Stefania Magidson was born in Romania and immigrated with her family to the United States in 1983. After earning degrees in Health Education and Applied Psychology, she founded the Blue Heron Foundation (2002), which has since grown into one of the largest nonprofit organizations in the Romanian diaspora.

The Foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life of orphaned and vulnerable youth from Romania and Moldova through merit-based college scholarships and a comprehensive mentorship program. To date, the organization has raised over $3.7 million and proudly counts more than 600 alumni who have gone on to become doctors, engineers, teachers, social workers, and other professionals.

At the onset of the war in Ukraine, Stefania swiftly expanded Blue Heron’s mission, raising over $600,000 and launching twelve refugee relief programs, including a complex cancer care initiative.

Stefania is also an active supporter of the arts. She serves as Chair of the Romanian Film Committee of the South-East European Film Festival and has served as Co-Chair of the Parents’ Council at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University.

In December 2018, Stefania presented the Blue Heron Foundation at INK Talks in Hyderabad, India’s foremost platform for the exchange of inspiring stories and innovative ideas. In April 2022, she received the South East European Film Festival Legacy Humanitarian Award.

Stefania lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Mark, and their two sons.