Christina Balis

Christina Balis began their work experience in 1999 as a Fellow in the Europe Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). From 2004 to 2008, they worked as a Senior Associate at both DFI International (later renamed The Avascent Group) and Avascent. In 2008, they joined Serco - a world of experience as the VP of Corporate Strategy, a position they held until 2011. From 2011 to 2016, they served as a Principal at Avascent, where they were responsible for leading the European operations. Since 2016, Christina has been working at QinetiQ, holding the roles of Director of Services & Products Strategy and later Global Campaign Director, Training & Mission Rehearsal.

Christina Balis holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Strategic Studies from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), which they completed from 2001 to 2005. Prior to that, they obtained a Master's Degree in International Relations & International Economics from the same institution, studying from 1998 to 2000. In 1995, Christina earned a Bachelor's Degree in European Business Administration from ESB Business School, Reutlingen University. Before that, they completed their initial Bachelor's Degree in European Business Administration from Middlesex University, from 1993 to 1995. In 2021, they also obtained a certification in Safeguarding Essentials from the Humanitarian Leadership Academy.