Board of Directors

Shaily Dadiala, President and Artistic Director

Ann Bucurescu, Secretary
Ann Bucurescu is Assistant General Counsel and Assistant Secretary of Arkema Inc., the U.S. affiliate of a worldwide chemical company. Previous to this position, Ms. Bucurescu worked as an associate for Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney in Pittsburgh, PA; Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young in Philadelphia, PA; and Yoon & Partners (at that time the correspondent office of Baker & McKenzie) in Seoul, Korea. Ms. Bucurescu holds a B.A. degree from Grove City College (summa cum laude) and J.D. degree from University of Pittsburgh School of Law. In addition, she has studied with the London Law Programs of the University of Detroit and University of San Diego, both in London, England; served as an Aide to the late Sir Antony Buck of the House of Commons; and clerked with Russell Jones & Walker in London, England. Ms. Bucurescu became interested in Bollywood movies after vacationing in India in 2004 and 2005. She began taking Bollywood dance lessons at The Archana Dance Academy in 2005.

Elizabeth Chuff, Marketing Manager
Elizabeth Chuff had been studying Bharatanatyam for two years. She lived in South India for six years, during which time she immersed herself in both local and Indian traditions, and developed her passion for Indian dance, music, and arts.

In 2006, Elizabeth completed a course in fitness and nutrition. Her personal belief in exercise and alternative therapies, culminated in Ananda - a health and wellness spa which Elizabeth started and ran from 2006 to 2009 in Philadelphia. Through Ananda, Elizabeth organized workshops in Acupuncture, Yoga, Massage, and Exercise to increase awareness of holistic and eastern wellness therapies in her community. Ananda’s services and therapists were named Best Of by Philadelphia Style, CitySearch and Spa Week. Elizabeth has been interviewed by KYW news, Phlare—a business publication featuring Women Entrepreneurs, and has also been a guest speaker on topics ranging from exercise and fitness, small business development and marketing strategies, to personal empowerment.

Prior to Ananda, Elizabeth has experience in Investment Banking and Mergers and Acquisitions for Utilities. Elizabeth has an MBA in Investment Finance and a Masters in Economics.

Andrea K. Durham, Esquire
Andrea Durham has worked as an Attorney Advisor for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development since 1994. Ms. Durham graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Administration and earned a Juris Doctorate from Temple University School of Law. She is licensed to practice in Pennsylvania. Upon graduation from law school she worked as a law clerk for the Honorable Nelson A. Diaz, a trial judge in the Civil Trials Division of the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas. While in law school she taught civil, criminal, constitutional, and consumer law to primary and secondary school students and trained other law students, primary and secondary school educators to teach law using interactive methods. She has also participated as a judge in the Pennsylvania Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Mock Trial Competition for high school students. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Ms. Durham has a love of travel and has been to more than 15 countries including India.

Dr.Gabriel Bucurescu
Gabriel Bucurescu is a Neurologist at the Philadelphia VA Medical Center. He holds a B.S. degree from Polytechnic Institute of New York (cum laude), a M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from Polytechnic University and a medical degree from the State University of Groningen, in The Netherlands. He completed an internship at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York City, Neurology residency at St. Vincent's Hospital and Medical Center also in New York City, and a fellowship in Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology at The Graduate Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Bucurescu has authored several articles and chapters on various neurological subjects. He has a keen interest in India and its art and culture.

Barbara J. Baur
Barbara J. Baur is CEO of Creative Aging Solutions, an elder concierge service firm in Philadelphia. She also serves as Treasurer to DAL Services, a computer consulting firm. Previously she owned and operated Quintessence Designs, a navigation software company, while cruising the Intercostals Waterway in a forty-two foot sailboat.

In addition to her small business experience, Ms. Baur has been a jeweler/goldsmith for 27 years marketing her designs through galleries, jewelry stores, home shows and her website, BarbBaur.com. When she is not running a business or making jewelry, Barbara is an artist, musician, published author, home-schooling mother, and in-home caregiver. Barbara also has several years experience as a board member and committee chair with her previous church in Florida and underwent a weeklong Leadership Training by the UUA Florida District. Excited by the cultural diversity in her native city, she values creative connections of people and ideas.

Ms. Baur lives in Northeast Philadelphia with her husband, David and daughter, Wendy.

Laura Geiger
Ms. Geiger is the Director of Admissions at St. Monica Manor, a skilled nursing facility in South Philadelphia. She helped develop and volunteers with the Angel’s Touch program that helps people cope with the final stage of life. Laura received her B.A. in social sciences from Millersville University. Her social work background has allowed her to assist a variety of populations as an adoption counselor, research supervisor for a National Institute of Health study, and a case manager supervisor for a children’s mental health organization. Laura helped to develop and administrate a program designed to develop parenting skills within at risk populations. She also spent a summer working in an orphanage in Romania with special needs children. Laura grew up in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and now lives in Philadelphia with her husband. Besides dance, knitting, camping, and reading are her special interests. Laura has studied Indian dance under the instruction of Shaily Dadiala for several years with The Archana Dance Academy. Through her experiences with the Academy, Laura had developed a sincere appreciation for Indian dance and culture and looks forward to supporting the goals of Usiloquy Dance Designs.