President - Vanessa Chatel-Kemp, Australia
First Vice President - Nara Vasconcelos, Brazil
Second Vice President - Valia Batista, Cuba
Secretary - Jeri Ann Cook, United States of America
Charity Chairperson - Marie Halberr, Vietnam, France
Vice Charity Coordinator - Juliette Jespers, Netherlands
Newsletter Editor - Julia Martiniak, Bulgaria, Germany
Treasurer - Kate Bonchev, United States of America
Membership Coordinator - Valerie Saunders, France

President - Vanessa Chatel-Kemp, Australia

I come from Perth, Australia, and have been living in Sofia for nearly eighteen months now. I became a member of the IWC after a fellow Aussie dragged me along to a coffee morning after being here for only 6 days. And thank goodness there was a group of women in a similar situation to me as I was already suffering from cabin fever after leaving our house and garden for a small apartment in the city. I soon met a wonderful bunch of ladies, and children of course, at baby group - have I mentioned I have two young daughters.

Before moving to Sofia I worked for several years at The University of Western Australia, one of our nation's top 8 universities, with the Vice-Chancellor and the Executive Directors. I also spent nearly two years managing the School of Classical Music at UWA.

I became involved with the IWC Bazaar last year helping the wonderful Miriam Flanagan to coordinate the day and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I feel privileged to be involved with the board and the activities of the IWC and look forward to helping out in 2008.

I came from Brazil to Bulgaria in 2006 for the musical education of my two teenage sons who both want to be professional classical musicians. We have found in Bulgaria what we need to be happy: plenty of talented musicians, warm hearted friends, the best skilled teachers, a nice concert hall and a decent Opera house, recently renovated indeed!

Since joining the IWC I have been able to share many artistic and social interests with friendly women from Bulgaria and from all over the world. It is truly amazing: you are never lonely once you join the IWC in Sofia. As First Vice-President I intend to contribute to the insertion of the ever growing IWC Brazil projects in the Bulgarian community and to help foster good will, joy and friendship among our members.

As the vice-president of IWC, I pledge to support the core mission of IWC as well as help to shape its future goals. I am particularly looking forward to supporting the charity projects and assisting in raising awareness of IWC and its projects within the international community in Sofia. Lets have a great year together and organize yet another successful Christmas Bazaar!

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 - Jeri Ann Cook, United States of America

I am from the United States and relocated to Sofia in August 2007 when my husband, Jason, was chosen to open his company's European office here. I graduated with an MBA from Tulane University and worked in advertising and education research before becoming a full-time mother to our daughter Sofia in 2002. Although I grew up in a military family and moved over a dozen times before college, Bulgaria is my first international home. I look forward to working with the IWC board and having a lot of fun while helping some very worthy causes!

Charity Chairperson - Marie Halberr, Vietnam, France

I was born in Vietnam, grew up in the former French colonies 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, Micronesia, the Middle East, North America and Europe.

I have helped as a volunteer in the refugee camps in Hong Kong and in the Mong 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 co-Charity Coordinator, and now as Chairperson of the IWC Charity Foundation.

I have enjoyed the opportunity the Charity Committee has given me to be actively involved in Bulgarian society. I am happy that Juliette Jespers and I are continuing our partnership and our team work with the Charity Committee and with the new Board!

Vice Charity Coordinator - Juliette Jespers, Netherlands

I was born in the Netherlands, lived and worked for many years in Amsterdam. In August 2005 I joined my Dutch partner who was at that time already working in Bulgaria. My professional background has been predominantly in the Airline Industry at Amsterdam Airport. I worked for several foreign Airlines as an Outstation Operations Coordinator and later as a Station Coordinator for a regional Italian Airline.

I became a member of the IWC 2.5 years ago and joined the Charity Group. Since 2007 I have been working as Vice Charity Coordinator. Over the past few years I have gained experience about local needs for Charity as well as about various IWC improvement projects. I strive to give to the orphans, the elderly and other people in need of a better life.

Therefore I am looking forward to working in this position another year together with Marie Halbherr and with our enthusiastic Charity Group. Hope to see you too in our monthly Charity meeting and to join us in our Charity projects.

Newsletter Editor - Julia Martiniak, Bulgaria, Germany

I was born in Bulgaria and grew up 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.

In 1994 my husband and I went to Moscow, where he worked for Deutsche Bank. There I got in touch for the first time with IWC and joined a lot of activities. 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 one year. During the last 2 months in 2007 I had been responsible as a Deputy Treasurer and I enjoyed the work with the board. I am very glad to take over new responsibilities for contributing to the further development of our organization and hope you enjoy the Newsletter.

Treasurer - Kate Bonchev, United States of America

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 - Valerie Saunders, France

I was born and raised in Paris and lived there for 23 years until I graduated from Business School. I then moved to the UK to complete a Master's degree in Economics at the University of Warwick where I met my Australian husband. I lived in London for 13 years, where I was working as a Research Director for an IT consultancy company. I relocated to Bulgaria nearly two years ago when my husband accepted a new position in Sofia and will stay here for a minimum of five years. I have two children who go to the French school.

This is my second year as the Membership Coordinator and I feel very privileged to be part of the Board again this year.