Teaching, consulting, dealing with research and practical projects in more than 50 countries is certainly an amazing professional experience! I have been working on diverse and complex international projects with businesses, nonprofit organizations and governments in countries with different economic and political systems, social structures and multicultural environment. This gives me the special privilege to have a broader perspective, to understand diverse viewpoints and to compare different realities in my consulting, teaching and research work.

Areas of my professional interest include: strategies, entrepreneurship, corporate social responsibility, organisational change and capacity building, innovative fundraising and marketing, international cooperation and networking – in the field of business, but also in the arts, culture, entertainment, social sector and the nonprofit sector.

I have contributed to the development of the LabforCulture initiative online as a website manager, consultant, and then member of the editorial group, responsible for Resources for research section, as well as moderating the Young Cultural Policy Researchers Forum.

Among the major awards and fellowships I have received are: FULBRIGHT fellowship in cultural economics; RSS-OSI grant; NISPAcee fellowship; Fellowship Grant by the Japan Foundation; Project Grant by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation; ARTSLINK visiting fellowship, UCLA, California; Scholarship, the Webb Memorial Trust, Ruskin College, Oxford. I obtain Ph.D. in Economics, MA in Industrial Management and Minor in Journalism.

My recent book

The many years of profound academic research and international practical experience in my professional career resulted in my latest book “Strategic Management in the Arts”, to be published by Routledge (Taylor & Francis) in November 2012. The book focuses on innovative thinking and entrepreneurial actions in the arts sector as two primary vectors in strategic management and discusses the necessity to cultivate an intrapreneurial climate in the arts. It is structured to walk the reader through each element of the strategic plan systematically. It also emphasizes that an effective strategy is the one that constantly responds to dynamic external changes, preparing the organization to act accordingly by utilizing its full capacity and resources. The book is a result of my international collaboration with professionals and partners, the knowledge gathered from my academic research, consulting work, training sessions, as well as my ongoing involvement in international projects.

I am now a proud member of the Management Department of John Molson School of Business, Concordia University, located downtown Montreal. Watch here my recent interview on the topic of entrepreneurship, done by JMSB, as well as interviews with my colleagues from the management department: http://johnmolson.concordia.ca/en/faculty-research/departments/management/videos.

My friends and colleagues often say that I am an endless optimist, full of energy, open minded, curious, loving life, ongoing learner, frequent traveler, devoted much to my work and to the mission of helping others. I can add that I am a “fun lover”, I still believe that miracles can happen. I have strong values in life. I love music and performing arts, I play piano, I sing and I organize social events and parties with friends and colleagues in my home in Montreal.

My personal website is: http://www.lidiavarbanova.ca