Speakers and participants

He was born in 1980 in Almaty.

He graduated from the Kazakh State Law Academy.

He began his career in 2002 as a chief specialist of the department in the Department of Justice of Almaty.

From 2005 to 2006, he was an expert, chief expert of the Legal Department of the Office of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

From 2006 to 2009, he worked in the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

From 2009 to 2012, he was Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Registration Service and Legal Assistance of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

From 2012 to 2014, he served as Head of Department in the central office of the Republic of Kazakhstan Agency for Combating Economic and Corruption Crime (Financial Police).

In 2015-2016, he was the Chief of Staff of the Akim of Astana, Head of the Secretariat of the Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In 2016-2017, he was the Head of the Department of the National Bureau for Combating Corruption (anti-corruption service) for the city of Astana.

From 2017 to 2018, he was Deputy Akim of Akmola region.

From 2018 to 2019, he was Deputy Chairman of the Republic of Kazakhstan Agency for Public Service and Anti-Corruption.

From 2019 to 2022, he was the First Deputy Chairman of the Republic of Kazakhstan Anti-Corruption Agency.

From February 2022 to April 2023, he was the Chairman of the Republic of Kazakhstan Anti-Corruption Agency.

On April 3, 2023, by Decree of the Head of State, he was appointed Head of the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

On February 6, 2024 by the Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan he was appointed Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

He was awarded the orders of "Aibyn" ІІ degree (2014), "Danek" ІІ degree (2021).

Date and place of birth: 16.09.1967, Genova, Italy

Education: Matteo holds an MBA from INSEAD and an MS degree cum laude in Mechanical Engineering from Genoa University.

Work experience:
Matteo Patrone, Vice President, Banking. In his role, Mr Patrone has an overall responsibility for the effective delivery of the Bank’s investment and advisory activities in the EBRD’s countries of operations, as well as contributing to the delivery of policy engagement activities.
Prior to this, Matteo held the post of Managing Director, Eastern Europe and Caucasus. In this role, he has been responsible for the Bank’s operations and policy engagement initiatives in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova and for spearheading the crisis response to the war on Ukraine.
Mr. Patrone has a career spanning 30 years that includes senior management and leadership positions in merchant banking, private equity, management consulting and engineering. He joined the EBRD in 2008 as a senior banker within the Corporate Equity team. In 2012, he became Director for Serbia, based in Belgrade and in 2015, he moved to Bucharest as the Director, Regional Head for Romania and Bulgaria. In 2018, Matteo Patrone was appointed Managing Director, EEC.
Prior to working at the EBRD, Matteo was Managing Director of the private equity arm of Finanziaria Internazionale, an Italian merchant bank, where he spent 10 years investing in a broad range of sectors.
Before that he was Senior Manager at Accenture Strategic Services in Milan, Italy and held various positions in the Leonardo (formerly known as Finmeccanica) and ENI groups in the UK and Italy.

Born on 14 November 1983 in Atyrau.

In 2006, he graduated from Tomsk State University with degrees in Finance and Credit, and in Linguistics and Intercultural Communication. In 2010, he obtained a Master’s degree in Applied Economics from the University of Michigan under the Bolashak International Scholarship Programme.

He began his career in 2005 as a Lead Specialist at the Department of Internal Administration and the Department of International Relations of the Ministry of Economy and Budget Planning of the Republic of Kazakhstan. From 2006 to 2010, he worked as an Expert and Senior Expert in the Department of Investment Policy and Planning of the Ministry of Economy and Budget Planning and the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.

Starting in 2010, he held positions as Head of the Strategic Development Division at the Department of Strategic Planning and Analysis of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and as Deputy Director of the Department of Budget Policy and Planning at the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In February 2013, he was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Committee of Geology and Subsoil Use of the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of the Republic of Kazakhstan. From June 2013 to April 2019, he served as Deputy Head of the Center for Strategic Development and Analysis and Deputy Head of the Department for Socio-Economic Monitoring at the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

From April 2019 to February 2021, he held the position of Deputy Head of the Analytical Department of the Office of the First President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In February 2021, he was appointed Vice Minister of National Economy, and from January 2022 to February 2024 served as Minister of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Other positions held:
– Member of the Board of Directors, Samruk-Kazyna Sovereign Wealth Fund JSC (11.01.2022 – 06.02.2024);
– Member of the Board of Directors, Baiterek National Managing Holding JSC (04.02.2022 – 06.02.2024);
– Member of the Management Council, Astana International Financial Centre (11.01.2022 – 06.02.2024);
– Member of the Board of Directors, Kazakh Invest National Company JSC (11.01.2022 – 06.02.2024);
– Chairman of the Board of Directors, Economic Research Institute (ERI) (11.01.2022 – 06.02.2024).

Before his appointment as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan in April 2024, he served as Chief Executive Officer of the KAZENERGY Association.

Fluent in English, Spanish, and German.

Ali Aslan is an internationally renowned TV presenter, moderator and journalist with a global career spanning over 20 years, including at CNN in Washington DC, ABC News in New York and Deutsche Welle TV in Berlin.

Recognized globally as one of the world's foremost moderators for high-level international events, Aslan regularly hosts global conferences, among others, for the United Nations, G20, EU, NATO and World Bank.

Aslan has interviewed numerous world leaders, including former US President Bill Clinton, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

Aslan holds master's degrees in International Affairs and Journalism from Columbia University as well as a bachelor's degree from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University.

Education: Lomonosov Moscow State University, Faculty of Journalism, Bachelor’s degree in Journalism.

Career path at KIA:

• 1997–2004 — KD Production Department;
• 2005–2009 — Sales Department Coordinator at the Middle East & Africa Regional Headquarters (Dubai);
• 2012–2015 — Sales Department Coordinator at the Asia-Pacific Regional Headquarters (Malaysia);
• 2018–2021 — Sales Department Coordinator at the Middle East & Africa Regional Headquarters (Dubai);
• 2022–2023 — Head of the Asia-Pacific Region at the Headquarters;
• 2023 – present — General Director of LLP “KIA Qazaqstan.

David Manzini was educated at the Military Academy of Aix-en-Provence and graduated from the ISG Business School (Institut Supérieur de Gestion). He is fluent in English, French, and Russian.

Since December 2020, he has been serving as President of PepsiCo in Russia, Belarus, the Caucasus, and Central Asia.

From 2013 to 2020, he headed Mars in the United Kingdom, China, and the CIS countries, and from 2011 to 2013, he led Danone in Central Asia and the Caucasus.

Between 2004 and 2011, he held senior marketing positions at Unilever. He began his career in 1995 at Mars as a Territory Sales Manager and subsequently advanced to the position of Customer Development Director.

He graduated from the Kazakh State Law University in 2002, the Kazakhstan-Russia University in 2007, and the University of Birmingham.

He began his career in 1999 as a legal assistant at Eurasia Consulting LLP. From 2002 to 2010, he held various positions in the Senate of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan and in the Office of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan in Parliament. From 2010 to 2019, he served as Deputy Akim (Mayor) of the city of Ekibastuz and the West Kazakhstan region, as well as holding leadership positions in the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In 2019, he was the secretary of the “NurOtan” party. From 2019 to 2020, he worked as Vice Minister of Information and Social Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, and from 2021 to 2024, he held positions as State Inspector, Deputy Head, and Head of the Department of State Control and Organizational-Territorial Work in the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. From 2023 to 2024, he served as the First Deputy Head of the Government Office of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Before being appointed Chairman of the Investment Committee of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, he served as Advisor to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Alexander Luft is an experienced executive with a solid background in managing international industrial and investment projects. Since 2016, he has been serving as Chief Executive Officer of Stadler CIS AG (Switzerland), overseeing the company’s operations and business development across the CIS region. Since 2022, he has also been a Member of the Supervisory Board of Stadler Kazakhstan, actively contributing to projects aimed at localizing the production of railway rolling stock in Kazakhstan.

In addition, Alexander Luft holds the position of President of Medeo Investment AG (Switzerland). Earlier in his career, he served as CEO of Netwise Solutions Holding AG, where he led the company’s growth in the field of innovative IT and investment solutions.

His professional journey began in Germany, where he worked as a Sales Manager at Kolwe und Knoff GmbH and JRS GmbH, later continuing his career in Switzerland as an Investment Manager at Helveticorp GmbH.

Alexander Luft holds a Diploma in Management from Moscow State University and the University of Applied Sciences for Technology, Business and Culture (HTWK Leipzig, Germany).

Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and Master’s degree in Business Administration

Work Experience:
September 2024 – Present – Managing Director for Western and Central Asia, Alstom Kazakhstan
2023 – September 2024 – Director, Upsilink, France
2017 – 2022 – Chief Executive Officer, TMH AFRICA
2015 – 2017 – Business Development Director, General Electric, South Africa
2011 – 2015 – Country President, Alstom South Africa
2009 – 2011 – Country President, Alstom Libya
2007 – 2008 – Chief Executive Officer, Alcatel Tunisia
1997 – 2006 – Global Contracts Manager, Alcatel in Algeria, Iran, Qatar, and France

Biography:
Jérôme Boyer, Managing Director of Alstom for Western and Central Asia, possesses extensive experience in infrastructure and industrial projects. Jérôme is focused on enhancing collaboration, strengthening client relations, and ensuring the sustainable growth of the cluster. His leadership contributes to positioning Alstom as a leader in sustainable mobility and innovation, ensuring continued success in the years ahead.

Before joining Alstom, Jérôme successfully established, developed, and structured initiatives in the telecommunications, energy, and railway technology sectors. He effectively expanded businesses both within and outside companies — often through strategic partnerships — to enhance the efficiency of public clients and key industrial enterprises in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. He has held senior leadership positions in renowned organizations such as General Electric (GE), Alstom, and TMH.

Throughout his career, Jérôme has led critical project phases, including risk assessment, client engagement, tendering and contract management, as well as implementation and operational monitoring. His expertise enables him to navigate complex technological and cultural environments, ensuring financial value even under volatile conditions.

Changwook Lee has extensive international experience in investments, technology, and project management. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electronic Engineering from University I, a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from University K, and an MBA from H Business School.

He began his career at Samsung Electronics, overseeing distribution and technical sales, and was recognized as a top employee. In the following years, he held leadership positions in venture and investment companies, including Dongyang Data System, HumanCom, and Serim Interworks, implementing innovative technology projects, Korea’s first B2B internet engines, Wi-Fi devices, and network cameras, as well as managing venture funds and international M&A transactions.

Since 2008, Changwook Lee has led international investment projects through KML Investment & Financing, executing infrastructure and hospitality projects in Asia, the USA, and Europe. He is also the CEO of RETD Co. Ltd., where he develops maglev transportation projects and international infrastructure initiatives. Since 2023, he has been implementing investment projects in Kazakhstan through TRINITY INTERWORKS LLC.

Mr. Hernández is responsible for developing the Roca Group’s (Spain) new start-up project in Central Asia.

He has built a long career within the Roca Group. Before this appointment, he was Managing Director at Cosmic in Barcelona, where he led a comprehensive business transformation project (2022–2025). For more than a decade, he also held senior leadership positions at Roca Sanitario, focusing on business development, key account management, and expanding the Group Brands business with major European DIY retailers.

Mr. Hernández has significant international experience with Roca Tile USA, where he managed the P&L of the American subsidiary and coordinated activities with other business units in the USA and Brazil. He also gained professional experience in the FMCG sector.

With over 20 years of experience in commercial management and marketing, Daniel has developed strong expertise in branding, market expansion, and organizational transformation. He is particularly experienced in DIY retail and distribution channels, international business development, and people leadership.

Daniel holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing from the University of Barcelona, and an MBA from ESADE Business School. He has also completed executive programs at IESE Business School (PDD), MIT Sloan School of Management (Digital Business Transformation), and IMD.

Saken Zhumashev is an experienced leader in business consulting, with more than 20 years of industry expertise. He has significantly contributed to institutional and economic reforms in Central Asia and the European Union, focusing on large-scale transformation projects.

Most of his career path has been devoted to working at KPMG where he established the first regional practice of Management and Risk consulting. Saken became the Head of KPMG in Kazakhstan and Central Asia in 2018, and in 2022, he stepped into the position of Managing Partner & CEO for the KPMG Caucasus and Central Asia cluster.

Vyacheslav Maltsev received his higher education at the Far Eastern State University, majoring in Macroeconomics (1995–2000). From 2009 to 2011, he studied at Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University (Graduate School of Economics), where he obtained an MBA degree.

He began his professional career in 1995 at Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Group, where he worked until 2005. From 2005 to 2007, he served as Regional Sales Director for the Ural region at Nidan Juices.

From 2007 to 2015, he worked at the headquarters of Baltika (part of the Carlsberg Group), where he held the position of National Manager for Non-Beer Brands Development. From 2015 to 2017, he headed the Division of Operational Logistics and Customer Service for the Siberia and Far East regions.

From 2017 to 2021, he was General Director of Carlsberg Azerbaijan.

Since 2021, he has been serving as President of Carlsberg Kazakhstan LLP.

Mr. Konratbayev has over 25 years of experience in professional services, including leadership roles across a broad range of industries and functions. Mr. Konratbayev began his career with PwC in Istanbul, Türkiye, and has since held numerous leadership roles spanning Information Systems and Risk Management, Financial Audit, and Assurance services in Kazakhstan and across Eurasia.

His career also includes a significant tenure at General Electric, where he served as CEO of GE Kazakhstan and played a pivotal role in launching operations in Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan.

Mr. Konratbayev holds several esteemed professional qualifications, including membership in the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), UK, and is a certified Kazakhstan Statutory Auditor. In his current leadership capacity, Mr. Konratbayev is instrumental in guiding PwC Kazakhstan’s strategic direction and operations. He oversees the firm’s delivery of integrated services in assurance, advisory, tax, legal, and people-related solutions, ensuring value-driven outcomes for the clients.