We are a team of experienced policy and public affairs professionals, bringing deep regional knowledge and hands-on sectoral expertise combined with a passion for delivering desirable outcomes for our clients.
Nazim is a seasoned professional with 20+ years of experience in leading communications, public affairs, and policy at Apple, Philips, United Nations across 16 Eurasian markets including Central Asia and the South Caucasus. Experienced in crisis communication and stakeholder management, Nazim translates critical business issues into winning public outreach tactics. Managed teams 30+ across regional markets both in-house and out-of-agency. Domain knowledge of consumer electronics, new media, digital marketplaces & ecosystems, and healthcare. MA in Corporate Communications, Duquesne University, USA.
Oleg is a Policy and Public Affairs Consultant with 15+ years of diverse international experience in the Tech Industry, working with a wide range of tech and cybersecurity companies in EMEA and APAC. He contributed to policy and research papers of the leading international think tanks, including UNIDIR (Switzerland), RSIS (Singapore), and ITSS Verona (Italy). As a former member of the INTERPOL Global Cybercrime Experts Group and Europol Advisory Group on Internet Security, Oleg took part in high-profile cybercrime investigations. He holds MA in International Affairs, King's College London, UK and CIPP/E Certification.
Evgeny brings over 15 years of expertise in government relations, policy analysis, sustainability, corporate communications, and ESG reporting. Earlier, Evgeny served as the Head of Public Affairs, Europe at a global cybersecurity company, and worked with some of the largest international communications agencies, including Edelman, PBN/Hill+Knowlton, and Grayling/MMD, advising multinational companies across various industries such as pharmaceuticals, ICT and others. MA from the Higher School of Economics, Russia, and MSc from University College London, UK.
Aizat has a strong public affairs and policy consultancy track record in Central Asia. She advised multiple international clients at Aretera Public Affairs on political and regulatory developments in the region. Prior to that, she had various roles at international development institutions like UNHCR, UNDP, Open Society Foundation, American Councils, USAID and others. She has extensive experience in project management with a successful track record designing, administering, and implementing projects with tangible results. Aizat holds an MA in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of St. Andrews, UK.
Andre Manning is a senior communications & marketing leader and trusted C-suite advisor with 25+ years of international experience. Now in charge of Comms and Public Affairs at Tata Steel Nederland, he earlier was VP for Corp Comms at Switzerland-based Australian packaging giant Amcor, led PR and Public Affairs at Booking.com, and served as VP for Communications Royal Philips. His other roles included Managing Director at Logeion, the Dutch organization for comms professionals, change management consultant at Akzo Nobel, and a senior consultant at Base Consulting.
Bruno Balvanera has over three decades of experience as a Development Banker focused on CIS and Latin America. During his tenure at the European Bank for Development and Reconstruction, he was Managing Director for Central Asia, Regional Director for Caucasus, Moldova, and Belarus, and Regional Director for the local offices in Russia. Bruno currently serves as an Independent Member of the Supervisory Board of Liberty Bank (Georgia) and Business Development Bank BDB (Uzbekistan). Member of the Mexican think-tank COMEXI and a fintech investor, he is a renowned strategy and business consultant.
David Gallagher is a communications industry veteran, who led Ketchum Europe for over two decades and later headed Omnicom PR Group, focusing on the holding’s PR business growth and development in Europe and Asia. In 2021 he co-authored a book “Truth Be Told: How Authentic Marketing and Communications Wins In The Purposeful Age” (with John O'Brien). He is co-founder and partner at Folgate Advisors, a communications business consultancy and investor with Next Practices Group. David also serves as an independent advisor to agencies and NGOs in the US, Europe, and Asia.
Maggie Jones Patterson, professor of journalism at Duquesne University, is a former reporter for the Pittsburgh Press. She has co-authored four books, including "Murder in our Midst: Comparing the Ethics of Crime Coverage in a Globalized Age". She teaches Investigative Reporting, Media Ethics, Media Writing, and a course about gender in media. She is the former President of the Pittsburgh Society of Professional Journalists, and sits on the Boards of PublicSource, an online nonprofit news service . and the Women’s and Gender Studies program at Duquesne.
Stephan Neumeier has over two decades of experience in senior management roles in technology and cybersecurity across diverse markets including Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Europe. He ran business transformation and sales excellence initiatives at Cisco, McAfee, Avaya, Intel Security, and Kroll Cyber among others. Stephan received the ACES Award as an Outstanding Leader in Asia. Stephan is a sought-after cybersecurity speaker and serves as an advisor at Root 5 Consulting, a specialist executive search firm in cybersecurity.
Diana is a seasoned public affairs and communications professional with a track record in public and private sector, international nonprofits, and business chambers. She turned AmCham into an influential advocacy platform for international business and led the Armenian British Business Chamber. Before joining HSBC Armenia as Head of Communications, she supported government reforms as a Team Lead for Public Relations at USAID and served in a similar role at the Ministry of Finance and Economy. MPA from Harvard Kennedy School and MS from New York University.
Tatyana Mikayilova is a prolific entrepreneur with a strong background in strategic communications, having founded multiple successful ventures. Her extensive experience in managing large-scale projects involving numerous stakeholders and complex logistics includes high-profile projects and events. Her work with large international companies and the public sector is a proof of versatility and expertise, and Tatyana's client portfolio includes Mastercard, Coca-Cola, Microsoft, Electrolux, Bosch, British Airways, Turkish Airlines, Flydubai, Uber, as well as various ministries and government entities in Azerbaijan and abroad.
Murad Muradov is a co-founder and deputy director of the Topchubashov Center, an independent, non-governmental non-profit international relations think tank in Azerbaijan. He is an expert in the security and geopolitics of the Caucasus, post-Soviet countries, international political economy and energy affairs. He is also a member of prestigious fellowships worldwide, including the John Smith Trust Fellowship for Wider Europe (2017). Murad holds M.A. in Diplomacy and International Affairs from the Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy and an M.Sc. in Comparative Politics from the London School of Economics, UK.
Teona is an experienced strategic communications professional specializing in business and technology. With over 15 years of expertise in public and government relations for international tech companies in Georgia and other emerging markets, Teona has worked with renowned brands such as Mastercard, Glovo, Viber, and USAID. She serves on the board of Women for Tomorrow, Georgia's leading business in entrepreneurship. Teona holds MA in Digital Sociology from the University of Edinburgh and pursues a PhD at the Business and Technology University of Georgia.
Lika is an economic development consultant with extensive experience in policy consulting and project management. She has managed and coordinated economic development initiatives led by international organizations such as World Bank, EBRD, and USAID and serves as a national consultant within UNDP's "EU Innovative Action for Private Sector Competitiveness in Georgia" and ADB's " Reinvigorating Regional Cooperation in South Caucasus and Central Asia Amid External Shocks". MA in Economics from the International School of Economics at Tbilisi State University.
Tornike is a banker with more than 14 years of successful track record of working with two out of three systemically important banks in Georgia in retail and business banking, as well as state and private investment funds. In his last position, Tornike spearheaded the retail business at Liberty Bank, driving over-the-market growth, change, and innovation. Before this, he managed the Retail and Small Business divisions at TBC Bank, having previously successfully built a Research arm of TBC Group. He has an MBA from the University of Oxford, Saïd Business School, and is a CFA charter holder.
Erqanat is an established communication and advocacy practitioner with diverse government, private, non-profit and media management background in Kazakhstan. As a Chairman at Kazakh Association of Minority Shareholders, he proved instrumental to drive national regulation in the field of investment protection. Earlier he directed government affairs for Freedom Broker, a part of the Freedom Holding Corp., headed the Center of Social Partnership, and led corporate communications at Samruk-Kazyna, Kazakstan’s sovereign wealth fund. Editor-in-chief and a founder at www.lsm.kz and www.finmarket.kz. Law degree, KAZGUU, Kazakhstan.
Arman is a senior expert with progressive government relations and business development career in engineering, oil and gas, and FMCG. A policy advisor at ExxonMobil Kazakhstan he is tasked with boosting the company’s footprint in the nation’s largest refining enterprises - Tengiz, Kashagan, and Caspian Pipeline Consortium. Prior, he led regional external and government affairs at Philip Morris, General Electric, and British American Tobacco in Central Asia and the South Caucasus. He also has 20 years of public service experience in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and later in the Presidential Administration. Degree in Sociology, Kazan State University, Russia.
Rustam is an experienced legal professional with a 22-year track record in Kazakhstan’s corporate business. For 12 years he headed the legal team at USKO International helping clients like Procter Gamble, Colgate-Palmolive, L’Oreal, Nestle, JTI, and Adidas. Since 2014, he led legal & corporate affairs at CNPC Kazakhstan and was involved in major investment projects, including Mangistaumunaigaz, CNPC-Aktobemunaigaz, PetroKazakhstan, and others. Earlier he served as a Legal Adviser to President of KIMEP University. He teaches ESG, corporate law, and management at Almaty Management University. PhD in Law, Al-Farabi Kazakh National University
Tariyel is the founder of Change PR, a leading comms agency in Kazakhstan, whose clients include British Airways, Intel, Coca-Cola, Carlsberg, LEGO, Xerox, UNICEF, UNDP, Etihad Airways, Boehringer Ingelheim, and others. He taught PR at KIMEP University and served in the world’s top communications agencies like PRP Weber Shandwick and Action Global Communications. He began his career as a journalist and political observer in Azerbaijan prior to joining a global communications agency, followed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). He later led. He holds an MA in PR and Communication Sciences from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, US.
Raushan is a senior business executive and former CEO at several international pharma companies. Now an independent consultant, she advises local and foreign drug manufacturers on business development, licensing, and market access in Kazakhstan, Central Asia, Caucasus, and the Eurasian Economic Union. Earlier, Raushan served at the Spanish Ferrer, the Swiss Medial D&P, the Indian giant Sun Pharma, and the world's top pharma brand - Johnson&Johnson. She graduated with an MD (physician) qualification from the Kazakh National Medical University.
Nurlan is an accomplished senior IT & Telecom professional with over two decades of successful track record in both government and private business. A C-level executive in Kyrgyzstan’s largest Internet provider, Nurlan is renowned for introducing innovative digital solutions to drive infrastructural improvements nationwide. As a former deputy Minister of Transport and Communications of the Kyrgyz Republic, he pioneered the set-up and launch of the National IT park, currently hosting 90% of local IT talent and business. Computer Science graduate, Nurlan also holds an MA in Public Administration, University of Birmingham, UK.
Dastan is a former senior member of the Kyrgyz government. As a Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Development, he designed and led digital development, e-governance, IT, telecom, and cybersecurity initiatives. For his efforts, Dastan received the highest state award of the Kyrgyz Republic – the «Dank» Medal of Honor. His earlier roles include Chairman of the State Registration Agency, Digital Development Advisor to the President, and Chairman of the State Committee of IT and Communications. He also advises Kyrgyzstan's largest commercial bank and telecom operator. MPA from Harvard Kennedy School, USA.
Chynara is a senior public health professional with over 25 years of experience shaping healthcare policies, advising Ministries of Healthcare, WHO, USAID, Soros Foundation, UK’s DFID, Red Cross, and others in Central Asia. Lately, she’s been focusing on designing and managing USAID tuberculosis (TB) portfolio programming in the region. She played a pivotal role in donor-funded programs to improve national Health Systems, HIV/AIDS, Maternal and Child Health, Family Planning & Reproductive Health, and national COVID-19. MSW in Health Management and Administration from Washington University in Saint Louis, USA
Mar is a former senior member of the Kyrgyz Government, he served in and later led Protocol function in Prime Minister’s office and Presidential Administration for 15 years. He was in charge of Kyrgyz representation at the summits of Commonwealth of Independent States, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Collective Security Treaty Organization, other high level events home and abroad. Earlier he facilitated international relations at Jogorku Kenesh, the National Parliament and curated Eastern countries at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. BA in International Relations from Kyrgyz State National University.
As a co-founder of 'ilmhona' skills accelerator advancing digital skills building for economic development, and Risha Solutions impact consultancy, Shuhratjon has an extensive experience and network in Tajikistan. He has engaged range of multilateral organizations and international development agencies advising them on communications, advocacy, and government relations. His expertise spans policy design, strategic communications, and knowledge management, complemented by extensive experience in government relations and international development. He has Masters in Public Policy from the University of Oxford, UK.
As the Chief Investment Officer at Accelerate Prosperity, Asadbek spearheads an investment team and steers a tech-centric portfolio within Tajikistan's foremost enterprise accelerator. Previously, Asadbek co-founded and managed a local consulting firm to advise UNDP, the US Embassy, Oxfam, CNPC, TBEA, and TALCO. In 2006-20 as CFO, he played a pivotal role in structural reforms at the flagship companies, including Tcell, Somon Air, TALCO, and Orien Group. Asadbek volunteers as an advisor and mentor at the National Council and the PEAK Enterprise. MBA, Kyrgyz-Russian Slavonic University, Kyrgyzstan.
Maria is a founder of the Dushanbe Marketing Club - a platform that brings together professionals of the industry. She also heads marketing at Network Solutions, a local broadband internet leader. Priorly, Maria was in charge of large projects and regional engagement at MegaFon, the nation’s largest mobile operator, orchestrating company-wide efforts to run the award-winning campaigns, inclunding MegaFon LIFE festival and Peak MegaFon national events among others. At Beeline, the second largest operator she led PR team to successfully drive brand loyalty and share of voice. MBA from AlmaU, Kazakhstan.
Alyor has over 15 years of experience working in a multicultural environment in 10+ countries spanning from Uzbekistan to Mongolia and Southeast Asia. Skilled in education, international development and project management in international organizations, private foreign and Uzbek investment companies, banking sector and the State Service sector of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Alyor also provides services as a private consultant in recruitment, learning and development and career advisory. B. A. in International Relations from Tashkent State Institute of Oriental Studies.
Sevil is a co-founder and managing director of Uzbekistan’s first specialized PR agency Maslov:Tashkent and a successful marketing entrepreneur and influencer. She worked with leading global corporations, such as Mastercard, Oracle, Honeywell, Western Union, Philips, Carlsberg, and Acwa Power, as well as with local market leaders, including Akfa Group, Korzinka, and Uzum. She designed a communications strategy for the presidential electoral campaign in 2021 and worked with state agencies and international organizations. BA in Journalism from the Uzbek State University of World Languages.
Lola is a banking professional with an impressive career trajectory within the leading Uzbek banks, where she oversaw loan and microcredit departments. More recently, she has transitioned into consulting EBRD, World Bank, FAO (UN), and other multilateral institutions on corporate governance, microcredit, and gender equality. She champions female entrepreneurship, with a focus on volatile groups in rural areas. Fluent in four languages, she bridges cultural divides within Uzbekistan, catering to the needs of global brands like P&G, Nestle, and PepsiCo, facilitating market access strategies.
Zolbayar is the Founder & CEO of Capital Markets Mongolia, a research and advisory firm in Ulaanbaatar with a broad clientele from several key industries such as banking, fintech, transportation, and manufacturing. Zolbayar is also a co-founder of Lemon Press, a leading financial media company specializing in data, news, analytics, and market insights in Mongolia. He serves as a board member of the Mongolian Association of Securities Dealers and has played a pivotal role in establishing Mongolia’s first mutual fund. MA Economics from New York University, US.
Haliunaa is an Executive Partner at a law firm in Mongolia with over 15 years of professional track in both private and public domains. She served as a Chief Compliance Officer at Ard Financial Group, the largest diversified holding company in the nation where she facilitated major M&A deals and spearheaded the legal team through the company’s IPO. Earlier, she was a Legal Counsel at APU, the country’s largest brewer and beverage manufacturer. A member of the Mongolian Bar Association. MBA Finance at Cardiff Metropolitan University, UK.