The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) – a leading voice for Macedonians abroad based in Washington, D.C., with operations on three continents – has hired Gordan Jordanov as our new Macedonia Director to be based out of the Republic.
In addition to overseeing UMD’s Macedonia operations and the Birthright Macedonia program, Jordanov will cover UMD’s partnerships with Macedonian minority communities in Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, and other Southeast European nations. He will also be the point of contact for UMD’s European expansion.
“Having Gordan on the ground in the Republic of Macedonia allows us to have a better pulse of the day-to-day happenings. Gordan brings a fresh energy that’ll engage and connect the Diaspora to Macedonia and Macedonia to the Diaspora. It allows us to build efforts for the thousands of Macedonians in Pirinska Makedonija, Egejska Makedonija, and Mala Prespa in Albania” said UMD Chairman Argie Bellio.
“By living abroad for a considerable amount of time, spreading the Macedonian culture globally and personal dedication to public service, I learned that we Macedonians, possess tremendous qualities and a huge plethora of experiences that can heal the wounds our homeland is experiencing during these difficult times. By accepting this position, I am sure that my contribution will successfully represent UMD’s goals and values in Macedonia and will serve as a bridge between the homeland and Macedonian communities worldwide,” said Gordan Jordanov.
“The UMD Board of Directors made the right choice in bringing on Gordan – he’s passionate, professional, well-spoken, and the best person to help chart a new future for UMD’s work in Macedonia and represent the views of the Macedonian Diaspora on the ground,” said UMD President Metodija A. Koloski.
UMD is grateful to its members and donors for their generosity in making this possible.
Biography
Gordan Jordanov was born in Veles, Macedonia. Since the age of 11, he has been an active volunteer in the organization “CISV – Children International Summer Villages,” where he spent most of his adolescent period spreading the Macedonian culture worldwide. Jordanov played volleyball professionally for 10 years in the VK Borec in Veles, as well as for the Macedonian National Volleyball Team U-23. He continued his higher education in Solun as an undergraduate student at the American University of Thessaloniki, Greece, and obtained a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Diplomacy and a minor in Human Resource Management.
While living in Solun, Jordanov actively worked on the activation of the youth in public service and rights to minorities, becoming the first Macedonian President of the Student Government Association. During his university days, he was a Senior Intern at the Mike and Kitty Dukakis Center working on the Integration plan of the city of Solun and the socialization processes of migrants in northern Greece. He also participated in the Internship Program at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Macedonia.
Upon Jordanov’s return to Macedonia, he worked in the private sector coordinating different projects for international organizations as well as helping found an NGO focused on political transparency. Most recently, he worked as an HR Manager in one of the largest companies for the production and distribution of food products in the Balkan region.
He currently serves as Director for Macedonia and is in Skopje.