Surround yourself with intelligent and positive people

Introduce yourself in a few sentences..

My name is Miglena Dimitrova. A year ago, I completed my specialization “Accounting and Finance“ at Harvard Business School with a focus on Sustainable finance and Alternative investments. I hold a master's degree in Finance from the University of National and World Economy and I am a certified investment consultant from the Financial Supervision Commission. In 2022 and 2023, I was awarded as the best Director of Investor Relations in the category “Best IR initiatives” for the initiative Green Finance and Energy Centre, in my role as Director of Investor Relations at the Bulgarian Stock Exchange. Before that, my career went through the entire hierarchical ladder of one of the largest real estate funds in Bulgaria “FairPlay Properties” REIT, where I reached the position of Executive Director and Chairman of the Board of Directors.

At the same time, for nearly 15 years, I was the secretary of the Association of Companies with Special Investment Purpose and for 4 years a Member of the Management Board of the Association of Directors for Investor Relations.

Recently, I created my company “Sustainable Finance Solution”, which will assist companies on their path towards sustainability. This  includes preparing them by creating sustainability strategies, sustainable operation policies, as well as reporting them according to the applicable European legislation.

My focus will be on small and medium enterprises that want to be part of the supply chains of large international companies, seek financing, or simply have an internal conviction that their business needs to be sustainable. Often they cannot afford the services of large consulting firms. The services will be supplemented by assistance in seeking “green” financing, communicating their achievements in this direction, and in cases of listing, securing the activities related to investor relations.

What did you dream of becoming in your childhood?

I was fascinated by Physics.

At what age did you earn your first money? Tell us an interesting story?

When I was 19 years old, I started a part-time job at PwC, which allowed me to attend my lectures while also starting my career.

20 years later, the Center for Sustainable Finance and Energy, the so-called Green Center, became a partner in ESG awards from PwC.

What are the main factors and examples that shape us as individuals at an early age and form our interests? What is your recipe for curiosity, sources and wells of information and inspiration at this stage of our human development?

For me, the building factors are curiosity and perseverance. And interests… they are something that does not depend on the person. Some topic just grabs you and in the best case, you commit to it. That’s what happened to me when I first heard about ESG at a conference in London. Since then, it has been my inspiration and step by step it developed and became my profession.

Kindness is part of business communication and of relationships between people in general. It’s good when it’s natural, and that usually shows. But I always appreciate it when the person across makes an effort.

The sources and wells of information nowadays are numerous, and it is becoming increasingly important to carefully select them. As for ESG data, they are one of the challenges in preparing  Sustainability Reports, but my opinion is that in a few years the processes will be systematized and automated.

Has there been any significant change in your perceptions in a more mature age about what motivates you to do or not do something?

Of course. I am motivated when I am interested. With maturity comes the need for what you do to have some cause. Sustainability is definitely such a topic.

Whose decision was it where to pursue higher education and what to study? Was that decision correct, looking at it from today’s perspective?

My parents let me make that decision and I do not regret my choice. Life leads you in a certain direction and sometimes no matter how much effort you put in, things do not work out. Other times, no matter how much you resist, it takes you where you need to be.

Share with us more about your interests, knowledge, skills, and hobbies?

In my free time, I love to travel, be close to the sea, meet friends, and generally enjoy life.

Would you change your profession today and which areas of activity capture your interest?

At this moment, this year, that is exactly what I am doing.

They say that the personal brand is everything that people say about you when you are not with them in a room. What would you like to hear today?

That I have been helpful, that companies have developed with my assistance.

Emotional intelligence, adaptability, and flexibility, as well as our soft skills are key conditions for success in recent years. How do you cope with the daily challenges of life to stay in good shape and mood?

Good shape and good mood are inherent to me. I feel good when I am surrounded by intelligent and positive people.

What are the most important conclusions you have made so far about maintaining the right communication considering the different characters of the people you meet daily  – colleagues, friends, close ones?

I believe that in work, as well as in love and friendship, there is chemistry. The recipe for good relationships is similar energy, similar intelligence, and similar sense of humor.

What do you think about money? What is their influence on your life? What is your advice to people who often ask themselves questions related to money and how sufficient they are?

Money for me is a means, not an end goal. Work and how much it satisfies me has always been important to me, and money has come as a consequence.

What is the most valuable career advice you would give to people?

Choose a job that you do with pleasure and then it will not weigh you down and development will come as a natural result.