The Executive Committee 2009/2010 Honorary President Benay Cinar I have been living in St. Petersburg since October 1st, 2007. My husband is the first Turkish consul general here. We have a 20-year-old son studying hotel management and marketing in Canada.  Having lived in Moscow for two years (1999 – 2001 August) has definitely made it easier for us to adapt ourselves to St. Petersburg. When asked which city I’d prefer, I always say “Peter”. This open-air museum has so much to offer to all of us, which is a privilege. Remember to carry a camera with you all the time and share whatever you experience with friends here and elsewhere.   Executive President Margaret McDonald My name is Margaret McDonald and I have been living in St. Petersburg since Christmas 2007. This is actually our second time living in this part of the world as our first overseas assignment placed us in Lappeenranta, Finland during the winter of 1999.  During that assignment I frequently came to Saint Petersburg as a tourist, taking in the sites and souvenirs, but never really learning my way around the city well.  It is amazing how much has changed over the course of 8 years and how much more I am learning about St. Petersburg now that I am a resident.  Finland was an amazing and beautiful experience, especially being our first, but after three years we were transferred to Hong Kong.  What could be more different than to go from the relative quiet and peace of Finnish country- side and end up in one of the most dynamic and busiest cities in the world?  Amazingly different but equally as satisfying, we very much enjoyed our experience in Asia. During this time we had our daughter Isabel, who at the age of 4 is now almost more experienced world traveler than her parents!  After Hong Kong we were transferred back to the United States where we briefly got re- acquainted with our culture, friends and belongings.  In less than 6 months of being transferred home my husband and I were approached about an opportunity to move to St. Petersburg and we both jumped at the chance to live overseas again.  In my now almost 7 years of living abroad I have found the women’s organizations play a crucial role in making my overseas experience successful.  Not only does it help women form bonds and friendships that cross over national and cultural boundaries, but it also enriches the experience of living and learning in a country other than their own. I look forward to adding to the richness of my expatriate experience by meeting new people and learning more about our new home here in St. Petersburg, Russia.                          Vice President Lolita Ebril My upbringing in the glorious city of St.Petersbug has cultivated in me an incredible feel for all things international.This city has opened my eyes and heart to a vast array of peoples,cultures, flavors. And it is by these experiences that I measure this great organization called IWC. Like the greatness that is St.Petersburg, IWC unites peoples from across the globe. International ideas,thoughts, actions all come together ,mix and create and become this extraordinary IWC.When I lived one year abroad, I came to appreciate how different and unique one can feel outside ones own environment. Many was the time I encountered foreign customs and traditions that seemed so alien to me. So it is with this experience that I am made keenly aware of how a new traveler to Russia may feel. And it is with IWC that I wish to share that my great Russia holds in its heart a culture that is truly varied, open, and most inviting!!!And so little time is needed to enjoy our wonderful organization! I am a business consultant for a Finish consulting firm, I have a sweet little daughter, and a husband who works as the director of St.Petersburg afiliate of Intergovernmental TV Radio Station "MIR". My free time is very limited, but I manage to do something with our club! In a short time, you will soon see what incredible and wonderful activites you can become a part of or maybe even create a new activity with yours truly! I speak French, English, and Russian and I love meeting new people! It will be my supreme pleasure to welcome you on behalf of IWC to my wonderful St.Petersberg. I am most sure you are soon to fall in love with this City! Recording Secretary Board Helen   Membership Secretary Gruis Rosni I'm Rosni Gruis from Singapore and I'm the Membership Secretary. We moved to St.Petersburg in October 2007 and back then I thought "Gosh! What am I doing here in this cold, gray city?" Honestly speaking, it was depressing me. We have lived in tropical and sub-tropics country like The United Emirates (Abu Dhabi), Australia (Sydney), Mexico and Suriname. Now almost 2.5 years passed, I can say that we do not regret being here. This picturesque, historical city does take our breath away. There are many places to visit, like the museums, theatres, parks (to name some), plenty of activities are organized during summertime and the city is lighted up beautifully during the long Christmas holidays. This year winter is scenery that I will not forget. It’s like winter wonderland! There are thick snows everywhere covering the roads, the trees, the parks and the rivers. Amazing sight! Now, what matter most is that this Club called IWC has made our lives easier; we meet lots of people from all over the world with different cultures and backgrounds. We share experiences and ideas, we motivate one another. My kids and I made friends at the Club activities like the play/sing groups, Peter's Tea, General Meetings and tours. IWC is like one quote, “It’s a LIFELINE”...I totally agree.  It doesn’t matter if you are single, married with/without children, there are always activities already organized for you. So take my advice, checks us out, join us and be part of this great organization, IWC Charity Committee Chair Fiedler Barbara Treasurer Baalman Quinta Communications Secretaries Agne Krutiniene & Caroline Pechmajou Community Relationship Liaison Julia Baidakova Hello, my name is Julia Baidakova. I was born and raised in Leningrad-St Petersburg. I have a philological background, graduating from the St Petersburg State University, also completed my thesis in Russian phonetics. In the mid nineties I left the university and started a new career of freelance guide and interpreter showing visitors our beautiful city I love so much. I organize their tours in and around St Pete and fully enjoy my job because I meet many interesting people from all over the world. I joined the IWC 6 years ago, we were only 3 Russian ladies in the club and the club was very small then, 60 members only. Here in the club I meet new friends, so many wonderful women who have so many interesting stories to tell, and they are doing a lot trying to help the others less privileged in this city, great job. I am happy to be part of the club and be involved and be able to help. Well, about my interests, I enjoy reading, music and long walks in the parks and along the sea. I am married to a Russian man, his name is Eric he is an engineer in ventilation and air-conditioning.

Site Map