Ana Sarbu
Ana Sarbu graduated magna cum laude from Georgetown University in 2012, with a double degree in Government and Russian. She is currently working in business development for Palantir Technologies, a software company co-founded by Peter Thiel. Previously she was employed with Richard Attias & Associates, a New York-based international strategic communications consulting company.
Alex Radu
Alex graduated Harvard University in 2008 with a degree in Economics and Government and received an MBA from Harvard Business School in 2012. He is currently working in London and New York. He is passionate about transforming education and enjoys sailing, flying and traveling.
Alexandra Copos
Alexandra Copos de Prada is the Chairwoman of the Board of Ana Hotels, the largest Romanian-owned hotel company, and of Ana Pan, a popular chain of pastry stores with tradition in Bucharest. Alexandra was previously employed with McKinsey & Company in New York and Dubai, as well as with the Department of Education in New York City where she led the City’s training program for future school principals. Alexandra holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Princeton University, an MBA from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and a Master’s in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
Dinu Gheorghe
Dinu Gheorghe is leading the online operations for RCS&RDS, the leading telekom operator in Romania, managing both the ecommerce and the media platforms. Previously he worked as a financial consultant for Hidroelectrica and Electrica S.A, the two largest energy production and distribution companies in Romania. Dinu’s passion for entrepreneurship lead him to create 2 succesful startups in the IT and agriculture sectors. Dinu holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Warwick Business School and a Master in Finance from Instituto Empresa.
Alex Lazar
Alex graduated from London Business School and is a former Co-President of Aspire (2011-2014), currently seating on the Board of Aspire. He previously worked in London in strategy consulting and currently resides in Bucharest where he is managing new product launches in the water industry.
Ana-Maria Dorobat
Ana-Maria graduated magna cum laude from the American University in Paris, specializing in Political Science and International Economics. She also holds a Master’s in Public Administration, from the University of Bucharest, as well as a certificate in International Relations, from the Romanian Diplomatic Institute. Currently, Ana is working for the American Chamber of Commerce in Romania as Advocacy & External Relations Coordinator.
Irina Anghel Enescu
Irina is one of the pioneers in advising private equity funds in Eastern Europe, serving now as the Secretary General of SEEPEA, the South Eastern European Private Equity and Venture Capital Association and a member of the Representative Committee of the European Venture Capital Association. She is also the President of the Romanian Innovation Ecosystem Commission and a frequent speaker to events all over the world on topics related to VC and innovation. Irina teaches law at both the Law School and Business School in Bucharest. She has a JD degree from Bucharest University, an MBA from HEC Montreal and University of Ottawa and was a Mason Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School where she also earned an MPA degree. Irina sits on various boards and is currently the President of the Harvard Club of Romania and Moldova.
Luca Mateescu
Luca is an alumnus of aspire Academy 2014 and is sitting Co-President of Aspire. He graduated law school in Bucharest and managed to acquire a broad perspective over the business environment via experience in top tier legal firms, including Tuca, Zbarcea & Asociatii, and various startups. Luca now works in management consulting at A.T. Kearney in Romania. He is very passionate about Aspire’s ability to generate value in our society and believes in empowering people to reach their potential.
Ruxandra Manea
Ruxandra is sitting Co-President of Aspire and among the initiators of Aspire for Teachers. She is currently working at Google Romania and teaches Korean Business Class at the University of Bucharest. Ruxandra holds a Magna cum Laude diploma in Political Science and Business Administration from Ewha Womens University, South Korea. She speaks Korean fluently, is passionate about education and enjoys painting.
Dani Oros
Dani is a member of our Strategic Board. He has been an Aspire Co-President from 2014 to 2016 and has taken Aspire to new peaks, giving it his heart and mind. From his early days as a participant in the first edition of Aspire Academy 2011 to his various roles in the organization throughout the years, Dani has brought a new standard of excellence at Aspire. Away from this, Dani is currently responsible for developing BlaBlaCar in Romania, the world’s largest long-distance carpooling community. He previously worked for Ana Holding, as Head of Special Projects, and in management consulting for A.T. Kearney and IBM.
Elena Kuji
Elena is a member of our Strategic Board. She has been our 2015-2016 Co-President, bringing the perfect combination of competence and grace to deliver the impressive initiatives that made Aspire 2016 so great. Elena is an Aspire Academy 2012 alumna who came back to take a leadership role alongside Dani and manage an exciting year of change and growth. Outside Aspire, Elena has been focusing her time to develop her own business, building a sustainable, unique, luxury brand. She has extensive experience in luxury goods and services, from working at SCH Grand in Bucharest and Paul Smith in London, to five-year studies abroad in Italy, France and Monaco, where she specialized in European Languages Cultures and Luxury Goods Services.
Andrada Baba
Andrada is an alumna of Aspire High School 2013 and is leading the Aspire Mission Critical Circle this year in Aspire. She graduated Business Administration in German language from The Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest and she is a master student in the same University. She is working in the educational and touristic field, where she wants to bring a change.
Andra Necula
Andra is an Aspire Academy 2012 alumna, currently coordinating the programs dedicated to alumni development and co-leading the Know-How team for Aspire for Teachers. She is pursuing a PhD in biotech at the University of Oxford. For the past eight years, Andra has been involved in educational projects promoting STEM subjects to students in Romania and the UK.
Rodica Burlacu
Rodica joined Aspire Academy in 2014 and ever since she has been part of the Aspire organizing team. She has been in charge of the Recruitment process for the past two years now and, together with the team, she is working to ensure a highly selective process for the summer programs. Apart from Aspire, Rodica has been studying in Bucharest, Strasbourg, Oslo and St. Gallen, and is preparing to graduate with a Master’s degree in Strategic Management
Mara Dorofte
Mara is an alumna of Aspire High School 2015 and is in currently coordinating the dynamic process of creating a media and visual identity for Aspire, overseeing the Marketing and Public Relations strategies. She is enrolled at University of Amsterdam, studying an intensive, small-scale and unique major called PPLE- Politics, Psychology, Law and Economics, which has enabled her to aquire an overview and a deep understanding of current world challenges.Mara has developed her communication skills while being the founder of a public speaking course and publishing in the field of NGOs branding. Passionate about interdisciplinary learning and global change, Mara has currently been selected as part of the Steering University Committee to help students apply their academic background directly in business and society.
Miriam Serban
Miriam is an alumna of Aspire Academy 2013 and is leading the fundraising efforts this year in Aspire. She graduated Finance Investment Banking from The Academy of Economic Studies in Bucharest and Henley Business School in the UK. She started her career in Investment Banking at Credit Suisse in Switzerland and currently works as a Management Consultant for A.T. Kearney in Romania. Miriam is very passionate about NGOs and offering equal opportunities to people and she was actively involved in such activities, having leadership positions in AIESEC and Elis.
Ana Voicilă
Ana joined Aspire High School in 2014 and ever since she has been part of the Aspire organising team. She has been part of the Mission Circle for the past two years and now she leads the Incubator, the newest Aspire initiative. She is an economics and business administration student at UCL, being involved in shaping the UCL Curriculum and leading two societies on campus. She previously worked for a tech start-up in London.
Ana-Maria Tonita
Ana -Maria Tonita is an alumnus of Aspire Professional 2015 and joined the Aspire for Teachers team as Project Manager and coordinator of the Strategy team. Ana has extensive experience in project management both in a corporate and in an NGO setting. She has recently returned from Malaysia, where she was involved in a project focused on education and is currently working as Head of Business Development in a start-up in Berlin, in the field of urban mobility
Teodora Nitu
Teodora Nitu is an alumnus of Aspire Professional 2016 and is leading the Aspire for Teachers Image Team. She graduated Public Relations and Communications at SNSPA in Bucharest and has over 10 years experience in Marketing and Public Relations in various companies, like Business&Finances Magazine, Aviatiei Wellness Center and Ana Pan in present.
Daniel Georgescu
Daniel Georgescu is an alumnus Aspire High School 2014 and the leader of the organising team of Aspire for Teachers. He is very passionate about education and business, and is currently studying Business Administration at KU Leuven in Bruxelles. Daniel has coordinated educational initiatives at a national level for many organisations, among which the National Students’ Council. Moreover, he has been active in many projects in the corporate world, working with Academic Art Events and Ana Pan.
Andreea Petrache
Andreea Petrache is Co-Leader of the Know-How team at Aspire for Teachers. She is currently studying Politics at King’s College London and hopes to qualify as a solicitor in a few years. Andreea is passionate about dancing and volunteering, so she taught dance at Teach for Romania’s Leadership Summer Academy. She also founded her own tutoring club, where she helped children enhance their foreign language skills.
- Daniel Georgescu(Strategic Support)
- Bianca Florea
- Teodora Burduja
- Ana-Maria Costea
- Vali Dragan
- Andreea Monica
- Elena Zaharia
- Mara Albu
- Anca Dranca
- Edita Bytyqi
- Stefan Ghita
- Bianca Negrea
- Patricia Trofin
- Stefania Cioroba
- Diana Dragos
- Olga Bostan
- Alexandru Bogdan Hirsu
- Ruxandra Pui
- Ana-Maria Gusu
- Irina Mocanu
- Jesper Johansson
- Andreea Visan
- Rareș Borcea
- Oana Nourescu
- Maria Andriescu
- George Carla
- Miruna Popa-Nemoi
- Anca Scarlat
- Razvan Balaban
- Magda Baciu
- Sorana Pascariu
- Tudoi Goicea
- Remus Radvan
- Huw Thomas
- Antonious Cezar Hegyes
- Daniel Iacob
- Mihail Toader Pasti
- Anca Balaceanu
- Delia Stamate
- Alexandra Bogatu
- Irina Constantinescu
- Bianca Florea
- Nick Munteanu
- Tatiana Elena Hirnu
- Simona Cristina Suciu
- Aurelia Nicolae
- Veronica Radulescu
- Elena Darie
- Angelina Rivera Rocabado
- Mirela Vilcu
- Cristina Branea
- Irina Vasile
- Anca Morar
- Raluca Dumitru
- Carmina Vakulovski
- Ana Rusu
- Stefan Apavaloaie
- Anca Bodnarescu
- Mihaela Pavel
- Ioana Prunean
- Ioana Stoica
- Rodica Istrate