Miss Universe® Canada 2008 - The Magic Continues

AGE: 24 | HEIGHT: 6'1" | HOMETOWN: TORONTO, ON

Born in Chisinau, Moldova, Elena grew up in St.-Petersburg, Russia, the architectural and cultural marvel, where she discovered her passion for literature and significant Eastern History and Philosophy.

Elena is grateful to have loving parents who taught her by their example that education gives a power to think clearly, a power to do good, and a power to appreciate life. It was a blessing for Elena when her parents brought her to Canada, a country where there is a prevalence of values essential to her: respect, tolerance and sharing.

Sponsored by: Podium Boutique, Clarins Canada Inc., Urban Textures Salons, Vladimir Photo Studio, Dina’s Touch, Ayala Raiter - Jewelry Couture, JSN Jewellery Inc., Amanda Lina's Sposa Boutique, Pat McDonagh Couture, Family and Friends.

Biography (click to open) ±

Living in Canada gave her an ability not only to broaden her educational, professional and social horizons but also to achieve her personal goals through multiple opportunities to give back to community by helping Russian-speaking kids to develop their cultural identity and by volunteering as a coordinator of various research projects with an ESL school to ensure a better integration of new Canadian citizens. Recently, Elena has been involved in fundraising for Fashion Cares, Breast Cancer Foundation and Canadian Cancer Society.

Elena is currently pursuing her career at the Investment Industry Association of Canada and studying Business Administration and Finance at York University. Her future career goals are to obtain a MBA in Finance and to become a strong woman leader with the prospect of leading an organization in a CEO role.

Elena is passionate about painting and drawing, which she has studied in a professional art school for 5 years. She has been playing tennis for over 6 years and participating in aerobics for 13 years. For the past 3 years Elena has been practicing yoga and is currently working on her yoga teacher certification. She also enjoys studying Chinese calligraphy and taking dance lessons, which help Elena to maintain physical balance and lead a happier and more spiritual life.

It is with tremendous pride and deep emotion that she is competing today for an opportunity to represent Canada on an international level. Elena is confident that her participation in the Miss Universe Canada competition is a call of destiny which could lead her towards realizing the dream to use not just her voice but also voices of previous titleholders to inspire others to make the world a better place and get involved in helping with society's major illnesses.

She strongly believes that each person can make a difference, because sometimes all it takes is just a little spark. If you start something, it creates a domino effect. But when we join our efforts, love and compassion that burn in every heart, we can change the world even faster. When we partner together, we can make the entire world much better.

Questionnaire (click to open) ±

Are you currently a student? Yes
If yes, where? York University
Area of study: Business Administration and Finance

Are you currently employed? If yes, what is your occupation?
Yes, Accounting and Administrative Assistant

Have you completed secondary school? If yes, where?
Yes, I graduated with honours from Physico-mathematical lyceum "Antioh Cantemir" in Chisinau, Moldova

Have you completed university/college? If yes, where?
Yes, International Institute of Management, Chisinau, Moldova

Have you completed any technical/professional school? If yes, where? What subject?
I have taken the professional modeling course at Elite Centre Modeling Agency in Chisinau, Moldova.
I have also graduated from the professional Art School (Drawing Painting) in St-Petersburg, Russia.

Languages spoken Fluently (please include your native language if English is not your native language)
Russian, Romanian

List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc).
I obtained an Advanced Diploma of Art & Design (Drawing & Painting). Presently I enjoy studying Chinese brush painting, calligraphy and taking Classic Ballroom and Latin Dance Lessons.

In what sports, if any, have you participated and how long have you participated in each sport?
I have been playing tennis for over 6 years and participating in aerobics for 13 years. For the past 3 years I have been practicing yoga and I am currently working on my yoga teacher certification.

Please list any schools and universities (public/private/graduate/trade or technical) you have or are attending, as well as the area of study, graduation date and any degree or certification you received.
I am currently working on my BAS Degree at York University and the certifications that I have received are the following:
- Advanced 2-year program Diploma in International Relations (major) and Eastern history and Philosophy (minor), International Institute of Management, Chisinau, Moldova (2001-2003)
- Art & Design Certificate (Drawing & Painting), National Art School, St-Petersburg, Russia (1991-1996)
- Professional Modeling Certificate, Elite Centre Modeling Agency, Chisinau,
Moldova (1997-2000)
- Honours Graduation Diploma, Physico-mathematical lyceum "Antioh Cantemir",
Chisinau, Moldova (2001)

What charity/charities have you supported with your time and/or resources over past two years?
For the past two years I have been involved in Canadian Cancer Society, Breast Cancer Foundation and Fashion Cares.

What would be your "dream job" in life?
I hope that my knowledge, experience and skills obtained in the field of Business Administration along with my personal commitment and willingness to help others will allow me to realize my dream of establishing and managing a volunteer-based Foundation dedicated to fighting and preventing cancer. If given the opportunity to become Miss Universe Canada 2008 I would love to use not only my voice but also the voice of previous titleholders to inspire others to get involved in helping with society's major illnesses. I strongly believe that each person can change the world, because if you start something, it creates a domino effect. When we partner together, we can change the world even faster.

Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life? Why?
My best-friend Cristina, has changed my life. Despite her terminal illness, she has remained a shinning example of spiritual and physical beauty. Her positive attitude towards everything and everyone and her emotional courage made me stronger and changed the way I see the world today; I began living more fully, meaningfully and thankfully. Perhaps that's my friend's most enduring message - that navigating even misfortune with a positive attitude is what saves you.

What is the proudest personal accomplishment (other than being in this or any other beauty pageant competition)
My personal achievement that I would like to highlight is the balance I have struck between my academics, my professional career, in which I'm proud to work with the leaders of the investment industry, and my involvement with various charitable organizations.

What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
I am currently pursuing my career at the Investment Industry Association of Canada and studying Business Administration and Finance at York University. My future career goals are to obtain a MBA in Finance and to become a strong woman leader with the prospect of leading an organization in a CEO role.

Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
Born in Chisinau, the capital of peaceful and hospitable Moldova, I spent my happy childhood in St.-Petersburg (Russia), the cultural and architectural marvel, where I successfully completed 5-year program of St.-Petersburg School of Arts. Best Memories and moments of my childhood lie in my grandmother's village near St.-Petersburg where I learned to see true beauty in mundane. I am grateful to have caring parents that since an early age strived to help me to discover my potentials and made me realize that education is the power to think clearly, the power to do good, and the power to appreciate life. My childhood was also shaped by my active involvement in physical activities. Behind my achievements and accomplishments in sports there were years of self-discipline proving that we can achieve anything through dedication, patience and hard work.

List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.
When I was in high school I spent 3 weeks gathering rose-petals that were used in perfume production.

List any volunteering you have done.
I had multiple opportunities to give back to community by helping Russian-speaking kids to develop their cultural identity and by volunteering as a coordinator of various research projects with an ESL school to ensure a better integration of new Canadian citizens. I have also been involved in fundraising for Fashion Cares, Breast Cancer Foundation and Canadian Cancer Society.

Where is the most interesting place you have been?
I was privileged to represent Canada at the International Queen of Coffee pageant in beautiful Colombia. Despite some misfortunate events that happened to me during my stay, I strongly believe that this country and its people are amazing. I met lots of out-going, caring and generous people that supported me in a difficult situation and became my true friends. I will treasure my memories of Colombia forever.

What makes you unique and different from the other contestants?
My ability and desire to give rather than receive. This quality helps me to build social bonds and trust between people and inspire them to get involved in changing the world by helping others. I am blessed to realize that living a meaningful life is having a feeling of making a difference in the world.

What is your philosophy of/in life?
Life is what we make of it. It is crucial in life to discover all our passions that define who we are. Finding self-realization and happiness is only possible through working extremely hard on following and developing our gifts, talents and abilities.

What do you hope to be doing in 10 years?
Hopefully, I will be a successful wife, mother and businesswoman, raising funds in aid different charitable projects across the world.

Is there anything you would like to tell us about yourself? Something unique that has happened to you? Some interesting thing about you?
One of the most interesting things I want people to know about me, is that I am the kind of person who can walk into a room full of strangers and leave with new friends and pleasant acquaintances. The main factor that defines my happy nature is my ability to form and keep strong relationships with people of different interests/backgrounds through my approachability and openness to new experiences.