Todd is the President of the International Business Development Council, an import-export firm, and writes for Rossiske Vesti, a Russian political newspaper and Rusya-Al Youm, the Russian Arabic Television channel for the Middle East. He has taught urban affairs, political science, international relations, political philosophy, political campaign management, leadership, organizational development and public administration and sociology at the university level, and has lectured at universities in Russia, China, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan.

 Fluent in Russian business practices, customs, and social mores, Todd brings to the table clear-thinking and pragmatic strategies. His particular strength is linking individuals, governments and businesses to promote economic growth across borders. Todd knows the most effective means of working with stakeholders in the Russian economy. Articulate, approachable and erudite, Todd has a gift for simplifying complex concepts. A lecturer and prolific writer, he has authored over 300 articles which have been published throughout Russia. Todd was a member of the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Council, affiliated with the United Nations and currently serves as president of the International Business Development Council. 

At the University of Minnesota, Todd earned a B.A. in History, a M.A.P.A. and completed coursework for a Ph.D. His post-graduate work includes a Bush Fellowship at Harvard University and advanced work in Urban Studies at the University of Manchester, England.

Guests:

TODD LEFKO – Twin Cities Entrepreneur in Russia