Meet Newest Areté Team Member Daniela Adamova
Areté Youth Foundation welcomes Daniela Adamova as the new Director of Operations for the Bulgaria office. Adamova, who previously worked in the Peace Corps Programming and Training Department since 1999, is excited about Areté's initiatives and believes that the key to success in working in a multicultural environment is to keep an open mind and create a positive learning atmosphere.
She says, "I would like to quote Elbert Hubbard: 'Initiative is doing the right things without being told.' Instead of telling Roma youth what to do, Areté helps them realize the importance of education, or the benefits of participating in a camp or joining the Roma Professional Network."
Adamova was drawn to Areté by her belief in the culture of giving back. "I was given many opportunities in life, and it's time for me to give back by encouraging Roma youth to focus on educational pursuits and to realize the importance of social and professional networks," she said.
As youth development program assistant with Peace Corps, Adamova worked with many Roma NGOs, youth leaders, and volunteers.In 2005 she witnessed how volunteers and Roma youth leaders were empowering young Roma students at the camp "Forward Together."At the camp, she was inspired by the different perspectives and the great motivation of the participants.
Adamova's professional background includes teaching in one of the biggest Roma neighborhoods in Bulgaria, membership in a regional development association, and four years of elected service to the City Council in her hometown, Laki.
Adamova's areas of interest and expertise are team-building, facilitation, ongoing learning, teaching foreign languages, and NGO and youth development. She holds a degree in pedagogy and a diploma for teaching English from Plovdiv University. She is also a certified diversity trainer and a language proficiency tester, and holds a certificate for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
In her free time, Adamova enjoys traveling, dancing, and spending time with friends and family.
