Rinad is a member of the National Committee for the UNDP Global Environmental Facility and the Science Park & Innovation Center Expert (SPICE) Group, Berlin. He also serves on expert groups for the Small Grants Program of the World Bank in Kazakhstan, the Association of Civil Society Development (ARGO), the Soros Foundation’s Economic Development program, the tourism working group (IEWG) under the Foreign Investors' Council supported by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and the Board of Trustees of the Non-Commercial Partnership of Local Community Foundations.

Rinad holds diplomas from a number of Kazakhstan’s leading universities. He graduated from the departments of economics and history with a master’s degree from East Kazakhstan State University, the department of jurisprudence at Kainar University, and the MBA program at the Kazakhstan Institute of Management, Economics, and Strategic Research (KIMEP). He also has research and analysis experience. Rinad speaks English and Russian.

Contacts:

Tel.: +7 (727) 250 18 10, ext. 113

E-mail: rinad@ef-ca.org 

Contacts:

Tel.: +7 (727) 250 18 10, ext. 114

E-mail: galina@ef-ca.org 

Vitaliy is a graduate of the University of International Business (UIB) with a degree in finance and loans, and successfully completed a course in financial management at the Kazakhstani-Japanese Center. Prior to joining EFCA, he worked in the Almaty office of PetroKazakhstan Overseas Services, Inc. as a finance manager in the treasury department.

Vitaliy has strong skills in corporate finance, financial planning, and analysis. 

Contacts:

Tel.: +7 (727) 250 18 10, ext. 108

E-mail: vitaliy@ef-ca.org 

Contacts:

Tel.: +7 (727) 250 18 10, ext. 109

E-mail: aigerima@ef-ca.org 

Aigul is the author and manager of a multi-faceted program on local community development in the Atyrau region of western Kazakhstan. Her previous projects included NGO development in Astana and corporate social responsibility development.

Aigul holds a PhD and has a Level C certification from the International Project Management Association (IPMA).

Her primary responsibilities at EFCA include project design and management, program monitoring and evaluation, training, and analysis of various social issues, including NGO development, public policy, education, public health, migration, and Kazakhstan’s oil and gas regions.

Contacts:

Tel.: +7 (727) 250 18 10, ext. 133

E-mail: aigul@ef-ca.org 

Alma graduated from the Almaty Institute of Foreign Languages in 1985. She has been recognized by the US Embassy for her contribution to the development of the Classroom Management Idea Book (Almaty, 2009) and received a letter of appreciation for her contribution to the coordination of the “World Wise Schools” program (Washington D.C., 2010). She is also an internationally certified trainer in environmental education (Romania, 2003) and holds a certificate for Educational and Training Programs from Peace Corps USA (Washington D.C., 2005). 

Contacts:

Tel.: +7 (727) 250 18 10, ext. 124

E-mail: alma@ef-ca.org 

Azhar previously worked for the National Bank of Kazakhstan (Almaty) and the Development Bank of Kazakhstan (Astana). She holds a master’s degree in public policy with a focus on development finance, awarded through a joint program between the American University of Paris (France) and New York University (USA). She has also completed studies with the International Monetary Fund Institute (USA) and the World Bank Institute (USA), and participated in professional development courses with a number of central banks in the European Union.

Azhar has been recognized by the head of the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan (G.A. Marchenko) and the President of the Development Bank of Kazakhstan (Z.Z. Zhakanov) for her contribution to the organization and for her professional achievements.

Contacts:

Tel.: +7 (727) 250 18 10, ext. 138

E-mail: azharn@ef-ca.org 

As a student, Akmaral was awarded the Altyn Belgi prize for her educational achievement. She graduated with high honors from the department of international relations at Al Farabi Kazakh National University. Her research work during her time at university focused on “External EU Policy in Central Asian Countries," and she is now applying the lessons she learned into practice at EFCA.

Akmaral is a four-time recipient of academic scholarships from the President of Kazakhstan, and has received recognition from the Department of Education of Kazakhstan, the governor of the East Kazakhstan region, and the rector of Kazakh National University. She was nominated as the “Best Student of East Kazakhstan Region in 2011” and “Best Student of Kazakh National University in 2011." She led an active public life during her student years, serving as president of the Bolashak youth organization and head of the Sunkar Professional Union of Students in the department of international relations at Al Farabi Kazakh National University. 

Contacts:

Tel.: +7 (727) 250 18 10, ext. 130

E-mail: akmaralk@ef-ca.org 

Contacts:

Tel.: +7 (727) 250 18 10, ext. 117

E-mail: vladimir@ef-ca.org