Staff | Russian American Foundation | United States

In today’s political climate, coming together as a people, not bound by race, color or gender, is more important than ever. One organization [RAF] has been striving to bridge the gap between cultures for 20 years, and it is right here in our own back yard…”

-The New York Post, 2017

“The Russian American Foundation’s continued contributions to cultural, educational, and sports programs in the United States and Russia help foster greater understanding between the people of the United States and the Russian Federation. Such programs highlight the things that the American and Russian people have in common.”

- Honorable Michael A. McFaul, former US Ambassador to Moscow, 2012

Executive Team

Marina Kovalyov

Founding President

Director, Arts and Cultural Initiatives

Rina Kirshner

Founding Vice President

Director, BBA Programs in the US and RAF's NSLI-Y Programs in Russia

For additional information about our programs, please e-mail us at info@russianamericanfoundation.org

Program Staff

Regina Shamilov

Director of Community Relations

Phone: 212.687.6118 x 202

Email: rshamilov@russianamericanfoundation.org

Geneva Bernal

Coordinating Director

BBASI NY, BBA Teacher Certification

Phone: 212.687.6118 x 206

Email: gbernal@russianamericanfoundation.org

Eric Connelly

Special Projects & Exhibits

Phone: 212.687.6118 x 210

Email: econnelly@russianamericanfoundation.org

Sofia Kutceva

Coordinating Director

BBASI CT

Phone: 212.687.6118 x 208

Email: tdobretsova@russianamericanfoundation.org

Jade Direnfeld

Coordinating Director

NSLI-Y, Bolshoi PREP Programs

Phone: 212.687.6118 x 201

Email: jdirenfeld@russianamericanfoundation.org