in International Cyberspace Security (GEL-ICS) Fellowship which was designed to equips leaders from like-minded foreign partners to be effective advocates of the United Nations General Assembly-affirmed framework of responsible state behavior in cyberspace through a two-week U.S. visit, a virtual seminar series, and a culminating event at a global cyber policy conference; the Young Transatlantic Innovation Leaders Initiative (YTILI), an initiative sponsored by the White House, which allowed participating European fellows to work together with American entrepreneurs, small business managers, and other innovative leaders to create long-term, one-on-one relationships that strengthen the global entrepreneurial ecosystem; the large multi-program grant for the East Asia/Pacific Bureau which provides administrative and logistical support for international conferences and workshops across the region; the Central and Eastern Europe Journalist Fellowship Program, an U.S. Embassy Paris funded exchange, designed to strengthen local and regional press and to expand and improve the sustainability of citizen-generated media in Central and Eastern Europe; the U.S. Speaker Programs for India, Brazil, North Macedonia, Serbia, Azerbaijan and Europe; and for other highly customized programs for private clients including Visa Corp. and Cargill. Bogdan also managed all the international development grants awarded to Meridian by the U.S. Department of State and USAID, mobilizing resources and leveraging networks and community partners to design and deliver outstanding results in difficult environments including in Iraq, Iran and the West Bank. As a Program Officer he implemented over 200 short-term professional exchanges for foreign officials and dignitaries coming to the U.S. as part of the International Visitor Leadership Program or as guests of various U.S. Embassies abroad.

Bogdan is an International Election Observer with the OSCE – the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and with the Romania-based Expert Forum. He has participated in election observation missions in Belarus, Romania, Ukraine, Moldova, North Macedonia, Serbia and the United States. He is a frequent presence on Romanian media having appeared both as a guest and as an election expert on Antena 1, Antena 3, Digi 24, Europa FM, Pro TV, Romania’s National Radio and TV Broadcasters – TVR and TVR Internațional and also on TVR Moldova.

Bogdan served for over 10 years as President of the Association of Students and Young Professionals from Romania in the DC area, better known as ASTROM, the largest Romanian-American association in the Nation’s Capital. In this capacity he has overseen the development and implementation of some 450 professional and cultural activities and programs aimed at building and promoting the Romanian community in the Washington, DC area. This activity has also given him the unique opportunity to meet and interact with officials at the highest levels from Romania and the Republic of Moldova. As President of ASTROM, in 2015 he was able to obtain the first official recognition of the Universal Day of the Romanian Blouse when the Mayor of Washington, DC issued an official Proclamation which declared June 24th the Day of the Romanian Blouse in the city. The event was marked by over 200 Romanians dressed in folk costumes who gathered in front of the White House – the largest such gathering of Romanians ever.

Previously, he served as Communication Director with CORA – the Congress of Romanian Americans, an organization active from 1991 until 2004 and dedicated to promoting the interests of the broader Romanian-American community in the U.S. and to further the cooperation between the governments of the United States of America and Romania. Bogdan was also the Founding President of Club Romania, one for the first Romanian student organizations in the U.S. at his alma-matter Brigham Young University, and has served in the board of directors and as an advisor with a number of other Romanian-American organizations. He is currently a founding Board Member of FORA, the Federation of Romanian-American Organizations, an umbrella organization that unites the Romanian-American communities in a single collaborative forum for mutual support; a Non-Resident Associated Expert with the New Strategy Center a premier Romanian non-partisan, non-governmental think tank specializing in foreign, defense and security policy; and as a Member of the Scientific Council of the Romanian Political Leadership Academy.

Bogdan has a Master’s in Political Campaign Management from the George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management and a B.A. in International Relations from Brigham Young University. He also holds a Graduate Certificate in Political Action Committee (PAC) Management from the George Washington University, a Certificate in Professional Grant Proposal Writing from the Institute for Communication Improvement, Grant Institute and a Training Certificate from Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business.

He is a licensed Home Improvement Contractor and works with big names in restoration and remodeling like Paul Davis Restoration, True North Construction, Shamrock, Serv Pro, or Service Master. Cosmin continues to grow professionally by participating in various workshops and by keeping close relations with known contractors. For several years, his company has won many awards including The Best Tradesman of The Month/Year.

Cosmin, originally from Făgăraș, Romania, grew up surrounded by many family members, customs and traditions, folk dance, and music. From his parents and grandparents, he inherited the pleasure of holding people together, united by the same thinking, culture, and same feelings. Since he was a child Cosmin used to participate in the local traditions and then, during high-school and college, he was involved in the organization of various events. During middle school and high school, he played professional handball and had the chance to travel with his squad in different countries, to learn how to work in a team and how to become a leader, since he was a captain and a game coordinator. After moving to the U.S., his passion for music, traditions and especially his desire to bring people together led him to become involved in many community events organized by Romanian churches and by other local groups but also to organize events along with his family or as part of Romanians of DC. Since 2004 Cosmin has volunteered for most Romanian community activities in the DMV area.

Cosmin is a husband, a proud father of two boys, a nature and travel lover, and is passionate about music and sport. He spends his free time together with family and friends, playing football (soccer), skiing, cycling, or just cooking a barbecue.

Prior to her job at the Fed, Felicia was an Assistant Professor of Economics at Colgate University, a Visiting Scholar at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia and at the University of Pennsylvania, and a Research Fellow at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond. She is a macroeconomist with expertise in human capital investment and household finance, as well as in bank lending policies and monetary policy. Her work has been published in a variety of academic journals and Federal Bank publication series.

Felicia received a B.A. in Economics from the University of Transylvania in Romania and an M.A. in Economics, an M.S. in Mathematics, and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Iowa. She has been engaged in the community of Romanian economists, being part of the coordination team and the scientific committee of the Romanian Conference for Romanian Economists. She has been engaged in events in the Romanian community in the DC area, including policy discussions with representatives of the economics, business and legal community from Romania and abroad and various cultural events. 

Born in Romania, he moved to the U.S. in 1985. He attended California State University, Fresno, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science. In 1997, he moved to the Washington, DC area to attend American University’s Washington College of Law. He obtained his Juris Doctorate (Doctor of Jurisprudence) from the Washington College of Law in 2000. His legal career began as an Assistant District Attorney for the City of Philadelphia. Upon returning to the Washington, DC area in 2002, Gabriel entered private practice and has been a part of the Washington, DC Metro Area legal landscape since that time. He is a trusted advisor and counselor to many individuals and organizations, including many members of the Romanian community. In conjunction with the Romanian Embassy in Washington, DC, and other Romanian interest associations, he periodically provides legal seminars and presentations on immigration, work, and other legal issues of particular concern to the Romanian community. Gabriel is admitted as a member in many state and federal bars and associations, including the United States District and Bankruptcy Court for the District of Columbia, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland, the Executive Office of Immigration Review (Board of Immigration Appeals & Immigration Courts Nationwide), the District of Columbia Bar, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, the Maryland Court of Appeals, the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, the Maryland State Bar Association, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), the Maryland Criminal Defense Attorneys’ Association (MCDAA), and the American Bar Association (ABA).

Gabriela is also the Treasurer of Virginia Women in Public Finance and of the Falls Church Education Foundation and the Controller for the Adaptive Strategies Consulting. Previously she served as Director of Finance and Human Resources at the American String Teachers in Fairfax. She is an experienced analyst with a demonstrated history of working in the accounting industry, skilled in nonprofit organizations, government, management, and financial accounting. Gabriela has served for the past few years as the Event Organizer of Alianța’s Annual Gala in Washington, DC, and has been closely involved with the local community. She is a graduate of the Romanian American University in Bucharest, Romania with a Bachelor’s degree focused on Economics and a Certified Fraud Examiner by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE). In her free time, she enjoys watching musicals, reading books, and cooking.

Recognized as a top producer in the region, Alexandra has garnered numerous awards and accolades from both local and national associations. Committed to advancing the field, she actively volunteers her time to various initiatives within the real estate sector.

Originally born in Iași and raised in a small town in Onești, Bacău, Alexandra has called the DMV area home since her relocation to the USA in 2006. She earned her degree in Mathematics with an Actuarial Concentration and a minor in Economics from George Mason University in 2014. Complementing her education, Alexandra pursued additional coursework through the Actuarial Graduate Courses at George Mason University. Outside of her professional pursuits, Alexandra cherishes spending quality time with her family, particularly her nephew. She also dedicates herself to volunteering in numerous industry-related committees, furthering her engagement and contribution to the community.

Marcel lead global technical operations and product strategy for AudioNow and multiple early stage ventures. He founded Ziggo Technologies, specializing in bespoke telecom applications, and currently serves on its board. His passion is building experienced teams to deliver technology-based solutions to optimize complex business and social problems. He is the recipient of multiple awards internationally and from US defense agencies, including the U.S. Army War College and Air War College, for his publications and lectures on AI (artificial intelligence) and learning agents for security and military applications. Marcel is a graduate of George Mason University and the Polytechnic University in Romania.

Adina holds a Master of Business Administration from University of Illinois at Chicago, a Juris Doctor degree from the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law and a Master of Law in International Law from The George Washington University. As an employee at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Bora was awarded the ‘2011 UIC INSPIRE Award’ for exemplary service and for inspiring others to do their best and the ‘2011 College of Engineering Staff Excellence Award’ for significant impact on the educational and research mission of the college. As a law student, Bora was awarded the ‘2017 BEST Publications Editor on the Law Review’ for her exemplary contribution to the Law Review. Bora often acts as volunteer for Romanian American events, helps members of the Romanian community by providing guidance and mentorship on how to navigate the education system in the United States and introduces newcomers to the Romanian community.

In 2012, along with his family, they opened “Muzeul Pânii / The Bread Museum” the first and only museum dedicated to the wonderful tradition of baking many kinds of bread and baked goods. Located in Văleni, the museum is still operating and it attracts many national and international visitors. As part of his work with the museums he got to be involved in many home-shows in both Moldova and Romania that advertise the love for traditional bread and how this has become an integral part of the traditions and the culture of Moldova.

While still in high-school he begun to volunteer with the non-governmental organization “Fortuna” which through a grant funded by the U.S.  sought to provide training for the people living in the rural part of the country and access to new technology. He continued to volunteer while at university, helping vulnerable people and those in need. As a university student in Bacău, Romania, he was elected the president of the students from the Republic of Moldova known as “Grupul de Inițiativă Basarabeană.” In this role he was able to coordinate and assist with numerous community activities and events.

George is the owner of GCD Group, LLC founded in 2014, a general contractor that specializes in basement finishing/remodeling in DMV area. His perseverance, patience and hard work helped him build an amazing team, that makes the company grow and become better every single day. George is a graduated of the Academy of Economic Studies of the Republic of Moldova – ASEM with a B.A. in Business and Administration and has a Masters in Business and Administration from the Vasile Alecsandri University in Bacău, Romania. He is a proud dad and husband and always eager to learn more.

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His involvement in community events demonstrates a keen understanding of the importance of cultural exchange and support networks for immigrants navigating the complexities of a new country. As a native Moldovan, Oleg bridges cultural gaps and understands the challenges immigrants face, having navigated the U.S. immigration system himself. Oleg’s legal journey began at Babes-Bolyai University, School of Law, in 2001, laying the foundation for his passion and commitment to the field of law. He further honed his legal acumen at the University of Baltimore School of Law, earning his degree in 2012. As a partner at SG Legal Group, Oleg prioritizes client-centric service, especially in immigration law. Oleg’s leadership within the firm ensures that clients receive not only top-tier legal advice but also compassionate guidance through the intricacies of their immigration processes. Oleg’s interests include photography, reading, biking, tennis, and kayaking. Fluent in Romanian and Russian, he effectively communicates with a diverse clientele, reflecting his dedication to serving various communities.

At Competitive Power Ventures (CPV), Ana oversees and provides support to various accounting functions primarily within the corporate accounting operations team. CPV manages a complex, consolidated holding company structure that ultimately holds equity interests in utility-scale power plant projects. Prior to joining CPV, Ana was a Manager in Audit at Ernst & Young. During her seven years tenure at Ernst & Young, she has worked on both Securities and Exchange Commission and private clients in various industries including telecommunication, cloud solutions, education, health care, real estate and quasi-governmental. Ana takes pride in her leadership role delivering value, exceptional service, and quality. She holds a Master of Science in Accounting from Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland and a Bachelor’s in Marketing from the Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest, Romania. In her free time, Ana enjoys traveling, hiking, reading, and exploring new places.

For the past six years, Mădălina served as the Program Director and Social Media Coordinator for Music for Life, a nonprofit organization from Northern Virginia that provides music education programs and mentoring to at-promise children from underserved communities in the DMV area. In May 2020, she was elected Vice-President of the Northern Virginia Music Association. Active in philanthropy and community work, Mădălina also serves as a Board Member for several nonprofit organizations.

She earned a Master in Piano Performance, a Master in Arts Management on and B.A. in Arts and Business at the George Mason University and a B.M. in Piano Performance at Gheorghe Dima National Music Academy in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. A native of Baia Mare, Romania, Mădălina has been constantly involved with various musical projects and strategic educational initiatives in the Romanian community, including the Romanian Embassy in Washington, DC, and has played an essential role in educating and strengthening the community. In her free time, she enjoys playing the piano, singing, reading, cooking, traveling, and spending quality time with her husband, her two daughters, and their two precious dogs.

Greg is president of the International Council on Korean Studies (ICKS). For the past 21 years, he has authored and broadcast the Korean language “Scărlătoiu Column” for Radio Free Asia (RFA). His experience includes three years with Korea Economic Institute in Washington, DC, a think-tank and educational institution aimed to inform the American public on the importance of U.S.-South Korea relations where he was the Director of Public Affairs and Business Issues and over six years in international development as Management Associate for International Science and Technology, Inc (ISTI), under USAID, World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) projects. Greg holds a Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from the Fletcher School, Tufts University, and a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts from Seoul National University’s Department of International Relations. He completed the MIT XXI Seminar for U.S. national security leaders in 2016-2017. Greg is the recipient of the Global Peace Award for Human Rights and Religious Freedom (Manila, December 2023) and of the 10th Korean Unification Contribution Award (Seoul, November 2022). He was awarded the title Citizen of Honor, City of Seoul (January 1999) and Citizen of Honor, City of Buzǎu (his Romanian hometown, April 2018). He was the first Romanian ever to study in South Korea as a Republic of Korea Government Scholarship student, beginning in August 1990. In May 1996, he represented Romania and won the Grand Prize at the Korea Herald/Korea Broadcasting System/Naewae Economic Daily Korean Language Speech Contest for Foreign Nationals. Between 2011 and 2013, he contributed to a series of workshops, seminars, and focus groups aimed at designing future Romanian national strategy, organized by the Aspen Institute Romania. Born and raised in communist Romania, Greg is a naturalized U.S. citizen. He is fluent in Korean and French and a native Romanian speaker.