Net Zero Economy

Julian Popov

Minister of Environment and Water of Bulgaria

Julian Popov is a senior fellow at the European Climate Foundation, chairman of the Building Performance Institute Europe, and former interim minister of environment of Bulgaria. He served as Bulgaria’s goodwill ambassador for energy and climate policy and energy security advisor to the President of Bulgaria.

Julian Popov is a member of the European Council on Foreign Relations, the Advisory Board of Climate KIC, and the boards of several other energy and climate related organisations. He is one of the founders and currently member of the Board of Trustees of the New Bulgarian University, as well as co-founder of the Tunisian School of Politics. Julian Popov has twice been ranked by EurActiv as one of the 40 most influential voices in European energy policy. His articles on climate and energy policy have been published by the Financial Times, Project Syndicate, NS Energy Monitor, The Independent, Al Jazeera, Huffington Post, EurActiv, and others.

He is the author of two books and co-author of the books "The European Supergrid" and "Energy and Climate Diplomacy".

Krasimir Nenov

Deputy Minister of Еnergy

Krassimir Nenov has many years of managerial experience in the energy sector, most recently serving as the executive director of "Contourglobal Maritsa Iztok 3" AD in the period from 2017 to 2023. He also worked for one of the largest energy companies - the Italian "Enel". He holds a master's degree in "Business Administration" from two universities - the Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium and Cornell University, USA. He also graduated in economics from the University of Arkansas, USA.

Radan Kanev

Member of European Parliament

Radan Kanev is a Bulgarian politician and MEP at the European People's Party (EPP) group.
Kanev is a member of the Committee on Social Policy and Employment and the Committee on Petitions, substitute of the Committee on Environmental Environment, Health Protection and Food Safety in the Parliament.
He is also a member of Urban Matters, Green New DealClimate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development and Future of Science and Technology intergroup. 

Marian-Jean Marinescu

Member of the European Parliament

Member of the European Parliament since January 2007, Marian-Jean Marinescu is currently the coordinator of the EPP Group for transport policies, Vice-Chair of the ENVI Committee and Chair of the European Parliament's Sky and Space Intergroup.

During the past legislatures, MEP Marinescu was vice-president of the EPP Group, Chair of the PPE Working Group "Budgets and Structural Policies", coordinator of the EPP working group for the Multi-annual Financial Framework 2021- 2027 and member of the Board of Directors of the European Agency for Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GSA).

For his contribution to transport policy, Marinescu was awarded the MEP of the Year for Tourism and Transport in 2020. He won the same prize in 2014 and 2016, for his activity in the field of Research an Innovation. In 2017 he was chosen by EBAA the Personality of the Year Award in Aviation while the Future Business Conference (Austria) awarded him the "Red Arrow Award" for Essential Commitment to Europe.

Philippe Froissard

Head of Unit, European Commission, Strategy, Policy Coordination and Urban Transitions

Philippe FROISSARD graduated in nuclear engineering in Grenoble (France) in 1988 and completed his PhD in nuclear physics in 1992. He worked on nuclear fusion research at the JET Joint Undertaking (UK) and then at the Commissariat l' Energie Atomique (FR) until 1999. In 2000, he joined the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation of the European Commission and held several positions since, dealing in particular with Human Resources and Mobility, International Cooperation and Research Infrastructures policies and activities. In 2019, he moved to the Future Urban and Mobility Systems Unit, responsible for Research & Innovation strategy and activities on surface transport with a focus on the Horizon Europe partnerships on Rail (Europe’s Rail), Batteries (BATT4EU), Zero Emission mobility (2ZERO) and Cooperative, Connected and Automated Mobility (CCAM) as well as on urban development with the Climate Neutral and Smart Cities Mission of Horizon Europe. Since November 2023, he is leading the Strategy, Policy Coordination and Urban Transitions unit in the Clean Planet Directorate of DG RTD.

Veronica Manfredi

Director, Zero Pollution and Green Cities Directorate-General for Environment, European Commission

Veronica Manfredi is Director in DG Environment since February 2018.

Her Directorate plays a pivotal role in leading Europe towards ZeroPollution and securing an effective management of Water – it thus significantly contributes to tackle the Climate, Biodiversity and Circular Economy challenges. Her Directorate will notably lead, in partnership with the Green Diplomacy Directorate of DG Environment, on the Water Resilience initiative announced by President von der Leyen in her September 2023 State of the Union address and Letter of Intent. It is indeed responsible for EU policies on Clean and Well-Managed Water (including the protection of all EU Freshwater and Marine environments, water reuse, prevention from Floods, compliance with high health standards for Drinking Water), next to having oversight on EU laws and policies on Clean Air, Environmental Noise, Industrial Emissions and prevention of Industrial Accidents. It also steers on the sound implementation of the Green City Accord which, in synergy with the Smart Cities Mission, the Covenant of Mayors and other urban initiatives, aims at tangibly delivering on the European Green Deal goals at local level. Internationally, her team leads the EU negotiations within the UN Minamata Convention on Mercury and the UN Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution. It also provides steady support to the work of the four Regional Sea Conventions (notably the HELCOM – Baltic Sea, OSPAR – North Atlantic Sea, Barcelona – Mediterranean Sea, and the Bucharest Conventions – Black Sea) and the International Commissions for the Protection of the Rhine and Danube rivers. A lawyer by background, Veronica deepened her knowledge of International and EU law in Rome, Turin, Kiel, Bruges and Brussels.

Roberta Maffettone

Scientific Project Officer, European Commission Joint Research Centre (Ispra, Italy)

Roberta Maffettone is Scientific Project Officer at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre working on the implementation of the EU Water Reuse Regulation (EU) 2020/741. She is working in close liaison with representatives of European Member States, stakeholders, and experts on providing guidelines on risk management plan for water reuse systems and preparing delegated acts of the regulation. After obtaining a PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering in Italy, she worked in Canada for 5 years in academic institutions and private companies on investigating innovative solutions for wastewater treatment. Roberta is passionate and enthusiastic at contributing to the innovation of water sector and unlock the potential of water reuse in Europe and beyond.

Ljubo Georgiev

Sofia's Team

Erion Veliaj

Mayor of Tirana

He was re-elected for the third time as Mayor of Tirana in May 2023. His tenures are marked by an urban transformation of the city, oriented towards the implementation of child-friendly policies as part of his vision to give the city back to its citizens.

Prior to his tenure, Veliaj served as a Member of Parliament of Albania and Minister of Social Welfare and Youth from 2013 through 2015.

Veliaj was also the leader and founder of the youth movement "MJAFT", a civic organization which gained huge popularity for inspiring peaceful protest since its creation in 2003. Veliaj has also worked with several international humanitarian organizations in the Americas, Eastern Africa and Kosovo.

Jacek Jaśkowiak

Mayor of Poznań

A social and sports activist, a former entrepreneur, the Mayor of Poznań since 2014. 

As the Mayor of Poznań, he has consistently implemented the municipal plan to adapt to climate change. In line with this plan, the city is managing sustainable transport in order to gradually reduce low emissions. Poznań is investing in electric and hydrogen public transport buses, green tracks and bus stops as well as the extensive cycling infrastructure.

At the same time, in cooperation with entities such as Veolia, Poznań is increasing energy efficiency by connecting buildings to the district heating network and also plans to recover heat from municipal wastewater. Jacek Jaśkowiak’s priority is the development of a long-term energy strategy for Poznań that will allow the city to reduce CO2 by ca. 1,500 tonnes per year.

Through municipal co-financing programmes (e.g. Kawka Bis), the city is eliminating heat sources that are not environmentally friendly. It is also creating a coordinated energy management system in public buildings by consistently thermo-modernising them.

The Mayor of Poznań also focuses on introducing blue-green infrastructure into the urban space. Thus, squares, pocket gardens, green roofs and walls are created all over the city, and retention is being increased. Where possible, sections of concrete paving are being removed along streets to make space for urban vegetation.

The faced-paced development of Poznań has been appreciated both by its residents and experts.

Ivan Velev

Portfolio Manager, ACT

Specializing in green energy and voluntary carbon procurement, Ivan helps organizations develop strategies to lower their scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions (GHG Protocol). In addition to expanding his portfolio of renewable energy producers and suppliers, Ivan is focused on developing business throughout the public and private sectors in Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Kosovo and within the Eastern European market.

Teodor Popa

Financial Manager, Compania Apa Brasov

M.Sc. degrees on Engineering and on Economics; Financial Manager of Brasov Water Company, one of the finest in Romania. Passionate member of several water professional associations and Board member (the Treasurer) of the International Water Association (IWA).

Involved in the water sector reform, the company regionalization and restructuring process since ‘90s. Preoccupied by the circular economy through the IWA Specialist Group on Economics activities.

On 2023 only it was moderator for the 2023 international workshop on circular economy in Romania, presenter for the similar symposium organized in by IWA in Greece this summer and panellist for the Florence School of Regulation during training course taken by European regulators.

Author of various papers presented across the globe and the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development expert for projects regarding water sector strategies, institutional transformation and EU Water Directive compliance.

Polina Dikova

Sustainable Financing and Insurance Expert, En-ROADS Climate Ambassador

Todor Nikolov

Director of Energy Transition Projects of the Solvay Group

Konstantin Bojinov

ANRAV Project Manager, Heidelberg Materials

Florian Glattes

VP E-Mobility Solutions, Shell

Florian Glattes is Shell’s global Vice President E-Mobility Solutions. He leads the Shell Recharge Solutions Tech Powerhouse which is at the center of the growing charging network. Florian plays a big role in supporting the transition to electric vehicles, which is key to decarbonising mobility. He has overall responsibility for driving Shell’s strategy execution to be the global leader in EV charging in partnership with regional and global teams.
Prior to this role, he was the General Manager of Strategy & Portfolio for Shell’s Global Mobility and Lubricants businesses, bringing significant experience as a commercial leader in energy. Florian is General Manager Strategy and Portfolio for Shell's global mobility and lubricants businesses until early 2023. He was Senior Strategy Advisor and GM Strategy and Portfolio for Global Retail and Global Commercial Strategic Advisor in the period 2019 – 2021.
His previous experience includes deep P&L, sales management, marketing management, business development, people leadership and strategy responsibilities across different value chains and geographies.
He started his career at Shell in 2008 as a sales manager for Austria and Switzerland in Commercial Road Transport.
He is based in Hamburg, Germany, and has previously lived and worked in the US, China, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, the UK, and Austria.

Walter Kling

President, IAWD, Chair of IWA Strategic Council

Mr. Walter Kling worked for the City of Vienna, Vienna Waterworks until his retirement in early 2023. In 2011 he was appointed as Deputy Managing Director of Vienna Waterworks. He serves as IAWD Secretary General since 1993 and currently also as IAWD president since 2017. Walter Kling joined the work of the Austrian Water Association and in 1993, when he was delegated to represent Vienna within IWSA. Since the launch of IWA in 2000, Walter Kling supported the development of the new association in the region of Eastern Europe by organizing a number of events. Maintaining an excellent network of contacts, he applied to organize the IWA – World Water Congress 2008 in Vienna. Starting from 2003, the Congress President Walter Kling served with great commitment to secure best circumstances for IWA, IAWD and the City of Vienna to run a successful conference. In September 2010 he was elected IWA – Vice-President, re-elected in Busan 2012 and served in this position until 2014. In 2010 he initiated the development of the Danube Water Program, which was launched jointly by the World Bank and IAWD in 2013.

Vencislav Kuchovski

Environment Manager, Coca-Cola HBC Bulgariа

Ventsislav Kachovski has been the Environment Manager at Coca-Cola HBC Bulgariа for four years. He is involved in the processes of achieving important ESG goals, including the responsible management of resources, as well as the reduction of water and energy consumption in the company's two production centers in Kostinbrod and Bankia. His local efforts are also focused on achieving Coca-Cola HBC's ambitious global goal of zero net emissions across the supply chain by 2040 – a journey accompanied by innovative solutions, partnerships, and the implementation of a number of sustainability projects.
Ventsislav Kachovski holds a bachelor's degree in "Environmental Protection" from the University of Forestry, Sofia.

Assoc. Dr. Manyu Moravenov

Executive Director, Bulgarian Stock Exchange

Yuri Katanov

Executive Director of KER TOKI POWER and Renalfa

Yuri Katanov has over 15 years of experience in the field of corporate finance, structuring and financing of operations and management and implementation of investment projects in various sectors, including energy. He has held various management roles and participated in some of the most significant renewable energy projects in Southeast Europe. As the Executive Director of KER TOKI POWER, he works actively for the transformation of the energy industry in the region, both in terms of digitalization and modernization of services, and for the transition from carbon to sustainable energy business.

Dimiter Banov

CFO, Hydrogenera

BA degree from Dickinson, USA and eMBA in Economy, real estate, banking and finance from SDA Bocconi and AUBG. Currently, Dimiter is the CFO of the front running company in hydrogen innovation in Bulgaria.

More than 15 years of M&A experience with a focus on financing and restructuring sustainable businesses. Experienced board member, including of companies listed on foreign markets.

In 2023 Dimiter participated in the European Hydrogen Forum: Navigating Towards a Sustainable Hydrogen-Powered Future.

Antonia Mavrova

Partner in the Sofia office of Kinstellar

Antonia Mavrova is Partner in the Sofia office of Kinstellar, a leading independent law firm in Central and South Eastern Europe, and head of the firm-wide Automotive & Industrials sector.

She has represented a number of automotive parts manufacturers and large industrials on their market entry in Bulgaria thanks to her know-how in structuring state incentives and compliance with local environmental regulations. Her focus is on the sustainability of the automotive sector, assisting clients with a broad spectrum of regulatory developments impacting their operations.

She has over 20 years of experience advising on acquisitions of large portfolios of units and sale and purchase of commercial and industrial properties and on all legal aspects related to such transactions.

Konstantin Haralampiev

Co-founder of AgroVAR

Konstantin is a co-founder of AgroVAR, the first Bulgarian Agri-tech start up focused on using AI to analyze agronomical data and helping farmers to transition from conventional to regenerative farming using nature based solutions. He has extensive experience with carbon markets and carbon neutrality in agriculture and with AgroVAR is developing the first carbon program which will financially reward farmers in Bulgaria for their transition to regenerative farming and lower carbon footprint. 
 

Nikolay Ilchev

Partner Tax Services, PwC Bulgaria

Nikolay Ilchev is a partner in the tax and legal service line of PwC Bulgaria and has more than 16 years of experience as a consultant in tax and regulatory aspects serving multinational and local clients. His main area of expertise is indirect taxation and assistance during tax disputes. From the middle of 2021 he is leading the PwC Bulgaria team providing services related to ESG regulations.

Nikolay has led projects related to the regulations and reporting under the EU Taxonomy of sustainable economic activities, reporting of the social impact of businesses, ESG due diligence of businesses to be acquired by investors and the preparation of policies and procedures protecting human rights and the environment.

Borislav Bangeev

Director Corporates and Member of the Management Board of UniCredit Bulbank

Borislav started his career in the Bank as a retail monitoring manager in Risk Division after an internship in Consumer loans and Product Development departments. From October 2007 until May 2010 he was Manager credit policy, products and procedures in UniCredit Bulbank. Then he started his international career in UniCredit S.p.A. as business manager in FIBS & Trading Credit Risk in Munich, Germany, where he supported the implementation of the groupwide centralized approach in credit risk management of this portfolio.

In May 2012 he became a vice president and business and change manager in Group Trading Risk in Milan Italy, gaining valuable experience in market risk through the project of the implementation of the group internal models for market risk and counterparty credit risk. In September 2013 he returned to FIBS Underwriting, consolidating his expertise and taking gradual managerial positions as Head of Home Markets Desk and since March 2016 – first vice president and Head of FIBS Underwriting.  In October 2017 he became Global Head of FIBS Credit Transactions, leading a team of more than 100 professionals across three hubs of the Group, responsible for the underwriting, monitoring and special credit management of this important segment of institutional clients.

Borislav has a master degree in finance and banking from the University of Sofia.

Gergana Ilieva

Architect, part of the team of the "Collective" foundation

Gergana is an architect, part of the  "Collective" foundation. She is interested in the principles of the circular economy and their connection to architecture - optimization of resources and spaces, sustainable and low cost building solutions. Her main focus is collaborating with communities to improve the urban environment, which is evident in her work on projects such as "Rivers of the city", "Danube design lab", "100 chairs" and others.

Adriyana Мihaylova

Founder of Imp-Act Agency

Adriyana Мihaylova is the founder of Imp-Act Agency - a communication agency focused on projects, brands and initiatives with a positive footprint for urban and sustainable development. She is also the founder of GRADOSCOPE - a multidisciplinary collaboration with architects and urban planners to transform unused urban spaces. Adriyana coordinated communications in the process of creating Vision Sofia 2050, a long-term development strategy for Sofia Municipality, which involved over 10,000 business representatives, politicians, administrators, NGOs and citizens. In 2021, she worked on the preparation of the capital's participation in the final of the Green Capital of Europe competition. 
She has over 15 years of experience in corporate and public communications. From 2007 to 2014 she worked at VIVACOM, where she was involved in strategic projects such as restructuring and rebranding, the launch of the VIVACOM Fund social corporate responsibility platform and the creation and development of the VIVACOM Art Hall event and culture space. From 2015 to 2019 he was Managing Director of Ogilvy Public Relations and looked after corporate, product and brand PR for companies such as IKEA, Absolut, Philips and Storytel. He is the chairman of the association GID "Urban Ideas and Design", which develops the independent branding project of Sofia - #soSofia. She has partnered with many of the biggest cultural events in the country and in 2014 she was part of the TEDxBG team.

Nikolai Belchev

CEO, Expur

Nikolay is CEO of Expur – a company of the French industrial and agri-business Avril. Prior to that, his professional background includes various positions in sales, marketing, operations, supply chain and commodity trading. 

Bulgarian by birth and truly international by background, Nikolay has gained a diverse cross-cultural experience by living, studying, and working in Austria, UK, USA, Hungary and Romania. He is an INSEAD alumni from the Certificate in Global Management programme since 2019 and holds an MBA degree since 2012. 

Nikolay is hard working with strong determination to pursue his dreams and convictions. He believes education is a great investment. Hence his support for educational and mentoring projects for underprivileged adolescents. Nikolay is also a father who loves going skiing and doing sports and spending quality time with his loved ones and friends. In his free time, he is also known for being a responsible scuba and rescue diver.

Expur SA a company of the French industrial and agri-business Avril in Romania. The company employs more than 460 people Slobozia, Bucharest and across Romania and is a large industrial oilseeds processing company in the country and the region. Our portfolio of products includes renewable energy solutions for decarbonization and energy transition, edible oils for the consumers market, specialties for the food industry and ingredients for food processing and renewable chemistry. Our flagship and most famous brand of edible oils is Untdelemn de la Bunica. Gateste cu incredere. 

With the majority shareholders’ capital owned by the French farmers, Avril (hence Expur) has a clearly defined purpose and reason to act, i.e. to Serve the Earth. Therefore, and concretely, this means that we are committed to take action for agriculture that respects the planet, to take action to protect the natural resources and biodiversity, to take action to develop local sectors, to take action for the impact of our investments, to take action for the climate and to take action for a collective and inclusive project.  

Victor Rombaut

Advisor To The Board, Agropolychim

Mihaela Kalaydzhieva

Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Yettel

Francois Debergh

Country Director for Bulgaria and Greece, Veolia

Francois Debergh is a seasoned entrepreneur with a strong appetite for development enjoying a rich experience in the management of small and medium-sized enterprises as well as large businesses. During his career, mostly as country or regional director, he had the chance to create and run businesses through the different steps of a company lifecycle.
He has a broad knowledge in the design and operations of environmental services. His main focus is to accelerate the deployment of tailor-made solutions for industrial, commercial and municipal customers emphasizing on innovative and sustainable models, energy efficiency and circular economy.
He joined Veolia in 1997 and is currently the Country Director for Bulgaria and Greece. With an experience of over 20 years in Central and Eastern Europe, he is leading the regional teams, providing Veolia’s expertise to local authorities and business customers to help them achieve their ecological transformation goals.

Irina Toncheva

Sustainability Мanager, Accenture

Irina Toncheva is part of Accenture Bulgaria’s Advanced Technology Center management team. She is currently leading a project to design and develop a new software product related to circular economy processes. In parallel with this role, she also leads the company's sustainable development initiatives in Bulgaria, which aim to align sustainability criteria with the company's technological projects. Irina has many years of experience in software project management. Her role in helping to define clients' goals and creating technological solutions to achieve them has been key over the years.
 

Stanimira Nikolova

Urban Planner and GIS Expert, Sofiaplan

Stanimira Nikolova is an urban planner and GIS expert. She graduated from UASG with a Master's degree in Urbanism in 2018. Stanimira has experience in the preparation of analyses of the urban environment, development of strategies and programs for the improvement of the quality of the urban environment in the fields of mobility, sports and provision of connections between areas with different functions. Since 2018, Stanimira has been working at Sofiaplan, the municipal structure for strategic and spatial planning of Sofia Municipality, where she coordinates the project "Green Ring Sofia" (a linear park project with pedestrian and bicycle lanes) and has been involved in numerous projects such as "Spatial Analysis for Metro Extension", Sofia Play Strategy, Sofia Sports Strategy (physical activity strategy in Sofia municipality), Program for Sofia (Sofia Municipality Integrated Development Plan) and many others. Since 2022, she is also a member of the GATE team - Institute for Big Data for a Smart Society, working on the project of a digital twin of the city, with a focus on mobility and walkability.

Mark Beveridge

Principal Consultant, Benchmark Mineral Intelligence (BMI)

Mark Beveridge is a Principal Consultant with Benchmark Mineral Intelligence (BMI) with broad experience in commodity market analysis and LiB value chain expertise. Since joining BMI four years ago, Mark has led numerous consulting engagements focusing on, among other things, strategic sourcing of LiB raw materials for prospective cell makers and policy development for state-level jurisdictions aiming to attract LiB supply chain investment. Previously, he led business intelligence firm CRU’s analysis division covering nickel and other minor metals; and he also worked as an analyst in international trade organizations.

Grigoris Chatzikostas

Vice President Of Business Development, Foodscale Hub

Grigoris Chatzikostas is an expert in financing innovation in agtech and foodtech. He is managing multi-national and cross-sectoral consortia, developing proposals for EU funding and coordinating large-scale projects that promote tech-enabled entrepreneurship in the agrifood sector. In the past 20 years he has managed projects exceeding the total value of 140 mEUR. He has delivered programs supporting more than 200 startups and SMEs with pre-seed funding and business support services. He also offers mentoring and strategic consulting to a small number of carefully selected companies that are aligned with his interests.

Desislava Simeonova

Executive Director SME Banking of UBB

Desislava Simeonova is a Member of the Country Team of KBC Group for Bulgaria, Member of the Management Board of UBB, leader of the KBC Group’s Sustainable Finance Programme and Executive Director SME Banking of UBB
Desislava Simeonova holds a Master’s degree in Law. She started her professional career as a legal trainee at Sofia City Court. In 2000 she was appointed as a public enforcement agent at the State Receivables Collection Agency to the Ministry of Finance. Subsequently she also worked as a legal counsel at the Legal Directorate and an expert to the Inspectorate of that same institution.

Over the period 2004 – 2008 she worked as a legal counsel at the Bulgarian National Bank, Banking Supervision Department. She joined the team of CIBANK more than 10 years ago in the Corporate Officer position. Later on she consecutively managed Legal Services and Methodology Directorate and in 2016 she was appointed SME Director, while achieving excellent results in that segment. After the acquisition of United Bulgarian Bank by the Belgian financial group KBC in 2017 Desislava Simeonova took over the function of SME Distribution Director at UBB.
In July 2022 she became leader of KBC Group’s Sustainable Finance Programme.
 

Dick Ayres

Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, Litterati

Javier Santos

Water Operations Director, AGBAR water company, Spain

Javier Santos is the Veolia's Water Spain Operations Director. In charge of different corporate Directions in Spain, such as the Water Treatment and Circular Economy Direction (Drinking Water Treatment, Wastewater Treatment, Reclaimed Water and Dessalination), Water Supply and Water Sewage Networks Direction, Territorial Performance, Strategic Projects, Digital Transformation, Energy Management or Governance. Previously, he was the Water Treatments and Circular Economy Director in Spain, but also Wastewater Director in Barcelona or plant manager at two of the largest wastewater treatment plants in Spain, both in Barcelona and Madrid.

He has two degrees: Civil Engineer and Technical Public Works Engineer, but also a Management Development in Sustainable Business Postgraduate Degree and the Drinking Water Treatment, Wastewater and Alternative Ressources Postgraduate Degree

Hristina Pendicheva

State Expert in the Financial Markets Regulation Directorate, Ministry of Finance

Radoslav Russev

Consultant, Wadata

Rado Russev is a water utility manager, entrepreneur and advisor. His career path combines 10 years of utility work (from expert positions to general management), some experience in policy making including in the role of a deputy minister, continuous international advisory (focus on policy reforms, utility strengthening and PPPs) and involvement in the development of a couple of start-up companies in the sector.

His deepest hands-on experience is in the area of water supply and sanitation (WSS) – management of commercial, financial and organizational processes in Sofia Water company followed-up by a general-management role in restructuring Dobrich Water Utility.

In the last 5 years Rado has been actively involved in the development of various capacity-development mechanisms under the Danube Water Programme including the Danube Learning Partnership (D-LeaP). 

Dilyana Yakova

Manager "Regulatory Affairs & Sustainability", Philip Morris Bulgaria

Dilyana Yakova is Manager "Regulatory Affairs & Sustainability" at Philip Morris Bulgaria. She holds a Master of Law from Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski" and an MBA from the Central European University in Budapest. She is an expert in sustainable development with over 13 years of professional experience. Before joining the company that is building a smoke-free future in Bulgaria, Dilyana worked in the Ministry of Education and Science as a legal consultant, as well as in the consulting company KPMG.
Dilyana is responsible for the implementation of Philip Morris International's global strategy for sustainable development in Bulgaria, as well as for regulatory matters related to the company's business processes. She is the main driving force behind the awareness-rising information campaign #ChangeThePicture, which shares the facts about the global problem of improperly disposed cigarette butts in order to encourage responsible consumer behavior.
 

Anna-Maria Karjalainen

Director for Energy and Climate, European Copper Institute

Anna-Maria Karjalainen leads the European Copper Institute’s Clean Energy Transition team where she oversees engagement with key stakeholders and policymakers to promote copper markets in the clean energy transition and tackle opportunities and challenges for the operation of copper production arising from EU policymaking and regulations in the area of energy and climate.  

Anna-Maria was also heavily involved in the development of the Pathway to Net Zero for copper production in Europe, and continues to work with copper producers on the challenges that the implementation of the Pathway brings. 

Prior to ECI, Anna-Maria worked for nearly a decade in a public affairs and communications consultancy in Brussels where she led EU engagement campaigns for clients from across the energy and climate, raw materials and commodities sectors. Before that she worked at the European Commission, notably coordinating inter-institutional relations with the Council of the EU.

Anna-Maria holds a Master’s degree in EU politics and administration from the College of Europe, Bruges, and a Bachelor’s degree in European Studies and Management from Royal Holloway, University of London. 

Philip Horn

Head of Circular Economy Division, EIB

Philip is heading the EIB Circular Economy Division, which oversees coordination and development of Circular Economy topics at EIB and provides Technical Assistance to Circular Economy Projects. With focus on EU Member States, the latter includes JASPERS (with DG REGIO) and C3 – Circular City Centre (with DG RTD). Amongst others, the division is also leading EIBs participation in the "Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) Circular Economy Working Group", which aims at streamlining and increasing MDB support in transition a to more circular economy. Philipp is also supporting the CCRI Circular Cities & Regions Initiative as member of the advisory board.

Philipp has an architect’s background with focus on projects in sustainable construction, as well as advisory experience in solid waste and energy in EU Member States. He joint EIB in 2008.

Tim Kurth

CEO of Aurubis Bulgaria and President of the German–Bulgarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce

Tim Kurth is the CEO of Aurubis Bulgaria and President of the German–Bulgarian Chamber of Industry and Commerce.

He started his career at Uniliver and continued his professional path in Numico. He joined Norddeutsche Affinerie (today Aurubis) and he occupied various senior positions including Vice

President "Corporate Logistics" and Manager "Innovations" in the concern.

As of August 1st,2014 he holds the position CEO of Aurubis Bulgaria.

Mr. Kurth was born in Bremen. He graduated in Logistics from the University of Applied Sciences in Friedberg, Germany.

Ivo Kumanov

CEO and partner, "NIK ELECTRONICS" OOD

Victor Skravenski

Manager and Sole Owner of the capital, "BIOTEX" EOOD

Prof. Marina Stefanova

Vice Dean Sustainability Empowerment and Engagement, FEBA, Sofia University

Aleksander Tomovski

Regional Manager Corporate banking, UniCredit Bulbank for Southeast Bulgaria

Alexander started his career at Unicredit Bulbank in 2005 as Relationship manager corporate clients in Corporate and Investment Banking Division, after almost four years experience in the field of insurance broker services. In July 2011 he was promoted as Regional Manager for Blagoevgrad region
and an year after expanded to the whole Southwest Bulgaria. Since February 2017 he overtook Burgas region, which from 2023 includes also the territory of Stara Zagora region.
He has accumulated considerable experience in the field of corporate banking and working with companies from the SME segment. He knows the specifics of the business environment in individual regions, the need for financial products and services, he has supported the financing of investments and the growth of a number of companies. He believes that sustainable business models, responsible management and environmental protection are among the key indicators that ensure the development and prosperity of organizations from the SME segment, with the role of the financial sector becoming increasingly important. Proper allocation of resources and focus on best practices are a priority in corporate banking work.
Alexander graduated from a master;s program in Corporate and Investment Banking at Bocconi University, Italy, has  master;s degree in Responsible and Sustainable Management from Sofia
University St. Kliment Ohridski; and bachelor;s degrees in Finance and Tourism from the University of National and World Economy, Sofia.

Plamena Nenkova

Deputy Executive Director "International Affairs & Business Development", Glavbolgarstroy Holding AD

Plamena Nenkova is responsible for the sustainable/ green projects within the GBS corporate group and in this capacity is engaged in all phases of EU and other grant funding programmes, incl. drafting and submission of applications, contracts signature, project management & implementation, reporting.
With background in International Relations and European Studies, she is an expert in the field of international affairs and is responsible for the GBS membership in international and EU sectoral and industry associations; maintenance of contacts with international partners; foreign business negotiations. Plamena Nenkova is heading the GBS Representative offices in Brussels, Washington and Vienna.

Rossen Papazov

CEO and member of the Management Board, Holcim (Bulgaria) AD

Rossen Papazov is CEO and member of the Management Board of Holcim (Bulgaria) AD since September 2020.
He was born in Sofia. He holds a Master's degree in Finance from the University of National and World Economy-Sofia and a Master's degree in Business Administration (MBA) from IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland. His career at Holcim began in 2000 as Business Development Manager. From 2004 to 2007 he headed the company's Aggregates and RMX business. In the period 2007-2020 he held senior management positions in various companies of the Group in Europe (Belgium, Romania, Azerbaijan) and Africa (South Africa). Prior to joining Holcim, he worked as a financial expert at Arthur Andersen and the World Bank in Eastern Europe.
Part of the Holcim Group in Bulgaria are the cement plant in the village of Beli Izvor, Vratsa region, the aggregates producers Holcim Karierni Materiali AD-Sofia and Holcim Karierni Materiali Plovdiv AD, RMX centres in Sofia and Plovdiv and Geocycle Bulgaria EOOD, dealing with the supply of alternative fuels used in the production of cement.

Nikolay Kirilov

Owner and Manager, Frukt-N EOOD, Frukt-N Logistics and Agrofresh-Vidin

Radostina Hadzhiyska

Country Legal and Corporate Affairs Director and Deputy Executive Director, Kamenitza AD

Radostina Hadzhiyska assumed her current role at Kamenitza AD in March 2020. Before that, she worked in the company as a Legal Affairs Manager. Radostina is responsible for the legal compliance of business operations with local and international regulations, as well as for the overall strategy of the business in line with corporate affairs, image and reputation of the company - relations with institutions, relations with the media and the public, corporate social responsibility, relationships with employees and crisis management. Radostina, together with the "Legal and Corporate Affairs" team and in close cooperation with the entire Union of Brewers in Bulgaria, work extremely thoroughly and in the direction of maintaining and upgrading the reputation of the beer category in our country and in Europe.

Kosta Karakashyan

Director & Producer, Studio Karakashyan, MA in Human Rights, Bulgarian Youth Delegate to the UN

Kosta Karakashyan is a Bulgarian-Armenian director, producer, choreographer, and writer exploring empathy and emotion through motion. He has built a prolific body of work, moving through disciplines including film, music videos, commercials, choreography, installations, theatre, and immersive performances, featured by NOWNESS, The New Yorker, The Guardian, Bloomberg, ELLE, and BBC and tackling social topics such as the lives of LGBTQ+ people in Eastern Europe, mental health, and the climate crisis.

Nikol Peeva

Co-Founder of Unboxd

Nikol Peeva is the Co-Founder of Unboxd, and a Business Administration and Journalism & Mass Communication Graduate from the American University in Bulgaria. She specializes in client and project management, and has made it her mission to extend the lifetime of fashion by establishing Unboxd as the leading pre-loved fashion platform, transforming the clothing industry by reducing its environmental footprint and introducing new standards for the future of fashion. 

Nikol believes that Bulgaria holds significant potential for young individuals with big aspirations, and encourages her generation to make the changes they want to see through education and raising awareness of the many possibilities for prospective growth and success for the youth in Bulgaria.

Maria Nedina

Head of the Political Cabinet, Ministry of Environment and Water of Bulgaria

Maria is currently head of the political cabinet of the Ministry of Environment and Water of Bulgaria. She was previously advisor to the Minister of Innovation & Growth, advisor to the Minister of Energy and the Deputy Prime Minister for EU Funds. Prior to her public roles, she held leadership positions at Twitter, where she was Head of the Data Science & AI - Finance & Investments team. Maria was also a correspondent for The Economist magazine and Project Manager at Philipps Healthcare. She holds a Master’s degree in Financial Economics from Erasmus University and a Bachelor’s degree from the Rotterdam School of Management.