Alexey Alexandrovich Mordashov, born on September 26, 1965, in Cherepovets, Russia, is a Russian steel and industrial magnate who built his colossal empire from a modest Soviet background. He grew up the son of workers at the local steel mill, the very enterprise he would later acquire and transform.

His education was driven by intellectual rigor, resulting in a Bachelor's and Master's degree from the Leningrad Engineering-Economics Institute (now St. Petersburg State University of Economics and Finance). Crucially, while there, he met his lifelong mentor, Anatoly Chubais, a key architect of Russia’s post-Soviet privatization. Mordashov later honed his financial acumen by completing an MBA at Northumbria University in Newcastle, UK, providing the perfect synthesis of industrial knowledge and Western capitalist management.

Alexey Mordashov’s career is the quintessential post-Soviet success story. Immediately after graduating in 1988, he returned to his hometown and started as an economist at the massive Cherepovets Steel Mill. Recognizing the opportunity presented by privatization in the early 1990s, Mordashov masterminded a brilliant acquisition strategy: he bought shares directly from mill workers who were selling them cheaply, gradually accumulating a controlling stake.

By 1996, at just 31, he had secured the position of CEO and became the principal owner of the enterprise, renamed Severstal. He transformed the company into a vertically integrated powerhouse through relentless modernization and acquisition, controlling the entire process from iron ore and coal mining to finished steel products. Beyond steel, his bold diversification led to the acquisition of a massive stake in the global tourism giant TUI Group, cementing his reputation as a versatile industrial titan.

Alexey Mordashov’s philanthropy reflects his connection to his roots and his interest in culture, arts, and education, often focusing on his native region. His giving is strategic and aims for long-term impact on civic and cultural life.

• Cultural Patronage: He is a well-known patron of the arts, making major contributions to cultural institutions, including the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg.
• Education and Local Development: A significant portion of his corporate giving is directed toward educational and social projects in Cherepovets, the city where his empire was born, funding schools and cultural centers.
• Corporate Responsibility: Through Severstal, he emphasizes support for veterans and implements strict environmental protection programs, embodying a kind of modern industrial paternalism for his workforce.