Maria Ordzhonikidze is Secretary General and one of the founders of EU-Russia Centre and Partner, MO Consulting Group. Mrs Ordzhonikidze has over 20 years of expertise in international strategic communication consulting, reputation management, political consulting, international project development and directing, VIP client relationships. Over her career in Russia and Europe she has earned a unique experience in creating and managing the reputations of brands and organisations, managing multi-national programmes and campaigns. As a director for a number of international programmes she has extensive crisis management, litigation public relations programmes and international high-level lobbying experience. Maria has authored articles on subjects concerning Russias place in the modern world, sociological trends and findings, EU-Russia relations and communications. She graduated from Moscow State University majoring in sociology. She was a visiting professor in International Public Relations in Peoples Friendship University of Russia.