We are HORA
Mission
We are a non-profit organization with a mission and a passion to enrich Minnesota’s diverse image through the preservation, promotion and sharing of the valuable cultural heritage of the Romanian American community, along with its extensive history in the state.
Goals
- Informational Resource of Romanian heritage, culture, history, values, current events, and community involvement.
- Host quarterly events to promote and present various aspects of the Romanian cultural heritage. HORA will explore the interests of the public and develop future events accordingly.
- Raise funds and awareness for publications and activities that add to the promotion and preservation of Romanian American cultural heritage.
- Showcase Romanian Americans who have achieved important standings in their Minnesota community or in the United States at large.
- To develop an archive of the historic and cultural heritage of Romanian Americans in Minnesota. This will include taped interviews of several generations of immigrants, showcasing their different experiences and expectations.
- To collaborate with other like-minded organizations in Minnesota and abroad.
Board of Directors
Dana Voller
Dana Voller came to the US in 2003. She has a French and English teaching degree from the University of Pitesti and a Masters in ESL from Hamline University, Minnesota. Her first job was with Peace Corps, Romania, and that is where she discovered her passion about sharing her cultural and linguistic heritage. She is currently a business execution consultant for Wells Fargo. Dana has been happy and proud to volunteer and share her knowledge of Romanian history, culture and language through the HORA language classes and events since 2013. She believes that the more we share and know about diverse backgrounds, the more likely we are to be understanding and open towards other people around us, which in the long term will build stronger communities.
Eugenia Popa
Gina moved to Minnesota from Bucharest, Romania, in 1995 with her husband and her son. She has been an educator for 40 years and currently teaches ESL (English as a Second Language) in St. Paul. Gina is a National Board Certified Teacher and was twice a finalist for MN Teacher of the Year (2019, 2021). She loves traveling, working with children, and spending time with her family and friends. Gina has been part of HORA since its inception in 2009 and believes that what brings Romanians together is the ACASA (at home) feeling that we are all longing for. “I think geography is relative. Romania is in our hearts and in our minds. It’s in our power to bring it here with us. That is HORA’s role, to invite everyone to experience the unique Romanian culture, history, and traditions right here in Minnesota.” We live in a diverse world and it is important to learn about each other’s cultures and values. That’s what builds a strong global community.
Diana Gregory
Diana is a Romanian-born resident of Minnesota, where she lives with her husband and son. She holds a degree in Law from the University of Bucharest, as well as an AAS in Business Management from Lee College in Texas. In her free time, Diana enjoys reading, traveling, taking long walks, and spending time with loved ones. She is particularly passionate about promoting Romanian culture and is actively involved in the organization HORA, through which she shares her knowledge and insights with others. With her diverse background and interests, Diana is a valued member of her community and a true ambassador for Romanian culture.
Ana Westervelt
Ana Westervelt was born in Chisinau, Moldova. She immigrated to MN with her family in 1996 and has been deeply involved with the Romanian community since. Ana earned her Master of Public Health degree from the University of Minnesota. For the last 6 years, she has been working as a project manager for the State of Minnesota. Ana has over 12 years of project management and grant experience working to support a variety of populations – adolescents, older adults, and people with disabilities. Ana loves to read, bake, garden, and spend time with her son and family. Ana is passionate about sharing her culture with others and preserving it for future generations.
Radu Rimbu
Radu was born in Craiova, Romania and moved to Minnesota on May 21st, 2000. He is an IT Professional with 20+ years of experience most of it focused on SSO (Single Sign On) and IAM (Identity and Access Management). He enjoys outdoors from BWCAW trips to fishing, biking, and canoeing. His hobbies are DJ-Ing and videography. A founder member of U of MN’s RSA (Romanian Student Association) he is always in touch with his Romanian roots promoting and preserving Romanian culture and heritage.
Andrei Hahn
Andrei is an adoptee from Brașov who grew up near Chicago. He moved to the Twin Cities in 2014 to get a Master of Public Policy degree from the University of Minnesota. Andrei has experience in state and local government, politics and community engagement and education. New to HORA, Andrei started taking language classes and volunteering at events to connect with the local Romanian community in 2020. Andrei is looking forward to learning more about Romanian culture and heritage and sharing it with others.
Additional Support
Past HORA Board Directors
- Raluca Octav, Founder and Past President
- Monica von Geldern, Founder and Past President
- Vicki Albu, Founder
- Octavian Cornea, Founder
- Cleo Cabuz, Past President
- Gabriel Petre
- Helena Orlandi
- Daniela Petrescu
- Paul Hodge
- Sanziana Cornea
- Arria Cocei-Stacy
- Romell Alaman
- Georgiana Boac
- Oana Zayic
HORA Advisory Board
Teodor V. Stan
Immigration Research Forum President, Washington, D.C.
Bogdan Filipescu
Historian, Minnesota
Jim von Geldern
Historian and Immigration Lawyer, Minnesota
Arria Cocei-Stacy
Global Portfolio Marketing Leader, Minnesota
Bill Avery
Former Alianta Executive Director, Minnesota
Otilia Baraboi
Vice President and Co-founder ARCS, Seattle
Dan Dimancescu
Honorary Consul-General of Romania, Boston, MA, board member of Foundation Conservation Carpathia, Brasov, Romania and of ALIANTA, Washington, DC
John Omoran
Izvorasul, Dunarea and Plai de dor Romanian Dance Ensembles Artistic Director/Choreographer, Minnesota.
Patrick Ledray
Romanian Honorary Consul , Minnesota
Contact at Embassy of Romania to United States of America
Dana Bucin
Honorary Consul-General of Romania, Connecticut
Peter Rachleff
Co-Executive Director, East Side Freedom Library, St. Paul, MN
Raluca Octav
HORA Founder, Past President, Historian and Exhibit Curator, Minnesota
Monica von Geldern
HORA Founder, Past President and Creative Director, Minnesota