ROMANIAN HUMANITARIAN

Marina Sturdza [1944-2017] : Who fled Romania as a 3-year old princess and returned after its  repressive government was routed to become-

One of her country's leading humanitarians.

A would-be diplomat and former journalist. Ms. Sturdza ended her self-imposed exile in Canada and  the United States in the mid-1990s, several years after the Communist Dictator Nicolae Ceausescu was deposed.

She then became fully engaged in promoting foreign investment in Romania and supporting child protection and palliative programs there.

She was a patron of Hope and Homes for Children. Hospices for Hope Casa Sperantei, FARA Romania and other causes.

She also served on the board of Pro-Patrimonio, a foundation devoted to preserving historic architecture, including Romania's wooden churches.

She received the European Union's Women of Achievement Humanitarian Award in 2005.

In 1997, Ms. Sturdza helped organize a business summit convened by the International Herald Tribune that was described as the first economic development initiative in Romania.

At her death, she was president of Marina Sturdza Enterprises and Summits International, corporate strategic planning consultancies that specialize in Eastern Europe.