Opening & Closing Remarks
Caroline Savage
U.S. Consul General
Almaty, Kazakhstan
Caroline Savage
U.S. Consul General
Almaty, Kazakhstan
Caroline Savage, a career Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State since 2004, was appointed U.S. Consul General in Almaty, Kazakhstan, in August 2021. Prior to her current role, she served as Director of the Foreign Press Centers in the Bureau of Global Public Affairs during the 2020 U.S. presidential elections. Ms. Savage also served as a non-resident fellow at Georgetown University’s Institute for the Study of Diplomacy, where she focused on diverse diplomatic leadership. She held various positions on the National Security Council and at U.S. Embassies in Azerbaijan, Mozambique, Belarus, and Luxembourg. She has received multiple Department of State Superior and Meritorious Awards and holds master’s degrees in Russian, East European and Central Asian Studies and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Ms. Savage speaks Kazakh, Russian, Azerbaijani, French, and Portuguese.
Mary S. Ginsberg
President
U.S.-CAEF Board of Directors
Mary S. Ginsberg
President
U.S.-CAEF Board of Directors
Mrs. Mary Ginsberg holds her undergraduate degree in Russian Studies and Chinese Studies from Yale University (1975), her first MA in International Business with specialization in East Asia from the School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University (1979), and her second MA in Art and Archeology from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London (1998). From 1980 to 1994, Mrs. Ginsberg worked for Chase Manhattan Bank in New York, Hong Kong, Tokyo, London, and Moscow where she was involved in credit training, syndicated lending, tax-based leasing, and derivative trading. Until recently, Mrs. Ginsberg has served as a guest curator at the British Museum, Chinese and Central Asian Collections.
Jessica Leonard
Regional Director
for Central Asia
American Councils for International Education
Jessica Leonard
Regional Director for Central Asia
American Councils for International Education
Jessica has worked for American Councils in a number of roles including Country Director for Kazakhstan, Alumni Coordinator for Higher Education Programs, DC and Regional Director (2008 to present). She is an alumna of American Councils Russian language study program in Moscow. In her current role, she oversees American Councils offices in Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, which administer programs such as the FLEX secondary exchange program, U.S.-Central Asia Education Foundation Enterprise Fellows, EducationUSA Advising, and language and research programs such as the Eurasian Regional Language Program, Russian Language and Area Studies Program, and Title VIII Research Fellowships. Jessica is still amazed by the beauty of Almaty and tries to get outdoors whenever possible. She’s also happy to visit US family in New England whenever she has the chance.
Anara Badyrlenova
Chairman
National Alumni Network
Anara Badyrlenova
Chairwoman
National Alumni Network
Anara Badyrlenova is a senior lecturer at KazGUU University and Chairwoman of the National Alumni Network, an NGO which supports 20 000 alumni of the U.S. Department of State exchange programs. She is a highly skilled business development professional who possesses a deep passion for sustainable growth, social development, and women empowerment. She has an MBA from Nazarbayev University and has held key positions at renowned organizations such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, World Bank, and UNDP. Anara’s areas of expertise include key account management, event management, project management, and education.
Sevara Tadzhibaeva
Executive Director
U.S.-CAEF Alumni Association
RAC’23 Conference Manager
Sevara Tadzhibaeva
Executive Director
U.S.-CAEF Alumni Association
RAC’23 Conference Manager
Sevara Tadzhibaeva (AUCA’20) was appointed as the Executive Director of the U.S.-CAEF Alumni Association on February 8, 2023. Her passion for promoting engagement and professional development opportunities for U.S.-CAEF community members has been demonstrated in her previous volunteer roles as Vice President and President of the Association. Sevara has gained valuable experience in digital marketing as a Digital Marketing Manager for DEVx IT School in Chicago and as an intern for the Secondary Schools Alumni Programs Department at American Councils for International Education in Washington, DC through the U.S.-CAEF Capstone Internship Program.
In addition, Sevara has participated in the FLEX Program as a high school student, as well as the ProKG Leadership Program in 2017 and the AmCham Mentors Club in 2019 to further her professional development. She successfully organized the U.S.-CAEF Regional Alumni Conference (RAC’21) in Bishkek, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, and has been rehired by American Councils to organize RAC’23 in Almaty in a more senior role as Regional Conference Manager, alongside alumna Aruyel Nurbekova (KIMEP’22). Sevara’s wealth of experience and positive attitude will ensure another successful conference.
Keynote Speakers
Inna An
Managing Director, PBN Hill + Knowlton Strategies
Disinformation and Fact-Checking in Central Asia
Inna An
Managing Director
PBN Hill + Knowlton Strategies
Inna supervises client accounts and delivers corporate communications, social + digital media and press relations services for all PBN H+K clients in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. She has conducted advanced media and crisis management training for senior executives at GlaxoSmithKline, Visa, BankCenterCredit, Verny Capital, Citibank, ArcelorMittal, Chagala and Burger King, among others. Prior to joining PBN Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Inna served in 2007 – 2009 as deputy director for project management at the ANO Mass Media Center in Novosibirsk, Russia, where she provided project management, corporate identity, government and media relations services. She also worked for the National Circulation Service as Siberia Communications Coordinator. In 2007 – 2010, Inna lectured on Russian journalism and press services at Novosibirsk State University of Economics and Management. Inna graduated magna cum laude from the Novosibirsk State University of Economics and Management with a degree in Public Relations. She holds PhD degree in Sociology of Management. She is fluent in spoken and written English and Russian.
Natalya Matassova
Solution Assessment Specialist , Microsoft
Insights from Microsoft on Digital Skills for Future Career
Tolkyn Nurusheva
Solution Assessment Specialist
Microsoft
Natalya Matassova is a Solution Assessment Specialist at Microsoft, overseeing the region of 14 countries including CIS, Baltics, and Black Sea. She specializes in technology and helps organizations prepare for digital transformation and migration to the Microsoft Cloud Platform. Before taking on this role, she led Microsoft’s Small, Medium, and Corporate business in CIS. Natalya has over 13 years of experience at Microsoft, working with customers and partners in Kazakhstan and the broader region. Before joining Microsoft in 2010, Natalya was a General Manager at a Kazakhstani IT Security company. Prior to beginning her journey in the IT world in 2006, she spent a few years in the telecommunications industry in Kazakhstan at Kcell, Ducat, and Kazakhtelecom.
Sam Potolicchio
Executive Director, American Councils Center for Global Leadership
Forecasting and Prediction
Sam Potolicchio
Executive Director
American Councils Center for Global Leadership
Sam Potolicchio is an accomplished Executive Director with a proven track record of success in international education. He is the founder of the American Councils For International Education’s Center for Global Leadership and serves as President of the Preparing Global Leaders Forum. With extensive experience in lecturing across 85 countries, Sam has delivered talks at some of the world’s most prestigious institutions, including Oxford, LSE, Cambridge, Yale, Komar University in Iraq, and Donetsk State University. Sam is a highly sought-after instructor in Executive Education EMBA programs at Georgetown’s McDonough School of Business and Mannheim Business School. His expertise in leadership and global affairs has earned him several accolades, including being named one of “America’s Best Professors” by the Princeton Review and Future Leader of American Higher Education by the Association of Colleges and Universities. He has also been profiled in Newsweek Japan as the “Best Professor in America” for his innovative leadership curriculum. With a passion for global education and leadership development, Sam is a driving force in the field of international education.
Ainura Koshoeva
Chief People Officer, Tele2/Altel Kazakhstan
Thriving in a Changing World: Enhancing Living Standards
Ainura Koshoeva
Chief People Officer
Tele2/Altel Kazakhstan
Ainura Koshoeva is an International expert in personnel management, certified business coach, Chief Reinvention Practitioner, mentor of Wonder Women and Digital Nomad Woman. Now she is engaged in strategic HR issues, leading the Agile transformation and development of corporate culture according to the new business strategy in the United Tele2/Altel Company. Ainura is the best HR Director in Kyrgyzstan according to the International HR Excellence Award 2017 and Kazakhstan’s best HRD according to the Kazakhstan HR Forum in 2022. Ainura has more than 20 years of experience in business, including 15 years in senior positions in personnel management and marketing.
Tom & Michelle Bartkoske
Founder and Mentorship Director, Almaty Toastmasters Club | Former President of Almaty Toastmasters Club
Effective Communication
Tom & Michelle Bartkoske
Tom Bartkoske
Founder and Mentorship Director
Almaty Toastmasters Club
Tom Bartkoske is a globally recognized expert in Emotional Intelligence (EQ) training, with extensive experience working with multicultural organizations and multinational companies worldwide. As the founder of Almaty Toastmasters Club, he has led the development of successful training programs and has been instrumental in helping clients develop strong leadership, presentation, and team-building skills. Tom has presented at various workshops and conferences, including AISEC, KIMEP, Toastmasters, PwC, JTI, GoViral, WorldBank, and USAID. His expertise and unique approach have helped clients in Egypt, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, USA, China, and Kazakhstan achieve their personal and professional goals.
Michelle Bartkoske
Former President
Almaty Toastmasters Club
Michelle Bartkoske is an accomplished business professional with a demonstrated track record of success in the areas of public speaking, emotional intelligence training, and team building. As the former president of Almaty Toastmasters Club and the Toastmasters Central Asia Speech Champion in 2020, Michelle has a proven ability to communicate effectively and inspire others. She has also delivered comprehensive EQ trainings for multinational companies and multicultural organizations in Kyrgyzstan, USA, and Kazakhstan. Her expertise in conflict resolution and team building has made her a sought-after presenter at various workshops and conferences hosted by prestigious organizations such as the UN, Toastmasters, USAID, and AIWC. Michelle’s unique combination of skills and experience make her a valuable asset to any business or organization seeking to enhance their communication, teamwork, and leadership capabilities.
Clyde C. Tuggle
Co-Founder, Pine Island Capital Partners
Crisis Communication
Clyde C. Tuggle
Co-Founder
Pine Island Capital Partners
Clyde C. Tuggle is a Co-Founder and Founding Partner of Pine Island Capital Partner, an innovative private equity investment firm in Washington, DC, focusing on U.S. middle market investment opportunities. Prior to Pine Island Capital Partners, Tuggle spent 30 years with The Coca-Cola Company, where he quickly rose through the ranks. By 2008, he had been named Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Productivity and a member of the Company’s Executive Committee. From 2009 through 2017, he served as Senior Vice President of Global Public Affairs and Communications, a position reporting directly to the Chairman and CEO of the Company. He retired from the Company in 2018.
Tuggle currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Power Company, where he is Chairman of the Compensation Committee. He is also a past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Agnes Scott College and a Trustee of the Georgia Research Alliance. Tuggle serves on the Boards of Directors of the Center for Addiction and Substance Abuse, the U.S. Russia Business Council, and is Chairman of the Board of Directors of the World Affairs Council of Atlanta. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Goizueta Business School Advisory Board, and the Yale University International Advisory Board.
Tuggle holds a bachelor’s degree in German Studies and Economics from Hamilton College, a Master of Divinity from Yale University, and completed The Executive Program at the University of Virginia’s Darden Business School. He studied at the Ludwig-Maximillian Universität in Munich, Germany. Clyde was born in Atlanta, Georgia, and is married to Mary M. Streett. They have two children.
The Future of the Alumni Association:
Defining Goals and Strategies
The Alumni Board and active alumni will present their vision for the future of the U.S.-CAEF Alumni Association. Participants will explore existing and potential initiatives that align with the organization’s mission in in-depth discussions and collaborative brainstorming sessions. The event concludes with group presentations, where each group shares their innovative ideas and recommendations inspiring the wider audience with their creative solutions.
Alumni Panel: Entrepreneurship Showcase
The Alumni Panel: Entrepreneurship Showcase highlights successful alumni entrepreneurs, who share their experiences and insights. The event includes personal stories, challenges faced, and tips on networking and seeking advice. Attendees can ask questions and gain valuable insights. It also provides a platform for alumni to reconnect, showcase their success, and expand their business networks. It is an excellent opportunity to learn, network, and get inspired.
Nargiza Chaykozova
AUCA’11
Freelance Financial Advisor
Talgat Kadirov
KIMEP’11
Chief Investor Relations Officer, IPEC Energy Kazakhstan
Kairat Tagaev
AUCA’22
Co-founder, TexPro
Meryem Karakhasanova
AUCA’18
Entrepreneur and Counseling Psychologist
Nargiza Zhakypova
AUCA’12
Co-founder, IT-RUN and American-European School
Zulfiya Urunova
KIMEP’18
Co-founder, Take Care Mom
Anisa Atalova
AUCA’16
Founder and CEO, Uniqum
Aizharkyn Burkanova
AUCA’14
Co-founder & CPO, perimetr.app, and CEO, Tengri Tech, LLC
