Irena Mladenova - Minister of Innovation and Growth
Dr. Irena Mladenova has in excess of twenty-five (25) years’ professional experience across the private and public sectors. She has participated in, and delivered, projects in the fields of industry, trade, and finance throughout Central and Eastern Europe.
Mladenova has been awarded the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business Administration by Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski.” She further holds: a Master’s degree in Strategic Management from the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration of Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”; and a Master’s degree in Banking and Entrepreneurship awarded under a joint programme of the University of Udine, Fondazione Cassamarca, and UniCredit Group (Italy). Her academic and research interests include organisational change and development, organisational culture, management, sustainable development, entrepreneurship, and marketing. She holds the academic position of Chief Assistant in the Department of Business Administration at the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski.”
Mladenova has five (5) years’ experience in the public sector, having served, inter alia, as an adviser at the Ministry of Economy and at the Administration of the President of the Republic of Bulgaria. She has also served as an interim (caretaker) Deputy Minister of Economy in 2013, 2014, and 2021.
She has acted as Head of the Managing Authority of the Operational Programme “Competitiveness.”
On 19 February 2026, Dr. Mladenova was appointed Caretaker Minister of Innovation and Growth.
