Aura Imbarus is an educator, professional speaker, and the author of the critically acclaimed memoir, a Pulitzer Prizeentry and Amazon best-seller, Out of the Transylvania Night: A Story of Tyranny, Freedom, Love and Identity.

Born and raised in Sibiu/Hermannstadt, Romania –or more precisely in “Dracula’s county Transylvania", Ms. Imbarus attended Lucian Blaga University, earning an MA degree in American and British Studies and a Ph.D. in Philology with the distinction Cum Laude. From 1990 to 1997, she worked as a journalist for Radio Contact, The National Journal, and Gallup Poll in Sibiu, Romania.

In 1997, Aura immigrated to Los Angeles, where she continued her education at UCLA and began her teaching career both as a high school and college professor. She spends her mornings at West High School, a designated California Distinguished School and her nights at LA Harbor College and El Camino College in South Bay. She is also a motivational speaker, who appeared on numerous TV (NBC, ABC, CBS) and radio shows, and had presented to Rotary Clubs all across CA and in Transylvania, Romania; writers groups such as The Inland Empire Writers Group, The Kern Writers Group, UCLA – Romanian Club, Viitorul Roman Club; Women’s Club of Beverly Hills, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach; Rotaract Clubs, ASU- Arizona State University, Babes Bolyai University in Cluj, Summer Exchange Program, Long Beach City College, El Camino College, Sacramento Romanian Festival, World Fest – Dallas, book clubs, and was the keynote speaker at the Redondo Beach North Branch Library, mentioning the importance of libraries in a democratic regime.

Aura is actively involved in RAPN (Romanian American Professional Network) as well as Eurocircle, a professional networking organization with over 60,000 members of European origins. She is also a mentor for Scott L. Schwartz Children’s Foundation and Blue Heron Foundation, non-profit and professional organizations whose mission is to help children who battle cancer and Romanian orphans. Aura is also a member of MLA- Modern Language Association, NCTE- National Council of Teachers of English, NEA- National Education Association, and many others. Other interests include: reading, painting, skiing, ice-skating, hiking, beach volleyball, and traveling the world.



“I want to live life to the fullest," says Aura, "and in the process, to help others along the way. I want to squeeze out each and every moment of life, and use to the maximum. Every day has the potential of a lifetime."

Millions of people know Anne Frank, read her diary and have come to identify with her over the years but how many expect to find themselves sharing in her experiences years down the road? Meet the modern day Anne Frank - Romanian survivor and author of the critically acclaimed memoir, Out of the Transylvania Night  Aura Imbarus .

While Anne was hiding from the Nazis, Aura was hiding from constant gunfire in the violent streets of Transylvania during one of the most draconian regimes in the Soviet bloc. Communist dictator Nicolae Ceausescu had turned Romaniainto a land of imprisoned and politically oppressed zombies.

Despite the daily atrocities being committed outside her house and at the risk of being killed, Aura escaped and fled to America leaving everything behind except a powerful dream and hope for freedom.

She recently appeared in Forbes Life Romania. You can read the article here.

Are you looking for a phenomenal keynote speaker who will impact everyone in attendance?

Aura’s story  of determination and courage both fascinates and inspires.

You Will Learn:

•How Aura managed to escape one of the most merciless communist regimes.