About me
Stefan Tochev, appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MDPI in June 2023, strongly believes in a future that embraces openness, where open source, open information, and open access (OA) take centre stage. This belief led him to join MDPI in 2020. As CEO and in close liaison with MDPI’s president, Dr Lin, and senior management, he works to build on Dr Lin’s achievements and focus on communication initiatives to promote MDPI's remarkable work, establishing MDPI as a trusted leader in OA publishing. For over two decades, MDPI has been at the forefront of reshaping the academic publishing landscape, with OA surpassing subscription-based publishing in 2020. This trajectory is deeply rooted in MDPI’s history and reflects our unwavering commitment and vision for an open future.
Educational Background
Stefan's academic journey began at the University of Guelph, where he earned a BA Honors in Sociology. This, coupled with a Post-Diploma in Marketing Management from George Brown College, laid the foundation for his understanding of market dynamics and consumer behaviour. This unique blend of sociology and marketing expertise fueled his success in previous Project Management and Market Research Consultant roles, particularly in the pharmaceuticals and healthcare sectors.
Servant Leadership
Under Stefan's leadership, MDPI has seen improved growth and innovation, particularly in its corporate marketing strategies and employee engagement efforts. His leadership style, deeply rooted in collaboration and servant leadership, has fostered a culture of empowerment and opportunity. Stefan's completion of an intensive altMBA workshop in 2022 further enriched his strategic thinking and
Stefan's vision extends beyond traditional publishing models. He is a staunch advocate for OA, viewing it as a key driver for a more inclusive, collaborative, and innovative society. Under his guidance, MDPI continues to play a critical role in transforming the landscape of scientific publishing, making research more accessible on a global scale.
A Personal Passion for AI and its link to Open Access
Stefan's interest in the synergy between AI and OA publishing underscores his forward-thinking approach. He believes that OA is vital for AI development, providing essential data and research that fuel AI innovation. This perspective highlights Stefan's commitment to leveraging technology for progress and his vision for a future where information sharing and AI drive global advancements.
Looking Forward
As the world’s leading OA publisher, MDPI is actively liberating science. We are committed to eliminating the frustrations researchers and the general public face when accessing information, ensuring it is not locked behind paywalls. Stefan firmly believes that everyone has a right to information, and our commitment to OA publishing drives our work.