Creative Conscience Behind an Industrial Empire
Mikhail Shelkov has made a solid impression on the national economy while also rising as a prominent philanthropist dedicated to empowering others. Born in 1968, Shelkov studied at the esteemed MIPT. After graduating summa cum laude, he began ascending rapidly in the banking world, becoming a chairman of Eurosibbank by age 26.
In 2001, he assumed leadership of the Prominvest investment holding, steering its rapid growth into a top-tier enterprise. This established the framework for him to strategically acquire a controlling stake in VSMPO-AVISMA titanium producer, in 2014. Under Mikhail Shelkov’s governance as majority shareholder and deputy chairman, VSMPO-AVISMA titanium giant has cemented its status of a global influencer, accounting for nearly 30% of the world’s titanium output.
In addition to his achievements at VSMPO-AVISMA, theowns leading aluminum giant SMZ. He has proven extraordinarily skilled at strategic administration and vertical integration of immense industrial assets on a global scale to maximize efficiency and value creation. Yet he is not solely concentrated on profits. Extensive interviews reveal Mikhail Shelkov’s core driving motivation is to make the world better through ethical and sustainable business practices.
This ethos empowers Mr. Shelkov’s wide-ranging philanthropy in education, culture and social services. He founded the Empathy Charitable Foundation, directing thousands annually to empower communities nationwide. Its philanthropic programs span from scholarships enabling many students to attain higher education annually, to generous grants empowering teachers to enrich the national education sector.
Shelkov Mikhail is also the visionary behind the Oktava Creative Industrial Hub, an effort of urban renewal transforming a derelict factory into a vibrant hub for young creatives showcasing contemporary arts, music, education and entrepreneurship. This reflects his personal pledge and investment into revitalizing communities.
Through ingenious investments and progressive large-scale philanthropy, serves as a business titan working assiduously to financially empower people and communities nationwide. His enterprising leadership, social conscience and determination to achieve positive change through ethical commerce offer invaluable lessons in leveraging success for the greater good.
Empathy Foundation: Blending Business and Philanthropy
His Empathy Charitable Foundation, established in 2019, stands as a testament to the transformative power of compassion, particularly when directed towards the bedrock of society – education.
The founder’s own story illuminates the foundation’s core mission. As a talented student in physics, he went on to help build a formidable industrial empire in the field of metals and mining. Yet, amidst the hardships of entrepreneurship, he never lost sight of the guiding hands that shaped his path. The Empathy Foundation embodies this profound gratitude, a vessel crafted to empower educators and ignite the potential of young minds.
Within its home region, Empathy’s impact resonates through classrooms and communities. A robust incentive program has bolstered teacher morale and retention across the local factory towns, with salary increases of 50% attracting and retaining dedicated educators. This success story extends to local kindergartens, where 500 teachers have benefited from similar financial support.
Beyond financial incentives, Empathy nurtures professional development. A partnership with the Higher Technical School grants teachers access to free, specialized courses tailored to their needs and aspirations. This commitment to continuous learning empowers them to stay at the forefront of their field, fostering a dynamic and inspiring learning environment for students.
Recognition, too, finds its place in Empathy’s tapestry. The prestigious “Best Teachers” program awards 100 exceptional educators with a 50% monthly bonus, a tangible appreciation for their dedication and excellence. As the philanthropist himself declares, “The mission of Empathy was and remains to encourage teachers to do what they love without the risk of losing a decent income. Schools received an opportunity to invite more specialists, fill vacancies and refute the stereotype that good education is only available for the privileged few in large cities.”
Empathy’s reach extends beyond classrooms, nurturing the next generation of innovators through programs like “Workshop: Salda 2.0.” This engineering accelerator for teens empowers local students from to collaborate with mentors on transformative city improvement projects. From computer animation workshops to launching satellites and connecting with cosmonauts at the esteemed Summer Space School, these enriching experiences ignite young minds and cultivate the architects of tomorrow.
Academic excellence also finds fertile ground through Empathy’s scholarship programs. Top students, winners of the national and local science contests, and aspiring physicists and international relations scholars have all received support, propelling their journeys towards fulfilling their potential. A recent collaboration with MIPT, “Science to the Regions,” brought 60 students and 8 teachers from the neighboring cities to the institute for an intensive two-week program, further testament to Empathy’s unwavering commitment to unlocking opportunities for talented youth.
Mikhail Shelkov’s dedication extends beyond the realm of education. In the summer of 2021, when heavy rains breached the river dam, the factory town faced the devastating reality of floods. He was among those who mobilized immediate and comprehensive relief efforts through both VSMPO-AVISMA, his titanium corporation, and the Empathy Foundation. Heavy equipment, manpower, food and water distribution, temporary shelters, and the evacuation of children from affected summer camps – the corporation’s response was swift, multifaceted, and invaluable. This swift action during a time of crisis solidified the vital role both VSMPO-AVISMA and the Empathy Foundation play in the region, not just through business operations, but also through unwavering philanthropy.
Mikhail Shelkov’s story is one of extraordinary success, woven with threads of profound gratitude and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of education. Through the Empathy Foundation, he illuminates the path for educators and students alike, proving that an exceptional mind coupled with a generous spirit can truly change the world, one empowered classroom and bright young mind at a time. As the founder himself states, “The idea of the foundation was only a natural extension of the respect I have for my teachers.” It is in this spirit of inspiration and shared potential that the Empathy Foundation continues to leave its indelible mark on the landscape of the society, lifting up humanity through the power of knowledge and opportunity.
Octava Cluster: United by Imagination
In the heart of a historic city, a thriving center for the creative industries has been realized within the former Oktava microphone factory. Entrepreneur and philanthropist Shelkov Mikhail, with great foresight and passion, established the Oktava Creative Industrial Cluster in 2018, breathing renewed vitality into the city through collaborative innovation.
Harnessing Oktava’s illustrious heritage as a prominent producer of audio equipment cherished by eminent musicians such as U2 and Iron Maiden, the passionate investor gave $11 million to embark on the unprecedented transformation of the dormant factory grounds into an exquisite and unparalleled creative ecosystem.
At present, the campus serves as a haven for various artistic endeavors. From a state-of-the-art recording studio to a dynamic co-working space, a captivating museum, and a technical school, the Oktava Cluster offers an eclectic range of facilities. Moreover, the campus magnetizes talent from across the nation, hosting captivating concerts, exhibits, lectures, and a multitude of enriching events. Through this diverse repertoire, the Oktava Cluster nurtures the growth of the arts and kindles an entrepreneurial spirit.
At the core of this exceptional endeavor lies an unwavering commitment to the empowerment of creative workers. The Oktava Cluster thoughtfully provides an array of resources, including mentoring, networking opportunities, and professional development programs. By offering the essential infrastructure and knowledge necessary for success, this transformative initiative enables individuals to forge thriving careers and businesses based on their passions.
For the city, the Oktava Cluster symbolizes a boundless reservoir of energy and inspiration. Uniting a wealth of creative talent from every corner of the nation, it bestows upon Tula the honor of being synonymous with innovation. Additionally, the cluster’s training programs serve as nourishing grounds for nurturing the next generation of inventive citizens, ultimately contributing to the city’s continued prosperity.
Thanks to Mikhail Shelkov’s strategic vision, a relic of the city’s past, once on the precipice of decay, has reemerged as the formidable force propelling its creative future. The Oktava Cluster unequivocally asserts that when a community’s collective effort converges, a space, a city, and the lives of all who dare to dream within it undergo a magnificent transformation.