Speakers
Speakers
Opening session
Nikolay Vasilev, CFA
Chairman, CFA Society Bulgaria
Nikolay Vassilev was elected President of the Bulgarian CFA Association in November 2023. He has been Managing Partner of Expat Capital since 2009.
Nikolay Vassilev was a member of two governments of the Republic of Bulgaria, serving as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy (2001-2003), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications (2003-2005), and Minister of State Administration and Administrative Reform (2005-2009).
Previously, Nikolay Vassilev was Senior Vice President at Lazard Capital Markets – London (2000-2001), and Associate Director at UBS (UBS Warburg Dillon Read) in the Tokyo, New York, and London offices (1996-2000), working in the area of equities and emerging markets. He was also a tax adviser at Coopers & Lybrand in Budapest, Hungary (1993-1994).
He is the author of four books – “Energy” (2009), “Menu for Reformers” (2014), “Career or Not?” (2018), and "NEXT.BG" (2023).
Vassil Terziev
Mayor of Sofia, Bulgaria
Vassil Terziev is a Bulgarian entrepreneur, investor, and public leader currently serving as the Mayor of Sofia.
Before entering public service, he co-founded the global software company Telerik, which grew into one of Bulgaria’s most successful technology firms and was acquired by Progress Software in 2014. Following the acquisition, he continued to play an active role in the technology and startup ecosystem as a partner at Eleven Ventures, supporting early-stage companies across Southeast Europe.
Terziev has also been a strong advocate for education and talent development, helping establish initiatives such as Telerik Academy to train the next generation of software engineers and digital professionals. He holds a degree in Business Administration from the American University in Bulgaria.
Rob Langrick, CFA, CIPM
Chief Product Advocate, CFA Institute, New York Оffice
Rob Langrick, CFA, CIPM, is Chief Product Advocate for CFA Institute based out of the New York office. He was previously GM of the CFA Program and before that Head of Practice Analysis, overseeing annual curriculum updates to the CFA Program.
Before joining CFA Institute, he led Bloomberg’s finance education division where he built and launched Bloomberg’s certification product, which has now garnered over 1M designation holders. He began his career as a sell-side equity research analyst in London and after earning his MBA from Dartmouth worked in the private equity diligence unit of Bain & Company in New York.
Panel 1: “The Visionaries’ Panel” – The Future of CEE in the 21st Century – Business and Politics
Sergei Stanishev
Member, Strategic Foresight Committee, Green Transition Forum
Sergei Stanishev is a Bulgarian politician who served as Prime Minister of Bulgaria from 2005 to 2009, during which Bulgaria joined the European Union in 2007. He was Leader of the Bulgarian Socialist Party from 2001 to 2014 and subsequently served as a Member of the European Parliament from 2014 to 2024.
Mr. Stanishev holds a degree in history from Moscow State University and completed further specialization in political science at the Moscow School of Political Studies.
Dr. Panagiotis (Notis) Mitarachi
Member of Parliament, Hellenic Parliament
Dr. Notis Mitarachi is a prominent Greek politician and former New Democracy MP for Chios, having served in key ministerial roles including Minister of Citizen Protection (2023), Minister of Migration and Asylum (2020-2023), and Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs (2019-2020). Before entering politics in 2012 as Deputy Minister of Development and Competitiveness, he built a distinguished career in finance in London, starting as a project manager in 1998, then advancing to Director of Research at Fidelity International, and earning recognition as Top Pan-European Buy-side Analyst in retailing (2005).
A CFA Charterholder, he holds an MBA from INSEAD, an MSc in Industrial Relations from Oxford University, and a BSc in Business Administration from The American College of Greece, with additional honours like an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Bolton.
Margarita Orfanidis
Senior Public Relations Manager, PRO-Razvitie
Margarita Orfanidis is a Senior Public Relations Manager at PRO-Razvitie, one of Kazakhstan's leading PR and communications agencies.
With a background in strategic communications, she studied in Shanghai and has specialized in developing and managing public relations campaigns for corporate and institutional clients across Central Asia. Her work focuses on building brand reputation and stakeholder engagement in the rapidly evolving Kazakhstani communications landscape.
Iliyana Petrova
Policy Advisor at the Office of the President
Iliyana Petrova is a Policy Advisor to the President of Bulgaria at the Office of the President, based in Sofia. In this role, she conducts research on EU policy and legislative developments, with a focus on rearmament, trade, and energy, analyzing their implications for Bulgaria’s political and economic landscape. Her work includes preparing in-depth political analyses on priority topics and delivering daily briefings for the President and her team.
Prior to this, Petrova worked as an ESG Consultant at PwC and completed a Schuman Traineeship at the European Parliament, where she focused on legislative research and supported work during plenary sessions. Earlier, she gained experience in political and economic analysis as a Journalism Intern at Economedia, contributing to Kapital Insights.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Economics from New York University, where she graduated cum laude. Her academic background combines training in political systems and economic analysis, reflecting an interdisciplinary approach to governance and public policy.
Panel 2: The Future of Cities – Architecture, Challenges, Money – Is CEE on This Planet?
Richard Nelson
Partner, Kengo Kuma & Associates
Richard David Nelson is a Tokyo based Partner and Design Director at Kengo Kuma & Associates leading teams on projects ranging from luxury towers to private residences to high-end furniture. Richard’s unique career bridges the confluence of craft, technology and design.
An accomplished joiner and furniture maker before transitioning to architecture, he specializes in wood structures and detailing that highlight the inherent beauty of wood. Richard brings to the design process a practical understanding of construction, and devotion to craft, that is marked by his belief that the most sustainable architecture reveals, instead of covers, the natural beauty of our world.
Filippo Innocenti
Director, Zaha Hadid Architects
Filippo Innocenti is an Italian architect and Director at Zaha Hadid Architects, where he specializes on major transportation, infrastructure, and cultural projects. He previously co-founded the architectural research group Spin+ and was part of the design team for the New Uffizi Gallery in Florence early in his career.
Innocenti holds a degree in architecture from the University of Florence and a Master of Architecture from the Architectural Association’s Design Research Laboratory in London. In addition to his professional practice, he has taught architectural design at the University of Florence and construction technology at the Politecnico di Milan.
Andrew Yeoman
Director, Tower 151 Architects
Andrew is a highly experienced architect, urban planner, and development strategist with over 30 years of international experience leading large-scale infrastructure and urban projects. A UK-registered architect and member of the Royal Institute of British Architects, he has led multidisciplinary teams across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, delivering major developments including urban expansions, transport infrastructure, and commercial and energy projects.
His expertise spans the full project lifecycle – from concept design and spatial strategy to procurement, financial modelling, and contract management – often within PPP and donor-funded frameworks. He combines strong design leadership with strategic and financial acumen, advising projects ranging from tens of millions to over €1 billion. With extensive experience in Croatia, including advisory roles to municipal authorities in Zagreb, he brings deep knowledge of regulatory systems and a proven ability to deliver sustainable, commercially viable, and context-sensitive development solutions.
Laura Narvaez Zertuche
Partner in the Urban Design Group, Foster + Partners
Laura Narvaez Zertuche is an architect, urban designer, spatial scientist, and a Partner in the Urban Design Group at Foster + Partners in London. She has worked in architecture, urban design, and master planning for over 18 years across Mexico, the UK, the Middle East, and Asia.
She holds an MSc and PhD from The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL, and is a visiting lecturer at ETH Zurich within the Chair of Cognitive Sciences. She also serves as a contributor and advisor to Urban AI, an international think-tank exploring the ethical and sustainable uses of artificial intelligence in cities.
Also present at the event for conversations and discussions:
Gergana Georgieva
ARB architect, Foster + Partners
Gergana Georgieva is an ARB architect engaged in the design and realisation of high-end residential and bespoke architectural projects. She is currently working for Foster + Partners where she contributes to projects that reflect technical excellence, resilience, and a commitment to enduring architectural quality.
She studied architecture at the University of Westminster, where she established a rigorous foundation in design thinking and architectural discipline. Her work demonstrates a particular interest in the evolution of contemporary luxury architecture, with a focus on clarity of form, material refinement, and the integration of function while maintaining an elegant expression.
Panel 3: CEE Capital Markets - International Connectivity, Cross-Listings, Challenges
Razvan Pasol, CFA
General Manager, Patria Asset Management
Razvan Pasol is General Manager of Patria Asset Management, where he oversees ETF-type funds and passive investment strategies. He previously served for over 12 years as CEO of Intercapital Invest, beginning in 2004, and was a Member of the Board of Directors of Depozitarul Central from 2014 to 2018.
He holds an MBA in Finance from Pepperdine Universitys Graziadio School of Business and Management and is a CFA charterholder.
Ludwik Sobolewski
CEO, Better Europe EuSEF ASI
Ludwik Sobolewski, PhD, is CEO of the alternative investment fund Better Europe EuSEF ASI, Managing Partner at Qualia AdVisory, and Partner at the law firm Sobolewski Kielska Dąbrowska Adwokaci i Radcowie Prawni.
With more than 30 years of experience in financial and capital markets, he previously served as President and CEO of the Warsaw Stock Exchange (2006–2013) and CEO of the Bucharest Stock Exchange (2013–2017), as well as Vice-President of the National Depository for Securities (1994–2006).
A graduate of Jagiellonian University and Pantheon-Assas (Paris II), he holds a PhD in law and is both an attorney and legal counsel. He has been awarded the Order of Polonia Restituta (Knight’s Cross and Officer’s Cross) for his contribution to the development of Poland’s capital markets and is the author of the essay book Just Do It (2023).
Dimitris Orfanidis
Head of Overseas Business Development, Da Cheng Fund Management
Dimitris Orfanidis serves as Head of Overseas Business Development at Da Cheng Fund Management, a leading Chinese asset manager focusing on institutional asset management across APAC, EU, CH, and GCC regions. Previously, he was Director of Business Development at Zhong Ou Asset Management International Limited from 2021 to 2024 and Director at CBIC Chinese Bulgarian Industrial Company in Shanghai for a decade, handling commodity trading, hedging, and arbitrage in non-ferrous metals and agricultural products.
His education includes a Master's in History from Fudan University, a Bachelor's in Economics from Bentley University, studies at Harvard University, and specialized training in EU Trade Policy at the College of Europe.
Pervin Dadashova, CFA
Director, Financial Stability Department, National Bank of Ukraine
Pervin Dadashova is Director of the Financial Stability Department at the National Bank of Ukraine, where she oversees systemic risk analysis and the alignment of Ukrainian banking regulation with EU standards.
Holding a PhD in Finance from the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy alongside Financial Risk Manager (FRM) and Certified Actuarial Analyst (CAA) designations, she brings technical expertise to Ukraine's central banking framework. Her leadership proved instrumental in preserving Ukraine's financial system following Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, maintaining banking stability, liquidity, and public confidence. A published researcher and Senior Lecturer at Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, she continues to contribute to the academic and policy dimensions of financial regulation in Ukraine.
Ivaylo Penev, CFA
CEO, ELANA Fund Management
Ivaylo Penev is the CEO of ELANA Fund Management, one of Bulgaria's leading asset management companies, where he has built his career since taking over the asset management department during the Global Financial Crisis in 2009.
A CFA Charterholder, he holds an MBA from WU Executive Academy and is also a licensed investment advisor and real estate appraiser. Beyond his professional practice, he has lectured on capital markets at the American University in Bulgaria and at the New Bulgarian University's Finance Master's programme.
Panel 4: CEE Private Equity, Venture Capital, Mergers & Acquisitions, Deals
Elvin Guri
Managing Partner and CEO, INVENIO Partners
Elvin Guri is an Albanian-born entrepreneur and investor based in Bulgaria and the Managing Partner and CEO of INVENIO Partners. He previously co-founded JetFinance International, being the region's largest independent consumer finance lender, which he sold to BNP Paribas Personal Finance in 2007.
Earlier in his career, Guri worked as an auditor at PwC and as an associate banker at the EBRD, and he holds an Executive MBA from the University of Oxford. He actively supports educational initiatives in Bulgaria and Albania
Pavel Velkov, CFA
Managing Partner, Morningside Hill Capital Management
Pavel Velkov is a seasoned finance and investment professional with over 15 years of experience across Europe, North America, and Africa. Prior to founding Morningside Hill in 2014, he held roles in diverse investment funds, managing strategies like venture capital, private equity, public equities, bonds, distressed assets, special situations, and convertible arbitrage.
He holds an MBA from Columbia Business School, dual Bachelor's degrees in Economics and Business Administration from American University in Bulgaria, and CFA charterholder status.
Piotr Polanowski, CFA
Vice President and Managing Partner, Synerga+ S.A
Piotr Polanowski, CFA, is a corporate finance professional with more than two decades of experience in consulting and investment banking, working with firms such as Deloitte, Trigon Capital, FinCo Group, and Synerga+ S.A., where he is currently Vice President and Managing Partner.
He is the Vice President of CFA Society Poland, has previously chaired its Audit Committee, and sits on several supervisory boards, including LEW S.A. Group and mPay S.A. His sector expertise spans energy, finance, technology, and heavy industry, and he holds degrees from King’s College London and the Warsaw School of Economics, speaking both English and French.
Nikolay Vanyov, CFA
Head of Private Banking, DSK Bank
Nikolay Vanyov is the Head of Private Banking at DSK Bank, and a CFA Charterholder with over 15 years of experience in local and international financial markets spanning treasury, trading, portfolio management, investment banking, and risk management. He studied International Finance at Hanze University of Applied Sciences in Groningen and holds a degree from the University of National and World Economy in Sofia.
A frequent commentator on financial markets, he has appeared on Bloomberg TV Bulgaria on topics ranging from equity markets to global reserve currencies. He is also actively engaged in financial education and the professional development of Bulgaria's CFA community.
Panel 4: CEE Private Equity, Venture Capital, Mergers & Acquisitions, Deals
Didem Ün Ateş
CEO, LotusAI
Didem Ün Ateş is an AI and Generative AI executive, innovation strategist, and certified coach with over 25 years of experience across global technology and consulting organizations including Microsoft, Accenture, EY, Capgemini, Motorola, and Schneider Electric. She is the CEO of LotusAI Ltd and previously served as Vice President of AI Strategy & Innovation at Schneider Electric, where she led enterprise AI and Generative AI strategy, innovation roadmaps, and strategic partnerships.
She advises organizations on human-centric and responsible AI transformation and serves as a Senior Operating Advisor to the Goldman Sachs Value Accelerator, a member of the Forbes Tech Council, and a board member of the tinyML Foundation. Didem holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from the University of Pennsylvania.
Brian Pisaneschi, CFA
Senior Investment Data Scientist, CFA Institute
Brian Pisaneschi, CFA is a finance professional and data scientist specializing in the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning in investment management. He currently works as a Senior Investment Data Scientist at the CFA Institute, where he researches how advanced data analytics and AI can enhance financial analysis and portfolio decision-making.
Brian holds a Master’s degree in Quantitative Finance from the University of Bologna and a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Economics from Lake Superior State University, and he earned the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in 2017
Kalin Metodiev, CFA
Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Nexo
Kalin Metodiev, CFA is a finance executive and investor with extensive experience in corporate finance, investment management, and digital assets. He is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Nexo, a global digital asset wealth platform, where he helps drive institutional strategy and growth in the digital finance ecosystem.
Earlier in his career, Kalin held leadership roles in investment banking and corporate finance and served as Chairman of CFA Society Bulgaria, contributing to the development of the investment profession and financial markets in the region. He is a CFA charterholder and an active participant in discussions on the future of finance, digital assets, and institutional investment.