OUR EXPERTS
Meet our experts
Vladislav Krastev
Vladislav Krastev is a researcher with extensive experience in qualitative methodologies, specialising in the analysis of security threats and conventional and organised crime. Throughout his career, he has gained expertise in conducting semi-structured and in-depth interviews, facilitating focus groups, discussions, training sessions, and developing case studies on a broad range of topics, including cybercrime, firearms trafficking, football hooliganism, human trafficking, hybrid threats, illegal logging, illicit tobacco trade, migration, people smuggling and vehicle theft.
With ten years of experience in the non-governmental sector, Vladislav's career includes serving as a member of an organisation dedicated to reforming the Bulgarian justice system and as a security analyst for an EU-based policy think-tank. He has contributed to EU-funded projects, including HORIZON 2020, Erasmus+, ISFP, JUST, and CERV programmes. This background in NGOs is backed by degrees in Political Science and Crime and Criminal Justice from Sofia University and Leiden University.
His expertise is further refined through specialised international training with UNODC, where he completed programmes on stakeholder engagement for the UN Convention against Transnational Organised Crime and the International Classification of Crime for Statistical Purposes. His professional development also encompasses courses in international security management, counterterrorism, and risk management.
Currently, Vladislav is finalising his PhD at Sofia University, where his research focuses on football hooliganism as a form of radicalisation and extremism in Bulgaria, with an emphasis on developing effective prevention policies. Alongside his doctoral research, he remains active in academia by leading lectures and seminars on conflict management and the evolution of modern hybrid warfare at Sofia University.
Ivo Petrov
Ivo Petrov is a consultant working at the intersection of technology, public policy and strategic advisory. In his current role at a global technology research and advisory firm, he supports organizations on IT strategy, sourcing and competitiveness, with a growing focus on how digital transformation and artificial intelligence can strengthen institutional capacity, adaptability and long-term resilience. His profile brings together strategic advisory, international project support and policy research relevant to resilience in complex and fast-changing environments.
Earlier in his career, he served as a junior project officer at the UN agency responsible for IT and telecommunication projects around the globe, where he contributed to project monitoring and evaluation processes through work on theory of change, reporting, stakeholder coordination and evaluation guidance. He also worked with a Bulgarian policy institute focused on democracy, governance and security, contributing to research on energy and climate security, including analysis of Russia’s influence on Europe’s energy sector and support for the refinement of the Energy and Climate Security Risk Index.
Other experience includes work for a consultancy specializing in strategic foresight and scenario planning, which involved research, expert interviews, workshop facilitation and medium to long-term strategic analysis, with a focus on helping organizations navigate uncertainty and build resilience.
He holds a master’s degree from Bocconi University in Management and Economics of Government and International Organizations, and has also studied economics at KU Leuven, Università Ca’ Foscari Venezia and Goethe University Frankfurt. Across his work, Ivo brings an interdisciplinary perspective that connects technological change, institutional effectiveness, strategic planning and the broader societal dimensions of security and resilience.
Kristina Stefanova
Kristina Stefanova is a consultant in the field of sustainability and financial services, with a focus on ESG regulation, sustainable finance, and the integration of sustainability into business and risk frameworks. In her work, she combines financial analysis with sustainability considerations, supporting organisations in adapting to an evolving regulatory and market environment.
Her professional experience includes involvement in a range of consulting projects, including financial analysis, valuations, due diligence, and strategic initiatives. In parallel, she works on projects related to corporate sustainability, ESG assessments, and the implementation of regulatory requirements, supporting companies and financial institutions in their alignment with frameworks such as CSRD, SFDR, and the EU Taxonomy. Her experience also covers engagements related to ESG risk analysis and the development of approaches for integrating sustainability factors into decision-making processes.
Kristina has a strong interest in sustainable finance, corporate transformation, and the link between ESG factors and financial performance. She actively contributes to initiatives, trainings, and expert discussions aimed at advancing ESG practices and improving understanding of sustainability in a business context.
Kristina holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business Economics from Universitat Pompeu Fabra and Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, as well as a Master’s degree in Global Business & Sustainability from Rotterdam School of Management. She holds in addition the ESG Investing certificate issued by CFA Institute.