Business programme

Awareness of trends and their impact on different areas of life is becoming a critical skill for people’s success in this rapidly changing world. Megatrends such as globalization, transformation, bolstering business partnerships, as well as the mass introduction of artificial intelligence are creating new challenges and growth points for different industries. Women generally adapt to change more easily. A study conducted by the Council of the Eurasian Women’s Forum and NAFI Research Centre showed that during the pandemic women entrepreneurs were leaving business at a rate of 3.6% versus 4.4% for men. The sustainability of women’s business projects is attributable to a culture of openness and trust, support for international communities, the inclusion of digital ecosystems in business processes, and the reassessment of values with a focus on taking care of people’s health. Preserving and enhancing the social, technological, and economic potential of different countries, as well as international cooperation, require development strategies to be adapted taking into account the impact of megatrends on individuals and societies. What is the best thing to focus on, given the successful track record of women’s business sustainability?

Moderator
Guzeliya Imaeva, Chief Executive Officer, NAFI Research Centre

Guzeliya Imaeva

Chief Executive Officer, NAFI Research Centre

Education
• Russian State Social University, Faculty of Sociology
• Moscow international higher businesses school MIRBIS. Presidential Program for the Training of Management Specialists. Specialization in marketing
• Advancia-Negocia business school, Paris, France

Expertise
• Member of the Expert Council on Digital Economy in the State Assembly of the Russian Federation
• Member of the Expert Council on Financial Literacy of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation
• Member of the Expert Council of the Deposit Insurance Agency
• Member of ESOMAR
• Member of the Russian Society of Sociologists
• The author of dozens of scientific publications and articles in the field of financial behavior of the population and business. Co-author of the books: 100 Facts about Russians’ financial Behavior, Encyclopedia of Russians’ financial behavior, Financial inclusion in Russia: the demand-side perspective, Children and finance: Safety of Savings and payments, Digital Literacy for the Future Economy, Children and Technology
• The winner of the IX All-Russian Business Women Competition Success, 2013

Panellists
Rfah Hadi Alyami, Consultant, Ministry of Education of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Neelam Gorhe, Deputy Chairman, Maharashtra Legislative Council
Elina Isagulova, Vice President for B2B Commerce and Operations Management, VK
Galina Karelova, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Federal Structure, Regional Policy, Local Self-Government and Northern Affairs
Marina Medvedeva, Member of the Management Board - Managing Director, SIBUR
Elvira Nurgalieva, Deputy Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic
Alexandra Ryabykh, Co-founder, Association of Women in the Nuclear Industry Foundation
Yomna Elsheridy, President, Business Women of Egypt 21; Member of Egyptian Chapter, BRICS Women's Business Alliance (WBA)
Tatyana Yakovleva, First Deputy Head, Federal Medical-Biological Agency of the Russian Federation

Rfah Hadi Alyami

Consultant, Ministry of Education of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Neelam Gorhe

Deputy Chairman, Maharashtra Legislative Council

Elina Isagulova

Vice President for B2B Commerce and Operations Management, VK

Heads the development and promotion of VK’s consolidated B2B solutions and services. The division is
responsible for holistic assistance in the digitalization efforts of partners, based on the entire spectrum
of the internet holding’s products and services.
Elina joined the Council of the Eurasian Women's Forum under the Federation Council of the Federal
Assembly of the Russian Federation, in March 2023.
2014 – 2015 – Deputy Director of Advertising, Gazprom Media
2012 – 2014 – Vice President of Sales, ProfMedia TV Ltd
2008 – 2012 – Deputy Commercial Director, ProfMedia Business Solutions Ltd
2005 – 2008 – Director of Sales, TV3 Media Ltd
Graduated from Moscow State University with a specialization in Linguistics and Translation. Speaks
English and Spanish.
Married, mother to three children.

Galina Karelova

First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Federal Structure, Regional Policy, Local Self-Government and Northern Affairs

Deputy Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation
Born on 29 June 1950 in the city of Nizhnyaya Salda, Sverdlovsk Region. In 1972, she graduated from the Sergei Kirov Urals Polytechnic Institute with a degree in engineering and economics. PhD in Economics and DSc in Social Sciences, professor. For 20 years she was engaged in teaching and research. Author of over 150 papers on economic, social and political issues.
Since 1990 – delegate, Deputy Speaker (1992–1993) of the Sverdlovsk Regional Parliamentarian Council.
1994–1996 – Deputy of the Council of Federation of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Chairperson of the Federation Council Committee on Social Policy.
1996–1997 – Deputy of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Subcommittee on International Humanitarian, Scientific and Cultural Cooperation of the State Duma Committee on International Affairs.
Since 1997 – Deputy and since 2000 – First Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Affairs of the Russian Federation.
April 2003 – March 2004 – Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation on Social Affairs.
April 2004 – December 2007 – Chairperson of the Social Insurance Fund of the Russian Federation.
On 2 December 2007, she was elected a deputy to the Fifth State Duma, Deputy Speaker of the State Duma Committee on Budget and Taxes.
On 4 December 2011, she was elected a deputy to the Sixth State Duma, First Deputy Chair of the State Duma Committee on Labour, Social Policy and Veteran Affairs.
Since 22 September 2014, she is a Representative of the executive authority of the Voronezh Region in the Federation Council. Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, member of the Federation Council Committee on Social Policy. Initiator and drafter of more than 40 laws, including laws on social protection. Full State Counsellor 1st Class of the Russian Federation. Decorated with state orders and medals.

Marina Medvedeva

Member of the Management Board - Managing Director, SIBUR

Elvira Nurgalieva

Deputy Minister of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic

Alexandra Ryabykh

Co-founder, Association of Women in the Nuclear Industry Foundation

Yomna Elsheridy

President, Business Women of Egypt 21; Member of Egyptian Chapter, BRICS Women's Business Alliance (WBA)

Tatyana Yakovleva

First Deputy Head, Federal Medical-Biological Agency of the Russian Federation

Born 7 July 1960 in Goгky oblast.
In 1985, graduated Ivanovo State Medical Institute with honours, majoring in Paediatrics. Worked her way up from a rural hospital nurse to Chief Physician of Teykovo Central Regional Hospital (Ivanovo Oblast).
In 1999, elected Deputy of the 3rd State Duma of Ivanovo single member electoral district No.78 (Ivanovo oblast), also elected Deputy of the 4th, 5th, and 6th State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.
Acted as Deputy Head of the State Duma Committee for Healthcare and Sports, Head of the State Duma Committee for Healthcare, First Deputy Head of the United Russia fraction at the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.
While in the State Duma, was a member of interagency working group on the Healthcare priority national project at the Russian Federation Presidential Council for the Implementation of the Priority National Projects, State Duma Committee for the Juvenile Affairs and Protection of their Rights and Governmental Committee for Combating Drug Abuse and Illegal Drug Trafficking, as well as acted as Deputy Head of State Duma Committee for Technical Regulation.
Doctor of Medicine, Honoured Doctor of the Russian Federation, Professor, co-author of over 59 research publications, 7 textbooks, 6 patents. The winner of the Russian Federation Governmental Award in the field of science and technology. In 2001, graduated Moscow State Social University specializing in Law. Holds top qualification category in Public Health. Chair of the Department on outpatient and social paediatrics at Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University (RNRMU), the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation.
Decorated with the Order of Honour, Medal of the 2nd degree Order of Service to the Fatherland, Medal of Merit for the National Healthcare; received Citation from Valentina Matvienko, the Chair of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.
Appointed Deputy Minister of Healthcare of the Russian Federation by Government Order No.1010-р of 18 June 2012.

Front row participant
Anna Kharnas, Marketing Communications and Commercial Director, Games of the Future 2024

Anna Kharnas

Marketing Communications and Commercial Director, Games of the Future 2024