Svetlana Balanova — Chief Executive Officer, National Media Group
Born on October 5, 1970 in Moscow, Russia.
In 1992, she graduated with honours from the Moscow State Linguistic University, named after Maurice Thorez.
From 1993 to 1999, she held various positions in sales, marketing and logistics at 3M Russia.
From 1999 to 2001, she served as the financial director of 3M Russia.
In 2000, she received an MBA from the Open University Business School, UK.
From 2001 to 2004, she was the director of 3M Russia’s Six Sigma projects (management of business processes) in Eastern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
From 2004 to 2008, she was the head of 3M’s Ukrainian office, and served as CEO of 3M Ukraine.
From 2008 to 2010, she was the CEO of 3M Russia.
From 2010 to 2011, she was the president of 3M’s “electronic monitoring” international business, and the COO of 3M Attenti (Israel).
From 2012 to 2020, she was the CEO of IBS.
As of 2019, she is a member of the supervisory board of the non-banking credit organization, National Settlement Depository.
That same year, 2019, she also completed studies at the Institute of Directors (UK) as part of the “IoD Chartered Director” programme.
She is a certified director (The Diploma in Company Direction from the British Institute of Directors), and a member of Russia’s Association of Professional Directors (AND).
Achievements and awards
From 2014 to 2019, she was regularly recognised among the best leaders in the IT industry and included in the annual Russia’s Top-1000 Managers ranking compiled by the Russian Managers Association (AMR) and Kommersant publishing house.
In 2012, 2013 and 2014 she was included in the ranking of Company magazine, “Top 50 Most Influential Women in Russian Business”.
In 2013 she won the “TIAW World of Difference 100 Awards”. The award was handed out by The International Alliance for Women (TIAW), which brings together more than 35,000 business women and organisations from six continents and is one of the largest international umbrella associations for women in business.
In 2009 she was a member of the board of directors of the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia.
In 2009 she was also included in the list of 500 managers who make up the administrative reserve under the patronage of the Russian President.
In 2007 she was included in the ranking “Best Top Managers of Ukraine” (the ranking was compiled by Companion magazine).
Proficient in English, German and Italian.
