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 contribute to the development of the LabforCulture initiative online as a member of the editorial group, responsible for 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 latest book is on strategic planning for learning organisations in the cultural sector, published in Russian and Romanian (English edition to follow).

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