Elena Malkova

Cross-Cultural Communication & Collaboration Expert

Elena Malkova is a Cross-Cultural Communication & Collaboration Expert, speaker, and founder of CC-Development, a leadership and team development firm that provides practical tools and strategies to improve communication, boost collaboration, and increase effectiveness in diverse, international and multicultural environments. With over 25 years of experience working across cultures, including a successful career in international sales and leadership. She helps organizations turn cultural challenges into inclusive, productive strategies.

Originally from Russia, Elena moved to the Netherlands after earning a PhD in English Language and Literature. Her experience in the FMCG industry, particularly in a male-dominated industry at the time, fresh produce, shaped her deep understanding of the practical realities of diversity and inclusion. Today, she supports companies worldwide in building culturally intelligent teams, sourcing and retaining multicultural talent, and enhancing communication across borders.

After living and working in the Netherlands for more than 30 years, Elena is still an example of cultural diversity: she is often described as having a Russian heart, passionate and loyal, and a Dutch mind, direct and results-driven, and praised for her blend of warmth, candor, and strategic clarity.

As a certified team and leadership coach and a Mind Expert, she brings both analytical depth and emotional intelligence to her approach. Since 2020, she’s dedicated her work to leadership and team development for multicultural organizations and internationally operating businesses.

Elena is also the host of Bending Culture, a podcast that explores what really happens when cultures collide and how to turn that crash into collaboration. With sharp questions and curious guests, she brings cultural awareness to the boardroom and beyond.

To her, cultural intelligence is more than a soft skill; it’s a powerful tool. And using it to turn global teams into game-changers? That’s not just work. That’s her mission in motion.