Born in Antwerp, Belgium YONA traces her talents through her family's European roots. After their arrival to USA and the reestablishment of the family jewelry business in Boston, at age 10, YONA was asked by her father to take apart a watch and to put it back together again. She did. Then she looked up at her dad and said "so what"? Little did she know she had passed the generational family test which proved she could be in "the business". It turned out, of course, that YONA had inherited the "mechanical gene" from her fathers side of the family. But where did the "creative gene"-the muse which can design and always "think out of the box" come from?

Her mothers side of course. Her maternal uncle is a mime, actor and writer. He won the New York Critics Choice Award

YONA has been involved in many original community projects resulting in artistic, visual street changes in her town. Ten years ago, she created a town wide celebration of the Arts and business community called the The 1st Light Festival which is held the first Thursday before Thanksgiving launching the winter commercial season. Over the years she has written columns for her local newspapers. YONA also produces and hosts her TV show "Hidden Talents". Her Jewelry design business is located in the oldest, most respected full service jewelry store in her town. She recently received the Business Person Of The Year Award from her local Chamber of Commerce.