This month we are proud to introduce Olga Bestcennaya, our Managing Director in Russia & CIS markets. We are together many many years, we can’t really imagine Filuet history without you, Olga.

So tell us a bit about yourself, your family, fav. way to spend your free time?

I was born in a small Ukrainian city called Berdichev. Being a young Soviet professional, my dad got the job of the city’s Chief Architect, and the family moved there. When I was 17, I left home to study Philosophy and Political science at Saint Petersburg State University. I had an ideal student experience; I met my friends for life and my husband there. The academic education shaped my thinking, while bright minds impacted my personality. I always had that zeal to understand the laws of how the world works, which played well when I was doing my MBA at Antwerp Management School. I love doing business, a thing I have in common with my 23 years old son, which I love to discuss with such things. I spend most of my time at work and with my family. My other interests include mindfulness and embodiment.

Please tell me about your time with Filuet; When do you get on board? How was your journey since then?

My journey with Filuet started 21 years ago. I remember my first days at Filuet when I met Alex; young as myself, approachable, Alex looked like a guy on a mission 😊. Our first project together was to help Ozon to export books to Israel. Since then, the journey was never dull, often challenging and teaching, always encouraging to develop myself professionally. Looking back at the past two decades, I couldn’t wish for a better company for myself to work at, and I still feel passionate about its future.

What person, real or imagined, living or dead, would you most like to have dinner with and why?

If I could go back in time, I would like to talk with my grandfather. As a child, I didn’t know neither could potentially comprehend what a life he had to live. He was from a Russian Cossacks family and became a physics teacher and school principal. Honored as the War hero, he was repressed by communists. He survived the fascist concentration camp and Stalin’s Gulag. My grandfather was the kindest, modest, and most caring person I can remember. 

As these strange times lead us to digitalize our internationality, we would like to ask you your favorite/ dream destination for vacation & the ultimate destination for work is?

I am not a big fan of resorts; many types of those sound rather boring to me, but any World Heritage site or any opportunity to experience the wild nature would make me start packing my bag immediately.  As to the work-life balance, my ultimate destination would be Switzerland. I have good friends there, and being a frequent traveler, I admired many things about the country. Looking forward to opening Filuet branch in Zurich 🙂

Where do you see Filuet 10 years from now?

In 10 years from now, I see Filuet being a wealthy, strong brand, a company with an entrepreneurial spirit and unique business identity, doing business in a few advanced industries across the new Silk Road and beyond, connecting and bridging businesses from different economies and business cultures.

That’s it, would you like to use this opportunity and forward a message to Filuet team?

Dear Filuet team! The following year is going to be remarkable at Filuet. We want to call it a year of HR and dedicate it to our people and talent. I suggest that everyone will have an opportunity to step up and shine. I’m looking forward to making it happen, together!