Svetlana Knyazeva is the Operations & Finance Manager at CDT Europe, where she strengthens the organisation’s financial and administrative systems. In this role, she works closely with the Secretary General, programme directors, and partners to ensure the smooth day-to-day functioning of the office and sound budget oversight.
Svetlana has spent much of her career working with international non-profits in Brussels, gaining extensive experience in finance, administration, and project management across donor-funded programmes. Throughout her work, she has supported organisations advancing human rights and protecting human rights defenders, strengthening their financial and operational foundations to sustain long-term impact. She is passionate about strengthening civil society through sound financial management and equitable operational practices, and is guided by values of justice, fairness, and accountability.
Svetlana holds a Master’s degree in Communication studies from Vrije Universiteit Brussel and a Bachelor’s degree in Management from Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia.