Hi, I am Ilya!
I help to turn complex projects into seamless results.
Nice to meet you!
About me
Ilya Garaeff
Project Manager
I bridge the gap between complex technology and global markets. As a CAPM-certified Project Manager with an MBA, I specialize in navigating the technical and cultural nuances of Localization and EdTech.
My approach is rooted in Process Excellence: I don’t just manage tasks; I build data-driven systems that scale. Whether leading cross-functional teams across four continents or designing Quality Control frameworks for e-learning, my focus is always on aligning stakeholders and optimizing workflows for high-stakes delivery. Fluent in English, Spanish, Russian, and Chinese, I ensure that language and culture are never barriers to organizational growth.
Ongoing Projects
Founder/Project Manager
I am currently co-building Bugsy, a minimalist web-based bug tracker for indie developers and small teams. The project is now in the MVP stage, with a completed design system and a live landing page.
Founder/Project Manager
I am building Ilynguist, my solo tutoring and content brand focused on helping students learn languages with confidence. I’m currently developing www.ilynguist.com (launching soon), creating content for YouTube and social media, and growing my student base across platforms like Preply.
Portfolio
The “Flagship” Project: LATAM Website Localization
The “Process Architect” Project: E-Learning Quality Control System
The “Cutting Edge” Project: AI Voice Technology & Annotation
The “Cutting Edge” Project: AI Voice Technology & Annotation
Skills
Technical Project Management
I specialize in structured delivery frameworks tailored to project needs.
Risk & Resource Management: Proactive in identifying bottlenecks and optimizing resource allocation to keep projects within scope and budget.
Agile/Scrum: Expert in facilitating sprints, managing backlogs, and leading stand-ups to ensure iterative progress and flexibility.
Waterfall: Skilled in end-to-end planning, milestone definition, and critical path analysis for high-stakes localization launches.
🧰 The Project Management Toolstack
A craftsman is only as good as his tools. I leverage industry-leading software to maintain 100% transparency and alignment.
Trello & Slack: Utilizing Kanban methodologies and synchronized communication to maintain momentum in remote, distributed teams.
SmartSuite (Power User): My go-to for unified workflow management. I build custom dashboards, automated notification triggers, and relational databases to track everything from QA cycles to course development KPIs.
Jira & Confluence: Expert in managing the software development lifecycle (SDLC), tracking tickets, and maintaining “Single Source of Truth” documentation.
Figma: Fluent in the design-to-dev handoff. I use Figma to audit UI/UX for localized content, ensuring visual integrity across languages.
Strategic Business Analysis
I bridge the gap between high-level business goals and technical execution.
Process Engineering: Passionate about auditing existing workflows and implementing “lean” improvements to eliminate redundancies.
ROI & Business Value: Focused on delivering measurable results—whether it’s reducing translation costs or increasing e-learning engagement.
Stakeholder Engagement: Experienced in navigating complex communication channels between engineering, design, and executive leadership.
🌍 Cross-Cultural Leadership
Project management is 90% communication. In a globalized economy, that communication must be culturally intelligent.
Conflict Resolution: Using my background in international business to mediate between diverse stakeholders, ensuring that cultural nuances become a strength rather than a friction point.
Multilingual Synchronization: Fluent in English, Russian, Spanish, and Chinese. I don’t just translate; I interpret intent, ensuring that technical requirements are understood across linguistic borders.
Global Team Coordination: Proven track record of managing cross-functional teams across LATAM, the U.S., and Asia. I am adept at navigating different time zones, work cultures, and communication styles to foster a cohesive team environment.
Opinions
Ilya contributed to Relayto by creating a user interview script, analyzing interviews, conducting research, and assisting with internal tasks. Though his time with us was brief, he delivered on key research stages and showed solid analytical skills.
Marija Fjodorova
Client Experience Manager, RELAYTO AI
We have studied Master’s together with Ilya and participated in several classes and projects. It was always easy to communicate with Ilya and set individual work to reach the common goal of the team. He always worked fast and went further than what was expected from him to achieve the best possible results. He has unique ideas but most importantly he is also able to make them happen. I am certain that his broad scope of skills will be a great asset to any team across any industry.
Tomas Kejha
Controlling and Data Specialist, Birne by Direct s.r.o.
I highly recommend Ilya for his professionalism, proactive attitude, team-oriented approach, and readiness to embrace new challenges. He is not only capable but also a pleasure to work with, bringing both insight and energy to every project he undertakes.
Luz Valdez
Executive Director, AYP Business School