Ms. Stepanova leads a dedicated team responsible for research on Russia and CIS downstream value chain from refining and refined product markets through fuel retail. Prior to joining IHS Markit Ms Stepanova served as an executive in the International Financial Policy Department of the Ministry of Finance in Riga, Latvia. Ms Stepanova holds a bachelor's degree from the International University Audentes, Estonia and a master's degree from the Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po). She speaks English, Russian, French, and Latvian and is based in IHS Markit Paris office.