Director, Partnership Strategy

Stanislava is the Grants Officer for the Christensen Fund, leading our efforts to foster best practices in the field of philanthropy with a focus on tailored models and approaches to international grantmaking, impact assessment and organizational learning, effectiveness and efficiency. She oversees the Grants Management team and serves as the primary point of contact on grantmaking compliance and legal issues. Stanislava also partners with the Program teams managing our Central Asia and Global Programs, oversees Christensen’s support to mission-related Grantmaking Associations, and supports emerging collaborative funding models and Donor-Advised Funds.

Born and raised in Bulgaria, Stanislava speaks fluent Bulgarian and English and has a working knowledge of Russian. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Economic Relations and a Master’s Degree in Political Science, both earned in Bulgaria. She also possesses the Post-Masters Professional Credential of Stanford Certified Project Manager (SCPM) conferred on her by Stanford University.

Prior to joining Christensen, Stanislava sought to inform, influence and improve grantmaking approaches and strategic decision making in the European Union, and developed edge expertize on wealth and welfare redistribution mechanisms aimed at reducing regional disparities in income and opportunities across the EU Member States. From working on technical assistance measures to build the capacity of local governments and civil society to effectively absorb foreign aid, to strategizing about ways to maximize the impact of public funding directed through the European Structural and Investment Funds, Stanislava always kept a keen eye for smart and adaptive grantmaking practices.

Outside of the office, Stanislava is passionate about dogs, skiing, and all kinds of remodeling projects. She is the proud mom of two totally awesome kids, Davíd and Nevéna, who teach her to be fearless and to live life fully.