Dragoș Bucurenci (born August 30, 1981) is a Romanian communication strategist and coach,"Amalia Enache si Dragos Bucurenci prezinta prima data un eveniment impreuna" (in Romanian). "Gândul". 3 October 2014. civic activist"800 people attend Hope Concert: Impressive show dedicated to Romania’s most vulnerable children". "Nine O'Clock". 13 April 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2016. and television personality. He was named Manager of The Year 2021"Gala Capital Performerii anului 2021. Cel mai bun manager!" (in Romanian). "Capital". 22 February 2022."Gala Capital Performerii anului 2021. Dragoș Bucurenci, votat cel mai bun manager al anului 2021" (in Romanian). "Evenimentul Zilei". 22 February 2022. by Capital magazine, having received the most number of votes expressed by the readers of the publication. In 2010, his Process Communication Model course was awarded Best Training of the Year Prize at the Romanian Business Edu Gala. In 2014 he joined the cabinet of the European Commissioner for Regional Policy as Communication Adviser, but left a year later citing "different work styles".Palmeri, Tara. "A commissioner’s work habits prompt staff upheaval". "Politico". 12 October 2015. In 2019, he became communications director for Philip Morris International Romania."Dragoș Bucurenci se alătură echipei de management Philip Morris România". "Smark". 1 July 2019. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
He founded MaiMultVerde, a well-knownMarcu, Diana. "Portretul voluntarului roman: tanar si preocupat de mediu" (in Romanian). Gândul. 30 September 2010. Retrieved 9 May 2013. environmental organizations in Romania. He was featured on the cover of Esquire Romania October 2008 edition, among "15 people who innovate, challenge and change the world we live in".Esquire Romania past editions. Retrieved 9 May 2013.Lupsa, Cristian. "Poti avea incredere in acest om?" (in Romanian). Esquire Romania. October 2008: 56-65. Print.
In 2016, he hosted the Romanian edition of the Survivor television series on ProTV.Heath, Ryan. "Brussels Playbook: Cyprus reunification on track — Brussels and Paris less liveable — When tomatoes attack". "Politico". 18 August 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
Organizations
Save the Danube Delta A group of Romanian environmentalists founded "Save the Danube Delta" Association in 2004 in response to the Ukrainian Government's plans to reopen navigation on the Bystroye Canal, which posed a severe threat to the biodiversity of the Danube Delta and sparked an international outcry.July 2006. United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. "ESPOO Inquiry Commission Report on the Likely Significant Adverse Transboundary Impacts of the Danube - Black Sea Navigation Route at the Border of Romania and the Ukraine". Retrieved May 10, 2013.Schiermeier, Quirin. "Ukraine deluged by protests over plans for Danube delta". Nature 431: 727 (14 October 2004). Print. Dragoș Bucurenci was appointed Executive Director and coordinated the public campaign against the Ukrainian project.Nitoi, Ana Maria; Alexe, Anca. Kievul a amanat inaugurarea canalului Bastroe (in Romanian). Hotnews. 25 August 2004. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
Bucurenci also led advocacy campaigns for the protection of the wildlife in the Romanian part of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve and for the ecological restoration"Avocatul biodiversitatii din Delta" (in Romanian). Interview with Dragos Bucurenci. Adevarul. 26 July 2007. Retrieved 10 May 2013."Delta isi recapata baltile inapoi" (in Romanian). Adevarul. 24 September 2007. Retrieved 10 May 2013. of the large areas of the Danube Delta that the Romanian Communist Government had drained and transformed into agro-industrial zones.Rank, Michael. "Danube's Wild Delta Saved by Uprising". Los Angeles Times. February 25, 1990. Retrieved 10 May 2013. The organization successfully enlisted the public support of Prime Minister Calin Popescu-TariceanuThe Press Office of the Romanian Government. (in French and Romanian). Official Website of the Romanian Government. 8 July 2006.The Press Office of the Romanian Government. (in French). Official Website of the Romanian Government. 7 July 2006. Retrieved 10 May 2013. and of President Traian Basescu.Caloian, Otilia. "Basescu vrea sa faca din Delta prima destinatie turistica a Romaniei" (in Romanian). 9AM. 9 August 2006. Retrieved 10 May 2013. In 2006, the Romanian Government announced a plan to invest 37 million euros in the ecological reconstruction of the Danube DeltaVlad, Adelina. "Promovarea Deltei, blocata intre poluare si proasta administrare" (in Romanian). 9AM. 10 July 2006. Retrieved 10 May 2013. and issued a 10-year ban on the fishing of endangered species of sturgeons.Thorpe, Nick. "Danube sturgeon on the brink of extinction?". BBC News. 9 April 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2013.International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River. "Romania bans sturgeon fishing for ten years". Danube Watch. February 2006. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
In 2007, "Save the Danube and the Delta" Association was awarded the Grand Trophy at the Civil Society Gala, the most prestigious award that a non-profit organization can get in Romania."Marele Premiu la Gala Societatii Civile a fost acordat Asociatiei 'Salvati Delta - AC'". IQAds. 6 June 2007. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
MaiMultVerde In 2008, Bucurenci founded "MaiMultVerde" ("More Green") Association, under the high patronage of HRH Crown Princess Margareta of Romania, with the aim to increase youth participation in volunteer programs for the environment."Principesa Margareta a lansat asociația de protecție a mediului "MaiMultVerde" (in Romanian). Realitatea.net News. 21 April 2008. Retrieved 10 May 2013. "MaiMultVerde" developed partnerships between central and local authorities, private companies and mass-media that resulted in nationwide reforestation and environmental cleanup campaigns.MaiMultVerde Association. "Raport Anual 2008" (in Romanian). 5 May 2009. Retrieved 10 May 2013.MaiMultVerde Association. "Annual Report 2009". 29 April 2010. Retrieved 10 May 2013. By the end of 2010, the organization had worked with 14,000 volunteers, planted 450,000 saplings and collected 600,000 lbs of waste from natural areas.MaiMultVerde Association. "Annual Report 2010". 6 June 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
A 2004 survey by The Gallup Organization revealed that only 13% of young urban people in Romania had volunteered for charities in the past 12 months and only 8% of volunteers had been involved in environmental programs.The Gallup Organization. "Being Young in Romania Market Research". British Council Romania. May - November 2004. Retrieved 10 May 2013. In 2010, a survey by GfK showed that the percentage of young urban Romanian who volunteered increased to 29%. Of them, 51% had been involved in environmental programs.
"MaiMultVerde" also created Bucharest's first rent-a-bike system, Cycloteque, in partnership with Unicredit Tiriac Bank."S-a lansat Cicloteque, centrul de inchiriat biciclete" (in Romanian). Ce se intampla, doctore?. July 2008. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
In 2008, Esquire Romania featured Bucurenci on the cover of its October edition, among "15 people who innovate, challenge and change the world we live in". Later that year, on Romania's National Day, the Romanian Public Television presented Bucurenci with the "Romania in our Hearts" award for his work on promoting volunteerism."Premiul ‘’România din suflete’’ pentru Dragoș Bucurenci și MaiMultVerde" (in Romanian). 'MaiMultVerde website'. Retrieved 10 May 2013. In 2009, Infomediu Europa magazine named him "Green Man of the Year". (in Romanian). Infomediu Europa. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
Media Bucurenci was a columnist for Elle, Esquire, The One and Evenimentul Zilei, a national newspaper.TEDx Talks. "Dragos Bucurenci - Alegerile care conteaza". TEDx Eroilor. 20 June 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
He produced and presented television programs on almost all mainstream Romanian TV channels: "Dependente" (cultural talk-show), "Puncte pe arta lumii" (infotainment, topic: arts & culture), "Cultura Libre" (cultural talk-show for the younger generation), "Linia verde" (infotainment, topic: ecology), "Buna ca viata" (infotainment, topic: healthy lifestyle), all broadcast by the Romanian Public Television"Dragos Bucurenci revine la TVR" (in Romanian). EvZ. 3 October 2009. Retrieved 10 May 2013."Totul despre... "Buna ca viata"" (in Romanian). Adevarul TV. 18 February 2010. Retrieved 10 May 2013. "Romania verde" (infotainment, topic: ecology) on Realitatea TV""Romania verde", la Realitatea TV" (in Romanian). EvZ. 5 October 2007. Retrieved 10 May 2013. "Voluntar de profesie" (reality-show promoting voluntarism) on Prima TV"Din 10 octombrie, Dragos Bucurenci este “Voluntar de profesie”, la Prima TV" (in Romanian). Prima TV News. 4 October 2010. Retrieved 10 May 2013. "Lectia de Prim Ajutor" (televised first-aid training) on ProTV"Incepe Lectia de prim ajutor la ProTV. Invatati ce sa faceti intr-o situatie medicala de urgenta" (in Romanian). ProTV News. 8 November 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
In 2006, he defended historian of religion Mircea Eliade in a documentary broadcast by the Romanian Public Television as part of the "Great Romanians" program (a licensed version of BBC's "Great Britons").Morosanu, Andrei. Mircea Eliade documentary with Dragos Bucurenci. September 2006."Dan C. Mihailescu vs. Dragos Bucurenci" (in Romanian). TVR.ro. 27 September 2006. Retrieved 10 May 2013.
In 2010, he competed as a celebrity contestant in the Romanian version of the reality television series Dancing with the Stars."Dragos Bucurenci va participa la Dansez pentru tine" (in Romanian). Realitatea.net News. 24 February 2010. Retrieved 9 May 2013."Pregatiri pentru sezonul 9" (in Romanian). ProTV. Retrieved 9 May 2013.
In 2016, he hosted the Romanian edition of the Survivor television series on ProTV.
Personal life Bucurenci was one of the first public figures in Romania who spoke openly about their sexuality. In a May 2008 piece for Elle magazine, he came out as bisexual.Bucurenci, Dragos. "Bisex cu ochii deschisi" (in Romanian). Elle. May 2008. Print. Published online as "O incursiune in lumea ambigua a bisexualilor" and with the original title on the author's blog. Retrieved 11 May 2013. Ten years later, on the stage of TEDx Baia Mare, he reflected on the "deafening silence" that accompanied his coming-out.Bucurenci, Dragos. "Despre curajul de a te lăsa văzut" (in Romanian). 24 November 2018.
Education Bucurenci received his BA in Art History and Theory from the National University of Arts in Bucharest, Romania and his MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.Iana, Florentina. "Dragos Bucurenci, un roman la Stanford" (in Romanian). OK Magazine. 18 October 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2013. He is a certified NLP Coach by the Academy of Coaching and NLP.
References