11 women who are changing the rules of the game in the tech business

More and more women in the region are leading technology companies and startups, combining strategic management, innovation, and product expertise. This review features leaders who develop teams, implement digital solutions, and pave the way for a new generation.

Umut Shayakhmetova
Chairman of the Board of Halyk Bank, one of the most influential figures in Kazakhstan's financial sector. She leads the country's largest bank, overseeing the strategic development of the group, digital transformation, and sustainable business growth, while actively contributing to the development of corporate governance, innovation, and social responsibility in the banking industry.

Aliya Chynybayeva
CEO of O!bank, formerly Halyk Bank Kyrgyzstan, and an experienced financier with international banking experience. Previously, she served as Country Manager for Visa in Central Asia and actively promotes Women In Tech initiatives in Kyrgyzstan, advocating for women's participation in STEM and the digital economy. 

Fidan Tofidi
Director of the Fintech and Innovation Department at the Central Bank of Azerbaijan, overseeing the development of digital financial services, including open banking, regulatory sandboxes, and virtual assets. Previously, she worked in the banking and telecom sectors, launched startups and accelerators, coordinated strategic projects at PASHA Bank, and drove innovation at Azercell and the Barama Innovation Center.

Gulfayruz Asaeva
A Kazakh financial expert with experience dating back to 2007 and Chairman of the Board of Zaman Bank. She oversees digitalization, customer service development, and support for entrepreneurs, promoting transparency and ethics in finance, implementing innovations and educational programs, and ensuring the bank's international expansion in compliance with Sharia and regulatory standards.

Alla Klimenko
Co-founder and CEO of MadDevs, representing the new generation of IT leaders in Central Asia. She entered the technology field through engineering education and practical experience, eventually focusing on management, team development, and the creation of technological products. 

Marina Beketaeva
CEO of the FinTech company re:Kassa, a manager and entrepreneur from Almaty with expertise in business management, product, and marketing; responsible for the company's strategic development, launching, and scaling digital solutions for entrepreneurs and SMEs.

Olga Baskakova
Executive Director of Freedom Kazakhstan Ltd and one of the key top managers of Freedom Holding Corp. She is also responsible for developing the group's venture direction, including Freedom Ventures initiatives, which focus on investing in technological, creative, and FinTech projects in Kazakhstan and the region, combining commercial efficiency with long-term ecosystem development and the ESG agenda.

Zholdyz Saulebekova
CEO of the Almaty Air Initiative, a Kazakh top manager with experience at major IT companies, including launching Uber in Kazakhstan, coordinating the merger with Yandex.Taxi, and launching the first local crypto exchange, Binance. In her current role, she applies business approaches to combat air pollution in Almaty, integrating technology, data, science, and PR.

Ainagul Iskakova
Deputy Chairman of the Board of the Kazakhstan Stock Exchange (KASE) since June 23, 2025. She has 18 years of experience in Kazakhstan's financial sector, with over 10 years focused on digital development and the implementation of technological solutions in the capital market. Previously, she headed the Strategy and International Cooperation Department of KASE and served as Managing Director and Board Member of JSC "Central Depository of Securities".

Gulmira Jumadillayeva
Chairman of the Board of Alatau City Bank. She graduated from the Almaty Institute of National Economy with a degree in Economist. She has over 25 years of experience in the banking sector, including about 20 years in leadership positions. From 2007 to 2021, she served as Deputy Chairman of the Board of Kaspi Bank. Since April 2024, she has led the bank as Chairman of the Board.

Madina Seisengaliyeva
Director of Yandex's advertising business in Central Asia. She has over 15 years of experience in FMCG and marketing in leadership roles. Former Commercial Director of NielsenIQ in Central Asia.