About me
Prof. Valentin Vasilev, PhD
University lecturer, researcher, speaker and consultant
My work spans public management, national security, leadership and the development of people and organisations. I combine academic work, consulting and practical experience in the public and private sectors.
My mission
To unlock motivation in people and organisations and turn it into a lasting force for action, development and purpose.
I inspire. I challenge. I help create change.
I was born in Lukovit. I graduated in Public Administration from South-West University “Neofit Rilski” in Blagoevgrad, where my academic career also began. Over the years, I served as vice-dean of the Faculty of Law and History and headed the Department of National Security and Public Administration. I later joined the Higher School of Security and Economics — Plovdiv as Professor and Head of the Centre for Leadership and Public Policy. I also lecture at New Bulgarian University.
Academic work and practice have never been separate for me. My professional experience spans local government, including roles as deputy mayor of Blagoevgrad Municipality and public mediator (ombudsman), and collaboration with managers, professionals, leaders and teams in the public and private sectors.
I founded VPV Consulting Team, a consultancy specialising in leadership, organisational development, public policy and the management and development of people. “Motivation 4.0” is also developing in this professional and research setting as a practical model for motivation analysis and motivational profiling. I serve on the Management Board of the Foundation for the Development of Emotional Intelligence.
Experience
Professional path
Current
since 2022
Creator of the “Motivation 4.0” model
Registered as a trademark with the Bulgarian Patent Office in 2025
since 2022
Regional director
Foundation for the Development of Emotional Intelligence
since 2017
Founder
VPV Consulting Team
since 2013
Lecturer and consultant in human resource management
Institute of Public Administration
since 2012
Lecturer
New Bulgarian University
Previous experience
2021–2025
Professor
Higher School of Security and Economics — Plovdiv
Head of the Centre for Leadership and Public Policy
2018–2021
Public mediator (ombudsman)
Municipality of Blagoevgrad
2010–2019
Vice-dean
South-West University “Neofit Rilski”, Blagoevgrad
Faculty of Law and History
2007–2010
Deputy mayor
Municipality of Blagoevgrad
2000–2021
Assistant, Senior Assistant, Chief Assistant, Associate Professor
South-West University “Neofit Rilski”, Blagoevgrad
Background
Education and qualifications
Academic degrees and positions
2021
Professor
National Security (crisis situations and human resource management)
2010
Associate Professor
Organisation and management outside the sphere of material production (human resource management in the public sector)
2007
PhD
Administration and Management
Organisation and management outside the sphere of material production (by sectors and subsectors)
1999
Master’s degree in Public Administration
South-West University “Neofit Rilski”, Blagoevgrad
Professional qualifications
2022
Certified expert in emotional intelligence
International Society for Emotional Intelligence and the Foundation for the Development of Emotional Intelligence
Expertise
Academic and applied expertise
My areas of work as a lecturer, researcher and consultant.
Leadership and motivation
LeadershipContemporary motivational techniquesTeams and team effectiveness
Developing people and organisations
Human resource management and developmentOrganisational behaviour
Emotional intelligence and well-being
Emotional intelligenceWell-being policies and practices
Public management and public policy
Public managementLocal public policy
Change and crisis management
Change managementCrisis management
Strategic management and technology
Strategic managementSmart technologies in management
Sustainable development and corporate responsibility
Sustainable development and green managementCorporate social responsibility
International work
International expertise
100+
International academic and professional engagements
Joint projects, publications and academic and practical collaboration with researchers from more than 20 countries.
Partner countries
- Albania
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Croatia
- Ethiopia
- Georgia
- Greece
- India
- Indonesia
- Moldova
- Nigeria
- North Macedonia
- Poland
- Romania
- Saudi Arabia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Sri Lanka
- Tanzania
- Türkiye
- Ukraine
- United States
Research
Co-author of the international study “Sustainable Human Resource Management” (SGH Warsaw School of Economics, 2022), conducted in over 50 countries.
Recognition
Awards and recognition
2026
Honorary badge “The Good Example”
“The Good Example” Foundation
2025
Award “Ambassador of Emotional Intelligence”
Foundation for the Development of Emotional Intelligence
2025
Nomination, “People of the Future”, Science and Education category
BusinessGlobal Magazine
2024
Certificate of honour for administrative capacity
Maglizh Municipal Administration
2024
Award “Agent of Change”, Ambassador category
Social Future Foundation
2023 · 2024
Certificate “Inspiring Leader”
“Akademia za lideri” Club, Lukovit
2016
Certificate of honour
Institute of Public Administration, Council of Ministers
Let’s work together
I welcome enquiries about training, organisational consulting, speaking and event moderation, academic collaboration and other professional initiatives.