Harvard Club of Bulgaria, founded in 2001, connects the Bulgarian Harvard alumni, students, faculty, and friends with the University and its global community. Our members are leaders who engage with various initiatives in their communities. We learn from the most accomplished practitioners in each field and partner on issues of national and global significance. We also work to attract talented Bulgarian students to Harvard, promote the University and extend its footprint in the region.
Purpose
The purpose of HCB as defined in foundational documents includes the following:
- Promote social relationships among Harvard alumni and friends in Bulgaria and Bulgarian Harvard alumni abroad;
- Stimulate discussion of current social problems;
- Bring Harvard news to members and alumni;
- Communicate alumni views to the Harvard Alumni Association;
- Influence outstanding young Bulgarians to apply to Harvard and help them identify their goals in the process;
- Raise scholarship funds and provide financial assistance to young scholars;
- Provide and stimulate community service in Bulgaria;
- Recognize outstanding achievement by business, social and political leaders in Bulgaria;
- Co-operate with the Harvard Alumni Association to strengthen the Harvard Club and encourage the establishment of new clubs.
Our Values
We believe that HCB is well positioned to exemplify and advance the defining values of the Harvard community:
Integrity
Honesty
Mutual respect
Accountability
Social responsibility
Programming
Throughout the year, HCB hosts various types of events, which reflect the interests and preferences of its members and the purpose and values of Harvard University and the Harvard Alumni Association. HCB’s primary activities fall in the following areas:
- Attracting the world’s most talented individuals to Harvard University
- Providing opportunities for alumni to network and interact
- Promoting and elevating the stature of the University within the community
- Providing opportunities for alumni to remain connected to the University and to serve the University
- Encouraging lifelong learning
President’s Note
Maria Popkovacheva
As the current President, it’s my great pleasure to welcome you to the Harvard Club of Bulgaria. Our members include graduates of Harvard College and Harvard’s graduate and professional schools and their spouses. We also welcome alumni of the various executive and leadership programs.
Our mission is simple: to attract the best Bulgarian students to Harvard; to connect Harvard alumni, faculty, and friends with one another; to encourage their continuous growth and professional development; and to facilitate connections with our beloved alma mater and its global community of alumni.
HCB is currently run by an elected President and an Executive Board of five Vice-Presidents. The Board represents the full diversity of education programs at Harvard, including alumni of Harvard College, Harvard Divinity School, Harvard Business School, and the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.
HCB is a great way to stay in touch both with Harvard and with fellow alumni in Bulgaria. Your views are important to us and we are always looking for suggestions of ways in which the Club can provide greater value to its members, so please do not hesitate to contact us.
On behalf of the Board, I am privileged to extend to you a warm welcome to the official Harvard alumni community in Bulgaria.
Yours truly,
Maria Popkovacheva, MA’11
school
Officers
of the Harvard Club of Bulgaria
Maria Popkovacheva
M '11
Maria Popkovacheva-Terzieva holds a masters degree in Religion, Ethics and Politics from Harvard University. She currently studies and teaches political science.
I would love for the club to exemplify that Harvard spirit in Bulgaria. For me this means organizing Harvard-quality events, fostering a culture of public service, informing students about the Harvard-education and finally creating a vibrant community among its members.
Peter Alexiev
'94
Peter Alexiev, graduated from Harvard college in June 1994 – Concentration Economics, Quincy House Resident.
Based on my previous experience in international banking, we are currently developing financial services software in Bulgaria.
My vision for the Harvard Club of Bulgaria is raising the visibility in the public life of HCB and the Harvard alumni currently in Bulgaria and continuing the excellent momentum of bringing its members closer together.
Alexander Drangajov
HBS '13
HBS alumnus of 2013. Technology entrepreneur, founder and CEO of Questers – UK based software enterprise with delivery locations in Sofia and around E Europe.
I’m motivated to be part of the HCB board and dedicate my energy and efforts in inspiring new good initiatives that leave a footprint for Bulgaria following the University’s principles and values.
Dr. Kamen Kozarev
Smithsonian Fellow
Kamen Kozarev worked at Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, 2010-2016. Space physicist, working on solar and space radiation.
I would like to help expand the concentrated engagement of Harvard alumni in social causes in Bulgaria – not only charity, but also civil society, science, and arts.
Dimitar Milenkov
'09
Dimitar Milenkov graduated Harvard College in 2009 with a degree in Economics. He is a travel technology consultant at CTW Consulting.
HCB should provide for its members and friends an opportunity to engage in an open, dynamic, and intellectually stimulating platform for exchange of ideas and experience.
Trayan Trayanov
AB ’06
Trayan holds an AB in Social Studies from Harvard College (2006) and an MPhil in Sociology from University of Cambridge (2010). He works as program director at Teach For Bulgaria.
I believe HCB should live and exemplify Harvard’s commitment to learning, service, and excellence. We have been privileged to receive a world-class education, and it is our duty to help as many Bulgarian students as possible achieve their full potential and have access to the opportunities we have enjoyed.