Team

Alexej Schmidt

Managing partner

Alexej Schmidt has extensive experience in the field of industrial and civil engineering, accounting, financial planning and tax optimization. Mr. Schmidt was at the head of „BFK JSC“ for several years. He was awarded the title “Breakthrough of the Year 2004” for his achievements.

Core competencies: Finance Accounting and Taxation
Languages: German, Russian, English
Education:

• University of Passau, Business Administration and Economics
• Altai State University, Business Administration

Andrej Schmidt

Managing partner and head of marketing and distribution department

Andrej Schmidt has a wealth of experience in the field of international communication, as well as in the field of trade market. For many years he has worked in such spheres as tourism, construction and power engineering. Mr. Schmidt has in-depth knowledge in ad and sale.

Core competencies: Human resources, marketing and distribution
Languages: German, Russian, English
Education:

• University of Passau, Business Administration and Economics
• Altai State University, Business Administration

Dr. Olga Kylina, LL.M.

Senior consultant, head of legal services department

Dr. Kylina possesses extensive knowledge in the field of private international law and commercial law. She gained decent practical experience in the legal department of the Krasnoyarsk dealing with judicial matters and courtproceedings. Founder and Managing Director of temperi legal services

Core competencies: Legal services in russian law and in international commercial law
Languages: German, Russian, English
Education:

• Doctoral degree at the University of Passau
• University of Passau, LL.M. (summa cum laude)
• Krasnoyarsk State University, Jurisprudence, graduated with honors

Marina Weger

Senior consultant

She worked for two years at Bayern Handwerk International GmbH in the department of export and foreign trade consulting. She wrote some guidelines about product certification and export of goods and services to Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and the Ukraine with the focus on VISAquestions, international employee assignment, taxation and other legal issues. She possesses also knowledge in the field of import and export declarations, supplier’s declarations and preferential customs duty. Marina is responsible for interpretation and translation.

Core competencies: Russian, German, English, French, Czech
Languages: German, Russian, English
Education:

• Business economist, University Hagen
• University Regensburg, Master of Arts
• Belarussian State University, Diploma

Valeria Nikolaeva

Senior consultant

Master of Arts in International Relations. Valeria graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations with the Bachelor’s degree (BA) in International Relations and Diplomacy. Afterwards, she focused her academic research on the European Union Studies at Leiden University in the Netherlands, where she was awarded a Master’s degree (MA) in International Relations. Valeria has got a C2 Proficiency level in English, confirmed by an IELTS certificate.

Languages: English, Russian, Dutch
Education:

• Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO-University), School of International Relations, Bachelor of Arts
• Leiden University (Netherlands), Faculty of Humanities, Master of Arts

Anna Khan

Senior consultant

Anna obtained her bachelor's and master's degrees in English linguistics from St. Petersburg State University and a master's degree in Cultural Studies from the University of Freiburg. During her studies, she worked as a teacher's assistant and mentor for international students, alleviating language exchange and culture acclimation.

Anna furthered her intercultural competence during her internship at the German-American Institute in Freiburg (Carl-Schurz-Haus Freiburg) where she acquired awareness of, and interest in, the issues of global mobility. In Schmidt & Schmidt, Anna is part of the legalization team, working on English-, German-, Russian-, Portuguese-speaking projects and supporting clients in these languages.

Languages: English, German, Russian, Portuguese
Education:

• St. Petersburg State University, English Linguistics, B.A. and M.A.
• The University of Freiburg, British and North American Cultural Studies, M.A.

Assemgul Tokanova

Partner

With experience in the international consulting company, obtains necessary skills to successfully manage projects in both quasi-public and private sectors. The acquired knowledge ensures successful implementation of the set tasks and achievement of the project goals.
Languages: Kazakh, Russian, English

Education:

• Master in Public Administration; Graduate School of Public Policy Nazarbayev University
• Bachelor of Education; Foreign language: two foreign languages; Kokshetau State University named after Sh. Ualikhanov

Abzagu Berzeniya

Consultant

Abzagu graduated from the Abkhaz State University in Sukhum. He continued to study International relations at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. Possess a master's degree. During his studies, he learnt English and gained a vast knowledge in the field of solving urgent international problems. He explored the problem of using lies in politics and formation of the countries of the former USSR.

Languages: Russian, Abkhaz, English

Education:

• Abkhaz State University, International Relations
• Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Master of International Relations

Bilgesu Öncü

Consultant

Graduated from Uludağ University Faculty of Law in 2018, Bilgesu Öncü earned her master's degree in IT Law from Saarland University in 2022. She gained expertise in private, commercial, and IT law during her education. She participated in various law student associations and Elsa throughout her education life. She is fluent in Turkish, German, and English.

Ekaterina Shahanova

Consultant

Ekaterina completed her Bachelor's degree in linguistics at the Moscow City Teachers' Training University in year 2014, Institute of Foreign Languages. During her studies, she mastered her German and English and has C1 level in both. She also learned Dutch, passed an international exam and obtained a CNaVT certificate (Certificate Dutch as a Foreign Language), confirming language proficiency at B2 level. Ekaterina has made a good experience working with both individuals and legal clients.

Languages: German, English, Dutch
Education: Moscow City Teachers' Training University, Institute of Foreign Languages, Linguistics

Ekaterina Kipina

Associate

Ekaterina graduated from Moscow City University and earned her Bachelor's degree as a foreign language teacher. She has worked for a long time in an international outsourcing company and has extensive experience working with private clients and projects.

Languages: Russian, German, English

Education: Moscow City University

Victoria Pachotina

Associate

Victoria is a 2023 graduate of Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), specializing in Sociology of Mass Communications (First-Class Honours). During her 2021 academic internship at LUISS Guido Carli in Rome, Italy, Victoria studied UNESCO cultural heritage management, Innovation in creative industries, Intellectual property rights, Behavioural sociology and Language in advertising.

Languages: Russian, English, Spanish

Education:

• Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Department of International Journalism, Bachelor’s degree in Sociology of Mass Communications
• LUISS Guido Carli, Academic exchange programme, Department of Business and Management

Nicoleta Ilea

Associate

Nicoleta earned her Bachelor’s degree with First Class Honours in International Business and Entrepreneurship from the University of Essex, United Kingdom. After graduating, she gained valuable experience as a practice manager in dentistry in Germany, where she successfully optimized practice operations, team management, and customer service. She is fluent in German, English, and Romanian at a C1 level and combines her economic expertise with a strong focus on efficient management and intercultural communication.

Languages: German, English, Romanian
Education: University of Essex, United Kingdom

Ali Can Karayel

Associate

Graduated from Ankara University with a degree in German Language and Literature, he earned an additional degree in International Relations from Anadolu University. He gained valuable experience working with embassies, consulates, NGOs, and governmental entities, building expertise in diplomacy and international affairs and has developed fluency in English, Turkish, German, and Dutch.

Ekaterina Kravtcova

Associate

Ekaterina graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Law from Irkutsk State University. As part of an academic exchange program, she spent a year at the University of Passau (Germany), where she studied German and international law. She later earned an LL.M. degree in Comparative Constitutional and Legal Studies from Andrássy University in Budapest.

Languages: Russian, German, English

Education:

• Andrássy University Budapest, Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Comparative Constitutional and Legal Studies
• University of Passau, Academic exchange programme, German and International Law
• Irkutsk State University, Bachelor’s degree in Law

Mariia Ocheretiana

Intern

Liudmila Bikbasarova

Operating Manager in China

A regional manager and translator specializing in sourcing manufacturers in China, quality control, logistics, and negotiations. She has experience launching and managing projects from scratch and provides administrative support, translation services, and interactions with government agencies in China.

Languages: Chinese, Russian, English

Education:

• Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences, Bachelor’s degree in “Chinese Philology, Business Chinese”
• China University of Mining and Technology, Master’s degree in “Corporate Management”