Irina Shtonova

Shtonova got a degree in economics from St. Olaf College in the United States and a master's degree in business administration from Stanford University, before going on to obtain a PhD in economics from Sofia University.^[1][2][3]

She has spent her professional career as a manager in large companies such as McKinsey & Company in Bulgaria.^[1] She has also worked in several American telecommunications companies as vice president of marketing and strategy at AT&T and as a director at DirecTV.^[1][2] Between August 2022 and April 2024, she served as Deputy Minister of Economy and Industry.^[1][3]

On 18 February 2026 Shtonova was announced as the new Minister of Economy and Industry of the caretaker cabinet of Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov and was sworn in on 19 February 2026.^[2][4] She stated that one of her main objectives was to develop measures to curb price increases.^[4]