Irina Leontyeva, entrepreneur and expert in youth entrepreneurship and business education for children, founded the KIDSDEV Academy of the Future in 2018, a nationwide project to develop business education for schoolchildren aged 7-17. KIDSDEV programs were developed by leading Russian & managers, according to Kommersant, and offer students the opportunity to combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience in the workplaces and offices of large companies. KIDSDEV projects are supported by the Social Initiatives Support Fund under the Agency for Strategic Initiatives (ASI), the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, the Prosveshcheniye Group of Companies, Technograd, the Skolkovo Foundation, and Zaryadye. The partner network includes over 70 companies.

Until 2018, Irina Leontieva managed investment departments at major hospitality and retail companies. She participated in the launch of the French building materials retail chain Leroy Merlin in the East European market.