FOUNDERS + FRIENDS

MARA SOCIETY is a group of four friends, living in New York City for the past 20+ years. All born in Romania, the shared common passion is helping aid Romania and its future, while bringing to life its rich, artistic culture.

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MONA BURUIANA

Shortly after graduating from Timisoara School of Medicine in 1993, Dr. Elena Maria Buruiana moved to NYC with a fervent dream to build her own medical practice and set a new standards for quality patient care. After graduating Cornell New York Hospital and specialty training at Nassau University Medical Center, she is practicing OBGYN in private practice associated with Lenox Hill Hospital. Mona is a board member of The Alex Fund and big supporter of Romanian culture within the US. She currently resides in NYC with her husband Radu.

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ANDREEA DIACONESCU

Born and raised in Bucharest, Romania Andreea Diaconescu moved to the US in 1992. After studying International Business at Temple University and completing her Bachelor of Science at Drexel University in Philadelphia, she moved to NYC in 2002 to follow her passion in Marketing. Spearheading business and marketing strategy for leading beauty companies such as Bliss, Coty, Estee Lauder, Caudalie, Fresh (LVMH Group) and currently at Oribe, Andreea offsets her career drive with a love of the arts, cinema and Romanian culture. She lives in NYC with her husband Fabiano.

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RALUCA GOLD-FUCHS

Raluca moved to the US in 1995 from Bucharest, Romania. In 2002, she graduated from New York University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and began her career working in finance at Prudential Securities and Goldman Sachs. She has since opened up her own business and is the proud owner of RA Entertainment, an even planning powerhouse. Raluca has organized many charity events with a focus on children in the US and Romania. She is also a board member of The Alex Fund.

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ANDREEA POPA

Born in Bucharest, Romania Andreea Popa lived in three different countries before returning to NY in 1997 to pursue her dream of becoming an architect. Graduating from NYIT in 2001, Andreea began her career working at Ground Zero with a building forensics team and has worked on a variety of restoration and new construction projects, such as leading a 330,000 SF mixed use development in Flushing, NY. She is currently the Director of Property Development at Standard Hotels. Andreea indulges her passion for the arts by designing her own jewelry and enthusiastically supporting Romanian artists in New York.

BOARD MEMBERS

We couldn't do what we do without the wonderful support of our board members, sponsors, talent and volunteers. Thank you all for your help and being part of something so extraordinary.