Dr. Lilyana Pavlova is a Bulgarian economist and public policy leader with over 25 years of experience in European integration, strategic investment, and sustainable development. She has held senior roles at both national and EU level, advancing cohesion, connectivity, and green and digital transitions across the Western Balkans, the CEE region, and beyond. Her work focuses on strengthening institutions, mobilizing resources, and fostering inclusive, sustainable growth in Europe and its neighboring regions.

As Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (2019–2023), she oversaw the Bank’s operations in Eastern and Southeastern Europe, including Bulgaria, the Western Balkans, Turkey, and the Eastern Partnership countries. She led strategic portfolios including Cohesion Policy financing, sustainable transport and road safety, digital transformation, IT and data governance, and advisory services. Under her leadership, the EIB intensified its support for the EU Green Deal, expanded digital financing instruments, and launched new initiatives under the EU Economic and Investment Plan for the Western Balkans.

Previously, she served as Minister for the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2018, steering Bulgaria’s first EU Presidency and promoting dialogue on European competitiveness, connectivity, and enlargement. She also held the role of Minister of Regional Development and Public Works in two governments (2011–2013 and 2014–2017), becoming the first woman to lead the ministry in its 130-year history. Her ministerial work focused on territorial cohesion, housing, water policy, transport connectivity, and the strategic use of EU Structural and Cohesion Fundsto modernize Bulgaria’s infrastructure and improve regional resilience.

Dr. Pavlova has been a strong advocate of innovation-driven growth, climate adaptation, and the twin green and digital transitions, championing new financing models to accelerate progress in these areas. She is equally committed to empowering women in leadership, particularly in the fields of policy, finance, and technology, and is a vocal supporter of gender equality in institutional settings.

Her background in public financial management—developed through her work as Head of Department at the National Fund Directorate at Bulgaria’s Ministry of Finance—has given her deep expertise in the governance, financial control, and delivery of EU funding instruments. She has also served four consecutive terms as a Member of the Bulgarian Parliament, contributing to legislation on European affairs, regional policy, and public investment.

Dr. Pavlova holds a PhD in Economics, a Master’s degree in Public Administration and European Integration, and a Bachelor’s degree in International Economic Relations. She was part of the World Economic Forum’s Young Global Leaders community and recipient of the Crans Montana Forum’s “New Leader of Tomorrow” award.

Fluent in English and Russian, she continues to advise on strategic investment, regional cooperation, and sustainable development across Europe.