Unlock Your Power – Meet the AmCham Coaches II

We are excited to introduce the new group of pro-bono coaches who have joined the second wave of our Unlock Your Power initiative! These exceptional professionals, members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria, are volunteering their time and expertise to support the professional and leadership growth of women in business. We extend our heartfelt thanks to each of these coaches for their generous contribution to this important initiative.

What is Unlock Your Power?

The Unlock Your Power initiative is a part of AmCham Bulgaria’s Empower Her 2024 Program. This project aims to support women in advancing their careers by offering personalized coaching sessions that help refine leadership skills and define actionable growth plans. The volunteer coaches will provide up to six pro-bono coaching sessions to women from AmCham member companies, empowering them to overcome challenges, boost confidence, and advance in their professional journeys.


Meet the AmCham Coaches

Andrea Tognetti, UniCredit Bulbank

“If I were a tree, most probably at this stage of my life, I would be an apple tree, ready to share my fruits with others, to share my experience with colleagues and partners, but also ready to grow thanks to the journey we walk together.”

My values are based on integrity, transparency, trust, and caring. I encourage people to become their best: leading by example, being generous, acting with collaboration, having an open mindset, and pursuing lifelong learning. Every day, I aim to create an environment based on team spirit, speaking up, and fostering a feedback culture where everybody can become their best, playing the role that best fits their competencies, experience, potential, and ambitions. I’m a positive person driven by passion and business acumen, aware that mistakes happen but that overcoming them is the way to improve and become better.

I have been working in finance for the past 23 years, with experience in Digital Information Technology and Retail sectors. I have developed expertise in people and leadership skills along the way, with a strong focus on finance (CFO), Human Resources/People & Culture, and a wide range of international projects (including M&A). Coming from an IT & economics background, I strive to apply a data-driven approach to boost fairness, meritocracy, and transparency.

My international work experience spans several countries (Italy, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, and Bulgaria), with longer periods spent in Italy, Hungary, and now Bulgaria. Thanks to these experiences, I have learned the value of inclusion and the richness of cultures.

In autumn 2021, I was appointed as Board Member and Executive Officer of UniCredit Bulbank.


Angelina Dragova

“Explore, stay curious, be open to various opportunities.”

These have guided me on my path as a coaching practitioner since 2020. My main focus areas are stress management, work-life balance, team management, individual development, relationship management, and positive intelligence coaching.

I will be excited and privileged with the opportunity to support you in a coaching journey over the next six months.



Antoaneta Petrova

Professional experience across sectors: FMCG, Breweries, Engineering, Automotive, Logistics, Manufacturing, Power generation.

Antoaneta Petrova brings 19 years of experience in various roles within large international corporations, including two Fortune 500 companies. For the past 16 years, she has focused on Human Resources. Currently, she serves as the HR Manager for the manufacturing site of Sensata Technologies in Plovdiv.

Since 2015, Antoaneta has been a member of the Erickson International Coaching community.

Relevant Experience with Client Topics:

  • Unleashing potential and enhancing team performance.
  • Identifying career aspirations and developing professional growth plans.
  • Supporting career transitions and changes in fields of work.
  • Stepping out of comfort zones and making challenging and unpopular decisions.
  • Demonstrating perseverance, tenacity, and resilience.
  • Providing mindful and supportive leadership to team members.
  • Achieving success through proactive team engagement.

“As a coach, I have effectively assisted business leaders in unlocking their potential and that of their teams, leading to significant improvements in business outcomes. I have also guided early-career professionals in clarifying their career goals, developing actionable plans for their professional growth, and supporting those navigating career transitions. My success in coaching is grounded in my ability to build relationships founded on trust, respect, and genuine interest. I deeply value the inherent intelligence of individuals and am dedicated to fostering persistence, resilience, and creativity to drive learning and achievement.”

Antoaneta is based in Plovdiv and available for offline (face-to-face) and online coaching sessions.


Borislav Bangeev, UniCredit Bulbank

Member of the Management Board of UniCredit Bulbank and Head of Corporates.
Broad experience in banking, mainly in risk management and corporate and investment fields, both in Bulgaria and abroad (Italy, Germany, Austria).

Passionate about classical music and fencing. Relatively new to coaching (besides being coached), but with good experience as a mentor in a few initiatives for global women in business empowerment.

Trying to help people see what they could be rather than understanding who they are.

True believer in humanity and in the unlimited capabilities of humans. Admirer of nature and good humor.


Elitsa Boyukova

Senior LHH Consultant, certified in PRINCE2 Foundation and Agile, with a solid corporate background in insurance, sales, and training business roles. Elitsa has 15 years of managerial experience with an impressive track record in achieving corporate goals, resolving operational concerns, and creating strategies to maximize business results. She is skilled in process implementation, team, people, and project management.

An experienced trainer and coach with over 1,200+ training and coaching hours for more than 500 individuals. Elitsa holds an MA in Organizational Psychology. As an LHH Career Consultant, she is focused on individual career coaching and the delivery of talent development programs and workshops. In the past 15 years, she has consulted more than 35 individuals in career transitions, supporting them in successfully making their next career moves.

For references, please visit:


Galia Hubanova

Professional Certified Coach (PCC) and Member of the International Coaching Federation (ICF) with 950+ coaching hours of practice. Founder of Matterfully.

  • 50,000+ hours in exploration and support of human development (via academic assessment, training, mentoring, coaching, consulting work).
  • 3,900+ projects for assessment and development of leadership capacity and potential.
  • 23+ years in professional consulting leadership roles and entrepreneurship.

Professional Journey:
Founder of Matterfully (assessment, coaching, and people and culture consulting) (2019-). HR Director, Europe, Sutherland Global (2021-2022 – interim service). Senior HR Business Partner, Sopharma Trading (2017-2020 – interim service). Manager HR Consulting and Consultant, AIMS Human Capital (1998-2008).

Education:
M.A. in Political Studies (philosophy, political analysis, and political behavior). Diploma in HR Management (CIPD). Behavior Analyst (SHL, NEO-PR, DISC, AMI, MBTI, BIP, Hogan, PASSAT, GALLUP Strengths Finder, VIA, other psychometric systems). Certifications in applied psychology and behavior analysis methods.

Coaching Education and Specialized Training:
Group and Team Coaching (ongoing); Neuroscience in Coaching (2023-2024); Accelerating Coach Excellence (ACE) Journey to Mastery (2022-2023); ACE Coach Accelerator (2021-2022); Aligned Action International Coach Certification Program (2018-2019).

Coaching Approach:
Systemic coaching, assessment-based coaching, workplace relationships.
Coaching Languages: Bulgarian and English.

Partnerships with client organizations in Europe, Australia, and the USA in consumer goods, banking, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, telecommunications, and aviation.


Ivanka Vazova, Philip Morris Bulgaria

With over 20 years of experience in implementing strategic HR initiatives, employee engagement, and talent and performance management, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to my coaching practice.

In recent years, as a member of the Philip Morris Bulgaria People and Culture team, I have dedicated part of my time to coaching, helping individuals successfully navigate their personal and professional journeys and guiding them to become their best selves.

My coaching focuses on career growth and increasing confidence and resilience during times of transformation and challenges.

I specialize in supporting the integration of newly appointed managers and employees, the reintegration of women returning from maternity leave, and the creation of personalized performance and development plans.

If you’re seeking a coaching partnership, I am here to support you in unleashing your inner wisdom and potential. Together, we will address all your important questions and work towards your personal and professional growth.

For me, coaching is a process of creation, joy, and inspiration. Let’s embark on this transformative journey together!


Ljubomira Taleva

Global Human Resources Partner with a focus on HR for Leadership and HR Transformation.

  • 25+ years of HR Management experience at local, regional, and global levels within different industries: IT, Insurance, Manufacturing, and Banking.
  • One of the founders of the Bulgarian Center of Women in Technology.
  • Mentor in the “Mentor the Young” program.

Coaching:
My mission as a coach is to be a sounding board and a partner to people looking for their inner answers.

I hold an ICF PCC accreditation and coaching diplomas from Aligned Action International. I am an ACE Coach Accelerator graduate and an ACE Journey to Mastery graduate.

As an internal coach, I support employees and managing directors from acquisitions.

Personal Interests:
Books, travel, healthy food, and crafts.


Maria Bachvarova-Mihaylova, PCC

I am a lifelong learner and a firm believer in human talent and creative capability.

I step into the coaching relationship as a “thinking partner,” aiding the coachee in finding their unique ways to navigate adversity and volatility.

What inspires me today is supporting talented people in gracefully driving their life and career through transitions and transformations, staying true to their values.


Maria Shivarova

I am a professional coach with a focus on empowering individuals to cultivate resilience, enhance well-being, and achieve a harmonious work-life balance. My passion lies in helping people create a compelling vision for their lives and providing the guidance and support they need to turn that vision into reality. With a background in people management and HR business partnership, I bring a unique blend of expertise in coaching, leadership development, and organizational transformation.

Through personalized coaching sessions, I enable my clients to navigate challenges, overcome obstacles, and unlock their full potential. Whether you’re seeking to reignite your career, find greater fulfillment, or enhance your overall quality of life, I am dedicated to partnering with you on your journey toward success.

  • 15+ years in the field of people management, HR business partnership, and L&D, mainly in the construction, retail, sales, banking, and financial sectors.
  • Experienced HR advisor on people and time management, leadership transformation, and HR organizational topics to senior leaders, managers, and experts.
  • Experience in designing initiatives and development programs for leadership, customer-centric mindsets, transformation, and change management.

I have a strong passion for supporting people to grow, stretch, and achieve their goals.

Diplomas and Certifications:
Certified Erickson Solution-Focused Leadership and Business Coach, International Erickson Coaching School.
Human Resources Award, The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).
University of Nottingham MS in Management Psychology.
Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski BS in Social Work with a profile in Employment.


Maria Yaneva, PhD, Adecco Group

Maria brings 25+ years of combined experience in HR training and management consulting. After joining Adecco Group in 2017, she led career coaching projects, including individual sessions and group workshops for various roles (from entry-level to C-level) across different industries.

Her assertive, proactive, practical, and issue-solving approach is highly appreciated in the workplace and by her clients, while her empathetic, approachable, and genuine attitude is most valued in coaching and training sessions. Prior to coaching, her roles included international development consulting, EU Commission-funded project management, and public sector consulting. She also served as the Business Development Associate Director at EY, leading government and public sector services.

Maria is currently leading LHH Services at Adecco Bulgaria. She is an IMI registered mediator and a certified LHH coach with over 1,000 coaching hours for more than 150 individuals and 60 client organizations over the last three years.


Marta Messetchkova

In my practice as a coach, my main focus is on co-creating with my clients a version of themselves that they can embrace and move forward with to achieve even their most daring dreams.

I have over 25 years of experience in media, marketing, technology, and learning & development in both the UK and Bulgaria. I focus on career and life coaching and building effective, high-performing teams. Additionally, I am an Insights Discovery Practitioner and a trained coach, currently working towards ACC certification with the ICF.


Meglena Beneva

I am a creative coach, facilitator, trainer, and consultant with more than 12 years of experience in neuroscience coaching and psychotherapy. I am a PCC-certified coach by the International Coach Federation.

I am keen to support my clients and partners in enhancing their professional performance and developing a strong sense of personal well-being. With a background in sales, marketing, and management, I have over 12 years of experience in these fields, creating long-term partnerships with key accounts and distributors. I am a strategic and fast thinker with a talent for elevating brands, customers, and projects through brand communication, PR, and media to drive performance and results.

I love movement and an active lifestyle. I am a trail and ultramarathon runner and enjoy skiing, cycling, and mountaineering.


Milena Atanassova, ARS Bulgaria

Milena is a philologist and a psychologist with over 20 years of professional experience in the corporate sector, particularly in public relations and human resources.

For the last nine years, Milena has been working in the field of human resources, serving as an HRD and business partner. For the past six years, she has specialized as a psychologist in the field of humanistic psychology.

In the last three years, Milena has devoted her time to individual coaching (in the narrative tradition of Enneagram) and has also worked as a neuro-agility practitioner (NAP Advanced+ Assessment) to develop high-performing, agile employees, leaders, teams, and organizations. Currently, Milena works as a People & Culture Business Partner at ARS Bulgaria – AON Global Network Correspondent and is a proud member of AmCham Bulgaria.


Nadia Atanasova

Nadia is a professionally certified coach (International Coaching Federation ACC level) with extensive corporate leadership experience. She has 25+ years of experience working with large multinational companies within cross-country clusters, matrix environments, and shared services.

She has 15+ years of auditing and finance experience and 10+ years of human resources experience within structural reorganizations and transformations. Her corporate specialization is in stakeholder relations, distributed team leadership, and change management.

As a coach, Nadia has partnered with individual clients in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Americas. She has also led group coaching initiatives in the IT, realty, and financial services industries. Nadia helps leaders, talents, and teams navigate change and expand their awareness as they move from their current state to desired future goals.


Nevena Nikše, UniCredit Bulbank

Soon after graduating with a Master’s in Economics from the University of Zagreb in 2006, Nevena began working as a Junior Specialist for Asset and Liability Management in the Finance division at UniCredit Bank Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina. She grew professionally in various finance areas, and in early 2017, she was appointed as CFO and Board Member at UniCredit Bank Banja Luka in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Since then, Nevena has held CFO and Board Member positions in several other countries (Slovenia and Hungary) within UniCredit banks. In August 2024, Nevena was nominated as CFO and a Member of the Management Board at UniCredit Bulbank in Bulgaria (pending regulatory approvals).

With over 18 years of experience in banking and a proven track record of leadership and success, Nevena is dedicated to empowering the next generation of female leaders. As a mentor, she actively participates in various programs, guiding and inspiring young professionals to achieve their full potential.


Radoslava (Ava) Krosneva

Radoslava (Ava) KrosnevaRadoslava Krosneva is an executive/leadership certified coach with ACC from the International Coaching Federation, specializing in working with leaders in transitions, life transformations, and corporate changes. Using various coaching models, Radoslava strives to align organizational and individual goals by balancing intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Her coaching sessions are strength-based, fostering engagement with well-defined goals.

Radoslava has over 15 years of HR leadership experience within international corporations. She holds a Master’s in International Economic Relations and a professional qualification in Journalism. She completed her coaching training at Erickson Coaching International and further developed her skills through advanced programs such as “Deep Coaching” and “Group Coaching.” Fluent in English and French, she will serve as Communication Director on the board of the International Coaching Federation – Bulgarian Chapter starting April 2024.


Dr. Robert Dobay

After fulfilling various global executive roles at multinational organizations, Dr. Robert Dobay founded a top-notch HR consulting and L&D company. His expertise covers business and leadership development, coaching, organizational transformation, and driving behavioral change.

Dr. Dobay has been recognized as one of the top 10 most influential B2B influencers in Hungary. He is also the author of a book titled “Well, what were you expecting?” which challenges conventional HR and leadership practices. For six years, he has served as the Chairman of the HR Committee of AmCham in Hungary.


Tsveta Velichkova

Tsveta Velichkova holds a Master’s degree in Organizational and Social Psychology from St. Kliment Ohridski University and is a certified Business NLP Practitioner and NLP Master. With over 20 years of HR experience in engineering, production, and FMCG companies, Tsveta is passionate about lifelong learning.

She believes adaptability, flexibility, and agility are crucial in today’s dynamic world. Her coaching focuses on helping people unlock their potential and accelerate their abilities, enabling them to strive for high performance.


Tsvetanka Mintcheva, UniCredit Bulbank

Tsvetanka Mintcheva is an experienced business and technology leader with over 20 years in the financial industry. She is deeply passionate about business development, retail marketing, innovation, communication, and female leadership. Tsvetanka currently leads UniCredit in Bulgaria and chairs the Council of Women in Business in Bulgaria (NGO).

Tsvetanka is committed to creating opportunities for women in business and offers coaching on business idea development, career advancement, and personal growth.


Velko Djilizov, UniCredit Bulbank

Velko Djilizov is the Legal Director and a Member of the Management Board of UniCredit Bulbank, with over 28 years of professional experience in legal and internal audit. He has served as a mentor in the WeFly International and Cross-Company Mentoring Program and as a lecturer and panelist at the Balkan Legal Forum.

Velko is also an Assistant Professor and former lecturer at the University of National and World Economy. He is passionate about supporting women in leadership and career development.


Vesela Mangeyna

Vesela Mangeyna is an internationally certified Business and Life Coach with over 13 years of corporate finance experience. She is a certified NLP Practitioner and Master and a trainer for Peter Sage’s Elite Mentorship Forum, a personal development program.

Vesela focuses on leadership, change management, and raising personal power in the workplace. Her coaching motto is, “Take people’s thinking where it has never gone before!” Vesela’s coaching helps individuals and groups develop awareness, enhance business relationships, and achieve professional growth.


Veselka Tsocheva-Donkova, MCC

Veselka Tsocheva-Donkova is a Master Certified Coach (MCC) accredited by the International Coaching Federation, with an MBA and MPsych, and additional qualifications in NLP, DISC analysis, and Workplace Resilience and Wellbeing (Wraw). She specializes in leadership, resilience, and personal effectiveness.

Veselka has over two decades of experience in professional services, leading organizational growth, market expansion, and culture transformation. She works with individual clients and teams across Europe, focusing on sustainable development for both individuals and organizations.


Zlatina Dimova

Zlatina Dimova started her career in software programming before pursuing a degree in Business Administration and a Master’s in Work and Organizational Psychology. She has been working in HR at Nestlé for over 10 years, applying her knowledge in talent acquisition and coaching.

Zlatina has been actively coaching within Nestlé since 2015 and is currently undergoing ACC certification with the ICF. She helps individuals turn challenges into opportunities and supports them in connecting with their true selves to achieve personal and professional growth.


Zlatina Mihaylova, PhD, PCC, ACTC

Zlatina Mihaylova has been a professional coach since 2018, specializing in solution- and result-oriented coaching. With over 800 coaching hours, Zlatina integrates methods such as deep listening, empathy, and NLP into her practice. She has worked with more than 100 clients and sees herself as an artist, crafting special experiences for joy and growth.

Zlatina has over 24 years of experience as a manager, management consultant, and entrepreneur. Her personal mission is to “awaken” people’s potential and support them in being their best selves.


Zornitza Prokopieva

I’m a dedicated coach with over five years of experience helping people achieve their goals, overcome obstacles, and create better versions of themselves. I believe that one template does not fit all, and I tailor my coaching approach to each client’s unique needs, personality, and goals.

Areas of Expertise:

  • Conflict resolution and performance improvement.
  • Work-life balance.
  • Goal setting and achievement.
  • Time management techniques.
  • Stress management strategies.
  • Professional development and leadership coaching.