Kyrgyzstan

Founder, English Zone

Ernis Adylbekov is the founder of the English Zone – a network of English language schools in Bishkek. The idea of his business was to help people realise their potential in learning English through acting, singing, debating and making presentations. Ernis’s position is that practice is the way to perfection and he wants to create an environment where students are being involved instead of being taught. English Zone currently has five schools in Kyrgyzstan with over 900 students.

Ernis believes that the best payoff comes from investing in education.

Co-Founder and Director General, Ethnographic Complex SUPARA

Janyl is a co-founder and Director General of the Ethnographic Complex SUPARA, Ethno-Resort SUPARA CHUNKURCHAK, and SUPARA TALKAN Confectionary, a group of companies, whose mission is to revive the traditional culture of the Kyrgyz people, including nomadic cuisine and hospitality. 

Janyl is also Chair of the Board of Directors of the Shoro Company, Board member of the Young Entrepreneurs Association and Vice-President of the Archery Federation of the Kyrgyz Republic. She has an MBA from the Bishkek International School of Management and Business. 

Founder of the American University of Central Asia (AUCA)

Kamila Sharshekeeva is the founder of the American University of Central Asia (AUCA) and International University of Central Asia (IUCA), initiator of the Republican Test, the SIFE-Enactus Programme and the EdNet Agency for Quality Assurance in Education in Kyrgyzstan and former Minister of Education of the Kyrgyz Republic. Currently, she is the provost of IUCA.

Partner at I-Media Bureau

In 2011 Nargiza played an active part in launching Loft Tseh, the first creative space in Central Asia; Loft Tseh has been a cultural and educational centre in the capital city of Kyrgyzstan for many years and has initiated a lot of creative and social projects. 

She was an active participant in the development and approval of the specifications for the country’s national symbols. Nargiza is a member of the working group which develops Kyrgyzstan’s brand platform and marketing strategy for tourism.

Executive Director, Centre for Growth and Development and Centre for Continuing Education at American University of Central Asia (AUCA), instructor, coach

Natalia Slastnikova is an experienced manager, teacher and coach with over 20 years of working experience in higher education and over 15 years of work as a top manager in organisational development. She was successful in implementing various innovative projects from scratch and participated in five new projects of AUCA, including the establishment of the Alumni Association, the Annual Fund, the council of consultants for the Business Management Programme, the Career Centre and the Centre for Continuing Education (CEC) at AUCA. 

Natalia worked as an expert, consultant and coach in the projects of EdNet and Eurasia related to the establishment and development of more than 20 career development centres in universities and colleges of Kyrgyzstan.

Advisor to the Mayor of Osh

Samidin works as an advisor to the Mayor of Osh. In 2008, Samidin graduated from the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University where he studied international relations. He started his career as a journalist; later he worked as a news editor at radio companies. After that he worked as an economist, spending several years in banking until he was invited to work for the government. Currently, he advises the Office of the Mayor of Osh about investment and economic development issues and works on supporting innovative start-ups in Osh.

Head of Nazik Kyz - the public association of young women with disabilities

Since 2012, Ukei does fashion design. But her first design experience was in 2008 when Ukei and girls with disabilities presented their  “Independent Ladies” collection at the Fashion Week in Kyrgyzstan. Ukei is a social entrepreneur, fashion designer and feminist artist. She founded the Eco-Bashtyk from Bishkek project and chairs the Coalition for Equality and Non-Discrimination.