Mariya PENEVA, BSc in Agricultural Economics, MSc in Finance, and PhD in quantitative methods for agribusiness (University of National and World Economy, Bulgaria), is an Associate Professor at the University of National and World Economy (UNWE), Bulgaria. Since 2022, Dr. Peneva is also a Visiting Research Fellow at IAMO, Germany, in the Department of Structural Change. Her research focuses on agricultural economics, policy, and sustainable rural development, with over 70 papers published in top academic journals and volumes. Her work spans across international education and research projects under EU programs, such as FP6, FP7, and Horizon 2020. Dr. Peneva also contributes to consultancy projects on rural development and sustainability. At UNWE, she has also profound understanding of management activities, being a deputy director in the Center for Research Educational Projects of UNWE, scientific secretary of her Department, projects' team leader and institutional coordinator of CEEPUS program. Dr. Peneva has enriched her professional experience through several exchange trainings and lecturing in Albania, Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Serbia.