My corporate experience and education
1997-2000 Internews Network Kazakhstan
Heavily armed group of opposition soldiers in Tajikistan. 1997
I started working at Internews Kazakhstan as soon as I returned from my exchange year in the US.
I have translated tons of trainings and seminar for the journalists, operators and editors. I've done so many of them that I've memorized this information and learnt how to write, film and edit. And even used this knowledge in my further career!
I've travelled with the Central Asia News advisor over Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan (where we organized the first televised presidential election debates), Tajikistan (where we met with the opposition leaders towards the end of the war, as well as Uzbekistan, where we held training for the journalists from Turkmenistan, as it was too dangerous to travel to Tajikistan, four UN workers were killed there at that time.
I have translated tons of trainings and seminar for the journalists, operators and editors. I've done so many of them that I've memorized this information and learnt how to write, film and edit. And even used this knowledge in my further career!
I've travelled with the Central Asia News advisor over Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan (where we organized the first televised presidential election debates), Tajikistan (where we met with the opposition leaders towards the end of the war, as well as Uzbekistan, where we held training for the journalists from Turkmenistan, as it was too dangerous to travel to Tajikistan, four UN workers were killed there at that time.
2000 -2006 Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Embassy porch, 2006. How many times did I walk these stairs and open that door?
On 1st of April, 2000, I officially started working at the Dutch Embassy in Almaty. The next six and a half years were the happiest time in my career, as I can now appreciate.
I was an Officer on Culture, Press and Development Cooperation. And I was Ambassador's translator, which means I was responsible for his travel agenda and I've travelled with two Ambassadors (over these years) all over the region of our jurisdiction, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
I've been very lucky to have worked with some of the brightest Dutch diplomats over the years (today some of them occupy high positions in the Dutch government or serve as Ambassadors). I've personally met Foreign Minister Mr Bernard Bot, who came to Kazakhstan with an official visit.
I was an Officer on Culture, Press and Development Cooperation. And I was Ambassador's translator, which means I was responsible for his travel agenda and I've travelled with two Ambassadors (over these years) all over the region of our jurisdiction, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
I've been very lucky to have worked with some of the brightest Dutch diplomats over the years (today some of them occupy high positions in the Dutch government or serve as Ambassadors). I've personally met Foreign Minister Mr Bernard Bot, who came to Kazakhstan with an official visit.
Andre Kuipers, fresh from the outer space
Once I got to pick up the Dutch Astronaut Andrew Kuiper's from outer space. He and two other astronauts landed in Kazakhstan on a Dutch National Holiday, so we traveled there together with the official Dutch Cheese Girl, who got on the plane in her Dutch National costume and wooden shoes attracting lots of attention, and served Andre Kuipers some excellent cheese as soon as he was retrieved from the landing cocoon.
I was extremely impressed by Mr. Kuper's fluent Russian, as well as strength and patience, as after a rather rough landing and retrieval and delivery to the base, he was very spot on in the press-conference answering all the questions in English, Russian and Dutch.
I was extremely impressed by Mr. Kuper's fluent Russian, as well as strength and patience, as after a rather rough landing and retrieval and delivery to the base, he was very spot on in the press-conference answering all the questions in English, Russian and Dutch.
When we were not traveling, I was dedicating my time to the educational programs, sending Kazakh graduate students to get there masters degrees in the Dutch Universities and young Kazakh diplomats for a short educational program in the Netherlands Foreign Ministry.
I was running the Small Embassy Projects program, a grant assistance to the grass root initiatives. I got to meet many NGO representatives and visit many "vulnerable groups" - disabled people or people living in very far-off villages who didn't even have any drinking water available, as well children's orphanages and societies for disabled kids.
And of course, I was organizing tons of official receptions and cultural events. Queen's Day receptions, Jazz Festivals, and public events, such as the Dutch Week in Kazakhstan, attracting fund raising and using the Embassy funds. Check out the photo gallery with some of the most memorable moments.
I was running the Small Embassy Projects program, a grant assistance to the grass root initiatives. I got to meet many NGO representatives and visit many "vulnerable groups" - disabled people or people living in very far-off villages who didn't even have any drinking water available, as well children's orphanages and societies for disabled kids.
And of course, I was organizing tons of official receptions and cultural events. Queen's Day receptions, Jazz Festivals, and public events, such as the Dutch Week in Kazakhstan, attracting fund raising and using the Embassy funds. Check out the photo gallery with some of the most memorable moments.
My Embassy ID.
2006-2007 PwC (Senior Consultant)
During the last two years of working at the Embassy, I have earned my MBA Degree in Marketing and Public relations and moved on to "the real world", business sector. I became a senior marketing consultant with PwC.
In this role, I created the visuals for the Kazakhstan Oil and Gas Exhibition, prepared all the materials, drafted and prepared for printing the company brochures and worked with the printing house on their offset production. I helped organize the annual client golf tournament. I also handled the branding of all the outgoing materials (proposals, presentations, reports, etc).
In this role, I created the visuals for the Kazakhstan Oil and Gas Exhibition, prepared all the materials, drafted and prepared for printing the company brochures and worked with the printing house on their offset production. I helped organize the annual client golf tournament. I also handled the branding of all the outgoing materials (proposals, presentations, reports, etc).
Ready for the KIOGE workshop
2008-2009 The PBN Company
I joined The PBN Company as a start-up. Together with the country manager, we had an exciting task of launching it in Kazakhstan.
As an Account Manager for Kazakhstan, I've been drafting commercial proposals, pitching the clients, and if we were able to close the deal, I also had to do all the actual work. Like organizing the launch with a Mitsubishi sports race in one of the city squares and further press-events for Rycom-Kaz, official Mitsubishi representative in Kazakhstan. Or drafting information policy for KazakhTelecom.
In addition, I had to organize our office, buy the furniture and Mac computers for everyone and set up our network and the rest of it. It was a very rich and fulfilling experience for me.
As an Account Manager for Kazakhstan, I've been drafting commercial proposals, pitching the clients, and if we were able to close the deal, I also had to do all the actual work. Like organizing the launch with a Mitsubishi sports race in one of the city squares and further press-events for Rycom-Kaz, official Mitsubishi representative in Kazakhstan. Or drafting information policy for KazakhTelecom.
In addition, I had to organize our office, buy the furniture and Mac computers for everyone and set up our network and the rest of it. It was a very rich and fulfilling experience for me.
Press-conference on the launch of Mitsubishi Kazakhstan
2009-2012 PwC (Marketing and Communications Leader)
PwC Kazakhstan
KIOGE 2009 Video report
As the Marketing and Communications Manager, I was responsible for putting together a number of signature events. The Kazakhstan International Oil and Gas Exhibition is one of them, PwC traditionally organized several presentations, as we had a large portfolio of oil and gas clients, we were making important updates.
KIOGE 2009 Video report
As the Marketing and Communications Manager, I was responsible for putting together a number of signature events. The Kazakhstan International Oil and Gas Exhibition is one of them, PwC traditionally organized several presentations, as we had a large portfolio of oil and gas clients, we were making important updates.
PwC Kazakhstan
Charity Ball 2009 Video report
PwC Charity Ball became a signature fundraising event for the company. In 2009, we were raising funds for "Podrugi", the first women shelter in Kazakhstan.
Charity Ball 2009 Video report
PwC Charity Ball became a signature fundraising event for the company. In 2009, we were raising funds for "Podrugi", the first women shelter in Kazakhstan.
PwC Kazakhstan
Charity Ball 2010
Charity Ball 2010
This event is dedicated to the International Women's Day. All the funds raised were transferred to the first in Kazakhstan Women's Shelter "Podrugi".
The concept of the event was a Jazz Concert to be given by PwC employees accompanied with a live jazz orchestra.
We started rehearsing with professional vocal teachers from the Conservatory in advance, and in the Video, you can see some of the performances.
The concept of the event was a Jazz Concert to be given by PwC employees accompanied with a live jazz orchestra.
We started rehearsing with professional vocal teachers from the Conservatory in advance, and in the Video, you can see some of the performances.
PwC Kazakhstan
Charity Ball 2011
Charity Ball 2011
This event is dedicated to the International Women's Day. All the funds raised were transferred to the first in Kazakhstan Women's Shelter "Podrugi".
The concept of the event was a "Yellow Submarine" Beatles tribute concert with all the Danes performed by PwC employees.
The concept of the event was a "Yellow Submarine" Beatles tribute concert with all the Danes performed by PwC employees.
PwC Kazakhstan
Annual staff meetings
Every staff meeting was a big event with a great deal of preparation. It was the time to pamper the dear staff members for all the good work and time dedicated to their achievements. We would always have a motivational speaker, a fun video with all the things done and a nice fourchette in the end. We were and still are one big family, keeping in touch over the time and space.
Annual staff meetings
Every staff meeting was a big event with a great deal of preparation. It was the time to pamper the dear staff members for all the good work and time dedicated to their achievements. We would always have a motivational speaker, a fun video with all the things done and a nice fourchette in the end. We were and still are one big family, keeping in touch over the time and space.
My education
