Carol Leonard is a seasoned economist and historian with a specialization in Russia and Kazakhstan. She has a wealth of experience in teaching, research, and consulting for government and research institutes. Carol holds a Ph.D. in Russian History from Indiana University Bloomington and has studied Economics at the California Institute of Technology. She was the Director for the Center for Russian Studies at Presidential Academy of the National Economy and Pubic Administration and has worked as a consultant and professor for various institutions such as Graduate School of Management, University of St Petersburg, Russia as well as L. N. Gumilev Eurasian University, Astana Kazakhstan amongst others. Carol has also served as a university lecturer at the University of Oxford and as a governing body fellow at St Antony's College. With her expertise in economic geography, economic history, and institutional economics, Carol has contributed significantly to the field of Russian studies and beyond.