I am building an environment where awake, thinking, and independent professionals work

Introduce yourself in a few sentences..

My name is Desislava Georgieva and I am CHRO at Healthy Bars – one of the most successful Bulgarian companies for the production of high-quality protein products, which in just 10 years already operates in over 35 countries worldwide.

My professional path is unconventional, but deeply connected with people – before my master's degree in “Human Resource Management” I graduated in “Philosophy”. And for nearly eight years I have been involved in psychodrama before fully dedicating myself to corporate governance in the field of HR. Why?

Because I believe that HR is that part of the business where humanity and vision for development meet. This area gives me the opportunity to build an environment where work is done with respect, clarity, and thought for the future – both for the people and the organization.

How many years have you completed in the company? How do you feel in it and what does this stage mean for you?

Just a few days ago I completed two years.

From the very beginning, I felt that I was in the right place. One of the reasons is that the company is an excellent example of the new face of Bulgarian entrepreneurship – with an international vision that transcends geographical boundaries, both at the product level and in terms of management culture. For us, the processes related to people are not a matter of function, but strategic priority.

I am grateful that my team and I found each other at this moment – for both me and the company, this is a period of intensive development. I have the feeling that we are experiencing a truly significant moment together – one of those that you later tell about with inspiration.

What are the most memorable moments or achievements from your time here so far?

In just two years, I have accumulated many valuable and memorable moments – both personal and professional. From small gestures like an unexpected gift from a colleague's vegetable garden to the implementation of international practices that are now part of the cultural “code” of the company.

A particularly valuable moment was when the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) recognized the potential of the company and the team, led by Odile Renaud-Basso – the president of the bank, personally visited us in Bulgaria and we became part of the prestigious Blue Ribbon program.

I am also proud of our first participation in the prestigious awards of the Bulgarian Association for Human Resource Management (BAUHR), where we won in the category “Organizational Development”. This was not just recognition, but a sign that we are on the right path.

What motivates you to stay and develop specifically in this organization?

What motivates me to stay is the same thing that attracted me from the very beginning – the people and the way of thinking. In the faces of Mavitаn Chiftchi and Valentin Strekalovski, I recognized leaders with vision, courage, and humanity – qualities that are rarely found in combination.

This approach reminds me of the culture of leading international companies where I have had the privilege to work. It is this level of strategic, yet deeply human leadership that creates an environment where you want to give your best and grow together with the organization.

How has your professional path changed from the first day until now – and what has it taught you?

I would rather not talk about a sharp change, but about natural development and enhancement of my professional path. The steps I take here are a logical continuation of everything I have learned and experienced so far.

Learning for me is a long-term process – every day I learn something new. From colleagues, from the business itself, from and for the people. Every day is an opportunity to build upon.

There are also more challenges ahead that inspire me – one of them is the realization of our new factory. This is a significant step for all of us and I will gladly share more when the moment comes.

What are your aspirations moving forward – both for yourself and for the team or company you are part of?

I strive to be a good person and professional whom one can rely on – this has always been my personal direction. I believe in persistence and the power of small actions that lead to great results.

As a people manager, for me the team is at the core of everything. I strive to build an environment where awake, thinking, and independent professionals work – people with whom we look in the same direction, even when there are different paths ahead.

For the company, I dream that it continues to be an example of a sustainable and meaningful business – with care for people, products, and the future.