Given its work on immigration reform in the U.S., and ensuring the Macedonian-American community’s views are equally represented, the United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) is pleased to inform that its Board Member and Director of Charitable Efforts Natalia Buling-Betinski has joined the Steering Committee of the Illinois Business Immigration Coalition (IBIC).
“Being born to immigrant parents from Macedonia, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges and opportunities that our family, friends, and community have faced in the United States. Immigration reform is long overdue, and I am honored to be a member of an organization, IBIC, that ensures that this important cause moves forward,” said Buling-Betinski.
“IBIC is extremely pleased to welcome Natalia Buling-Betinski, a prominent leader of the Macedonian-American community to our steering committee. IBIC promotes common sense immigration reform that recognizes and further advances the economic contribution of immigrant communities like Macedonian Americans. Together we will work to pass a common sense immigration reform that is economically sound and morally just,” said IBIC Executive Director Rebecca Shi.
IBIC Steering Committee members leverage their position as business and civic leaders to promote the message that comprehensive federal immigration reform is the right path forward for the Illinois economy and Illinois communities. Illinois is home to a sizeable and historic Macedonian-American community, mainly concentrated in the greater Chicago area, Springfield, Madison, and Granite City.
On April 22nd, IBIC will host a discussion at the Chicago Club Moving Forward: Immigration Reform Bottom-Line 2014 featuring former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, the 37th IL Governor James Thompson (1977-1991), the 38th IL Governor Jim Edgar (1991-1999), IL Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka, Carol Segal, Co-founder, Crate and Barrel, and Doug Oberhelman, CEO, Caterpillar Inc., among others. To attend, please register by clicking here.
Biography
Natalia Buling-Betinski is the daughter of Macedonian immigrants who arrived to Chicago in 1968. Natalia and her family travel back to their hometowns of Berovo and Strumica on a regular basis. Natalia has been an avid supporter of her community. She is currently a member of the Board of the United Macedonian Diaspora, the voice of our nations half a million Americans of Macedonian heritage, and serves as its Director of Charitable Efforts. She oversees all greater Chicago activities for UMD. Buling-Betinski is a member of the European Advisory Council of Senator Mark Steven Kirk of Illinois.
Buling-Betinski holds a Bachelors of Arts in Professional Psychology, specializing in Organizational/Industrial Psychology, with which she graduated with Honors, and is working on her Masters in the same field. She has spent the last ten years of her career in Business Operations Management. Buling-Betinski worked in international staffing & consulting, and currently, works in human resources at a German-owned international manufacturing company. She also oversees her family’s business as the Director of Operations, including a Macedonian restaurant in Chicago and a 5-star resort in Macedonia’s Maleshevo region, scheduled to open in 2014.