Speakers and moderators

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)

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:

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:

• 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)

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

Work experience:

September 2024 – up to date – Managing Director for Western and Central Asia at Alstom Kazakhstan

2023 – September 2024 – Director at Upsilink in France

2017 – 2022 – Chief Executive Officer at TMH AFRICA

2015 – 2017 – Business Development Director at General Electric in South Africa

2011 – 2015 – Country President at Alstom South Africa

2009 – 2011 – Country President at Alstom Lybia

2007 – 2008 – Chief Executive Officer at Alcatel Tunisia

1997 – 2006 – Global Contracts Manager at Alcatel in Algeria, Iran, Qatar, France

Jérôme Boyet, Managing Director of Alstom for Western and Central Asia, brings with him a wealth of experience from a diverse career in infrastructure and industrial projects. Jérôme is focused on fostering collaboration, enhancing client relationships, and driving sustainable growth in the cluster. His leadership will be instrumental in positioning Alstom as a leader in sustainable mobility and innovation, ensuring continued success in the years to come.

Before joining Alstom, Jérôme successfully created, developed, and structured initiatives across the telecom, energy generation, and rail technology sectors. He has effectively grown business both internally and externally — often through strategic partnerships — to deliver value to public clients and key industrial accounts across Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. He held significant leadership positions within renowned organizations such as General Electric (GE), Alstom, and TMH.

Throughout his career, Jérôme has led crucial project phases, including risk analysis, client engagement, tendering, and contract management, as well as deployment and operational monitoring. His expertise allows him to navigate technologically and culturally complex environments, delivering financial value even in volatile conditions.

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)

Education:

• CapeBreton University (Canada, 2009) - Specialty “Oil and Gas Engineering”, scholarship holder of “Bolashak” program

Job experience:

• Executive Director of Energy Monitor
• General Director of the Union of Oil Service Companies of Kazakhstan (February 2016 - July 2022)
• Chief Expert of the Oil Industry Development Department of the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan (since December 2015)
• Director of the Local Content Development Department of the Center for Market Monitoring and Expertise LLP (since February 2015)
• Chief Manager of the Kazakh Content Development Department, Director of the Local Content Development Department of JSC “Oil and Gas Information and Analytical Center” (since June 2010)
• Chief Manager of the Department of Analysis and Strategic Development of Kazakhstan Contract Agency JSC (2009-2010)

Entrepreneur with 14+ years of experience in the IT business. Ambassador of Techstars and Seedstars.

Has 10 years of experience in investment, business consulting, startup ecosystem development, and venture capital.

Education:

• M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University (2006-2008) — Economist (Master’s degree)
• M. V. Lomonosov Moscow State University (2002-2006) — Economist (Bachelor’s degree)

Work experience:

• Strategic Practice Partner, LLP «Dasco Consulting Group» (May 2019 – Present)
  Coordination and management of projects in the fields of strategic and organizational consulting, public administration, human capital development, and macroeconomics.
• Vice President, JSC «Workforce Development Center» (July 2015 – April 2019)
  Leadership of labor market research, development of employment service marketing strategies, and identification of workforce needs.
• Deputy Chairman of the Management Board, NCJSC “Кәсіпқор” Holding” (September 2011 – June 2015)
  Leadership in educational market research, promotion strategies for educational organizations, and attraction of strategic partners.
• Project Manager, JSC “National Analytical Center” (July 2008 – August 2011)
  Management of sectoral and macroeconomic research, including analytical and marketing studies.