.jpeg)
Roman Binder has been on the AACS Board since 2019 and was elected as the Society’s President in May 2023. Roman is an Austrian national who moved to Washington, DC from his home town Vienna more than 20 years ago. He has since worked for the World Bank as a Program Manager and is currently a Senior Human Resources Professional. He holds master’s degrees in business administration from both the Vienna University of Economics and Business and Lancaster University, UK. Roman and his wife Kimberly enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, skiing, and mountain biking, as well as musical performances, ballroom dancing, and traveling (not only to Austria! ;-).
Carol Bloomquist Traxler (Vice President), has been active in cultural events in the DC area for three decades. She has taught Viennese waltz and Austrian, German and Swiss folk dances in the DC area with her late husband, past AACS president Herbert Traxler; they also trained the Opening Cotillion for local Viennese balls and DC Karneval Dancers for Fasching and Karneval. Carol is a recipient of the Goldenes Verdienstzeichen from Austria, the German Friendship Award from Germany, and was named Austrian American of the Year from the German Society of Maryland. Her formal education includes BA and MS degrees from University of Wisconsin and Ph.D. from UCLA. Carol has retired as research scientist from Gallaudet University. A past president of the Washington Saengerbund, she currently leads the Alpine Singers, sings with the Washington Saengerbund, and pursues genealogical research.
Natalie Onstein (Vice President), originally from Lower Austria and most recently based in Vienna, moved to Washington, DC in 2024 to join the Inter-American Development Bank as an Associate Professional Officer, working in Climate Finance and International Development. At the IDB, she contributes to advancing sustainable finance and resilience initiatives across Latin America and the Caribbean, focusing on projects that link environmental impact with inclusive growth. Beyond her professional life, Natalie is passionate about dance and cultural exchange. She is an experienced ballroom dancer and instructor, sharing her love for Austrian traditions by teaching the Viennese Waltz in the DMV area and at the U.S. Naval Academy. Deeply connected to her roots, she is also an avid follower of Austrian motorsport and takes pride in promoting Austrian culture, music, and heritage abroad. Natalie enjoys bringing people together through dance, dialogue, and shared appreciation of Austria’s rich traditions.
Megan Staszak (Treasurer) has been a member of AACS since 2012 serving in both Treasurer and Director Roles. She enjoys celebrating Austrian culture and traditions with her husband Michael, including her engagement in Tirol, Austria in 2016. Megan also has fifteen years of consulting, accounting and audit experience working with domestic and international Fortune 500 companies. She has experience in forensic accounting engagements, including assessment and analysis of financial data relating to court-ordered settlement programs, Foreign Corrupt Practice Act inclusive of the build-out of compliance programs and anti-corruption audits, internal investigations, and expert witness cases.
Andrea Bauerfeind (Secretary), a Certified Association Executive and seasoned Convention Professional, currently serves as Director at the Association of American Medical Colleges. Andrea brings a wealth of experience from multiple leadership roles in various non-profit organizations across the DC area, where she has consistently excelled in department, project, portfolio, and event management. A member of AACS since 2016,, Andrea also sings with the Washington Saengerbund and the Alpine Singers.
Michael Korenchuk (Director). Michael has been a member of the board of AACS since 2009 as a way to celebrate his maternal grandmother's roots from Bernstein, Austria. He has rotated between Treasurer and Director during his time on the board. Michael also is the Vice President for Aymium. Aymium provides environmentally sustainable products and solutions that reduce the environmental footprint of steel, energy and crop production, and purify the air and water for millions of people. Prior to joining Aymium, Michael was the Senior Director of Finance for Supernal, an innovative aerospace company, and he spent over 14 years in Public Accounting.
Kathrin Seel (Director), an Austrian national from Upper Austria, moved to Washington, DC in 2021 with her husband. She serves as Executive Assistant at the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, supporting the leadership team and coordinating international engagements. With a strong background in communications, sustainability, and strategic coordination, she brings fresh energy and perspective to the AASC. Outside of work, Kathrin enjoys dancing, exploring nature through hiking, camping, or motorcycle trips, practicing creative arts such as photography and candle painting, and traveling to experience new cultures and landscapes.
Kara Wilson (Director) has had a 15 year relationship with Austria. First moving to the country in 2011 to serve as a U.S. Teaching Assistant with Fulbright Austria, and later graduating from the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna and Johns Hopkins SAIS Europe with a cooperative master’s degree in international affairs. Kara returned to the United States from Austrian and Italy in 2017. She has enjoyed putting her German language skills to good use at the Embassy of Austria as a Cultural Officer and later a Public Diplomacy Officer starting in 2022. She is looking forward to the possibility of joining the Board as a Director so that she may continue to strengthen American-Austrian cultural relations and work more closely with the organization.
Former AACS President, Ulrike Wiesner and current AACS President, Roman Binder
at the AACS' Annual Meeting and Heurigen, May 2023
