Seda Aktas
Ms. Aktas was chosen as one of the “Top American Lawyers” in 2017, one of the youngest attorneys in the State of Florida to receive this honor, and inducted into Litigation Counsel of America (LCA) as an Associate Fellow, an honor reserved for less than 1% of lawyers in the United States.
In 2016, Ms. Aktas became a Board Certified Expert in the field of Criminal Trial Law subsequent to an in-depth assessment by the Florida Bar of her experience, professionalism, and a specialized exam, placing her in the small percentage of Florida attorneys who have become specialized in their respective fields of law. In 2015, Ms. Aktas was selected by Rue Ratings as one of the “Best Attorneys in America,” an honor reserved for approximately 1% of lawyers in the country by this organization. She has also been rated by Martindale Hubbell, an organization that has been rating attorneys for over a century, and has been given its highest rating, an AV-Preeminent rating, in the fields of Litigation and Criminal Law, among others. The National Association of Distinguished Counsel selected Ms. Aktas as one of the “Nation’s Top One Percent,” a prestigious award reserved for the elite few in Florida. She was also awarded “Top 10 Under 40”, in Florida, by the National Academy of Criminal Defense Attorneys. Additionally, in 2014, she was awarded “Top 40 Under 40” by The National Trial Lawyers, she was rated a “Superb” Attorney, she was selected as “Client’s Choice” by Avvo.com, and she was designated as one of “10 Best” in Client Satisfaction by the American Institute of Criminal Law Attorneys.
Admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida and the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida and the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit along with all Florida State Courts, Ms. Aktas is a member of the Florida Bar. Further, Ms. Aktas has been approved to teach Trial Advocacy as an Adjunct Professor and also served as an instructor for the NITA Florida Deposition Skills Program 2013 at Nova Southeastern University Shepherd Broad Law School.
Ms. Aktas graduated Cum Laudefrom the University of Massachusetts at Amherst with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Communication and International Relations. She went on to earn her law degree from Florida Coastal School of Law, where she acted as a Staff Editor for its Law Review program, which worked towards accomplishing its mission to publish a visible and forward-thinking journal that influences and engages the legal community.
While in law school, Ms. Aktas was also a member of the Moot Court Honor Board, which competes in numerous national competitions among law schools. In 2007, she was selected by U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida for a highly competitive internship position, and in the same year she was chosen as a candidate for the Attorney General’s Honors Program by the United States Department of Justice.
At the beginning of her legal career, Ms. Aktas served as an Assistant State Attorney for the 19th Judicial Circuit in Indian River County. Within months of her service, she was promoted to the Felony division, where she prosecuted charges ranging from third degree felonies to those punishable by life, as well as capital sexual battery, and she completed innumerable jury and bench trials. Ms. Aktas thereafter relocated to Fort Lauderdale where she worked as an Assistant Regional Counsel at the Office of Criminal Conflict and Civil Regional Counsel. While there, she defended hundreds of serious felony cases, including white collar crimes, sex offenses and drug trafficking. Quickly grasping the other side of the criminal justice process and utilizing her knowledge as a former prosecutor, as Assistant Regional Counsel, she completed many jury trials, obtained numerous acquittals, and secured favorable results for many of her clients without having to proceed to trial.
Ms. Aktas enjoys the vibrant culture and life of Miami, and is an active supporter of many charitable and artistic organizations. Born in Istanbul, Turkey, she is fluent in Turkish and English.
Dr. Nikola Boskovski
Nikola Boskovski was born and raised in Skopje, Macedonia. He went through school in Skopje, graduating with a M.D. from the University of Skopje. His thesis “Effects of Epidural vs. General Anesthesia on Perioperative Water and Electrolytes Excretio” laid out the groundwork for his future endeavours.
Boskovski was the founder and editor of Acta Anaesthesiologica Melitensia and Vice- Chairman & Consultant Department of Anesthesiology in St. Luke’s Hospital in Malta. During this time, he was also Secretary-general of the Maltese Society of Anesthesiologists.
In 1977, Borovski completed his residency and went on to be a military doctor. He also was a Diplomat for the Yugoslav Board of Anesthesiology and American Board of Anesthesiology, respectively. After Macedonia gained its independence, he went on to be a Staff Anesthesiologist at the University of Skopje Medical Center. Later, Boskovski went on to do a residency in Michigan and Nebraska. While in Nebraska, he was Assistant Professor in the Department of Neurosurgery, Clinical Instructor in the Department of Anesthesiology, and Co-Director of the Pain Management Center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. In addition, Boskovski was a Director for Orthopedic Anesthesia and Assistant Professor at South Florida University in Tampa, Florida. Boskovski has a medical license in five states.
Moreover, Boskovski is passionate about serving the community and his service includes; Operation “Smile”; St. Jude Hospital in St. Lucia, West Indies; and being a sponsor for the Macedonian Olympic Swim Team.
He has written over 26 publications mostly regarding anesthesia, epidurals, and its effects. In addition, he has written chapters for Anesthesia: Problems In Primary Care. Edsand Walking Medicine. Eds. Boskovski has had various lectures and presentations regarding his research and expertise in the field of anesthesiology.
Boskovski is currently the president of Lifestyle Medicine & Research in Miami Beach, Florida.
Kristina Dimitrievski
Kristina Dimitrievski is a first-generation Macedonian-Canadian from Toronto. Since her involvement with Generation M as its Chair of Canadian Operations in 2015, countless doors have been opened up for her, including the opportunity to organize events around Canada such as networking mixers, Birthright Macedonia info sessions, two Canadian-Macedonian Leadership Conferences. Kristina participated in UMD’s Birthright Macedonia Program as an intern for the Cabinet of the Ministry of Foreign Investments in Skopje, Macedonia.
One of her passions has always been to help Macedonian youth all over the globe reach their highest potential and professional goals, whatever they may be, and assist them in tying their achievements back to Macedonia to help their Motherland move forward.
She graduated from the University of Guelph-Humber in 2017 with a B.S. in Kinesiology and danced in the Macedonian folklore group, Ensemble Makedonka, for almost a decade.
Last but certainly not least, she is a proud dog mom of Cento the Sarplaninec, and you can follow him on Instagram at @CentoFromThe6ix.
Branislav Gjorcevski
Branislav (“Banne”) Gjorcevski is a Technology Consultant and Investor, versed in technology advisory, innovation, leadership, strategy development and product design across different verticals.
He co-founded IT Labs in 2005 and has assisted dozens of companies from startups to enterprises deliver innovation, strategy, and expansion. The goal of IT Labs is to offer technology transformation with cutting-edge solutions and innovation implemented in an agile, powerful and creative approach to problem-solving.
Teams that Banne has led pride themselves in identifying and creating innovative solutions to major industry problems/needs. They validate the market with minimal MVP and generate revenues/traction within 90 days. This ‘lean & mean’ approach has proven very successful if properly executed.
Branislav has always been at the forefront of the creation process. Collaboratively engaged in the design of a company/product strategy, innovative revenue models, go-to-market strategy, transformational technology and leadership, his involvement has helped various companies achieve growth and success.
Representing IT Labs, he is also a Partner at Remagine Partners, consortium brand of multiple high-performing transformational companies, offering transformational strategies for rapid growth, automation, and operational excellence.
Dr. Cami Hofstadter
A member of Finland’s Swedish-speaking minority, Cami Hofstadter was born in Helsinki, Finland where she received her first law degree followed by a Master’s degree at the UM School of Law, and a Ph.D in Educational Leadership. In addition to these degrees she has certificates in Diplomatic Law from the Hague Academy of International Law, the Netherlands; and in International Organizations from the University of Geneva, Switzerland.
Her career includes being the Associate Director of the Foreign Graduate Program at UM School of Law, followed by teaching School Law at FIU Graduate School of Education, until her retirement so she can engage full-time in her lifelong passion of being a writer in many different venues.
Among her many publications is a long-standing monthly column in Miami Today on consular affairs, and other pieces relating to consular law and status, mainly for lay-people. Her most recent book is The Foreign Consuls Among Us: Local Bridges to Globalism (Seagreen Press, 2015).
After having served as the long-time Honorary Consul of Finland in South Florida, she remains an Associate Member of the Consular Corps of Miami. Recently widowed, she has two grown sons who reside and work in the Miami area.
Deana Janceski
Deana Janceski who was listed in UMD’s 2017 40 Under 40, is first-generation Macedonian-American. She lived most of her life in Michigan until she moved to New York to study. Janceski earned a degree in Fashion Design and was awarded the opportunity to work behind the scenes at Fashion Week in New York.
Upon earning her degree she moved back to Michigan and used her fashion skills to create her own clothing line with numerous collections and showcased them at her own fashion shows throughout Michigan.
She continues to create and design in her spare time. Healthcare has also be something she was interested in, as helping others is a passion of hers. As a result, for the last 7 years she has been a Field Account Manager for the largest health insurance carrier in the United States.
She currently resides in Macomb, Michigan with her husband, Dean and 3-year-old daughter, Stasia.
Mishko Josifov
Born and raised in Kavadarci, Republic of Macedonia, Mishko Josifov is an experienced Hospitality and Finance professional currently residing in Miami, Florida. In 2000, Josifov finished High School in his hometown and immediately after voluntarily joined the Macedonian army where he served his country for almost a year at only 18 years of age. In 2006, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing Management from the Macedonian Faculty of Economics in Prilep and a year later moved to Orlando, Florida where he successfully completed the Tourism and Hospitality Management program at the University of Central Florida. He furthered his education and spent his first year of graduate school in the Masters of Science in Finance program and his second year in the Tourism and Hospitality Program, combining both to complete his dual MBA at Florida International University in December 2014. He returned back to FIU as an adjunct professor in Jan 2016 teaching Financial Management for the tourism and hospitality industry.
After coming to the United States in 2007, Josifov has had various management hospitality leadership positions in resorts like Walt Disney World, Loews Miami Beach Hotel and currently at the iconic Fontainebleau Miami Beach Hotel. He also has held marketing and finance positions with Fortune 500 companies such as Prudential and Guardian, where he mastered sales and finance skills.
Along with his hospitality and management passions, Josifov is a proud Macedonian and very involved within the Macedonian-American community in Florida. Mishko founded and currently serves as the Florida representative of the United Macedonian Diaspora Miami chapter. Since 2012, he has brought the Macedonian community in Florida closer together through organizing a series of events such as Macedonian art and culture festivals, movie premiers, picnics and the annual business networking reception from Miami to Macedonia where he has hosted ambassadors, ministers, government officials and high profile businessmen.
Filip Jotevski
Filip Jotevski is a first-generation Macedonian-American born in Columbus, Ohio living in Washington, D.C. with proud roots from Bitola, Macedonia.
Since graduating from the University of Cincinnati with a degree in Marketing and Professional Sales, he has worked in U.S. Democratic politics in multiple capacities from 2016 until the present where he now works in fundraising at the Democratic National Committee.
As a former United Macedonian Diaspora Fellow, Generation M Global Chair, and Birthright Macedonia participant, his goal is to one day use his skills to further the Macedonian cause through youth engagement in government, policy, and diplomacy.
His Macedonian flag has traveled to 24 different countries.
Kristina Jovanovska
Kristina Jovanovska is a General Manager with extensive experience working with luxury brands to provide solutions and results by creating and implementing new strategies to impact the business in sales, finance and marketing. Focusing on teams development and creating training programs to improve competence and confidence among cross-functional teams while embracing the company’s cultural ethos.
Currently, Jovanovska is a General Manager at Ralph Lauren Bal Harbour, who is directly responsible for leading a flagship location for the company consisting of a seasoned and experienced sales and management team.
She has worked for reputable fashion brands such as Michael Kors, Theory, Dior and has assisted in creating Corporate training programs and seminars throughout the years.
Jovanovska has received a First Certificate of English (FCE) diploma from University of Cambridge and has won multiple awards during her business, retail career such as Certificate of Excellence (2012), Certificate of Highest Sales (2012) and MVP for the Region (2018).
Among other achievements, she has received personal recognition from CEO and Corporate directors at Ralph Lauren for successfully leading 3 locations at the same time including the US Open location, newly opened Luxury outlet in Sawgrass and Flagship location in Bal Harbour.
Jovanovska is born and raised in Skopje, Macedonia where she finished high school at Rade Jovchevski – Korchagin. She continued her studies at SS. Cyril and Methodius University – Faculty of Economics for 2 years prior to moving to United States in 2012. Jovanovska is completing her Bachelor’s Degree at University of American College in Skopje, Macedonia as an online student on the Financial Management program.
Dana L. Klein
Dana L. Klein is the current Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Macedonia in Southeast Florida as well as the Managing Director and Owner of DKMC, Inc., a public and international relations firm in South Florida. She also works in real estate and has a real estate investment company called Royal Capital Investments, LLC.
As Honorary Consul General, Ms. Klein’s duties include economic, cultural, and educational exchanges, partnerships, and investments. As Managing Director of DKMC, Inc., Ms. Klein specializes in Marketing, Public Relations, and Business Development for a variety of clients and industries. Programs include but are not limited to: Marketing Management and Strategy, Project Management, Community Consensus Building, Yield Management, Branding, Positioning, and Imaging, Media Relations, Event Marketing, Advertising, Copywriting, Client, Government, and Investor Relations, and Niche and Target Marketing. As managing member of Royal Capital Investments, LLC, Ms. Klein buys and sells real estate and businesses to and from buyers, sellers, and investors.
Prior to DKMC, Inc., Dana Klein was the Sales Manager of Z99fm in the Cayman Islands for three years creating sales strategies and promotions for such clients as Wendy’s, Domino’s Pizza, Coca Cola, Budweiser, and Frito Lay. She created an in house advertising agency for the company, developing unique advertising plans with customized jingles. Before moving to the Cayman Islands, Dana worked with Cambridge Cable Television, the Boston Globe, Berkshire Business News, Journal Newspapers, and the Pittsfield Gazette.
Honors include Turkish Cultural Tour Travel Grant Recipient, Key to Broward County, Small Business Person of the Year Nominee, American Business Women’s Association Spirit of Excellence Award, Broward County Crime Stoppers Award for Creative Programming, International Crime Stoppers First Place Video Production Winner, US Marine Corps Certificate of Appreciation, Florida Jaycees State Entrepreneur of the Year, and Hollywood Jaycees Hollywood Entrepreneur of the Year.
Current and past memberships include United Macedonian Diaspora Advisory Council, Political Action Committee of Association of Building Contractors, International Committee for International Swimming Hall of Fame, Executive Board of Broward County Crime Stoppers, Executive Board of Hallandale Beach Chamber of Commerce, Board of Broward County Academy of Travel & Tourism, Board of Downtown Hollywood Business Association,, Hollywood Rotary Club Publicity and Auction Chairperson, Greater Hollywood Jaycees Public Relations Chair, Steering Committee of Hollywood Travel & Tourism Committee , Miami Consular CorpsSouth Broward Board of Realtors, Florida and Broward Farm BureausAventura Marketing Council, South Broward Business Council, Superior Small Lodging Association, Emerson College and Syracuse University Alumni Associations, and Latin, Pompano Beach, Dania Beach, Greater Hollywood, Greater Miami Chambers of Commerce.
Dana Klein has a Master’s Degree from Emerson College in Media Management where she wrote a thesis on the International Impact of American Satellite Policy. She also has a Bachelor of Science Degree from the Syracuse University’s Newhouse School of Communications in Radio, Television, and Film Production with a minor in English.
Metodija A. Koloski
Metodija A. Koloski is Co-Founder and President of the United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD), headquartered in Washington, D.C. Koloski, an expert on Macedonia’s right to its name, minorities in Southeast Europe, and NATO and EU enlargement issues, also chairs the Southeast Europe Coalition. He has been been published in the Washington Times, the Foreign Policy Association, The Hill’s Congress Blog, the National Post, the Journal Gazette, and the International Relations Forum. He is frequently quoted in the Macedonian and international media on topics related to Macedonia and the diaspora.
A fluent Macedonian speaker, having learned the language during his childhood, Koloski is proud to serve on the Board of the Macedonian Language E-Learning Center. For his efforts to promote the rich immigrant heritage of the United States, Koloski was recognized and appointed to the Honorary Board of Welcome.us in June 2015.
In his previous capacities, Koloski has worked for the Foreign Policy Association, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, and DLA Piper LLP. He holds a Bachelors of Arts from Manhattanville College in Political Science and International Relations.
Koloski’s family migrated to the United States from Macedonia in the early 1950s due to communist Yugoslavia’s anti-democratic policies. Koloski was born and raised in Garfield, New Jersey. His family has roots in the Republic of Macedonia, Aegean Macedonia (current day northern Greece), and Korca, Albania.
David J. Kramer
David J. Kramer joined Florida International University’s Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs as a Senior Fellow in May 2017. Previously, Kramer was Senior Director for Human Rights and Democracy at the McCain Institute for International Leadership; President of Freedom House; and Senior Transatlantic Fellow with the German Marshall Fund. Kramer served during the George W. Bush administration as Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs. He is author of the recent book, Back to Containment: Dealing with Putin’s Regime.
Anila Nicklos
Anila Nicklos was born and raised in Albania. She appeared on National Television at an early age. Throughout her early life until the early twenties she enjoyed an artistic career and completed a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in Albanian Language and Literature. Later on, she moved to America and in 2003, she received a Masters in Adult Learning and Development from Cleveland State University. In 2013, she earned a Graduate Certificate in Diversity Management from the same university. Ms. Nicklos serves as a Program Manager in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion for Cleveland Clinic. In the newfound country, Ms. Nicklos helped many in her community with their transitions, challenges and assisted them in navigating the American system. Ms. Nicklos has worked closely with the City of Cleveland, the City of Lakewood and has become the Albanian Ambassador and an advocate for the Albanian community. Some of her past, current and future involvements include:
- Board of Trustees for International Services Center
- LeadDIVERSITY, Class of 2012
- Former Vice-President, Albanian American Association
- Cleveland Bridge Builders, Class of 2009
- Former Member of Cleveland ConneXion
- Delegate of the Albanian Cleveland Cultural Garden
- Former Co-Chair, Lakewood Community Relations Council Advisory Commission
- Committee-Member, Sister Cities, Cleveland City, Ohio and Fier City, Albania
- Board-Member of the Immigrants and Minority Business Alliance
- Editor of the Albanian Newspaper “The Eagle”
- Correspondent of the “Illyria”, National Albanian newspaper based in New York.
- Global Cleveland Volunteer
- International Women’s Group Case Western Reserve University
On many occasions Ms. Nicklos has received recognition for her community work including:
- Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from the office of Congressman Dennis Kucinich
- City of Cleveland Resolutions of Recognition
- Albanian American Association of Cleveland
- 2013 Woman of the Year Award, Albanian American Women’s Organization “Motrat Qiriazi”
Mariana-Venera Popescu
Romanian Member of Parliament Mariana-Venera Popescu
Mariana-Venera Popescu is a Romanian citizen of Macedonian heritage born in 1974 in Craiova. In 1994, she graduated Economic High School in Craiova, specializing in Finance and Accounting. In 2002, she graduated from the School of Finance and Banking Management. In 2005-2006, she received the certificate and Masters in Business Administration at the University Open Code. Her professional experience includes 22 years as an economist.
Propescu is married and has a daughter, Maria Alexandra, which has the names of great importance: the name of Mary as Mother of God, because Macedonians are Orthodox Christians, and Alexandra, as the most famous person of Macedonian history – Alexander the Macedonian.
In 2005, she learned of the existence of the Association of Macedonians in Romania in Craiova. Popescu went to the organization where they promoted Macedonian culture to be passed on to our future generations, which includes traditions, language, dance and rich cuisine. Popescu met the President Mrs. Konstantina Dumitrescu who introduced her to then member of Romania’s Parliament, the late Liana Dumitrescu. Dumitrescu and Popescu became close friends due to the structure of Dumitrescu’s personality and how it remains a model for our community. Liana lived to help people; always talking about the laws and how they affected people’s lives and simply fascinated by the activity in parliament.
Dumitrescu was constantly busy between attending book fairs across the country, like the minority festival in Sighisoara “PROETNIKA” Festival of Poetry “Alexander Machedonski” and cultural events that included Macedonian dances and songs. Popescu was present at the summer camps for Macedonian culture and language. Popescu has written several articles about the work of the Macedonian community in Romania, its members, and minority rights in the journal Machedoneanul.
Popescu represents a woman of great and varied professional activities without a political background. She is responsible for continuing the work of the MP – Liana Dumitrescu. Popescu’s duty is to suggest and show respect and loyalty to all Romanian citizens to Romania, the citizen who she is.
Filip Simeski
Filip Simeski graduated with a ScB in Engineering from Brown University and is currently pursuing a graduate program in Mechanical Engineering at Stanford University. Growing up in Macedonia, he was strongly influenced by the traditional Macedonian values and had the chance to be charmed by the rich traditions and history of the people. He hopes to use his knowledge to help Macedonia become a more modern, technologically-advanced country and inspire the youth of Macedonian heritage to professionally develop. In his free time, he likes to hike the NorCal parks, swim, read or dance anything from waltz to pravoto.
Ivana Trajkovska
Ivana Trajkovska works at the Cabinet of the President of Republic of Macedonia, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov, on matters relating to public relations.
She started her career in 2010 as a journalist in the oldest Macedonian newspaper. Shortly after that, she became an editor and a member of the board of the national Macedonian Radio Television. After 7 years in this field, she joined the Cabinet of The President, Dr. Gjorge Ivanov as a part of his public relations and foreign policy team.
She was born in Skopje and graduated from the South East University (SEEU) in Tetovo with degree of public relations and languages, cultures and communication. During her studies, she developed a curious mind as to with regards to politics so she decided to continue her studies on a master’s of political studies at the Faculty of Law Iustinianus Primus at Skopje, Macedonia.