Coordination Center director, 2001-2005

Maria Stepanova, the first director of the Coordination Center, graduated from MEPhI. Before the Coordination Center was established, she took part in creating Relcom, the first Russian computer network; worked on the National Electronic Library project, and consulted RIPN on issues of international cooperation. In recent years, she has managed project activities, participated in the development of large IT projects, and now works in a Rostelecom subsidiary.

Education
MEPhI, K Department, specialty 0608 "Electronic computers"

Before the Coordination Center:
Maria Stepanova worked at the Kurchatov Institute and Relcom, where she took part in establishing and operating the Relcom network; later with the National News Service news agency, she worked on the National Electronic Library project, while also consulting the Russian Institute for Public Networks (RIPN) on issues of international cooperation.

Years in the industry:
38 years

Today:
For the last six years, Maria Stepanova has managed and developed large IT projects. Today she works in a Rostelecom subsidiary. She is a daughter, wife, mother and grandmother, and also a cat owner.

Main events at the center during her tenure:
The founding of the Coordination Center and the separation of the functions of domain registration and domain technical support, and the establishment of the institute of independent registrars.

Maria’s brief characterization of the Coordination Center during her tenure
A center of compromises.