Anna Cristina Burtea – Executive Director
anna.burtea@inimadecopil.ro
Anna was a part of the group of volunteers who began working with HIV+ children in 1995, and became of the founding members of the Heart of a Child Foundation in 1996.  A medical doctor, she has helped with programming to support the well-being and social reintegration of street children, children with HIV/AIDS and children with disabilities.  She is a graduate of the Ovidius University from Constanta and earned a master’s degree in Management in June 1996.  She has served as the foundation’s executive director since June 2006.

 

Adina Claudia Bariz
adina.bariz@inimadecopil.ro
Adina joined the Heart of a Child team in 2003, initially as a volunteer.  She worked in the foundation’s accounting department through 2005 and in 2006 she worked as the marketing and communications director.  She is presently our director of accounting. Adina is a graduate of the University of the Lower Danube in Galati with a major in economics and administration and a specialization in Accounting; she has also earned a master’s degree in marketing and business communications.

 

Anca Aurora Chiosea
anca.chiosea@inimadecopil.ro
Anca was originally a volunteer with our foundation and was hired in 1999 to work with the street children in the “Forget Me Not” House in the Village of Cudalbi.  Beginning in 2003 she became the coordinator for our sponsorship program from AVSI Italy and later the coordinator for our Center of Counseling and Support for Parents and Children.  SInce January 2008 she has also been focused on organizational development strategies for our foundation.  She graduated from the College for Social Workers in Galati and has also earned an advanced degree in Sociology and Psychology in Summer 2008.

 

Maricica Duda
office@inimadecopil.ro
Maricica is one of Heart of a Child’s founding members.  Since 1996, she has been involved in one of the most demanding aspects of our mission: providing support and care for children with HIV/AIDS who had been abandoned in the local hospital.  In 1998 when we opened our group homes, she became one of the first “Mommy”s for our children, and later became the administrator for our homes.  Since 2000 we have used her talents and experience in administration, and she has served as the head administrator for both of our homes caring for children and youth with severe disabilities who had previously been living in state institutions.  Along with Maricica, there is a team of 8 “Mommy”s, who are extraordiarily dedicated to their work and the children.

 

Madalina Lescai
madalina.lescai@inimadecopil.ro
Mada joined our family in June 2007.  Prior to working with Heart of a Child, she had gained extensive experience in developing and implementing social services projects with non-governmental organizations.  She is currently the director for our programs serving children and families at risk.  She graduated from the University of the Lower Danube in Galati with a specialization in foreign languages.

 

Cristiana Toma
cristiana.toma@inimadecopil.ro
Cristiana came to Heart of a Child in 2004 to work on a project promoting the development of life skills for teenagers from state institutions.  Afterwards she worked on our “All Equal, All Different” project to develop social and professional skills and integration for youth with disabilities.  In June 2007 she has been coordinating our projects for children and teenagers with disabilities.  In 2008 she completed her university degree in Sociology and Psychology.

Tatiana Ilie
tatiana.ilie@inimadecopil.ro
Tatiana graduated from Andrei Saguna University in Constanta with a specialtization in psychology and social work. She began her collaboration with Heart of a Child as a volunteer in September 2009. Soon thereafter Tatiana became a member of our staff. She works in our Counseling Center where she provides support to at-risk children and families.

 

Mioara Grigoras
mioara.grigoras@inimadecopil.ro
Mioara joined the Heart of a Child team in February 2009 as a psychologist for our day center for at-risk children, for youth with disabilities and for our youth in our family-style homes. She graduated from "AI.I Cuza" University in Iasi from the College of Psychology and Education with a specialization in psychology and a master's in Psychological Evaluation and Recovery. She previously worked as an educator and principal psychologist where she focused on pedagogy and counseling for children and their parents.

 

Ana Diana Lelitu
office@inimadecopil.ro
Ana Diana Lelitu is a graudate of the Lower Danube University in Galati where she studied Economics and Health Policy. From 2001 to 2007 she worked with Heart of a Child as a medical assistant and nurse. In 2009 she recently returned to the organization after a 2 year break as an Assistent Manager and coordinator of Heart of a Child's volunteer activities.

 

Felicia Rotaru
felicia.rotaru@inimadecopil.ro
Felicia joined our team in May 2007 and works with our children, our homes and the medical clinics to ensure all necessary support and care is given to our beneficiaries.  She earned an associate’s degree in Health.

 

Daniela Eftimie
dana.eftimie@inimadecopil.ro
Daniela graduated from the College of Sociology adn Psychology with a specialization in Sociological Psycholgy and is currently enrolled in a master's program focusing on Psychological Diagnosis and Counseling. She came to Heart of a Child in 2003 as part of our Human Resources department.  Since August 2008 she has been working as a psychologist as part of our VIVA Community Day Center, a project supporting youth with special needs including disabilities and HIV/AIDS.

 

Ramona Hristudor
ramona.hristudor@inimadecopil.ro
Ramona joined the Heart of a Child family in April 2008 as a social worker in our project "Together for Equal Opportunities" for youth with disabilities and youth with HIV. She graduated in 1999 with a specialty in social work.

 

Gabriela Lungu
office@inimadecopil.ro
Gabriela first began to work with Heart of a Child as a volunteer working with our children on school and recreational activities. She became a staff member in April 2009 as a teacher and program director at our day center for at-risk children in Galati. Gabriela studied Roman-Catholic theology and social services at the University of Bucharest where she graduated in 2003.

 

Viorica Bejan
viorica.bejan@inimadecopil.ro
Viorica joined Heart of a Child after working with the foundation for a few months as a volunteer. In June 2009 she became an educational instructor in the VIVA Center of youth living with HIV/AIDS and she works in the development of the art-therapy workshop. She completed her university studies at the "AI. I. Cuza" University in Iasi and she is currently working to earn a degree in social work. Viorica also has a wealth of knowledge and experience in working in the private sector.

 

Carmen Chirila
carmen.chirila@inimadecopil.ro
Carmen graduated from university with a specialty in Psychology and is currently enrolled in post-graduate work focusing on "Short-term collaborative therapy with a focus on resource-identification and solutions." She joined Heart of a Child in 2004 as an educational instructor in two different projects until June 2006. She returned to the organization in August 2009 as an art therapy counselor in the foundation's VIVA community center where she works with HIV+ youth and youth with disabilities coming from natural families, foster families and placement centers.

 

Alexandra Vlasceanu
alexandra.vlasceanu@inimadecopil.ro
Alexandra graduated from the "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Bucharest with a specialization in physical therapy. She also earned a master's degree from UMF Iasi. Alexandra joined Heart of a Child in August 2010 bringing her experience working in medical rehabilitation. Alexandra will work on one of Heart of Child's newest programs serving young children with disabilities.

 

Mihaela Dragu
mihaela.dragu@inimadecopil.ro
Mihaela graduated from the "AI.I Cuza" University in Iasi with a specialization in Communications and Public Relations. Mihaela joined the Heart of a Child Family in August 2010 as a social worker. She is working on Heart of a Child's projects focusing on preventing school abandonment..

 

Mirela Serban
mirela.serban@inimadecopil.ro
Mirela graduated from "AI.I Cuza" University in Iasi with a speciality in psychology and education. She has also earned a master's degree in organizational management and human resources. She joined Heart of a Child in August 2010 as an occupational therapist for our project working with young children with disabilities.

 

Raluca Rosca
raluca.rosca@inimadecopil.ro
Raluca graduated from university with a speciality in education and earned a master's degree in Social Psychology and Psychotherapy from "AI. I Cuza" University in Iasi. She has experience working with both mainstream and children with special needs. She came to Heart of a Child in August 2010 to work as part of our project serving young children with disabilities.

 

Bradia Nicuta
office@inimadecopil.ro
Bradia came to Heart of a Child in 2008. She initially worked with us as a volunteer and soon joined our staff as a member of our financial team. She has over 22 years of experience in financial and accounting work.

 

Elie Teichman
elie@inimadecopil.ro
Elie came to Heart of a Child in November 2006 as a Volunteer with the U.S. Peace Corps. He works with the staff on organizational development issues including the website, fundraising and supporting our volunteers. Maia - the little cocker spaniel - also works alongside the staff and plays with our children.

Daniela Nenita
office@inimadecopil.ro
Daniela came to Heart of a Child as a caregiver at the “Forget Me Not” House in 2000.  Since 2002, she has been the administrator at Mihai House, one of our group homes for at-risk children and youth. 

The Heart of a Child team also includes the staff from Ana Maria House, the Day Center and Andiana Kindergarten in the village of Cudalbi, the Day Care Center in the village of Pechea.  As of January 2008, there are 31 individuals either hired by or collaborating with the Heart of a Child foundation.  Also, approximately 40 volunteers participate in the organization’s current activities or events.

We thank all the individuals who have been a part of our family at Heart of a Child.  Without them, the children and youth of Heart of a Child, would not be what they are today.