Larisa joined the UN in 2001 bringing 10 years’ experience of innovative and creative approaches in pedagogical practices at high school and university levels. She was employed as Education for All (EFA) Country Adviser by UNDP Moldova and UNESCO Moscow Office, and later as ECD Officer by UNICEF Moldova.  As UN Focal Point for Education in 2001-2008, she helped to position the UN in the education sector. She advocated for and mainstreamed EFA priorities through UNDAF, EGPRSP, MDGs and other major development instruments. She coordinated and leaded the EFA/FTI process in Moldova since 2005 acting as a liaison person between the Government, UN, the WB and the EFA/FTI Secretariat. As the Chair of the EFA/FTI-GPE Advisory Group and LEG, she ensured overall efficiency and effectiveness of the FTI Grants’ management, delivery and accomplishment of program goals and objectives with a focus on monitoring inequalities and disparities at all levels.

Prior to joining UN, Larisa worked as an expert in education and then as Deputy-Secretary General for the National Commission for UNESCO.

She graduated with honors from Balti Pedagogical University. PhD fellow at the State University of Moldova. She did short-term fellowships at Harvard University and University of Pennsylvania, USA, and UNESCO International Institute for Educational Planning, France. She's the author of three school manuals and a series of articles on education.