Merike Barborak, with over two decades of experience in education, cultural management, and community leadership, has made significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of Estonian language and culture, particularly within Estonian communities abroad. In her current role as the coordinator for Estonian schools abroad at the Institute of the Estonian Language, she is responsible for overseeing the global network of Estonian schools, developing educational programs, and supporting Estonian language learning initiatives for the diaspora, with a special focus on the United States.

From 2010 to 2024, Merike served as the Head of the New York Estonian School, where she managed the school’s daily operations, including curriculum development, staff recruitment and training, and the overall growth of the institution. During this time, she helped create several educational materials, including the two-part Salakeele Käsiraamat (Secret Language Handbook), which is used worldwide in teaching Estonian as a second language.

In addition to her work at the Estonian Language Institute, Merike teaches for the Global School for Estonian Language, where she designs individualized lesson plans and conducts virtual Estonian language classes, supporting learners across the globe in their language acquisition.

Since 2019, she has been the main organizer of the New York Estonian Cultural Days, a prominent four-day festival celebrating Estonian culture. She has curated and led numerous cultural programs, bringing Estonian music, arts, and traditions to an international audience.

A passionate advocate for Estonian education, Merike has also contributed to several non-profit and cultural organizations. She has served as a board member of the Estonian School Fund in the USA since 2009 and as vice-chair of the Foundation for Estonian Arts and Letters, where she supports initiatives that promote Estonian culture in North America.

Merike holds a Master’s degree in Administration and Supervision with a focus on Educational Training from Montclair State University (New Jersey, USA) and a Bachelor’s degree in Educational Sciences from Tartu University (Tartu, Estonia).

In recognition of her exceptional service, Merike was awarded the Aino Järvesoo Award in 2022 and received Diplomatic Recognition for Cultural Diplomacy from the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2023.