Ilija Vlcevski is a second-generation Macedonian immigrant born and raised in London, United Kingdom. He completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Hertfordshire in Business and Economics, and graduated with first-class honours. He is passionate about economics and strategy and pushing the boundaries of potential in these fields, particularly regarding improving the standard of living in Macedonia, for its diaspora community, and the wider Balkan region.

After participating in the 2017 Birthright Macedonia Program, where he interned for Macedonia’s President Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, and seeing the shared love for Macedonian heritage from his peers, he was inspired to spearhead a UMD division in the UK in order to help unite Macedonians in his country and across the globe. In his free time, he enjoys strength training and reading about economics, philosophy, politics, and strategy.