UMD Sweden
United Macedonian Diaspora Sweden is the leading non- governmental, non-partisan, non-political educational advocacy organization promoting the interests of Macedonians and Macedonian communities in Scandinavia.
Our Mission
We exist to promote the interests of Macedonians and Macedonian communities worldwide and connect people, organizations, and institutions around the globe that share a common goal of advancing our heritage.
Mirjana Naumoska
PRESIDENT
Antonijo Trpevski
VICE PRESIDENT
Trajce Cvetanovski
DIRECTOR, TREASURER
Aleksandra Garbeska
DIRECTOR
Pece Relushkovski
DIRECTOR, AUDITOR
Gabriela Jakimova
DIRECTOR, SECRETARY
Mirjana Naumoska
President
Mirjana Naumoska was born and raised in Skopje, Macedonia. In 2005, she graduated from The Faculty of Economics at “Ss. Cyril and Methodius University” in Skopje and finished her MBA studies in 2013 at “University American College Skopje” in Skopje, Macedonia. In Macedonia, Naumoska worked in the private sector and held different positions such as HR and Training Manager, Marketing Manager, CEO, and Business Consultant.
In 2013, she moved to Stockholm, Sweden, as Head of the International Office for the official Government investment and export promotion agency “Invest Macedonia”. She was responsible for Sweden and Finland, and in 2015, she moved to Copenhagen, where she continued her work at Invest Macedonia in attracting Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) by promoting Macedonia to Scandinavia as a Business Destination.
During her time in Stockholm (2013-2014), among other activities, Naumoska was an active member of the “Rotary Club of Stockholm International” and “The International Philanthropic Society of Sweden”. She displayed a strong dedication to promoting Macedonia whenever possible. One of the events Mirjana helped with, “The Gala Dinner” organized by The International Philanthropic Society of Sweden & World Childhood Foundation at the Grand Hotel in Stockholm on October 16th, 2014, was graced by the esteemed presence of Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden. Mirjana succeeded in promoting Macedonian wine and notably, Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden was afforded the chance to experience the flavors of wines hailing from Macedonia.
Naumoska played a pivotal role in facilitating the establishment of numerous Swedish and Danish enterprises in Macedonia or outsourcing their services to Macedonia. She actively advanced Macedonian Tourism and in collaboration with the Agency for Promotion and Support of Tourism of Macedonia organized a series of successful events in Finland, Sweden, and Denmark. Furthermore, Naumoska took charge in establishing relations between Scandinavian and Macedonian companies where she succeeded in being the bridge for several export companies. Among her achievements, a particularly important project was securing placement for Macedonian wine on the shelves of “Systembolaget,” the government-owned chain of liquor stores in Sweden.
While living in Copenhagen from 2015-2017, Mirjana played an active role as the Chair of the Program Committee at the Copenhagen International Rotary Club. At present, she is a member of the Professional Women Network (PWN) Copenhagen.
After the conclusion of her mandate at Invest Macedonia in 2017, Naumoska relocated to Malmö, Sweden, and she transitioned her professional journey into the private sector, focusing predominantly on roles within Sales and Marketing.
Antonijo Trpevski
Vice President
Antonijo Trpevski was born in Skopje in 1966 and emigrated to Sweden with his family in 1967, settling in Malmö in 1972. As a state-authorized interpreter and translator, he built a distinguished career bridging language barriers in various sectors, including legal, medical, and business.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Antonijo is the founder and owner of Språkservice Sverige AB, which has grown to become Sweden’s largest language service provider and ranks among the top 36 globally. His commitment to excellence and innovation has left a significant mark on the language services industry.
Today, Antonijo has transitioned from operational roles and focuses primarily on his work as an investor and businessman. His entrepreneurial spirit and strategic investments continue to drive success across various ventures. Known for his philanthropic efforts, Antonijo has made substantial contributions to both his industry and community. He is also the founder of the NGO Ethnic Studies and Development Foundation, dedicated to promoting ethnic studies and supporting community development initiatives.
In his personal time, Antonijo enjoys long trips with family and friends, and riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle. He also has a passion for playing and singing the blues, and cherishes moments spent with his family.
Trajce Cvetanovski
Director Treasurer
Trajce Cvetanovski, born in 1971 in Malmö, Sweden, is an experienced IT specialist currently serving as Technical Service Owner for Microsoft 365 at Malmö City. With a robust background in technical support, system management, and consultancy, Trajce has excelled in various roles involving installation, operation, configuration, and maintenance of Microsoft Server platforms, along with extensive user support. He has also run his own company, gaining experience in planning, leadership, customer relations, and financial management.
Trajce holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and recently completed training as an Agile Project Manager, with his career advancing to Cyber Security Engineer from September 2024. Known for his ambition, adaptability, and positive outlook, he is well-prepared for technical and leadership challenges. Married to Daniela for nearly 30 years, they have three children: Andrej, 26; Martin, 21; and Robin, 18.
Aleksandra Garbeska
Director
Aleksandra Garbeska was born and raised in Prilep, Macedonia, and moved to Sweden in 1998. Since then, she has completed her studies in political science and has become a dedicated leader with more than a decade of experience in both the public and private sectors.
She currently holds the role of Business Area Manager at Falck, where she ensures the efficient delivery of occupational healthcare services, private health sector services, and crisis support. Her focus in her current role is on collaboration, client satisfaction, and delivering tangible results.
Prior to joining Falck, Aleksandra held various key leadership positions at The Swedish Public Employment Service (Arbetsförmedlingen), where she developed strong capabilities in managing complex organizational structures and driving performance improvements. At Arbetsförmedlingen, she contributed to enhancing employment services and implementing strategic initiatives to improve job matching and support for job seekers.
Aleksandra’s extensive experience and commitment to effective management continue to drive her to achieve success in delivering valuable outcomes and fostering progress in her field.al and leadership challenges. Married to Daniela for nearly 30 years, they have three children: Andrej, 26; Martin, 21; and Robin, 18.
Pece Relushkovski
Director, Auditor
Pece Relushkovski is born in 1962 in Bitola, Macedonia, where I lived until he was 25. After completing technical education in electronics, he moved to Sweden, where he continued his studies and specialized in electronic pneumatics. Over the years, he worked in various trades, from owning a flower shop to importing French Peugeot scooters in Macedonia, and finally establishing himself in the alcohol import business in Sweden.
Coming from a winegrowing family, he overcame strict regulations to obtain all necessary licenses and has been importing and selling alcoholic beverages for 28 years, including Macedonian products. His involvement with the United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) began years ago, motivated by the injustices facing Macedonians, and he was recently honored to join UMD’s board in Sweden.
Gabriela Jakimova
Director, Secretary
Gabriela Jakimova was born in Prilep, Macedonia and has lived both in Skopje and Radovish. She holds a degree in German Language and Literature from Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje, Macedonia.
Gabriela’s professional career began in 2001 as a Professor of German Language. At the same time she was working as an Authorized Court Interpreter for the Ministry of Justice.
During her work experience she was the local Chairperson of the Teachers’ Union and served as the Secretary of the Teachers’ Union for the municipalities of Radovish and Strumica. From 2015, she worked as a State School Inspector for the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Macedonia.
In 2018, Gabriela moved to Sweden, where she started to expand her career and gained experience as an Administrative Officer in the private sector. Currently she is working as a teacher of German Language in one of the biggest elementary schools in Malmö.
Gabriela’s diverse expertise in education, translation, and administration, combined with her commitment to enhancing educational standards, makes her a valuable asset in connecting both educational systems between Macedonia and Sweden and contributing to developing strong relations and collaboration.den.