Kazakhstan

Co-organiser of Urban Forum Almaty

As a co-organiser of Urban Forum Almaty, Adil is responsible for strategic planning and analysis. Urban Forum Almaty is an ongoing city-wide platform for dialogue between citizens and city administration, which works in various dimensions, including research, advocacy, educational activities and support of grassroots urban initiatives. 

Trained as a political scientist, Adil holds a PhD degree. His research interests include civil society, citizen engagement and new media. He has authored numerous articles in local and international news and academic media. In 2000-2007 Adil worked as a political consultant in Russia and Kazakhstan, before starting the Competitiveness Research Centre, a think tank, as well as being an editor for a number of international media outlets. In 2011-16, he taught media and political communications in the International IT University and KIMEP University in Almaty.

General Director of Nazarbayev University Research and Innovation System

He graduated from the N. Bauman Moscow Higher Technical School in 1989. From 1990 to 1995 he took up postgraduate study at the Ordzhonikidze Aviation Institute, obtaining a Candidate of Technical Science Degree in 1996. From 1999 till 2000 he took a Post-Doctoral internship at Stanford University. He began his career in 1998 at the National Atomic Company KazAtomProm, and from 2003 served as Senior Manager at the National Innovation Fund.

He has also served as Project Coordinator at the Almaty Branch of Kazakhmys PLC. He was the Managing Director and member of the Board of Directors of the PARASAT National Science and Technological Holding. From 2009 till 2010 he was Vice Minister for Education and Science. From 2011 till 2016 he was Managing Director of Nazarbayev University Research and Innovation System, with responsibility for innovation, science and business development.

Founder of the creative communications platform Artcom

Aigerim Kapar curates and organises exhibitions, art interventions, discussions, lectures and workshops, in addition to working with museums, art galleries and scientific and educational institutions.

Artcom is an open platform aimed at fostering an environment for the development of contemporary art and culture in Kazakhstan. It is a platform that brings together culture professionals to share experience and find ways to interact with communities, businesses and government authorities and to implement joint interdisciplinary projects.

In 2017, Aigerim initiated the Art Collider project aimed at connecting art and science, in which artists and scientists jointly conducted artistic research of Astana. The project’s results were presented at the contemporary art exhibition “Time & Astana: After Future” held at the National Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Specialist of the Department of Strategic Planning of Astana Convention Bureau 

Ainura Turezhanova works as a specialist of the Department of Strategic Planning of Astana Convention Bureau LLP. In 2012, she graduated from KIMEP University where she studied Economics of Business. Ms Turezhanova has six years of work experience in state financing for technology development and business incubation. She also participated in IVHQ’s volunteer programme in Kenya.

Director, Public Foundation “Eco-Culture”, curator of social and art projects

Projects: ETO-Dvor, Workshop of Design Thinking, Theatre of Neighbours, Art Energy Almaty festival, 2018 city design contest “Almaty – Warm City”, Almaty Squirrel, research for UNICEF's Child-Friendly City Initiative and Urban Forum Kazakhstan.

Activities and areas of interest: research, creation and development of a city’s local communities and public spaces using art and culture instruments, research related to a city’s sociology.

Head of the Department of Investments and Entrepreneurship Development of the Akimat (Office of the Mayor) of Astana

Alisher Abdykadyrov studied Economics at Lomonosov Moscow State University, where he received his BBA and MBA.

Alisher started his career in 2009 as an expert in the investment projects unit of the Department of Investment Activities of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Industry and Trade. In 2016, he was appointed the head of the Department of Investments and Entrepreneurship Development within Astana’s Akimat.

In recognition of his achievements, Mr. Abdykadyrov was awarded the commemorative medal “20 Years of Independence of the Republic of Kazakhstan.”

Founder & CEO, tech hub SmArt.Point

Amirkhan is a founder and CEO of tech hub SmArt.Point, where 45 startups & tech companies are located, with more than 600 employees, and overall revenue of 300 mln USD.

Amirkhan holds a BSc in Economics degree from Suleyman Demirel University. He has a strong career background in strategy and business development with 11 years of experience in Ernst & Young, Alageum Electric & Mercury Properties.

Founder and designer, FILO

Anastassiya Leonova is a designer of furniture, lighting and home accessories.

In 2016, she founded the FILO brand of designer furniture and lighting. In 2018, she co-founded the SREDALAB design solutions studio. Leonova has participated in various exhibitions in London, Milan and Moscow. She is a Bronze A'Design Award Winner in the Lighting Products and Lighting Projects design category in 2017 for her Mobius Ceiling Lamp.

Managing Director, Producer, ARTiSHOK Theatre

Anastassiya Tarassova started working as an actress at the ARTiSHOK theatre in 2008. In 2013, she became a development manager and in 2015, she was appointed a managing director and producer of the theatre. Anastassiya studied at the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University majoring in journalism and public relations and at the Central Asian School of Performing Arts.

ARTiSHOK is the first private theatre in Kazakhstan established in 2001 in Almaty by a team of professional actors, stage directors and art managers. The theatre is a one-of-a-kind non-state theatre company in Central Asia. It is fully independent in managing its stages and budget, attracting financing and developing its audience and expanding partnership network.

Producer of city projects and co-founder of the Citizen Space bureau 

Anel Moldakhmetova is a specialist in strategic communications, a researcher of urban architecture and environment and a public figure.  She is a co-founder of the Archcode Almaty project aimed at researching and preserving the architectural heritage of Almaty. Anel is also a co-founder of Urban Talks – a discussion and education platform for urban development professionals and activists. 

Anel worked as a communications specialist and an ideologist and coordinator for the AUA Working Group which is a project for monitoring the quality of air in Almaty. She participated in the research for creating the concept for the SmArt.Point public space, worked as a member of the working group for creating the Urban Planning Centre of Almaty, Alliance of Cyclists and Pedestrians, etc.