Iva Petrova has extensive professional experience in the energy sector, with a background in both public administration and the corporate environment. She began her professional career in 2000 at the Ministry of Energy, where she advanced to the position of Director of "Energy Markets and Restructuring" in 2008. Subsequently, from February 2009 until the end of June 2010, she served as Director of "Projects and Investments" at the Bulgarian Energy Holding. Ms. Petrova has also worked in the private sector as a partner in a management consulting company advising energy and utility companies in the region. Since September 2021, she has served as Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Energy, responsible for markets, strategy, reforms, and investments under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan in the areas of integration and utilization of renewable energy sources, energy efficiency, infrastructure, and market liberalization. As Deputy Minister, she oversaw the participation in the decision-making process at EU level and chaired Working Group 14 "Energy." Since 2000, Ms. Petrova has been a part-time Assistant Lecturer at the Faculty of Economics at Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, where she currently teaches courses on the management and marketing of energy and utility companies within Master's degree programs. Holds a Master's degree in Economics and Management from Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski. She has also completed a postgraduate qualification program at the University of Birmingham, United Kingdom. In addition, she has completed specialization programs in Hungary, Japan, and Belgium. Fluent in English and speaks Italian.