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Business Mentors
Iaiela Dumitrescu
Since 2010
Mrs. Dumitrescu was born in Romania and immigrated to Anaheim, CA. USA in 1983. She finished her primary schooling, being the first in her immediate family to even graduate from high school. She decided to apply to one school only, not knowing how the system worked and was accepted at that school, Biola University. She attended for three years as a Business Administration/Accounting major before meeting her husband Marian. They got married and she moved to Michigan, where her engineer husband found a job after moving to the states from Germany. She was fascinated by engineering, but most things went over her head.
The couple was blessed with two children, Jacqueline (the music and art nerd) and Josiah (the engineer). While the children were still small she went back to school and finished her degree, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 1999. Marian’s work brought them to NC in 2004 and that is where Mrs.D found out about FIRST Lego League. Josiah was too old for that, so she researched and found out about FRC, but there was no team in Charlotte in 2008. However FIRST mentioned that by 2010 there will be someone in Charlotte that will start an FRC team and that is where the story of Mrs. D’s involvement with YETI starts.
At first Mrs. D just helped as a parent in whatever was needed, but then she took on the role of team logistics, making sure that the team had accommodations, travel, and food taken care of while on the road at competitions. One things lead to another and she decided to help out on the Marketing sub-team each year a little bit. Given the fact that she’s owned her own business from 1996-2015 she knew quite a bit about marketing and how YETI could benefit from her knowledge. For the upcoming season 2019-2020 Mrs. D is stepping into an Alternate Lead Mentor as well as overseeing the Marketing of the Team 3506 YETI.
Jackie Dumitrescu
Since 2016
Born in Troy, MI, and raised in Charlotte, NC, Jacqueline Dumitrescu is best described as “resilient northern blood with that good ole southern sweetness.” Better known by fellow mentors and YETI students as Jackie or Jackie D., she is one of YETI’s first generation of alumni, having joined during the 2011-2012 season and graduated high school in the spring of 2012.
Jackie attended Millikin University in Decatur, IL, studying music, and graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, Piano, and Vocal Focus. During her time at school, Jackie continued to stay involved in the life of YETI, doing some occasional marketing work and attending the world championship when YETI made it (back when it was held in St. Louis). After graduating, she decided to come on as a full-time mentor, helping build up the business and marketing aspect of the team. While her education had nothing to do with robotics, engineering, or even business and marketing, Jackie stated, “I’ve always appreciated my time at YETI, no matter how short it was, and I knew that the skills I had built up, through self-teaching and some work-related training, would help YETI in the long run. I feel it is important to pass on skills to the next generation of industry leaders, no matter how insignificant they may seem.”
During the day, Jackie works as the Worship Ministry Administrative Assistant at Hickory Grove Baptist Church, Harris Campus, and runs her private music studio, Queen City Music Studios, in the afternoons, teaching voice and piano for all ages. When she isn’t working or helping YETI, Jackie has a wealth of hobbies (some have said one too many). To keep her hands busy, she likes to crochet, knit, cross-stitch, and sew her own garments and accessories. If she isn’t busy making cozy things, she is either collecting or reading books. She has an extensive and eclectic private library so if you are ever at a loss for what to read, she is more than happy to recommend you a book.
"Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly."
― John F. Kennedy
