We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated staff, who are the driving force behind our daily progress. We are equally proud and appreciative of our selfless volunteers who make a significant impact.
* As President of the organization, Mihai Lehene is not taking a salary, but he is still engaged full-time in building RUF.
Mihai Lehene
Founding Angel
Board of Directors
Founder, Romanian United Foundation
Founder
Volunteer (full)
Teacher
Mihai is the Owner of MDL Investments, a real-estate and VC family-office with a focus on emerging technologies, including fintech, biotech and crypto. In 2020 Mihai resigned his business roles to run RUF, and in 2022 he was elected as President of FORA.
Diana Gini serves as the Diaspora Development Director at RUF, where she is deeply committed to strengthening the Romanian diaspora community. She is also a Founding Angel and RUF Ambassador to Madrid for the organization.
Oana is the Executive Director of ROCO. Prior to this role, she was one of the most active volunteers. She believes in the strength of our community, in doing good things, and in leaving something worthwhile behind.
Georgiana is bringing extensive experience in Communication & Marketing gained from her previous roles as a journalist in the biggest media trust in Romania and coordinator of international campaigns for well-established clients at Ogilvy and Grey G2.
Irina Nedeljkovic
Member
RUF Core Team Member, ROCO Events Team Coordinator, "Trips To Romania" Program Manager
Staff
I've been volunteering for RUF and Via Transilvanica for a long time, and I absolutely love. I am currently organizing the RUF & Via Transilvanica trips to Romania every year.
Originally from Romania, I relocated to the US in 2013 with a Bachelor's degree in Economics. Currently, I serve as the administrative expert at RUF, where I handle all accounting and administrative issues. I have a passion for teaching young children.
Marina lives in Gatineau with her husband, two children and their dog. Her hope is that she can make a difference by her involvement in the support of Romanians everywhere so that one day her kids can look back and think she was a good person.
I have been living in Amsterdam, Netherlands for 15 years. I have experience in the hospitality industry and Human Resources Specialist. I collaborate with Rompro Foundation Netherlands, RoBoost Romania and RUF. My passion is organizing events and fairs.
Experienced Fundraising Professional & non-profit strategist with 18 years of experience in the European and US fields. I teach fundraisers how to organize their 1st fundraising campaign. I lived, studied and worked in Silicon Valley for 9 years.
I live in Ottawa with my husband and son Ryan. I believe that "impossible" is nothing, and that ambition and hard work can get us everything we envision for ourselves.
