Former mergers and acquisitions lawyer & Law Professor who 10 years ago decided to take a shift in career and follow her passion for promoting entrepreneurship, leadership and education. Internationally-minded, travelled for work to more than 60 countries all over the world.Pioneer of legal advice for private equity and VC funds financing entrepreneurial ventures in South Eastern Europe, Irina founded the first law firm specialised in advising funds and entrepreneurs in Romania.After more than a decade dedicated to private equity & VC transactions, Irina took advantage of her year spent as a Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School to focus from an academic perspective on VC's role in stimulating entrepreneurship and innovation around the world. Back to Europe, Irina continued her activity as Managing Director of the South Eastern European Private Equity and VC Association, joined the Representative Committee of the European VC Association and was appointed as President of the Romanian Innovation Ecosystem Commission. She also created an NGO, Triple Helix, which develops and implements projects related to entrepreneurship, leadership and education.Experienced panelist or moderator with participation at conferences organized by at prestigious universities (like London Business School, Stanford University, Harvard Business School), or governmental agencies of various countries interested in stimulating entrepreneurship and VC investments. She is currently contracted as an expert by the Entrepreneurship Center at University of Oxford (Said Business School).Irina is often invited to be member of the jury for various international competitions, such as EU Women Innovators or Global Teacher Prize where she serves as a member of the Academy. She also has experience as board member for various for profit and not-for-profit organizations, both at the local and global level. She was recognised among the top 50 most influent women in Romania by multiple editions of Forbes Romania, including the current one.At the global level, Irina was recognized as an outstanding leader by an Eisenhower Fellowship in 2008, became a Mason Fellow at Harvard in 2009 and was honored as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2014.