Iliyana has a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and Control and a Master's degree in International Economic Relations from the University of National and World Economy, Sofia, and a  Master's degree in Psychology from St. Kliment Ohridsky Sofia University. She attended the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University in Frankfurt am Main, with majors American Studies and Business.  

Her professional background features over 15 years of experience as a Branch Network Manager, Project Manager and Distribution Manager in the financial sector.  She is an experienced translator and tutor in English and German, and also speaks Russian and Spanish.