Irena Mladenova

Irena Mladenova, PhD, is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration (FEBA), Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski. Her academic role combines research, teaching, and consulting expertise in organizational change, management, and entrepreneurship. She holds a PhD in Organizational Change and Adaptability, an MBA from FEBA, and a Master in Banking and Entrepreneurship from a joint European program.

Her professional experience spans over 20 years across private and public sectors, including roles at international consultancies (Kearney, PwC) and the Bulgarian Ministry of Economy. She served as Deputy Minister of Economy in caretaker governments (2013, 2014, 2021) and as Head of Corporate Development in a regional energy firm. Her consulting work focuses on organizational restructuring, strategic planning, and market entry strategies.

Research interests include organizational adaptability, digital transformation in SMEs, sustainable development, and entrepreneurship ecosystems. She has advised on mergers, acquisitions, and public-sector reforms, emphasizing practical applications of management theories.

Publications highlight themes like digital transformation in SMEs, leadership’s role in organizational adaptability, and governance frameworks for collaborative networks. She actively contributes to academic platforms (ORCID, ResearchGate) and engages with industry through FEBA’s initiatives.