MISSION STATEMENT

The Russian American Foundation (formerly Russian American Arts Foundation) was founded in 1997 to encourage interest in and understanding of Russian heritage among all communities in the US, as well as to promote reciprocal interest in American heritage among global communities of the former Soviet Union. Over the years RAF’s mission and activities have expanded to incorporate:

  • Promoting cultural, economic and social development, progress and well being within the Russian speaking community in the New York area and the greater United States.

  • Promoting a better understanding and acceptance of the Russian speaking community among the various other communities of the New York area and the greater United States.

  • Engaging in activities which assist the Russian speaking community of the New York area, and the greater United States in preserving their heritage, culture and language.

Today, the goal of RAF’s activities and programming is to facilitate a better understanding of the global Russian speaking community and to assist the New York Russian speaking community in achieving a better standard of life while preserving ties to its heritage. RAF’s activities are grouped under two divisions: The Russian American Arts Foundation and The Russian American Health Coalition.

For additional information about our programs please e-mail

info@russianamericanfoundation.com

*Due to the large amount of emails we receive and our limited resources we are not able to respond to every correspondence.

 

MARINA KOVALYOV

President

 

Marina Kovalyov is highly regarded in the Russian-speaking communities worldwide as both a business and a cultural leader. A senior curator at the St. Petersburg Museum of Ethnography in Russia, Marina emigrated to the United States in 1979 and was immediately asked to join the Costumes and Textiles department at the Brooklyn Museum of New York. Three years later, Marina decided to pursue entrepreneurism and founded a travel company which specialized in servicing the Russian speaking community. The company quickly expanded and became the leading agency for the Russian speaking community with offices in New York, Moscow and Tel-Aviv. In the 1990s Marina saw an opportunity to bring Russian artists and entertainers to the United States, launching a successful career as a producer. During her career Marina hosted a highly popular program on Russian television and was a co-creator and a co-editor of the magazine New York Seasons, the first Russian language magazine about cultural life in New York. After selling her business in 1997, Marina founded the Russian American Arts Foundation with the goal of building a bridge between Russia and the United States meant to connect both the people and the cultures. Marina’s expertise and global connections are in constant demand and she has served as a consultant for many American and Russian corporations, elected officials and private individuals. With her active lifestyle, Marina still finds time for charitable causes and is a member of the boards of numerous community organizations such as; United Jewish Appeal-Russian Division, Shorefront YM-YWHA, COJECO, and The Jewish Week.

Marina has been bestowednumerous Honors and Awards for her activities, including;

2007 - Honored by William C. Thompson, Jr. for her Outstanding contributions to the Cultural Life of New York City .

2006 - Honored by The Council of the City of New York for her Outstanding contributions to the Cultural Life of the City .

2005 – Honored by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg for her Outstanding Contributions to New York City.

2004 - Featured in a program by Channel 13 “Immigrant Women Pursuing The American Dream” .

2000 and 1996 - United Jewish Appeal, Woman of the Year .

1994 - Long Island Business Association, Woman of the Year .

 

 

RINA KIRSHNER

Vice-President

 

Rina Kirshner was trained for the world of high finance at the Wharton School of Business and the NYU Stern School of Business. In her role as Vice President of the Russian American Foundation, Rina Kirshner combines her talent for business with her passion for international culture, arts and entertainment. Rina’s extensive production skills and expertise allow her to lead RAF in the creation of successful events all over the country. Today, Rina Kirshner is the leading force behind the establishment of the Russian American Health Coalition in cooperation with the Jewish Community Relations Council of NY. Rina volunteers her time to serve as the Treasurer on the Board of Octavia.