We’re two expats in Amsterdam (Madi & Dani) who grew up watching our Moldovan mothers and grandmothers roll dough, trade stories, and feed anyone who walked through the door.

As life grew faster and more digital, those simple, grounding moments of togetherness became rare. We missed the chaos before a celebration — the late-night cooking, the laughter, the sense of belonging when everyone gathered around the table.

So we created Roots Collective: a space to slow down, cook, and connect.

Dani is always chasing the aha moment that spark when learning shifts something inside. With a Master’s in Learning & Development, she designs experiences that challenge how people think, spark reflection, and inspire action. At Roots Collective, she creates gatherings that feel intentional and human, where learning happens naturally through food, stories, and play.

Mădălina works as a business analyst, but her creative eye always leads the way. She’s drawn to patterns in data, design, and people and loves turning loose ideas into thoughtful, sensory experiences. Balancing numbers and colors, structure and emotion, she brings harmony and shape to everything Roots Collective creates.