Jekaterina Minkova-Lavrenovs
BROOKLYN
Work Preference
Summary
Qualified Project Manager with over 8 years of experience in leading and coordinating international projects across both private and non-governmental sectors. My last workplace was FOOD UNION, global food industry player, where I took the position of Financial Project Manager. I hold Master's Degrees in Project Management and International Finance.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
4
4
Certification
Work History
Financial Project Manager
FOOD UNION
09.2022 - 01.2025
- Was responsible for the whole process of implementing financial projects in the company - development, coordination, closure;
- Was responsible for a full cycle of obtaining subsidies for the company: working in a team with internal departments (production/logistics/R&D/IT), external consultants, cooperation with other bodies that would verify the project implementation;
- Developed project proposals within different topics – support for investments in processing, energy efficiency, digitalization;
- Coordinated and in close cooperation with Production department successfully implemented two investment projects within the programme “Investments in the development and modernization of the dairy plant”: Within the first project, technological equipment was purchased - a Coagulation Tank for the cottage cheese production. Within the second project, the company has invested in the purchase of an automatic cream cheese packaging line, an ice cream packaging system, a cottage cheese sticks packaging line and in the replacement of lighting in the production plant’s warehouse and auxiliary facilities;
- Coordinated and in cooperation with Marketing department implemented a research project "Development of new functional and healthy dairy products and new types of ice cream";
- Coordinated the participation of company employees in EU funded trainings;
- Prepared presentations and defended proposals and intermediate stages of projects at committee meetings;
- Coordinated procurement processes within developed projects proposals in accordance with Latvian regulations;
- Was responsible for all reporting processes within implemented Financial projects;
- Ensured constant communication with monitoring organizations;
- Ensured constant communication with other departments;
- Followed up daily in news about available funding;
- Overall, successfully implemented and finalized 6 financial projects;
- Performed other tasks of the controlling department.
Cash Flow | Treasury Controller
FOOD UNION
09.2024 - 01.2025
- One of the main responsibilities in the position of cash flow controller was to ensure the company always has enough cash to operate efficiently, to optimize liquidity and to provide accurate reporting to support decision-making;
- Tracked all cash inflows and outflows every day in several group companies;
- Ensured sufficient liquidity for operational needs (payroll, suppliers, taxes);
- Optimized cash balances across bank accounts and entities;
- Executed treasury transactions (transfers, payments, investments);
- Managed, forecasted and optimized a company’s cash position;
- Managed and coordinated factoring processes;
- Maintained relationships with banks and financial institutions;
- Oversaw banking platforms and user rights;
- Identified upcoming liquidity needs and funding gaps;
- Developed projections based on revenue cycles, payables, investments, and financing activities;
- Constantly reported to CEO and CFO;
- Prepared short-, medium-, and long-term cash flow forecasts;
- Produced daily/weekly/monthly cash flow reports for management;
- Analyzed cash trends and performance indicators;
- Ensured proper authorization of payments and transfers;
- Maintained compliance with internal policies and external regulations;
- Supported audits related to treasury and cash management;
- Provided cash-flow inputs for investment decisions, financing, and strategic planning.
Project Coordinator in EU Projects Department
LATVIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
09.2021 - 08.2022
- Coordinated project implementation, ensuring alignment with EU regulations and standards;
- Was involved in coordination and implementation of wide list of EU projects within different EU funds and programs: Erasmus+, Interreg Estonia-Latvia programme, Interreg Central-Baltic programme, Interreg Latvia-Lithuania-Belarus Programme, Horizon 2020;
- Took active role in the processes of implementing EU funded projects within different topics and sectors: competitiveness, education and labor force, sustainability;
- Developed and implemented projects in Education sector: Vocation education and training, Higher education, Adult education, Lifelong Learning;
- Took the position of Lead Manager in projects "Digital Financial Literacy for Microenterprises" and "Support integration of Ukraine in to the Western and European single market by using Latvia as an entry point";
- Ensured successful projects implementation - monitored and controlled processes and budget execution;
- Participated in budget planning of EU Projects department and its implementation within the projects;
- Ensured the fulfillment of the department’s financial goals;
- Constantly communicated with Ministries and other State institutions in a matter of implemented projects;
- Coordinated the usage of projects funding;
- Developed an international network through participation in international events, business trips, partner meetings, networking events;
- Developed feasibility study "Market of Uganda" (2022);
- Actively cooperated with other LCCI departments, delegating work among team members;
- Actively represented LCCI by participating in national and international seminars;
- Was a Member of Monitoring Committees;
- Was responsible for reporting processes within implemented projects;
- Followed up daily in news about EU projects and their proposals.
Assistant of Head of the EU Projects Department
LATVIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
01.2017 - 08.2021
- Supported the Head of the EU Projects Department in all phases of project management, enhancing operational efficiency;
- Was actively involved in the implementation processes of EU projects within different EU funds and programs: Erasmus+, Interreg Estonia-Latvia programme, Interreg Central-Baltic programme, Interreg Latvia-Lithuania programme, Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme, Horizon 2020, Intelligent Energy-Europe Programme, Leonardo da Vinci-Transfer of Innovation;
- Coordinated the “DELBI2” project (July 2017 – October 2020), where within the framework of the project, small and medium-sized companies were provided with practical help in starting and expanding cross-border business. The priority sectors were timber, food and tourism, additionally, start-up companies were supported;
- Took the position of Energy Advisor in “STEEEP” project (December, 2014 – October, 2015), where the main aim was to serve as the first point to call on Energy management guidance services;
- Prepared, developed and submitted interim and final reports overall in 18 EU projects;
- Developed, coordinated and implemented the project “LCCI facade renovation from the inner yard side” (May-December, 2018);
- Managed European Direct Information Center in Riga, Latvia (January, 2014-December, 2017);
- Developed reports, researches and feasibility studies on different topics: Feasibility study on Smart Grid Projects (2016-2017); Report “Mapping of SMEs Clusters around VET and involving new SMEs in WBL in Latvia” (2019);
- Actively represented LCCI by participating in national and international courses, conferences and seminars;
- Provided administrative and technical support to LCCI EU Projects team, which included organization of different activities;
- Followed up daily in news about EU programs, EU projects and their proposals.
Office Administrator
LATVIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
01.2014 - 12.2016
- Managed daily office operations and ensured a welcoming, comfortable, well-organized office environment;
- Ensured the successful daily work of the office (Coordinating emails, phone calls, correspondence, welcoming guests, etc.);
- Served as the first point of contact for employees, guests and vendors;
- Managed incoming and outgoing correspondence with clients and answered inquiries;
- Coordinated incoming calls, transferred calls to appropriate departments;
- Prepared, processed and systematized incoming and outgoing documents (preparation, formation, registration, storage and sending);
- Organized, planned and technically provided meetings and business appointments;
- Maintained LCCI official internal calendar;
- Managed office supplies, placed orders, coordinated deliveries;
- Organized office inventory and tidied reception area;
- Assisted with travel arrangements;
- Worked with CRM database on the daily basis;
- Assisted the Chairman of the Board and Members of the Board in preparing and/or compiling necessary documents for working visits or missions;
- Provided comprehensive administrative and technical support to LCCI staff in their daily work;
- Maintained LCCI homepage;
- Supported HR in administrative tasks;
- Carried out other duties as was directed and instructed by the Chairman of the Board and Director of Administration department;
- Provided administrative support within all activities organized in LCCI.
Education
Master of Science - Project Management
University of Latvia
Riga, Latvia06-2017
Master of Science - International Finance
RISEBA University of Applied Sciences
Riga, Latvia03-2015
Bachelor of Science - International Relations
Riga Technical University
Riga, Latvia06-2013
Korean Language Studies -
King Sejong Institute in Riga
Riga, Latvia01-2025
Skills
- Multiple Project Management
- Consumer Package Goods (CPG)
- International Project Management
- Cash Flow Management
- Quantitative & Qualitative Research
- Interpersonal Skills
- Reporting
- Cross-functional coordination
- Team collaboration
- Document management
- Microsoft office suite expert
- Work flow planning
Certification
- LinkedIn Learning Certificate of Completion, Course "Data Analysis: Investigate with SQL" (Issued in December, 2025)
- LinkedIn Learning Certificate of Completion, Course "SQL for Data Analysis" (Issued in December, 2025)
- Certificate in "Project management in the digital environment" (Course August- October, 2023, issued by RISEBA University of Applied Science in October 2023 with no expiration date)
- Certificate in "IT usage for financial reporting and financial planning" (Course August-November, 2020, issued by RISEBA University of Applied Science in November 2020 with no expiration date)
Languages
English
Full Professional
Russian
Native or Bilingual
Latvian
Native or Bilingual
Korean
Elementary
Interests
- Travelling
- Sporting
- Learning Korean
- Hiking
- Journalling
- Reading books
Timeline
Cash Flow | Treasury Controller
FOOD UNION
09.2024 - 01.2025
Financial Project Manager
FOOD UNION
09.2022 - 01.2025
Project Coordinator in EU Projects Department
LATVIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
09.2021 - 08.2022
Assistant of Head of the EU Projects Department
LATVIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
01.2017 - 08.2021
Office Administrator
LATVIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
01.2014 - 12.2016
Master of Science - Project Management
University of Latvia
Master of Science - International Finance
RISEBA University of Applied Sciences
Bachelor of Science - International Relations
Riga Technical University
Korean Language Studies -
King Sejong Institute in Riga