Sharon Fisher (USA) – Expert, Eastern Europe
Areas of expertise: Politics and economy of Central European states, politics of the U.S.
Education: PhD in Politics (University of London).
Experience: Consulting governments of Slovakia and Croatia on economic reform policy, and the U.S. government on policy in Central Eastern Europe.
Natalie Black (Canada) - Visual communication expert
Natalie is a visual communication expert working with non-profit organisations and cultural institutions and Fortune 500 companies. Among large companies she consulted on communication and branding projects are Pfizer, Amgen, Royal Bank of Canada, Panama Museum of Biodiversity, Guatemala government, Riversphere Center at Tulane University, IAC/InterActiveCorp, and Vancouver Art Gallery. Natalie works on the visual and design aspects of INSTID’s identity-related projects.
Anton Merkurov (Russia) – Expert on the new media
Anton is best known as ‘the man who brought Facebook to Russia’, and is one of the most influential commentators on social networks, the new media and internet communication in Russia. He writes a column for the Russian online magazine Chastniy Korrespondent and consults a number of international and Russian companies. Anton maintains his blog at http://merkurov.com. Anton will be contributing to INSTID’s work on ongoing basis as well as lecturing at our seminars.
Natalia Leshchenko (UK) – Head of Research
Areas of expertise: ideologies, nation-building, political and business risk in Russia and CIS.
Education: PhD in Political Sociology (LSE, Lord Dahrendorf Scholar), MA Contemporary European Studies (Sussex University, FCO/Chevening Scholar), BA International Relations (Belarusian State University).
Experience: Academic and media publications on Belarusian and CIS politics, political and business risk consulting and research.
Victor Martinovich, Phd (Belarus) - Country senior expert
Areas of expertise: politics, political journalism, art history.
Education: PhD in Art History (European Humanities University).
Experience: Deputy editor of BelGazeta, Belarusian daily. Acting dean of Politics Faculty, European Humanities University, Lithuania.
Alexander Grand (UK) - Founder and Chairman
Areas of expertise: country identity and branding, reputation management, political communication and PR.
Education: MBA University of Liverpool, MA in Law, Moscow State University.
Experience: public events and campaigns management.