Focusing her attention on change management, Dr. Petra Seidler pursued an excellent education in Saint Petersburg, Russia, where she attended the Saint Petersburg State University of Economics and Finance. Receiving a red diploma in economics in 1986, she was selected to pursue the PhD program, earning a doctorate in international economic relations, and national and business economics in 1989. During her studies at the acclaimed institution, she was recognized as an exemplary student in light of her proficiency in the English, German and Russian languages, which enabled her to enter the restricted section of the university’s library and study economics and capitalism more intensely. These studies established the foundation of her esteemed career, in which she has spent more than three decades in international relations and economics in myriad countries across the globe.
Since 2018, Dr. Seidler has served as a team leader and key expert in the Consultancy Services to the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit and the Ukraine Municipal Infrastructure Program of COWI in Kiev, Ukraine, where she resides today. Prior to this appointment, she was situated in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2018, where she served as a team leader, head of programme, administrator, finance director and office head for several agencies. Spending significant time in her native Germany as well, Dr. Seidler served as the head of the Economics and Policy Department, residential representative for the Central Asia region and chief financial officer of MVV decon GmbH between 2005 and 2010 while also serving as project director for the Change Management Export for Corporatization and Commercialization of DABM in Kabul, Afghanistan, from 2006 to 2009.
Earlier in her career, Dr. Seidler was the general manager of WKL Vermögensverwaltungsgesellschaft mbH and BOLA Boddenland Handelsgesellschaft mbH in Germany from 1992 to 1998, as well as a managing director of the BIG Service Joint Stock Company in Russia from 1992 to 1995. From 1991 to 1992, she excelled as a principal consultant for Wiese & Partner Management Consulting GmbH through the Ministry of Economics, Technology and Transport, and spent time with the Association of German Co-operatives as head of the financial sector and assistant to the head of the Department of Finance and Economy.
Fluent in Dari, English, German and Russian, Dr. Seidler has also lent her time to philanthropic efforts, serving as a sponsor for students and families in need. She has also been a contributor to charitable organizations over the years. Alongside her primary pursuits, she is the chief executive officer and partner of the Sona Noa Consulting Company in Afghanistan since 2010, and was a private lecturer in Berlin from 1991 to 1998.
Dr. Seidler attributes her success to being a results-driven individual and having the ability to facilitate change. She also credits her recognition and respect in the industry to cultural diversity. Although her career has been abound with highlights, she is especially proud of the development of the national power company and the report and timing of contracts between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, which brought electricity to Kabul, Afghanistan. She also enjoyed her time spent in Eastern Europe and working as an independent consultant in Hamburg, Germany, between 1991 and 1993. Looking toward the future, Dr. Seidler intends to continue managing projects in the Middle East, as well as seek other great challenges such as writing, teaching and mentoring young children.
