In-person event (some speakers via Zoom)
By Invitation Only Free Parking
* Summit is: CLOSED *
Thank You!
👉 Event Results (PDF)
👉 Event Photos(🎬 credit: Adrian Nastase)




2023 Summit
On behalf of the Romanian Community of Chicago, we are excited to announce this community-wide event. A first of its kind, this annual summit will bring together leaders from of nonprofit organizations, churches, businesses, artistic groups, Moldovan and Rroma, and friends of the Romanian American community. The forum will provide a unique opportunity for community members to connect, collaborate, and share ideas for building a brighter future for the Romanian community of Chicago.
The summit, organized under the auspices of the General Consulate of Romania in Chicago, will feature a variety of interactive workshops, panels, and roundtables that will cover topics of interest to the community.
Learn about:
👉 Community Building
👉 Education & Social Programs
👉 Significant Business Opportunities
Our goal is to provide a dynamic and engaging event that will inspire attendees to take action and make a positive impact.
Date & Time: February 25th, 9 AM - 6 PM
Location: In 2023, this event will be hosted by ROCO Chicago, 5406 N Kedzie Ave.
2023 Summit: Keynote Speakers

Tiberiu Trifan
Consul General of Romania in Chicago

Maria Pappas
Cook County Treasurer
2023 Summit: Community Panel

Stefan Cristoltean
Founder, Cenaclu Retro

Robert Dumitrescu
Deputy Consul General of Romania in Chicago

Adrian Nechiti
Founder, Vox Maris Band

Bogdan Banu
President and Founder, Romanians of DC

Mihai Lehene
Founder of RUF. President of FORA.

Nubia Willman
Chief Engagement Officer for Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot

Doru Branea
Director of the Romanian Cultural Institute in New York

Steven Bonica
Founder and President, Romanian Tribune Media Group

Dana Bucin
Honorary Consul of Romania in Connecticut
2023 Summit: Education Panel

Iulian Calinov
Honorary Consul of Romania in Seattle

Mihaela Campion
Founder, Psychotherapy and Transformational Movement and ARCHER

Buni Cocar
Rev. Dr. Pastor Maranatha Romanian Church

Margareta Matache
Director of the Roma Program, Harvard University

Laurentiu Murg
Principal, Logos Christian Academy

Marius Stan
Scientist, Author and Actor
2023 Summit: Business Panel

Alexandru Duta
Founder & CEO, Albiware

Mihai Lehene
Founder of RUF. President of FORA.

Cristian Luput
Founder & CEO, Optimus Realty

Sotiris Pagdadis
President, Keiretsu Forum Midwest

Vlad Sarca
Partner@Sparking Capital | Serial entrepreneur

Denis Tudor
CEO and Co-founder, Swisspod Technologies
2023 Summit: Summit Volunteers

Onita Circu
Honorary member of ROCO, Gala Fundraising Committee Chair

Diana Dram
Founding Angel and ROCO Business Chapter Lead

Catalin Maticiuc
Founder & CEO, Forza Companies

Georgiana Merdariu
Chief Engagement Officer

Adrian Nechiti
Founder, Vox Maris Band

Irina Nedeljkovic
Supporter and Ambassador of RoCo, the Romanian Community Center of Chicago

Andreea Rebaltescu
Communications Director

Paula Telcian
ROCO Chicago: Community Outreach Liaison
Learn more about our wonderful summit volunteers.
Program
9 AM: Arrivals & Breakfast
10 AM Keynote Speakers
👉 Tiberiu Trifan, Consul General of Romania in Chicago
👉 Maria Pappas, Cook County Treasurer
10:15 AM: Community Panel: Arts, Culture & Romanian Language
👉 Building a
Stronger Community
👉 Government Relations
👉 Arts & Culture: Celebrating
Our Culture
Moderator:
Confirmed Panelists: Nubia Willman,
Chief Engagement Officer City of Chicago; Dorian Branea, Director of the
Romanian Cultural Institute in New York; Bogdan Banu, Founder of
Romanians of DC; Dana Bucin, Attorney at Law, Honorary Consul of Romania in
Connecticut;
Panel Organizers: Steven
Bonica, Stefan Cristoltean, Adrian Nechiti, Mihai Lehene
12:00 Lunch & Networking Break
13:00 Education, Inclusion, Social Action Panel
👉 Investing in Our
Future
👉 Health, Wellness & Elderly Care
👉 Inclusion &
Inter-confessional Dialogue
Moderator: Prof. Marius Stan
Confirmed Panelists:
Mihaela Campion,Owner, Psychotherapy and Transformational Movement;
Laurentiu Murg,Pediatrician at Access Community Health Network;
Margareta Matache,Director of the Roma Program, Harvard University;
Buni Cocar,Rev. Dr. Pastor Maranatha Romanian Church;
Laurentiu Murg,Principal, Logos Christian Academy;
Iulian Calinov,Honorary Consul of Romania in Seattle;
Panel Organizers: Cristina Haidau, Marius Stan, Mihaela
Campion
14:15 Networking Break
14:45 Business Panel
👉 Networking for Success
👉 Embracing
Innovation
👉 Financial Empowerment
Moderator: Cristian Luput
Confirmed Panelists:
Sotiris Pagdadis, President, Keiretsu Forum Midwest;
Denis Tudor, CEO, Swisspod;
Vlad Sarca, Founder & Partner, Sparking Capital;
Alex Duta, CEO, Albiware;
Panel Organizers: Dana Surcel, Cristian Luput, Dan
Nicolae, Marcel Somfelean
16:00 Networking Break
17:00 Feedback & Closing Remarks
This First Romanian Community Summit will be a landmark event for the Romanian community in Chicago. We look forward to seeing you there!
More Information
- Topics: Learn more
- Event Type: By Invitation Only
- Event Attire: Business Formal
- Parking: Free Parking
- Language:
- The event will be hosted in English and Romanian
- Live translation to English provided
- Refreshments:
- Breakfast and Lunch light refreshments provided