About Me
Growing up, my identity was shaped by the resilience of my family of first-generation immigrants from Romania in Eastern Europe. My parents’ educational endeavors in North Dakota while raising my sister and I on minimal resources, instilled in me a profound belief in the transformative power of knowledge and the importance of storytelling. Later on, after my family relocated in Saint Louis, Missouri, my keen awareness of oppression and my own journey of self-discovery deepened my commitment to telling stories that amplify marginalized communities and underrepresented perspectives.
When I arrived at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., I was drawn to non-fiction storytelling as both an art form and a civic duty. While pursuing a double major in Journalism and Mass Communication and in Political Science as well as a minor in Film Studies, I took steps towards gaining expertise in filmmaking. In an environmental filmmaking course, I created The Ban, a documentary short that explored the racist history of swimming restrictions in the Potomac River. The project helped me discover how stories rooted in history and seeking social equity can drive awareness and spark dialogue. It was also through this class that my professor recommended me for an internship with Meridian Hill Pictures, where I worked on post-production for a feature documentary and continued to learn more about the industry.
Throughout my time at the university, I took every opportunity available not only to hone my craft but also to contribute meaningfully to authentic storytelling depicting how historically unprivileged groups overcome adversities and speak truth to power. As a Video Assistant at Planet Forward, an initiative engaging college students in environmental storytelling, I found the mentorship needed to explore how I could best illuminate in audiovisual formats pressing problems of our time such as climate change. My work as the Gwen Ifill Fellow with PBS News Hour, selected from among hundreds of candidates, further reinforced my strong belief in the impact achieved when narratives are treated with integrity and respect and give voice to those who do not typically have a say in policymaking or public discourse. In these settings, I developed my capabilities in multimedia production, content creation, research, writing, and editing, which are of paramount importance for telling stories that matter.
My additional internship experiences, such as with the U.S. Department of Commerce's Public Affairs Office through the Partnership for Public Service, the Congressional Office of a member of the U.S. House of Representatives through the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute, and the U.S. Department of State through the Virtual Student Federal Service, have increased my abilities to investigate complex issues and find my own creative voice.
Each of these opportunities has brought me closer to my dream of creating documentaries that shine a light on frequently overlooked stories — stories of resilience, hope, and the fight for justice. Moving forward, I am committed to continuing this work, using my passion for filmmaking to empower diverse communities, foster understanding, and preserve the ideals that have shaped my journey.
