Ksenia Khoruzhnikova

G200 Association Founder and President

Ksenia is now in charge of the G200 Association and G-20Y Association.

G200 Association brings together every year hundreds of young leaders, students, academics, professors, members of parliaments under 45 years old, entrepreneurs, young professionals and civil society leaders from 200 countries for the G200 Youth Forum. The unique concept of the event was created in 2005 by Ksenia Khoruzhnikova. The concept was realized as the G8 Youth Summit in 2006 in Saint-Petersburg and continued in subsequent years transformed first into the G20 Youth Forum and finally the G200 Youth Forum (in Berlin, 2007, in Tokyo, 2008, in Milan, 2009, in Vancouver, 2010, in Paris, in 2011 and in Washington, 2012, in Saint-Petersburg, 2013 and in Garmisch Partenkirchen, 2014, 2015 and 2016).

G-20Y Association brings together every year approximately 150 individuals in corporate executive leadership positions from the most prestigious leading companies in the world, G20 countries and their sectors for the annual G-20Y Summits (2010, in Toronto, 2011, in Paris, 2012 in Mexico City, 2013 in Saint- Petersburg, 2014 in Montreux, 2015 in Evian, 2016 in St.Moritz). The unique concept of the event was created in 2009 by Ksenia.

During 15 years of professional life Ksenia gained invaluable international experience regarding global emerging political and economic issues as well as intercultural and management skills. Ksenia is the owner of several companies providing different professional services on an international scale. Ksenia is an artist and has started a fashion house business. Ksenia is a Fellow of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank “Leaders of Tomorrow” Program. She holds a master’s degree from the School of International Relations, Saint-Petersburg State University.

Vladimir Okhmatovski

G200 Association Scientific Commission Member
Associate Professor, University of Manitoba, Co-founder of CEMWorks Inc., Registered Professional Engineer in Manitoba, Senior Member, IEEE, Canada

Vladimir is a tenured Associate Professor with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Manitoba in Canada. He has been actively engaged in teaching and research in the areas of Computational Electromagnetics and Electronic Design Automation (EDA) for over 20 years. Vladimir’s research group currently affiliates 6 doctorate and masters students. His past and current research initiatives attracted over $2M in external funding from government and industrial partners such as the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Canada Foundation for Innovation, Department of National Defense Canada, Cadence Design Systems, and various others.

Vladimir is also listed as an inventor on 6 U.S. patents and patent applications. He was a winner of best paper awards at the Mathematical Methods in Electromagnetic Theory in 1996, Electronics Packaging Technology Conference in 2000, and Applied and Computational Elecromagnetics Society Best Journal Paper Award in 2007. Vladimir co-founded CEMWorks Inc. which is a start-up company specializing in computational software for electromagnetic analysis of large complex structures.

He earned his honors Masters degree and Doctorate degree from the Department of Radio Engineering at the Moscow Power Engineering Institute in 1996 and 1997, respectively. During his undergraduate and graduates studies Vladimir received various prestigious awards including Soros Undergraduate and Graduate Scholarships, 1995 Scholarship of the Government of Russian Federation, and 1996 Scholarship of the President of Russian Federation.

Zhang Yanling

G200 Association Scientific Commission Member
Professor and Deputy Director of Tourism Department, Business School, Tianjin University of Finance and Economics, Tianjin, China

Professor Dr. Zhang Yanling is a professor and the deputy director of Tourism Department Business School Tianjin University of Finance and Economics. Also Dr. Zhang Yanling is the chief editor of the proceedings series of the Euro-Asia conference on Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management (CPCI-indexed) since 2005. She is also the executive editor of Journal of Environmental Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility since 2012. Prior to this she used to work as a lecturer on the strategic management for the MBA program. In 2005, Zhang got her PHD degree in Management from TU Freiberg and published her first book: “From Theory to Practice – Environmental Management in China.” Since 2003, Zhang published 9 books and 53 papers associated with environmental management, CSR, tourism and MICE management. In 2012, Zhang set up the “Journal of Environmental Governance and Corporate Social Responsibility” with Professor Dr. Udo. E. Simonis and Professor Dr. Jan C. Bongaerts.

Jagmeet Singh Bawa

G200 Association Scientific Commission Member
Assistant Professor, Department of Human Values & Professional Ethics, Punjab Technical University, Punjab, India

Dr. Jagmeet Singh, born in the Barnala, heart of the Malwa region in Punjab in July 1979. He completed his graduation from the S.D. College Barnala. Then he moved to Department of Political Science, Punjabi University Patiala. He earned his doctorate from the same department. Later on, he did his Masters in Public Administration and Education also. He joined Punjab Technical University in April 2011 as Assistant Professor in Department of Human Values & Professional Ethics. Before joining the Punjab Technical University Dr. Bawa served as Assistant Professor for four years in different colleges. He has written two books, one is about the role and opportunities for India in SAARC and the second one is on International Terrorism and its impact on India. He has edited one book which is related to the women’s position in contemporary India. Dr. Bawa is working as a Programme Coordinator NSS since December 2011. He initiated a movement against Cancer and Hepatitis in Punjab.

Attila Tóth

G200 Association Scientific Commission Member
Assistant Professor (PhD) in Landscape Architecture, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra
Early Stage Researcher - European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action Urban Agriculture
Europe European Landscape Architecture Student Association (ELASA) - representative of the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra

Dr. Attila Tóth is Landscape Architect, currently working as Assistant Professor at the Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, where he studied Landscape Architecture (2007-2015) and completed his PhD. (2015). His main research interests are Green Infrastructure, Rural Landscapes and Urban Agriculture. He is Board Member of the LE:NOTRE Institute and Scientific Commission Member of the G200 Association. He has conducted several research scholarships: at the Vienna University of Technology, Austria (2014-2015), University of Canterbury, New Zealand (2014), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Spain (2013), University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Austria (2012) and others. He is laureate of significant awards and honours: Student Personality of Slovakia (2014, 2010), BMW Award for Sustainability and Innovations (2014), Outstanding Student Award of the European Council of Landscape Architecture Schools (2013), Rector's Award of SUA Nitra (2015, 2013, 2010) and BOKU Vienna (2010), Award of the President of Nitra Region (2007).

Asaad M. Ali Asaad

G200 Association Scientific Commission Member
Director of Student Activity Administration, Al Yamamah University, Riyadh, KSA

Asaad Al Asaad is the Director of Al Yamamah University Student Activity Administration. Also Asaad is the founder of Al Yamamah University’s Debate Club (2008). He is a dedicated educator who teaches EFL in addition to a number of free elective humanities and liberal arts courses at YU including “Debating”, “Introduction to Journalism” and “Great Texts in Humanities”.  Asaad numbered among the core teaching staff of Al Yamamah University’s Saudi INTERLINK Language Center when it first opened in September 2004 and has remained in continuous service through to the present. His professional career also extends to the world of media: for six years (2006-2012) he was a leading news anchor, program presenter and interpreter at KSA 2, the official Saudi TV channel in English

Sedzani Siaga

G200 Association Scientific Commission Member
Senior Lecturer, University of Pretoria, South Africa

Sedzani Musundwa is a qualified Chartered Accountant (CA) SA and current senior lecturer at the University of Pretoria. This career has awarded her the opportunity to seed value into the lives of young people she mentors, lectures and interacts with daily. Sedzani’s influence to the youth spans the national boarders through the work she does as an Executive and Scientific member of the G20 Youth forum. She joined the executive in 2013 and has since successfully impacted its development towards the global G200 committee that it is today. 

Some of her qualifications include an undergraduate and postgraduate degree in Accounting Sciences, a Master’s degree in commerce with a focus on international accounting, and she is currently pursuing a PhD in which she seeks to explore the quality of accounting education onthe African continent. “I felt the need to contribute in-depth insight into the topic, as only with access to this type of knowledge can we begin to improve the accounting education standards of the continent and yield the type of accountants that will make Africa a global force in the profession” she explains. In addition to this, Sedzani serves in the SAICA – Johannesburg District Association and the SAIPA technical and investigations board committees. 

Christian Tietz

G200 Association Scientific Commission Member
Senior Lecturer in Industrial Design at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia

Christian Tietz came to Australia from his native Germany at age 21. He studied Industrial Design at the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) and graduated in 1991. Christian then became a director at the Argo Design co-operative in Sydney. His interest in remote area design led him to become the R&D manager for Healthabitat, this team, on UN Habitat Day in 2011, received the World Habitat Award by BSHF. He exhibited his work with HealtHabitat at the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2012 in Italy. In the same year at the UTS Human Rights Award ceremony in Sydney he received the 2012 UTS Reconciliation Award for his ‘sustained commitment to improving the standard of Indigenous Australian environmental health through innovative designs of health hardware.' For over 15 years now Christian directs his own Design consultancy. He was the Academic Course Advisor and lectures in Industrial Design at the University of Western Sydney. Now Christian Tietz is a Senior Lecturer in Industrial Design at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. Also he is a Doctor with a PhD in Design (UTS 2014). Christian is specializing in Design to improve environmental health, especially for Indigenous Australians in remote communities. He has published in this field and it is also a theme in his Phd. Other research interests are the meeting of technology and humanities, User Centered Design, Data Driven Design, Communities of Practice and Things and Their Stories.  

Robert de Wit

G200 Association Parliamentarians' Commission Member
Provincial Council Member and Party Vice-Chairman, the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), Founder of the International Speaker's Platform Outspoken, the Netherlands

Mr. Robert de Wit holds a University of Applied Sciences degree in Communication and Majors in Political and Government Communication & Conflict management, Groningen Hanze University. On March 2015, Robert was elected as a Provincial Council Member at the Province of Groningen. Before he became a member of parliament Robert was Chairman at the youth unemployment campaign NoorderBaanBattle. As a Provincial Council Member and Party Vice-Chairman Robert is responsible for the topics: entrepreneurship and innovation, job market and education, energy and energy transition, sport and events, housing, welfare and care, youth participation, communication and representation. Robert is also a board member of the foundation ‘Stichting Provinciaal Groninger Studiefonds’. This foundation ensures that children who are unable to pay school fees, study costs and travel expenses because of their family's financial situation are given the opportunity to adequately attend school in the province of Groningen.

Mette Hjermind Dencker

G200 Association Parliamentarians' Commission Member
Member of the Danish Parliament, Denmark

Mrs. Mette Hjermind Dencker was the first Danish politician who took the initiative for a rural development plan, which was published in 2012. 

In the parliament she struggles to equate the Danish islands economically with the rest of society, so it does not cost more to get there, than driving on the roads in the rest of Denmark. After the election in 2016, the new elected government liked Mette's idea, so there is an agreement to start equalizing the islands with the mainland economically from March to November.

Mrs. Hjermind Dencker is very concerned about sustainability and held talks on this issue at international conferences. Also she is very happy to share how in Denmark they are focused on all kinds of sustainability issues, from food waste to fashion. Mette's period in the Danish Parliament started in 2011, she was reelected in June, 2015.

Robert Housmans

G200 Association Parliamentarians' Commission Member                       Member of Parliament Province of Limburg The Netherlands

After being a member of several comities for the Municipality of Sittard-Geleen and after being a member of the advisory committee for the ministry of VROM, Robert formally entered the political arena in 2010 when he became a member of the city council of Sittard-Geleen.

In 2015 Robert was elected in the provincial parliament of the Province of Limburg. As Member of Parliament, Robert is Fractionleader, Chairman of the Commission Inquiry, and a member of:
the presidium, the Euregioraad, the commission for Mobility and Sustainability, and the commission Finances, Economy and government.

In 2015 Robert started the initiative “Het Statenspel”(Parliaments game). This initiative allows schools from the Province of Limburg to visit the Parliament and for the students as young as 12 years and up to experience Parliamentary democracy by entering the political arena and playing out the roles in parliament.
 

Mariangela Celeste Portaluri

G200 Association Parliamentarians' Commission Member                      Member of the Model European Parliament, the Youth Parliament of the Region of Puglia, Italy

Mariangela participated with a team from her school in the national preliminary selection of the Model European Parliament in the scholastic year 2014-2015, thereafter being able to participate in the 35th national session of the EYP, organized that same year in Turin. She lived her childhood and adolescence in Lecce, the city in which she currently resides.  She attended the music specialization course at “Ascanio Grandi” middle school and thus proved her mettle in the study of violin.

Mariangela is currently a member of the Model European Parliament.  The Youth Parliament of the Region of Puglia, in which she was involved during the 2015-2016 scholastic year, permitted her to participate in the G200 Youth Forum.   In effect, in April 2016, as a youth parliamentarian, she presented a project inspired by the politics of reutilization in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, a project that was the product of her work in the Youth Parliament of the Region of Puglia. The Youth Parliament of the Region of Puglia has the objective of encouraging youth to participate actively in politics, starting from the smallest of gestures to which an active citizen can commit himself or herself.

Mariangela is passionate about theater, and in her free time, she dedicates herself frequently to volunteering, teaching English in a kindergarten in her city of Lecce.

Alistair Sudholz

G200 Association Young Leaders Commission Member
Deakin University, Horsham, Australia

Alistair graduated from Deakin University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Politics and Policy.These studies have given him an understanding of the operations of government. His volunteer work with Victoria Legal Aid, a government funded institution which provides legal assistance to those who would not otherwise be able to afford it, has given him an insight into some of the problems which come with a lack of opportunity and education. A three week study tour to the Czech Republic in 2013 which examined the process of democratisation allowed Alistair the opportunity to observe the different routes taken to ensure that society is not left behind in the bid to become competitive in the global market. Alistair’s study of politics and the skills he has gained from all his units allowed him to critically analyse public policy and become published in Deakin University’s peer-reviewed public policy magazine, Publicius Consilium, in 2014. He is furthering his qualification in 2016 by becoming qualified to practice law and plans to undertake a Masters degree examining democracy and Islam in 2017. Alistair is a member of the Golden Key International Honours Society and has had work published in Deakin University’s peer-reviewed policy magazine, Publicus Consilium.

Nkandu Beltz

G200 Association Young Leaders Commission Member
Author, Philanthropist, Social Change Maker and Lover of Humanity, in the not-for-profit sector for over 15 years

Nkandu initially started out as a girl child advocate in Zambia, advocating for girl child rights. Nkandu has a background in Journalism and News Writing, worked for the Ngami Times in Botswana and was trained as a peer educator by the Botswana National Youth Council as a peer counselor in matters related to HIV/AIDS. She has worked with Save the Children Australia and was an executive member with the United Nations Association of Western Australia. She founded ‘Nkandu’s Cultural Night’ and ‘Kununurra Youth Development Program’. She has worked across cultures and produced her own lunch-time show with Warringarri Aboriginal Radio Station in Kununurra as well as producing content for ABC Open Rural in WA.

She was awarded the Pinnacle Professional of the Year award by ‘Continental Who’s Who’ for her dedication to professional excellence. Nkandu participated in the ’Australian Futures Project’ in Canberra in 2013. She was the 2013 Creative Innovation Scholarship winner and Ambassador for the Unleashed Youth Summit. She is an ambassador and mentor for STEMSEL youth (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics and Social Enterprise Learning). Nkandu published three books: "I Have The Power-Unlocking Your Potential To Change The World", "Fierce and Fabulous-The Feminine Force of Success", "Fierce and Fabulous-Phenomenal Women in Network Marketing".

Tabriz Jafarov

G200 Association Young Leaders Commission Member
President of "Presidental Scholar" Youth Union, Baku, Azerbaijan Republic

Tabriz is the President of “Presidental scholars” Youth Organisation. His previous professional experience includes a coordinator of “Law School” and “Azerbaijan Youth Summit” projects and his work in the Fellowship Program of Azerbaijan Presidential Administiration. He was Chairman of Law Club of the Public Administiration Academy and a member of Board of ELSA(European Law Students’ Association) Azerbaijan during 2013-2014. Tabriz is the owner and editor-in-chief of “Bakumedia” News Agency providing information services.He has about five years experiences in social sector as a participant and organizer. There are a lot of local, regional and international confrences, forums and assemblies that Tabriz attended and organized: VI Forum of Azerbaijan Youth(in Baku, 2011), I International Baku Forum of the Young Lawers(in Baku, 2012), VI “Leadership School-Winter Parlament(in Khacmaz, 2013), etc. He was awarded with “Presidential scholar” by President of Azerbaijan Republic Ilham Aliyev in 2011. 

Kenichi Nishimura

G200 Association Young Leaders Commission Member
Student, Osaka University, Japan

Kenichi is currently in a Law School at Osaka University, Japan. Prior to this, he took the undergraduate course at University College London, UK, where he gained broader global perspective. Mr. Nishimura is the Director of International Relations at AIESEC Osaka University Local Committee, where he makes his utmost effort to allow students more international-minded. This includes hosting events for whole university students with celebrity guests. His role also expands to the Chief Executive of “BSP”, which is the only group there to enforce interaction between Japanese and international students. Having interest in humanitarian affairs, Mr. Nishimura has dealt with nationwide refugee issues in Japan as well. Until now, he has attended a number of international conferences including G200 Youth Forum and the Youth Assembly at the United Nations, where he promoted the country of Japan. Through these events, Kenichi has gained invaluable international experience as well as the stronger leadership skills. 

Colin Hamilton

G200 Association Young Leaders Commission Member
Student, University of Hertfordshire, UK

Colin is a final year Computer Science student at the University of Hertfordshire. He is also working as a Student Ambassador at the University which involves him in various events nationally.
Colin participated in the 2015 and 2016 G200 which took place in Garmish-Partenkirchen, Germany. He was the Co-chair of the Design, Technology & Innovations table and presented at the Closing Ceremony.

Volunteering is key to him and Colin enjoys volunteering a lot because it gives him the opportunity of change and the appreciation of life. Seeing people happy at the end of what I have achieved makes me happy which is very important. Happiness is such a key factor of life, one many people do not really think about but it is one everyone should and I can definitely bring this to the Young Leaders Commission. Volunteering can very often push Colin to the limit too because sometimes he volunteers and does something that he has never experienced! Colin participated at a national event called Byte Night in 2014 in London which is “Action for Children’s” largest annual fundraiser. People from different locations use this night to sleep out in which he assisted at and it is such a wonderful experience to be part of and he will ensure the success continues by participating in Byte Night 2015.

He will hold a Master’s degree from the University of Hertfordshire in 2016.

Saidu Ahmed Enagi

G200 Association Young Leaders Commission Member
West Africa Youth Ambassador, Academics Stand Against Poverty (ASAP)

Saidu is an aspiring global development strategist and thinker. An ideological exponent of globalization, international development corporation and free trade with a visionary passion for Africa without poverty and socioeconomic inequality. His policy research publications on United Nations Post 2015 SDGs has received commendation from OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) and the Nigeria High Commission, Uganda.

Saidu is the Deputy Coordinator Africa, for CNRJ-International, Paris. Co-author, Drafting of the Amman Youth Declaration later adopted by the United Nations Security Council, On 9 the December 2015, as United Nations Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2250, Under Global Forum on Youth, Peace and Security, Jordan. Member, International Youth Diplomacy League, Saint-Petersburg, Russia. Member, World Youth Parliament for Water (WYPW), Global Youth Ambassador at A World at School –TheirWorld, London, UK. He is a Member President Obama Mandela Fellowship for Young African Leaders.

Saidu is a graduate of Development Studies at Stafford University, Uganda

Bolu Oyewale

G200 Association Young Leaders Commission Member                  Student, Keele University, UK

Bolu is an International Law and Business (LLM) student who has an interest in many things. His past experience includes being President of Keele University Students’ Union, where he gained his Undergaduate LLB Law degree, and working at the United Nations - in the Department of Peacekeeping Operations. For over 13 years now, Bolu has been a programmer and web designer and has in that time established and worked with various businesses. Bolu has also worked with others on a few social enterprises which has been presented in national competitions, as part of Enactus. He has also volunteered in various capacities - such as with Nightline, and providing legal assistance with CLOCK (Community Legal Outreach Collaboration Keele), among other things.

His interest in diplomacy, international society and international affairs extends back many years, bolstered by years of engagement and experience in Model United Nations. Bolu is now working on a non-profit focused on the Legal and Educational aspects of International Development.

Maryam Al Ali

G200 Association Young Leaders Commission Member                    Finance Manager, Etihad Airways, the UAE

Through her finance career, she believes in the value of spreading knowledge and brining people together. Maryam Al Ali is a Finance Manager at Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates. She is also an active member of Zayed University’s Alumni Association. Maryam started her career in banking by joining Lloyds Banking as a Finance Business Partner. Three years later, Lloyds sold its business in Dubai to HSBC. Maryam contined her career with HSBC as a Business Analyst for Retail Banking and Wealth Management.

Maryam is also an active member at Zayed University Alumni Association. After graduating with both degrees, she still goes back to her university as an active alumni. In addition, she has proudly
represented her country and university in a number of seminars and conferences in the UAE and worldwide.

Currently, she is working for Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates.In addition she is working on finding the right PhD program, in order to go back and teach at Zayed
Univesrity. Maryam holds a bachelor degree in Accounting from Zayed University, and Master degreee in Sciences of International Business from Zayed University as well.

Thijs Kuijper

G200 Association Young Leaders Commission Member                       Student, University and Economics at Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Thijs is a Law student at Leiden University and Economics at Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands. He has a special interest in International Politics, Economics, and Finance.

Before his studies he was president of the European Youth Parliament for Water. In this position he was responsible for organizing a five-day conference concerning water in the democratic world for 120 participants from different European countries and Kosovo. During his experience as president Thijs served as a youth representative of WHO (CEHAPE/EEHYC) at the Fifth Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health in Italy, the United Nations conference on “The Water Energy and Food Security Nexus” in Germany, the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council of Europe.

After his presidency he participated in the Climate Champions Leadership Summit in Shanghai, China and he worked as editor-in-chief of the magazine of the JASON Institute (Youth NATO).

Mr. Kuijper participated in the G200 Youth Forum in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in 2016. He is also interested in fine arts, opera and sailing.

Thabang Morena Letlabika

G200 Association Young Leaders Commission Member                 Founder of the Youth movement in South Africa

Thabang is a young vibrant young man motivated by his surroundings. He obtained a B.com degree in Economics from the University of the Free State, South Africa and intend on studying development studies.

He is currently working at a rail way company called Transnet, this has given him the opportunity to engage in the business world particularly in the Container and Automotive Business, which deals with the moving of goods from abroad and inland.(Exports and Imports).Prior this position, he served as an intern at the Joe Gqabi District Munuicpality.This gave him experience in the field of politics and local economic development dealing with small enterprises, non-profit organisations and cooperatives. He is also a founder for a youth organised group that aims to shape social issues through social entrepreneurship.

Despite the beautiful atmosphere that surrounds him, he has become socially aware of the social and economic issues that exist locally and how these are common in a global context, this has given him the opportunity to fit his degree and these social issues.

Tertia Vergeer

G200 Association Young Leaders Commission Member
Lawyer, Leiden University, The Netherlands  Advocating for Human rights

Tertia is a Dutch lawyer in the Netherlands. She has studied Civil Law at Leiden University. Ms. Vergeer is interested in human rights and in particularly in the European Convention on Human Rights.

Last year she had the honour to participate in the G200 Youth Forum 2017 in Dubai. She has contributed to the communiqué through her role as Secretary-General of the Global Health Committee.

In this Committee she has emphasized the great importance of human rights for the world. She underlines the emphasis of bringing future global leaders together.

Before becoming a lawyer, she has worked for an international auction house in Amsterdam.

Her goal is to help the G200 Youth Forum and to inspire others to solve current world problems.

She is also interested in fine arts, literature, history, ballet, classical music, tennis and travelling.

Yana Alexandrova

G200 Association Head of the Strategic Commission

Yana has contributed to the development of the G200 Youth Forum  since 2004. Before taking the position of Head of the Strategic Commission she held the position of Head of the Executive Committee.

Yana gained fourteen years of experience regarding intercultural so management skills in different international companies in the sphere of event management and energy construction. During her time at university Yana was involved in social entrepreneurship startups development and dedicated about seven years to it.

Yana graduated St. Petersburg State University Law School. She took various courses on international relations and law, management, sales, marketing and development at Seattle Law School, Helsinki State University and University of Amsterdam.