Ilona Drozdov
Central & Eastern Europe, Maritime Training, Gas Pipelines & Geopolitics, Policy and Strategy, National Security, Combating Illicit Trafficking, Strategic Alliances, EU Affairs
Ilona Drozdov is a diplomatic and versatile professional with over 11 years of experience in international affairs and national security. Her career is defined by her dedication to creating value for both the public and private sectors, forging robust partnerships, and developing relationships with key stakeholders.
In her recent role as the Head of Global Strategic Partnerships at a global defense and homeland security company, Ilona collaborated with governments, academia, and strategic allies to establish ecosystems for effective transfer of knowledge. Her focus areas included cyber security, national defense, technology, and innovation.
Currently, she is dedicated to advancing maritime education worldwide, with active engagements across Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia.
Prior to that, she served as a strategic advisor for the Ministry of Finance and the Tax Authority's diplomatic mission in Brussels, breaking through as the youngest representative and representing Israel at the World Customs Organization and professional committees in the European Union. As part of her role, she initiated cooperation with European countries on customs and border security and coordinated international investigative activities. Finished her service as Head of Section in the International Department at the Customs Administration.
Ilona holds a BA in International Relations, National Security, and Counter-Terrorism, along with an MA in Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution from Reichman University. During her BA, she completed the European Studies program for outstanding students. Additionally, she completed a Master's Degree in National Security and Maritime Strategy through a full scholarship awarded by the Maritime Policy and Strategy Research Center, in collaboration with the Forum Dvorah, which she proudly represents.
Ilona is fluent in Ukrainian, Russian, English, and Hebrew.
Her expertise spans a wide spectrum, with a particular focus on Central & Eastern Europe, Gas Pipelines & Geopolitics, Maritime Cyber Security, Maritime Training, Combating Illicit Trafficking, International Cooperation and Strategic Alliances.