Anca Popovici

Anca Popovici is a dynamic leader whose personal journey and professional expertise uniquely position her to advance Empower and Link's mission. As a former international student-athlete who came to the United States from Romania to study and play basketball, Anca understands firsthand the transformative power of opportunity and human connection. Having navigated her own cross-cultural journey from Romania to the United States, Anca brings a nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by diverse communities. Drawing on her own journey powered by meaningful connections and her experience as a team leader in collegiate athletics, Anca brings exceptional skill in building and nurturing networks. This talent will help Empower and Link forge new partnerships with funding sources, community organizations, and other stakeholders crucial to expanding its impact. Her economics background combined with practical business experience allows Anca to help bridge corporate and non-profit worlds by adapting business best practices to further Empower and Link's social mission while maintaining its values-driven approach.

Her academic foundation began at the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Economics and German Studies. During her time at Penn, Anca demonstrated leadership both in the classroom and on the court, serving as co-captain of the Women's Basketball Team from 2007 to 2009. She later enhanced her business credentials with an MBA from the prestigious UC Berkeley Haas School of Business.

Anca's professional career spans roles at Google and various smaller companies, where she has consistently demonstrated her ability to drive growth and translate complex ideas into actionable strategies for diverse teams. Her expertise encompasses strategy, marketing, and operations across both commercial and non-profit environments. Further testament to her dedication to social impact is her significant work with Cetatea Voluntarilor, a prominent Romanian nonprofit. There, Anca played a key role in creating global fundraising campaigns, building bridges with corporations, advising on strategy, and contributing to the organization's overall operations.

Anca's commitment to "paying it forward" resonates deeply with Empower and Link's focus on fostering self-sufficiency and social well-being. Her personal experience with the life-changing power of opportunity makes her not just a strategically valuable board member, but an authentic ambassador for the organization's belief in human potential and the importance of supportive communities.