Irina Shmeleva, President of via3pr, founded the agency in 2007. The honored actress of the Russian Federation and former television personality applies her vast experience in the communications field to her work and strategically plans all aspects of client marketing public relations campaigns.

A determined actress, Shmeleva studied at the prestigious Schukin Theater School at Vachtangov State Theater in Moscow and earned her MFA in 1984. Shortly after immigrating to the United States in 1999, Shmeleva worked as a reporter for Television of Russia (TVR) and hosted the station's popular show "Dreams Factory". Afterwards, she became a student of NYU’s School of Continuing and Professional studies and earned certificates in the fields of Public Relations and Marketing in 2002 and 2005. In 2005 Shmeleva began working as Director of Public Relations for Davidzon Radio. Under her direction, Davidzon soared to the top as an influential and well-known radio station among the Tri-State area's Russian community. Now, as founder and president of via3pr, she is dedicated to connecting her clients to the public.

Irina Shmeleva was born in the Ural mountain region of the Russian Federation. She has starred in more than 30 films and worked as a leading actress in Moscow's Theater named after Gogol. She was given the Honored Actress of the Russian Federation title by Boris Yeltsin in 1995.