Speakers and moderators 2024

Education

KIMEP University
BA. business administration and finance

Past experience

3M Kazakhstan
Finance director

Sun Drilling
Head of economic and budget-planning department

P&G Central Asia
Financial-analysis manager

About Dulatbek

Dulatbek is our Central Asian office manager. Since joining the firm, Dulatbek has supported public institutions and private-sector clients in the oil and gas, banking, and telecommunications sectors in different geographies on a wide range of issues.

With public-sector clients in central Asian and Middle East regions, Dulatbek has worked on a number of issues, including economic development of industrial, agricultural, and other sectors; supporting a tax-policy review; developing a fiscal consolidation program; helping to identify government medium-term priorities; and launching a delivery unit focused on improved implementation efficiency.

Dulatbek has served many private-sector clients in the banking, telecommunications, construction, and oil and gas sectors on a wide range of issues, including international expansion-strategy development, merger management, the full-scale transformation of a collections function, trading and risk-management strategy development, and investment-strategy development.

Before joining McKinsey, Dulatbek worked for 10 years in finance roles in several companies in the oil and gas and fast-moving-consumer-goods sectors.

A native Kazakh, Dulatbek is fluent in English and Russian.

Education: graduated from Gannon University, has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, and Katz School of Business University of Pittsburgh, has MBA in Finance.

Work experience:

Gokhan joined GE Infrastructure - Transportation as a Renewal Parts Account Manager in 1997 and has been serving in Erie in different assignments. He worked as International NPI Marketing Manager and Locomotive Modernization Marketing Manager from 1998 to 2001. In 2001 he moved to the finance team as the Finance Manager for Service Proposals and Business Development. In 2003 he was appointed to Commercial Finance Manager for New Locomotive & Modernization Proposals. Starting in 2004 he moved to the Strategic Marketing Group and held several positions within this group including Strategic Pricing Leader for GE Transportation and the Strategic Marketing Manager for Global Locomotives Operation. He was named as Regional Sales Leader for Russia CIS and Southeast Europe in August 2007 and relocated to Istanbul, Turkey. In December 2009 he was named the General Manager of Russia, CIS, and South East Europe and in December 2012 his region was expanded to cover Europe, the Middle East, and Europe. After the February 2019 Wabtec Corporation acquisition of GE Transportation, he was named the regional leader for the same territory for Wabtec Corporation. He is currently a Senior Vice President - Russia/CIS, Europe, and Africa.

Guilhem Granier is the General Manager of Vaccines for the Sanofi's Eurasia which  encompasses 15 countries.

Guilhem Granier, who holds a degree in pharmacy, has over 20 years of experience in the biopharma field. Throughout his career at Sanofi, Granier has worked across various regions including Europe, Asia, China, and Africa, covering units such as Specialty Care, General Medicines, Consumer Healthcare, and Generics. He has previously worked in various roles as General Manager in Tunisia and Libya until 2012 and, Country Chair and Pharma General Manager in Ukraine until 2019 and Head of Commercial Excellence in the People's Republic of China until 2022.

Most recently, Guilhem Granier was the Global Market Lead Transplant in France. As of July 2024, he has commenced his role as the General Manager of Vaccines for Sanofi Eurasia Region.

Spoken languages

English, French, Arabic

Edgard leads the operations of Schneider Electric in the Central Asia and Caucasus region, covering 7 countries: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, and Georgia.

Located in Almaty, at Central Asia proximity hub, he is responsible for developing and strengthening our footprint in the region, implementing an operational system that serves our customers and partners with efficiency and satisfaction, and promoting our innovative digital solutions to help our customers make their operations efficient and sustainable.

He started his career as a financial controller in the Middle East Zone, working his way up to CFO for the Middle East and Africa zones. After various roles in finance, audit, company acquisitions, divestments, and integration, Edgard was appointed as Country President for Schneider Electric operations in Iran, then as General Manager for Algeria & Tunisia until February 2022. From March 2022, he was appointed as General Manager for Central Asian countries, located in Baku, Azerbaijan. Then, starting from July 2023 onwards, he has been appointed as General Manager for Central Asia and Caucasus, located in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Born in 1978, he graduated from USEK Business School in Lebanon, and subsequently completed his Executive MBA from ESSEC Business School in France and Mannheim Business School in Germany in 2010.

Education:

• L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian University (2000) — Translator of English
• Netherlands Institute of Public Administration (2009)
• Master's degree at Carnegie Mellon University (2009)
• Doctoral program at Kazakh-British Technical University — PhD in Management
• Internships and advanced training courses at the Netherlands Institute of Public Administration and the University of Cambridge

Job experience:

• Consultant, Head of Sector, Center for Strategic Research and Analysis, Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (2009-2011)
• Vice President of the Chess Federation of the Republic of Kazakhstan (2011-2014)
• Director of Department, JSC NC KazMunayGas
• Founder of CSI Group LLP (2016-2018)
• Managing Partner, Dasco Consulting Group (since 2018)
• Member of the Center for Analysis and Monitoring of Socio-Economic Reforms under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (since 2020)

Awards:

• Orders "Kurmet" (1998), "Parasat" (2012)
• Letter of thanks from the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.A. Nazarbayev (2016)
• Five anniversary medals
• Laureate of the State Youth Prize "Daryn" (1999)
• Honorary badge "For services in the development of physical culture, sports and tourism" (2015)

Date and Place of Birth: 1970, USA

Education:

• University of Wyoming, USA
  Specialization: Economics 
• Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, USA (2002) 
  Specialization: MBA (Finance)

Professional Experience:

Previously, he served as General Manager of Corporate Finance at Chevron Downstream & Chemicals in San Ramon, California, a position he held since 2017. 

Prior to that, he held various roles of increasing responsibility within Chevron Corporation, including Corporate Forecasting and Reporting Manager; Country Finance Manager for Thailand, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Vietnam; Chief Financial Officer of Greater China, based in Hong Kong; and several other roles in the USA. 

Damon manages an investment fund that operates under a Memorandum of Understanding signed on October 11, 2021, between the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan and Chevron to establish a $248.5 million investment fund. 

The fund invests in local content development, job creation, entrepreneurship development, and the transfer of skills and technology.

Mr Nibladze is Managing Director of Cerberus frontier market investment platform. He joined Cerberus in 2018 when the company acquired SGI Frontier Capital to strategically advance its investment activities in emerging and frontier markets.

Mr Nibladze has more than two decades of experience in the financial services and energy industries and has held various senior management positions with companies in Georgia.

Prior to joining SGI Frontier in 2014, Mr Nibladze co-founded JSC TbilUniversalBank, a Georgian full-service banking institution, on whose supervisory board he later served. Mr Nibladze held management and advisory positions at CanArgo Energy Corporation, one of the largest foreign energy companies in Georgia, whose core business is oil and gas exploration. At CanArgo, he was the company's country representative and a member of the company's board of directors.

Mr Nibladze graduated from Tbilisi State University. He also pursued further studies in finance and accounting at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Canada and holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the CWC School of Energy in the United Kingdom.

Yerzhan Elekeev was born in 1986 and is a citizen of the Republic of Kazakhstan. He graduated from the Kazakh-British Technical University with a degree in Management and the University of Glasgow with a Master of Arts in Financial Economics.

He started his career 2007 as an analyst at the Investor Relations Department at “KazMunaiGas Exploration Production” JSC. 

From 2012 to 2019, he held various positions at “Samruk-Kazyna” JSC. 

From 2019 to 2020, he worked as the head of the project management department at the international company “Boston Consulting Group” in Azerbaijan. 

From 2020 to 2021, Mr. Yelekeyev worked as Deputy Head of the analytical group of the Center for Socio-Economic Reforms under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan. 

In 2021, he joined “Alfa-Bank Kazakhstan” JSC as the Director of the Project Office. 

Since November 2022, he has been Managing Director for Asset Management and Project Management at JSC “NUH “Baiterek”.

On March 7, 2024, he was appointed Chairman of the Management  Board of "NC "KAZAKH INVEST" JSC

Born September 06, 1983

Citizenship: Republic of Kazakhstan

Education:

1. Rustam Karagoishin earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in Corporate Management and Master’s degree in Corporate Management from the International Academy of Business in 2008.
2. In 2004, he graduated from the Kazakhstan Institute of Management, Economics, and Forecasting (KIMEP University), specializing in Accounting.

Professional Experience:

• Development Bank of Kazakhstan JSC (June 2004 – June 2006):

Manager, General Manager of Department #1, and Head of Department #2 within the Project Analysis Department.

• DBK-Leasing JSC (June 2006 – August 2011):

Initially served as the Head of the Department of Leasing Operations and Project Analysis, later promoted to Managing Director and Member of the Board.

• Petroleum Operating LLP (September 2011 – December 2011):

Head of the Foreign Economic Activity Department within the Oil and Petroleum Products Marketing Department.

• Credit Systems LLP (January 2012 – September 2012):

Acted as Chairman of the Board.

• Sberbank Leasing Kazakhstan LLP (September 2012 – November 2015):

Started as Deputy General Director and advanced to the position of General Director.

• KazAgroFinance JSC (November 2015 – December 2018):

Served as Deputy Chairman of the Board.

• Grain Consortium of Kazakhstan LLP (February 2019 – May 2019):

Initially appointed CEO.

• Baiterek National Management Holding JSC (May 2019 – May 2021):

Held the position of Deputy Chairman of the Board.

• Grain Consortium of Kazakhstan LLP (May 2021 – February 2024):

Acted as Chairman of the Board of Directors and General Director.

• Baiterek National Management Holding JSC (February 2024 – April 2024):

Served as Acting Chairman of the Board.

By the decision of the Sole Shareholder of Baiterek Holding dated April 4, 2024, Rustam Karagoishin was appointed Chairman of the Board of Baiterek Holding.

By the decision of the Sole Shareholder, as confirmed by the order of the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan #105 dated April 5, 2024, he was elected a member of the Board of Directors of Baiterek Holding.

Mr. Geng is the General Manager and a Director on the Board of China Huadian Overseas Investment Co., Ltd. He was born in Shandong Province, China, in 1977.

Educational Background:

1997 - 2001: Graduated from North China Electric Power University, majoring in Thermal Engineering.
2001 - 2004: Completed a Master's program at the School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, majoring in Civil Engineering.
2009 - 2012: Completed a Master's degree in Applied Finance at Macquarie University.

Career:

2005-2007: Project Manager at China Huadian Engineering Co., Ltd.
2007-2013: Project Director and Senior Project Director at China Huadian Hong Kong Co., Ltd.
2013-2019: Director and Chairman of the Board of China Huadian (Indonesia) Bukit Asam Power.
2019-2021: Vice President of China Huadian Hong Kong Co., Ltd.
2021-2024: Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Department at China Huadian Corporation Ltd.
2024 - Present: President and Member of the Board of Directors of China Huadian Overseas Investment Co., Ltd.

Expert Principal Investor and Private Equity

Profile summary

Markus Massi has been working with >50 principal investors and private equity companies globally for the last 35 years. He has led BCG's global Principal Investor/Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) team offering advise to government-owned investment vehicles in the Middle East, Asia, Europe and the Americas.

He is also a core members of BCG’s Corporate Development Practice which focuses on investment strategies, portfolio strategies, M&A, private equity/corporate finance and due diligences. Mr. Massi has co-authored several publications on Sovereign and Principal Investors and has been reference in Financial Times, REUTERS, NBC and various newspapers.

Relevant experience (selected examples only)

• Conducted a global investment strategy for a Sovereign investors ranging from emerging markets to global matured markets across asset classes
• Developed a global, theme-based investment strategy in the aftermath of the financial crisis based on data and analytics leveraging macro-economic trends
• Developed a global investment strategy for a leading Principal investors ranging from equity, private equity to fixed income across regions
• Developed a thesis for an investment strategy for a private equity company after the fund had raised several Billions of fresh money to be invested
• Reviewed the portfolio of a principal investor with a focus on resilience to anticipate shocks and changes and evaluate the impact on the portfolio
• Developed a PE/direct investment strategy for a GCC SWF
• Conducted a market screen for direct investments for an Asian SWF
• Developed a direct investment strategy for a Middle East SWF
• Set-up more than 15 different investment vehicles for government, families including investment vision, strategy , operating model, organization etc.
• Conducted more than 100+ due diligences for private equity companies and principal investors across different industry sectors and in all five main continents

Prior experience and education

Prior to joining BCG, Mr. Massi worked at Deutsche Bank (Corporate Finance/M&A)

as a project leader for several years. He also worked for Merrill Lynch and Bankgesellschaft Berlin in New York, London and Luxemburg. He holds a diploma in Economic Science of the Freie Universität Berlin (Germany).

Education: Master of Engineering Sciences with specialization in Chemical Engineering and Technologies, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Chemical Technology, Imperial College of London, the UK; a certificate of secondary education of A Level, MPW College, Cambridge, the UK.

His career began at the Atyrau oil refinery. In parallel with his studies he worked as an analyst at North Caspian Petroleum Ltd. Then he was admitted to Tengizchevroil LLP for the position of engineer-technologist of the third category. He has considerable experience in the petrochemical industry, acquired during his work in such companies as Kazakhstan Petrochemical Industries Inc. LLP, United Chemical Company LLP, and UCC Engineering LLP. In May 2014 he was appointed to the post of General Director of DARYN Partners LLP. From February 2019 until now he was appointed to the post of General Director of SEMURG INVEST LLP. From 2021 to 2022, he worked in Romania at Rompetrol (KMG International) as an Advisor to the Production Director and Managing Manager of Rominserv. Since 2015, he has been developing the “Sarzha Multifunctional Marine” Terminal project in the Kuryk port, and since 2019 he has been appointed to the position of the General Director of SEMURG INVEST LLP. He has extensive experience in logistics, as well as in the establishment and management of investment projects.

Education:

In 2010, she graduated from the University of Cambrigde with a degree in Computer Science (bachelor's degree).

In 2014, she received a master's degree in Computer Science, University of Cambrigde.

In 2016, she graduated with an MBA in Executive Management, Lomonosov Moscow State University.

Information on the completion of seminars and advanced training courses over the past three years:

MIT Sloan School of Management - Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy, 2020. Fintech Development Course, University of Oxford, Said Business School, 20І8.

Work experience:

From 2010 to 2014 - Head of Information Technology Security of the ENRC PLC Group, London;

From 2014 to 2015 – Deputy Director of the Information Technology Department of the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan;

From 2016 to 2017 – Chairman of the Board of the National Infocommunication Holding "Zerde";

From 2017 to 2020 – Managing Director for Digital Technologies (CDO) of the Astana International Financial Center;

From 2020 to 2022 – Vice Minister of Trade and Integration of the Republic of Kazakhstan;

From October 3, 2022 to the present – ​​Chairman of the Board of Kazpost JSC and member of the Board of Directors of “Kazpost” JSC.

Marco Sorge graduated with a degree in Economics and Finance from Stanford University under the guidance of Joe Stiglitz and Anne Krueger. He began his career as an economist at the Bank for International Settlements in Basel. He contributed to the background research for the Basel II regulatory framework. His main research and policy analysis focused on international finance, credit risk measurement, prudential regulation, stress-testing, and financial sector stability. He also analyzed the political and economic implications of the European Monetary Union, particularly focusing on fiscal-monetary policy coordination problems. A list of his key publications in international refereed journals is attached.

With the IMF, Sorge designed and delivered a course on stress-testing methodologies intended for central bankers and supervisors from the Central and Eastern European region.

While continuing academic research, about 20 years ago, Marco Sorge joined IFC as an investment professional, specializing in providing financing and advisory solutions for urban infrastructure. Over time, he has led business development, credit appraisal, and portfolio management activities in Latin America, Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Turkey, the Middle East, and North Africa. Sorge has led the origination of almost $1 billion of IFC’s Subnational business globally, focusing on development impact and financial sustainability.

His key achievements include:

            •          the first IFC investment in a state-owned water utility in Peru;

            •          developing an innovative risk-sharing product with a leading European bank and sourcing several subnational infrastructure deals in Peru, including the Lima Bus Rapid Transport system;

            •          starting IFC’s urban transport engagement with the City of Bogota;

            •          successfully managing IFC’s exit from an investment in a Moroccan utility;

            •          the first investment in a Moroccan subnational government without a sovereign guarantee to support the Casablanca tramway expansion and a regional rural roads program;

            •          pioneering IFC’s approach to municipal bonds (Bucharest, Novi Sad) and currently developing the first green bond issuance by a municipality in Central Asia, including advising the government on the necessary regulatory amendments;

            •          co-financing European funds for the Podgorica road bypass and infrastructure improvements in Timisoara;

            •          developing several investments in the cities of Izmir, Istanbul, Antalya, and Ankara, focusing on urban transport and wastewater treatment;

            •          pioneering support to the Ukrainian cities of Mariupol and Zaporizhzhia for urban transport and smart cities applications.

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.

Education:

• Kazakh University of Economics, Finance and International Trade (2009) — Specialty: Finance
• University of Texas, Austin, USA (2010) — Specialty: «Oil and Gas Engineering»

Job experience:

• Research Engineer in Texas, USA (2008-2010)
• Drilling Engineer for ExxonMobil Corporation in the USA, Iraq and Russia (2010-2016)
• Head of Field Supervisors at Merlin ERD in Scotland (2016-2018)
• Management Consultant at McKinsey and Company (2018-2019)
• Vice Minister of Ecology, Geology and Natural Resources of the Republic of Kazakhstan (2019-2020)
• Deputy General Director of Naftogaz UGV (2020-2022)
• Chairman of the Management Board of JSC NC QazaqGaz (since 2022)

Awards:

• World drilling record, oil well Z-40, Sakhalin Island, Russian Federation (2014)
• Award of the Union of New Leaders of America (2015)
• International "Award for Innovation" (2015)
• British title "Engineer-Professional / Chartered Engineer"
• Scholarship of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan "Bolashak" (2004)

Implementation of projects:

• Developed the current Development Strategy of JSC NC «KazMunayGas» for 2022-2031.
• Led the implementation of the corporate project management system at KMG, which had a significant impact on the effectiveness of strategic investment projects implementation.
• Held 2 conferences on project management at KMG.
• Led the creation of a project office for low-carbon development at KMG in 2021.
• ESG agenda of the company - annual reporting in the field of sustainable development, ESG rating of KMG.
• KMG Gender Initiatives - reception of the TechWoman delegation at KMG, KMG Women's Forum.

Activity:

• Expert of the Bureau of National Statistics of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
• Ambassador of KMG in the initiative of the UN Global Compact “Business Accelerator SDG Ambition” to accelerate the integration of 17 Sustainable Development Goals into strategic and operational aspects of business for Central Asian countries.
• Certified IPMA level C Project Manager

Education:

• Karaganda State University named after E.A. Buketov (1998-2002) — Specialty "Jurisprudence"
• Kyzylorda State University named after Korkyt Ata (2009-2011) — Specialty "Electric Power Engineering"
• JSC "KIMEP University" (2009-2013) — MBA

Job experience:

• Deputy Director, Director of LLP "Karuglesbyt" (2003-2005)
• Director of LLP "Karaganda Regional Energy Company" (2005-2006)
• General Director of JSC "Kyzylorda Distribution Electricity Grid Company" (2008-2010)
• Chairman of the Board of JSC "Social and Entrepreneurial Corporation "Kyzylorda" (2011-2013)
• General Director of LLP "Settlement and Financial Center for Support of Renewable Energy Sources" (2013-2020)
• Vice Minister of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan (2021-2023)
• General Director of the Association "KAZENERGY" (since 2024)