Katya Balakireva

Katya Balakireva has a diverse work experience in various industries and roles. Katya currently works as a Client Success Manager at Billfold Contactless Solutions since June 2022. Prior to this, they served as a Senior Partnership Manager at Daily Post Media Inc. from September 2020 to September 2022.

Katya also gained valuable experience as an Independent Consultant, where they worked as a Researcher from June 2019 to September 2022. In this role, they monitored and reported on political, economic, and security analysis in Russia and Central Asia, conducted data and information analysis, and performed post-analytics on gathered data.

Before that, Katya worked as a Social Policy Intern at UNICEF in 2018. Their responsibilities included preparing presentations, assisting with research, and fact-checking publications. Katya also served as a Research Assistant at Columbia University from December 2017 to May 2018, where they conducted background research and media analysis.

In 2017, Katya worked as a Showroom Manager at 7HAUS Kitchen, where they oversaw day-to-day operations, managed client presentations, and acted as a point of contact for various stakeholders. Katya also gained valuable experience as an Intern at the United Nations Radio in the Russian Language Division, where they published news stories and conducted interviews.

In addition to their professional roles, Katya worked as a Freelance Translator and English Tutor, focusing on volunteer and donation-based work. Prior to that, they worked as a Lead Leasing Consultant (Property Manager) at Blanton Turner, successfully leading a leasing team and managing a brand new apartment building.

Their earlier experience includes working as a Leasing Consultant at Breckenridge Heights Apartment Complex from March 2011 to September 2012. With their diverse work experience, Katya has developed skills in client success management, partnership management, research, analysis, project management, and leadership.

Katya Balakireva completed their education in a chronological order. Katya began their tertiary education at South Puget Sound Community College, where they earned an Associate of Arts (A.A.) degree in Anthropology from 2009 to 2012. Following this, they pursued their Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Anthropology of Globalization, Near Eastern Cultures, and Civilizations at the University of Washington from 2012 to 2014. Lastly, they attended Columbia University from 2017 to 2019, where they obtained a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Regional Studies, specializing in Russia, Eurasia, and Eastern Europe.