Title

Alumna Boriana

Body
Boriana Strzok
Alum Boriana

Boriana Strzok always had an artistic spirit. This spirit first shined through in the Bulgarian Children’s Choir and the Bulgarian National Opera where she trained from the age of 8 to 18. While she appreciated the experiences opera gave her, Boriana knew she didn’t want to make it her career. She decided to apply her artistic talents to design instead. Her plans to study in her home country of Bulgaria changed when she met her husband, an American backpacking through Europe.

After moving and settling in the U.S., Boriana decided to enroll at Minneapolis College because of its affordability, its flexible class schedules, and word-of-mouth recommendations. 

“Minneapolis College was the first place I didn’t feel like a foreigner. Studying alongside people at all stages of life with so much drive was inspiring. Since graduating, I have yet to be surrounded by that much diversity."

After completing her associate degree in graphic design, Boriana led the marketing efforts of New French Bakery where she applied her branding chops and learned the business side of the profession. Her passion for strategy and brand motivated her to transfer to Minneapolis College of Art and Design where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in advertising design. 

"Because of my 4.0 GPA and impressive portfolio from coursework at Minneapolis College, I was awarded the Presidential Scholarship at MCAD."

She would later move on to advertising and design agencies in Minneapolis, working with national retail brands. Her work garnered the attention of industry executives in New York City, but she decided to pass on those opportunities.

After becoming a mom, her priorities had shifted. Boriana's daughter was born in the newborn intensive care unit and required several surgeries.  Her experience as a mother, balancing the challenges of raising a child with chronic medical needs and her desire to grow as a professional changed the course of her career path. Her passion for human rights and social justice issues and her interests in design, strategy, and business development didn't fit neatly into one role within a traditional agency culture.

In 2010, Boriana trusted her gut and opened her own agency, 5ive where she works with a team of young creatives who share the same values. 

"We choose to work with independent, socially-conscious and human-centric brands – the disruptors, the game changers, the startups, and the leaders who see the need for transformation towards a world that is sustainable, empathetic, and community-oriented."

To maintain their purpose and consensus-driven culture, 5ive is selective with their clients, making sure to never stray too far from their mission.

We are proud to be the place Boriana planted her educational and professional roots!