Where HR leaders meet: practical tools, networking, and real insights from CPOs of top companies.
HR NEXT Conference is an initiative of Verny Capital Group, created to bring together HR and business leaders on one platform to exchange ideas, contribute their expertise and shape new perspectives in the field of people management.
It is a space for HR professionals and business practitioners to discuss current challenges, explore cutting-edge tools and inspire each other to develop the corporate culture of the future.
The mission of HR NEXT is to create a community of professionals where people’s energy becomes a source of growth, drive and positive transformation.
We bring together the best experts from the major companies to offer you practical solutions that turn the HR function into a driver of growth, power and sustainable improvement.
About HR NEXT Conference:
Date: November 7, 2025 Participation format: offline Place: Almaty, Narxoz Business School Registration is open till November 5, 2025
Host of BRIF Business Game Operational Director of MOZLAB.KZ
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MAXIM ZHURILO
HR NEXT moderator and host of the AI hackathon "AI Coach for Leaders".
Graduate of the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford (MPP, Weidenfeld-Hoffmann Scholar) and founder of Stayf — a corporate wellbeing platform helping companies develop leadership, manage energy and enhance team performance.
He collaborates with the Wellbeing Research Centre (University of Oxford) — the academic hub studying wellbeing and happiness — implementing science-based practices in the workplace.
A recognized leader in corporate energy management, Maxim has created numerous programs and courses in leadership and life energy, and successfully trains teams of global companies.
Previously co-founded I Love Supersport and IRONSTAR; seven-time IRONMAN finisher and the first Russian to swim across the Strait of Gibraltar.
К списку
ZHANEL UTEMURATOVA
Chief People Officer ForteBank, an expert in strategic HR management and organizational development
Zhanel has more than 15 years of experience in transforming corporate culture, building a leadership ecosystem and implementing HR strategies that support business growth. Believes that a strong team and engaged employees are the pillars of sustainable success.
She leads initiatives aimed at developing talent, increasing efficiency and creating an environment where everyone feels valued for their contribution.
Key areas of expertise:
Talent management strategy
Leadership and engagement
Organizational development and transformation
Performance & Engagement
Team Development
Creation of a culture where people become the main driver of growth
К списку
АЛЕКСАНДРА ПАК
Chief People Officer of Haileybury schools in Kazakhstan and Chair of the HR Committee of Eurobak Association.
For more than 10 years Alexandra has been developing a culture of conscious leadership and caring for people in international companies in the fields of education, IT, consulting, and FMCG. Her professional interests lie in strategic human capital management, motivation systems, employer brand and corporate well-being.
Alexandra is strongly involved in charitable projects related to women’s rights and support for victims of domestic violence.
Alexandra believes that the voice of every person matters and that change starts with human attitude — respect, empathy and the courage to speak up.
In both her work and life, Alexandra is inspired by the idea that a leader’s strength is not in power, but in the ability to see and unlock the talent of others.
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JAMEEL ASGHAR
Group Head of People at VEON and a member of the VEON Leadership Team.
He brings over 20 years of experience leading HR functions across the telecommunications and technology industries, having worked with Ericsson and Nokia across Pakistan, the Middle East, and Africa.
Jameel holds an MBA and is a graduate of the Chief Human Resources Officer Program at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania (Executive Education).
К списку
TAHMINA QODIRI
Chief People & Business Support Officer, Beeline Kazakhstan International HR and communications expert with over 18 years of experience in the markets of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Russia.
Known for her innovative approach to HR management, Tahmina was one of the first in the region to introduce the concepts of Marketing HR, Employer Branding, TechHR, Life Learning, Wellbeing and Diversity & Inclusion.
Tahmina believes that today's HR professionals should adopt best practices from rapidly evolving industries - such as IT, Digital Marketing, Data Science and Generative AI - instead of limiting themselves to traditional HR tools. She is a certified Reinvention specialist and Ericson international-accredited coach (ACC ICF).
For the past six years, Tahmina has been heading the People Office of Beeline Kazakhstan, a leading telecommunications operator and one of the largest IT companies in the country with about 6,000 employees. Her initiatives have made the company one of the most attractive employers in the market and a frontrunner in the telecommunications sector.
In addition, Tahmina serves on executive committees and is actively involved in professional communities, including:
HR Managers Association of Kazakhstan
EUROBAK (European Business Association of Kazakhstan, HR Chapter)
RNS HR Club - a platform where HR practitioners exchange experience and industry trends on a monthly basis
Over the years, Tahmina has repeatedly topped professional rankings and has been recognized with a number of prestigious awards, including:
Best HR Director of the CIS, Crystal Pyramid 2020 Award, Moscow, HR Directors Summit of Russia and the CIS
Best HR Manager of 2020 according to the Professional HR Association of Kazakhstan
Best HR Director of the Year, Crystal Pyramid 2021, Moscow
Best HR Director of 2021, Kommesk HR Forum, Almaty
Tahmina's team has won more than 15 industry awards over the past three years for innovative practices and achievements in the areas of Employer Brand, Internal Communications, TechHR, Wellbeing, and Talent Recruitment.
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SABINA BARATOVA
Head of Customer Operations, Beeline Kazakhstan, expert in automation and optimization of business processes, IPMA certified project manager.
Sabina has extensive experience in implementing innovative technologies, including solutions based on artificial intelligence (AI).
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IRINA BEZMENOVA
Director in EMIN HR Tech Company, candidate of Psychological sciences, MBA.
Visiting Professor at Narxoz Business School
Irina is a leader bringing together science, business and technology in the development of people and organizations.
For more than 30 years she has been helping companies in various industries, from retail and banking to IT and consulting, to build teams capable of growing and changing with the business. Her professional path includes launching businesses from scratch, developing management and motivation systems, building franchise networks and implementing next-generation HR technologies, teaching MBAs, EMBAs, and other specialized courses.
She has spearheaded major educational and consulting projects, led executive training programs at the Russian Academy of National Economy and Public Administration, teaches at Narxoz Business School, and developed leadership programs in Russia, Latvia, Serbia, France, Spain, Finland, and Kazakhstan.
Today Irina combines strategic management in HR-Tech, teaching at NBS and consulting, continuing to inspire leaders to consciously develop and create corporate cultures centered on people and the energy of growth.
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ANNA PATSYUK
TOP FACILITATOR BUSINESS TRAINER AND RETAIL CONSULTANT FACILITATOR OF WINGS CONCEPT: A mini-facilitation session (team empowerment exercise) where participants live the experience of collective support and realize what values and resources help their teams to endure and achieve goals.
Founder of the professional community of facilitators in Central Asia @LaFa.community
Head of the regional branch of the International Association of Facilitators (Central Asia).
The first in Central Asia winner of the International Facilitation Impact Awards 2024, annually organized by the International Association of Facilitators (IAF)
Facilitator of strategic sessions (online and offline).
One of the leading companies in HR consulting, ed-tech and facilitation, with over 20 years of experience and a team of over 50 professionals.
MozLab’s portfolio includes hundreds of corporate projects, strategic sessions and training programs that help companies to adapt to changing contexts and strengthen their internal capacities.
К списку
MAKSIM YASCHENKO
Leading Actor State Academic Russian Drama Theater named after M. GORKY, Astana PUBLIC SPEAKING TRAINER Event Host
At HR Next, Maxim will conduct a session-lecture on voice expressiveness, non-verbal communication and secrets of confident public speaking.
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TIMOFEY ZHUKOV
GENERAL DIRECTOR OF MOZLAB.KZ LEADING HOST OF MORE THAN 300 CONFERENCES (FROM 50 AND MORE PEOPLE) OF FEDERAL AND INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES MORE THAN 7 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN DEVELOPING AND CONDUCTING TRAININGS MORE THAN 14 YEARS OF SALES EXPERIENCE
MOZLAB.KZ
One of the leading companies in HR consulting, ed-tech and facilitation, with over 20 years of experience and a team of over 50 professionals.
MozLab's portfolio includes hundreds of corporate projects, strategic sessions and training programs that help companies to adapt to changing contexts and strengthen their internal capacities.
К списку
ANNA LOZOVAYA
OPERATIONAL DIRECTOR OF MOZLAB.KZ HEAD OF EDUCATIONAL PROJECTS OF FEDERAL AND INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES METHODOLOGIST AND ARCHITECT OF EDUCATIONAL SOLUTIONS FOR MORE THAN 9 YEARS PCC ICF COACH
MOZLAB.KZ
One of the leading companies in HR consulting, ed-tech and facilitation, with over 20 years of experience and a team of over 50 professionals.
MozLab's portfolio includes hundreds of corporate projects, strategic sessions and training programs that help companies to adapt to changing contexts and strengthen their internal capacities.
К списку
EVGENIA GIZIK
HEAD OF COMPETENCY ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT DIVISION, FORTEBANK JSC
Evgenia is an expert in learning and talent development with over 18 years of experience in the banking sector and 10 years of practice as a business trainer. With more than 5 years in HR, she builds comprehensive frameworks for talent assessment, development, and employee support, enhancing a culture of performance and continuous growth.
A certified ICBT specialist, game-based learning practitioner and facilitator, Evgenia is the author of experiential learning approaches, organizer of specialized professional forums, and facilitator of strategic sessions tailored to business needs.
She has designed and delivered 90+ educational programs attended by more than 2,000 participants, achieving a 99% satisfaction rating.
Her approach combines a strong methodological foundation, deep work with motivation, and a focus on practical application of knowledge. Evgenia supports the development of a new generation of leaders — conscious, engaged, performance-oriented, and committed to the growth of their teams.