Nadia Gountcheva

I step into critical management roles to lead through transition, transformation, or inflection points — when timing matters and results can’t wait. I bring deep experience across strategy, operations, and business transformation, paired with the agility to quickly assess complex situations and drive meaningful progress.

I partner with leaders to pin down and build together the right solution that fits the organization’s unique context. I’m known for keeping one eye on the big picture and the other on the fine print — without going cross-eyed.

Drawing on a mix of rigorous analyses, best practices, behavioral insight and a dash of psychology, I steer teams to discover their own secret ingredients for high performance and lasting impact. Quality isn’t just a checkbox for me — it’s a habit.

My ultimate purpose is to lead with impact, deliver with speed, and leave organizations stronger than I found them.

My Values

Authentic and genuine attitude helps to position us in the environments that are right for us. I believe that when you are yourself, you are not only more credible but also attract those who share your values, you feel more at ease and are able to give your best.

Compassion and empathy should not be perceived as a weakness in business and impressive leaders have proven to have good amounts of each. However, these qualities need to be part of an emotional intelligence skill set to bring out the best results.

Integrity begins with honoring the quality of your character and extends into upholding the highest standards and ethics in business or social context.

Respect must be a given in every positive environment, while trust is earned.

Loyalty and reliability in my personal and professional life have earned me the trust of others.

Perseverance is key to successful transformations and change efforts, as these are typically accompanied by resistance and unwillingness to change the status quo.

 In My Free Time…

My passion for cultural understanding and diversity has been a consistent thread in my journey. As Vice President of AIESEC Berkeley, I transformed our 25-person team from an underperforming local committee into the second-highest performing out of 37 committees across the U.S. We even walked away with two AIESEC National Awards — Best Marketing and Fastest Growth — as a proof that a little cross-cultural savvy (and a lot of grit) goes a long way.

I also serve as a mentor for women entrepreneurs through the Cherie Blair Foundation, offering guidance, encouragement, and the occasional reality check over Zoom. I was honored to receive the QS/TopMBA Social Impact Award, selected from a field of 700 applicants from top business schools — a thoughtful recognition that reinforced the value of impact-focused leadership.

On a different note (literally!), I’m a classically trained pianist with perfect pitch. That means I can identify tones and harmonies with unnerving precision, even in the middle of a full orchestral performance. I earned the maximum marks in university music exams and later spent eight years building and managing a classical music community in Germany that grew to over 1,800 members. Bonus: I once raised funds for orphanages with my home piano recordings — some of which you’ll find at the bottom of this page.

Before technology reduced our attention spans to the length of a TikTok, I used to devour a book a day — yes, really. It’s a habit I’m plotting to revive.

I’m also a firm believer in the impact of energy. I spent a year studying Tai Chi under Master Somov, a direct student of Grandmaster Chen Xiaowang. It taught me patience, grounding, and that true power doesn’t always require speed but it does require good posture! And no, we don’t practice in pink sweaters, but it was awfully cold that day…

I am an avid traveler and enjoy hiking, exploring the rich cultures of different countries, sightseeing in historical cities and observing the immensity of the ocean waves. After having spent a significant part of my life abroad and traveling across the continents, I came to the realization that the feeling of home is timeless.

And finally, when I find myself with some time on my hands, you’ll find me deep in culinary experiments. I collect recipes from Yummly, Tasty, and anywhere that dares to combine turmeric with tahini. While I’m all for indulgence, I strive to follow a sustainable, earth-conscious diet that respects both nature and the beings we share it with. If you're hoping to see me tear into a steak, I hate to disappoint; the cow and I have an understanding — I don't eat her, and she doesn’t judge my Thai shrimp soup.