Elena Ivanova works where data meets regulation, planning, and everyday utility management. As Data Strategy Expert at Sofiyska Voda (Sofia Water), she coordinates performance reporting to Bulgaria’s national regulator and to international platforms such as NewIBNET. Serving 1.3 million people, Sofia Water operates in a highly regulated environment where KPIs directly influence business plans and tariffs. National benchmarking has long been part of the utility’s DNA, and NewIBNET adds a valuable global perspective. Benchmarking confirms that Sofia Water performs relatively well in some areas, such as NRW compared to national peers, while also showing room for improvement against leading international utilities. Management Practices results highlighted that even with good operational outcomes, stronger documentation, cross-departmental data use, and systematic processes are needed. Elena’s role is to translate these insights into management intelligence supporting investment planning, service quality improvements, and projects such as the energy-neutrality pathway of the Kubratovo Wastewater Treatment Plant. Looking ahead, Sofia Water plans to embed NewIBNET results into internal dashboards, scenario analysis, and regulatory dialogue. Elena’s story illustrates how benchmarking can move beyond compliance to become a strategic management tool. At the IWA World Water Congress in Bangkok, Elena Ivanova represen ted Sofia Water in the peer-story segment, sharing how the utility uses benchmarking and performance data to support investment planning, regulatory dialogue, and its strategic path toward energy-neutral operations at key facilities such as the Kubratovo Wastewater Treatment Plant. Image