Alianta’s 8th Annual Gala Summary
Alianta’s 8th Annual Gala and Summit was a sold-out event, with the most participants we’ve ever hosted, and two days of exciting guests, performances, and conversations.
In case you missed it, here are the photos from the Gala and Summit.
This year, we hosted the Gala at the historic Willard Hotel, steps away from the White House.
The evening started with a lively cocktail hour where guests were greeted with the traditional bread and salt, had the opportunity to meet and mingle, drink some Romanian palinca, and take photos in front of the Alianta backdrop.
The Awards part of the evening started with an emotional performance of the Romanian and American anthems by singers Florentina Banaga and Kate Stewart.
Romanian Ambassador Dan Andrei Muraru addressed the audience
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Alianta 2022 Regional Partner Dolj was introduced to the guests by Dolj County Council Vice President Mr Mihai Neatu. You can view the beautiful overview video presenting Dolj County here.
We heard from Alianta’s 2022 Charitable Partner OvidiuRo, who through The Alex Fund, are leading the effort to modernize and transform ALL the kindergartens in disadvantaged areas into seedbeds of literacy – so they adequately prepare their children to succeed in primary school and progress on to secondary school and beyond. If you didn’t get a chance during the Gala, you can help by donating here.
Alianta board member Iulian Calinov presented the ARCS Romania-American National Heritage Awards to six deserving young students.
Alianta 2022 Gala Honorees
Business Innovation Award
NuScale
Alianta Board Member Obie Moore presenting the Business Innovation Award to NuScale EVP Clayton Scott
NuScale provides scalable advanced nuclear technology for the production of electricity, heat, and clean water.
In November 2021, NuScale and Societatea Nationala Nuclearelectrica SA (SNN), signed a teaming agreement to advance the deployment of NuScale’s SMR technology.
Scientific Excellence Award
Adrian R. Krainer, Ph.D.
Alianta Board Member George Roth (left) presenting the Scientific Excellence Award to Dr. Adrian Krainer
Born in Uruguay to a Jewish family of Romanian descent, Krainer received the Wolf Prize in Medicine in 2021 and Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences in 2019 for his contributions to the understanding of the RNA gene-splicing process.
Humanitarian Award
US Rep. Jackie Walorski
Alianta Gala Chair Chang Oh Turkmani presenting the Humanitarian Award to US Rep. Victoria Spartz, who accepted it on behalf of US Rep. Jackie Walorski
Jackie Walorski served as the U.S. representative for Indiana’s 2nd congressional district from 2013 until 2022.
Walorski and her husband Dean Swihart worked as Christian missionaries in Romania until 2004.
The award was accepted on behalf of Jackie Walorski by US Rep. Victoria Spartz, the only Ukrainian-born American U.S. representative, a close friend of Walorski.
International Public Service Award
Mircea Geoana
Romanian Ambassador Andrei Muraru accepting the International Public Service Award from Ambassador Jim Rosapepe (Rtd.) on behalf of Mircea Geoana
Now NATO Deputy Secretary General, Mircea Geoana served as Romanian Ambassador to the US from 1996 to 2000, working with Ambassador Moses to launch the Strategic Partnership between Romania and the US. In later years he has served as Romanian Foreign Minister and President of the Romanian Senate.
International Public Service Award
Ambassador Alfred Moses
Ambassador Alfred Moses (right) accepting the International Public Service Award from Ambassador Jim Rosapepe (Rtd.)
Drawing on decades of experience with Romania, US Ambassador Alfred Moses (Ret.) served as US Ambassador to Romania under President Bill Clinton, from 1994 to 1997. In that role he led the US effort to create the Strategic Partnership between Romania and the US.
