Education

 And Honors

Master of Arts in English and Teaching ESL

                      University of Foreign Languages, Moscow, Russia.1983- 1988

Diploma in Family Counseling

                      Family Life Foundation, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. 1995-1997

Certificate in Medical Terminology

                      University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.

Real Estate License, Michigan, USA

Univ. of Michigan Multicultural Program Award

Featured as a successful immigrant on Peter Gzowski Radio show

 

Professional Experience

NEXTEX Technologies, Inc., Toronto

Biotechnological company involved in initial stages of drug discovery process

May 2007-present

Founding Director, Vice President, Development/Human Resourses

 

Jewish Family Services, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.                             

(Feb 2005 to June 2006)

·         Project Coordinator, Social Worker. Senior Advocacy and Community Outreach

·         Established a program of regular therapeutic groups and workshops with emphasis on successful assimilation in North America and health education. Provided assistance with transportation and financial needs.

·          Participated in annual fundraising effort and promoted JFS in the community and the media

-          Created a network of membership paying senior service providers with the aim of raising additional funds for the program.

·         Successful settlement work with newcomers, resolving employment issues, and navigation of the medical system and Medicare/Medicaid for non-English speakers.

·         Developed strategy of comprehensive client care by establishing regular working contacts with local and federal government officials.

 

 

University of Michigan Hospital, USA.                                     

(April 2003 to June 2006)

 

Multicultural Health Program and Interpreter’s Department.

·         Responsible for interpretation, medical navigation, and community outreach.

·         Collaborated and coordinated projects between University of Michigan Multicultural Health and Jewish Family Services as well as produced educational publication materials.

 

Indianapolis Museum of Art                                                         

(Sept 2001-Feb 2002)

 

Project Coordinator, interpreter, Gifts of the Tsars: Treasures from the Kremlin

·         Facilitated and coordinated culturally sensitive communication between museum staff and Russian curators. Organized educational program for visiting curators.

 

Family Life Foundation

(1996-1998)

·         Family and individual counseling

 

Interpreting/Translation and Media Related Projects, Canada and USA

Proprietor “Russian Language Services”                                                    

(1992-2007)

·         Clients included: pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, businesses, legal offices

·         Government of Ontario, visiting top government officials from the former Soviet Union,

-          Special interpreter for the Premier of Ontario, Canada, Hon. Bob Rae and President Mikhail Gorbachev, USSR, during one-on-one talks

-          Exclusive interpreter for  the Premier and Leutenant Governor of Ontario and the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan and his cabinet ministers and Mr. Arefieff, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Russian Federation, during their visit to Toronto

-          Translations and voice-overs for the “National Journal”, CBC Radio and Television

 

Volunteer accomplishments and personal involvement

·         University Musical Society (Interpreted and participated in marketing effort in the immigrant community for the Russian Festival) and University Hospital in Ann Arbor, MI, USA (assisted newcomers in navigating the insurance and medical system).

·         Indianapolis Museum of Art (volunteer tour guide), International Center of Indiana (medical interpretation and patient navigation) and International School of Indiana (Parent committees, substitute teaching, cultural programs for children).

·         Sick Children’s Hospital in Toronto, and other hospitals. Interpreting and navigating medical system.

·         Parish Council Member of the Russian Orthodox Church, immigration centers. Assisting and advocating for new immigrants in Toronto. Secretary.

·         During the Chechen war (1995-1997) was a member of an NGO facilitating objective information and communications

·         During World Ban on Land Mines Conference in Ottawa, interpreted for the Chechen delegation

Computer Skills

·         Working knowledge of Windows XP, Internet research, Microsoft Word/PowerPoint/Excel

·         Member of Canadian Internet Registration Authority (non-for-profit)

 

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