President - Stephanie Congost
First Vice President - Giuliana Buckby
Second Vice President - Valia Batista
Secretary - Petra van der Hoek
Treasurer - Kate Bonchev
Membership Coordinator - Julia Martiniak
Newsletter Editor - Blaga Dimitrova
Charity Chairperson - Marie Halbherr
Vice Charity Chairperson - Catherine Lame

President - Stephanie Congost

I come from Paris and have been living in Sofia with my family for almost 2 years because of my husband’s work. I am the mother of twins, Jeanne and Astrid. In France, I worked as an Organization and Change Management consultant. This is our second overseas posting. I speak French, English and some German

I have been a member of the IWC since 2008. During this year, I have met so many people who have contributed to my adaptation to life here in Bulgaria and to my integration within the international community of Sofia. What an enriching experience it has been to meet so many women of different horizons! Impossible to be homesick or lonely in Sofia! There are always so many wonderful things to do that it becomes complicated to fit it all in.

I am very sensitive to the importance of our charity efforts and I get involved both within the French community and within the IWC; in particular I was responsible for the French stall at the 2008 Christmas Bazaar. Today, joining the IWC Board as President is a way for me to thank the community of the IWC for all it has done for me and also an opportunity to use for the benefit of the association my experience and my skills. I wish to make a very real contribution to its smooth running and to pursue its founders’ objectives : to welcome and assist newcomers to Bulgaria, to further members’ knowledge and understanding of Bulgaria, to foster goodwill and friendship among members of all countries, to give financial and material support to charity projects in Bulgaria.

I was born in Venice where I studied and obtained a degree in French Language and Literature and a Masters degree in Teaching Italian as a Foreign Language. So I have been a teacher for most of my working career. I also undertook voluntary work for the Alzheimer Association in Rome and was involved with the Christmas Bazaar organized there at the British Ambassador’s Residence.

With my husband, who is English, I lived in Florence, Bologna, Rome and then London before moving to Sofia in October 2007. The IWC, which I joined straightaway, provided me with a great opportunity to make new friends from all over the world and to learn about my new environment in Bulgaria. As Charity Bazaar Coordinator for 2008, while getting to know the specific issues concerning the running of the Bazaar itself, I very much enjoyed working as part of a team along with members of the Board and the other volunteers. In my new position on the Board and again as Bazaar Coordinator it is my intention to make the most of this experience and work hard for the success of so many worthy causes both of the International Women`s Club itself and the IWC Charity Foundation.

Second Vice President - Valia Batista, Cuba

I was born and raised in Havana, Cuba and continued my Higher Education in Russia. I graduated from University in Ivanova Master of Fashion Designer and my second degree is Business Administration. My husband is Bulgarian. I have lived here for about 10 years and I'm the mother of two children - Isabel and Alexander.

I have been a member of the IWC since 2003. During the past few years I have participated in the Charity Bazaar and I was an active member of the IWC membership coordinator. I enjoy making patchwork, collecting thimbles and dancing latino rhythm.

Secretary - Petra van der Hoek

I was born in Slovakia, Bratislava. I studied marketing in an American University and worked for various international companies. I always loved to travel and spent many summers during my studies in England and the USA. I met my Dutch husband Marcel in Bratislava and we lived together in three other countries; the United Arab Emirates, Poland and Germany, before arriving to Bulgaria four years ago. We have beautiful daughter Sarah and expecting another addition in November.

I have been member of IWC for the past 4 years. I enjoyed taking part in various IWC activities and very much enjoy to be a Czech and Slovak Bazaar Stall Holder last year. I am ready to take a new challenge and I am excited to be on the IWC board as a Secretary.

Treasurer - Kate Bonchev

I was born and educated in New Jersey in the United States. There I earned a degree in Business and started my career at Merrill Lynch. I worked for Merrill for approximately four years with my main responsibilities being in the areas of financial and contract management.

I married my Bulgarian husband in late 2005 and we made the decision to move to Sofia, which we did a year later. Since this is the first time I have lived overseas, away from my family and friends, I thought a good way to meet people and get involved would be to join the IWC.

I am very excited to sit on the Board and look forward to supporting the many wonderful charity projects that are helping to make a difference in the lives of those in this country that need it most. Only by raising awareness and contributing to the community can we make a difference and I am eager to do both.

Membership Coordinator - Julia Martiniak

I was born in Bulgaria and grew up and studied in Germany. I graduated in Business Management and Public Relation Communication for Management in Berlin and worked for the Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

In 1994 my husband and I went to Moscow, where I worked for the German Embassy in the Press area. In Moscow I got in touch for the first time with IWC and joined the time there. After that stay I continued in several other countries where I did help as a volunteer in the Charity and Bazaar Committee.

I came to Bulgaria in December 2006 and have been with IWC for more than tree years. I worked for the IWC Board as a Deputy Treasurer and Newsletter Editor. I enjoyed the work with the board and I am very glad to take over new responsibilities for contributing to the further development of our organization as a Membership Coordinator.

Newsletter Editor - Blaga Dimitrova

I was born in Sofia in 1977. I graduated photography in New York Institute of photography. I’m a freelance photographer, working for advertising agencies mostly. I love to make portraits mostly. I’ve always loved to travel and when I visited for a first time Petrovo orphanage with IWC, I saw so much pain. And decided I should helpas much I could to the club. Feels like I’m changing the world... :)

Charity Chairperson - Marie Halberr, Vietnam, France

I have French nationality, was born in Vietnam, grew up overseas and studied in France where I graduated in English and American studies. My husband is German and his profession in the hotel industry has taken us to many countries in Asia, the Middle East, North America and Europe.

I did volunteer social work in Yemen, in the refugee camps in Hong Kong, and in the Hmong community in Colorado (USA). However it is here in Bulgaria that I have become fully involved in charity work, first as an active member of the IWC Charity Committee and then as Chaiperson of the IWC Charity Foundation.

I enjoy the opportunity the Charity Committee is giving me to be actively involved in the Bulgarian society, and I am looking forward to another fulfillling year with the Charity Committee and with the new Board!

Vice Charity Chairperson - Catherine Lame

I was born and raised in Antwerp, Belgium, where I studied French and Spanish philology. My husband is French and we have three children. We came in Bulgaria in 2004 and I joined the IWC in september. I find it wonderful to have the opportunity to meet women from so many different countries, every coffee morning is a trip around the world!

In 2007 I joined the Charity Committee: it gave me the occasion to discover very dificult situations in the country and to meet wonderful people who try to find solutions to improve the lives of the orphans, the abandoned chidren, the isolated women, the Romas,... and all those who suffer and need help and assistance. I am very motivated to assist Marie with the following up of our projects and I am ready to devote as much time as I can for this worthy cause!