Virginia Zhelyazkova
Professor Circular Economy, VUZF

Virginia Zhelyazkova is a professor in circular economy and sustainable finance at VUZF University – Sofia. She has both extensive academic and business experience in the area of ESG.

Virginia is the author of the first university textbooks in circular economy and environmental risk management in Bulgarian language, as well as of a number of books and scientific articles on ESG-related topics.
Virginia served as vice-rector of VUZF University (2013-2022), and National Contact Point for Bulgaria for Horizon 2020 (2013-2016). Throughout the years, has been a guest lecturer on ESG at universities in Italy, Cyprus, and Greece. At present, she is the director of a research unit at the University’s Research Lab (VUZF Lab), leading academic projects and mentoring Ph.D. students in the area of ESG.

Virginia has more than 15 years of banking experience from a systemic bank in Bulgaria, 11 of which – and currently – in the role of Environmental Officer in charge of the operational implementation of the ESG policy of the Bank. In this capacity, since 2013 she has been participating in constant working groups under the United Nations Development Program – Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) dedicated to ESG in banks.