In July, the Central Eurasia Leadership Alliance (CELA) marked a milestone with the successful completion of the CELA’18 Academy, hosted at Nazarbayev University’s Graduate School of Business in Astana. From July 13 to 23, forty participants from Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan gathered for ten days of intensive learning and community building.
The Academy featured a distinguished faculty whose guidance and commitment shaped the program: Ashok Mittal, Bill Starnes, Michael Kouly, Paulette Carnicelli Pidcock, Raheel Waqar, Rashad Bayramov, and Sergey Tantushyan. Their lectures, case studies, and open dialogues provided invaluable insights into leadership, strategy, and personal development.
Equally central to the Academy’s success was the facilitators’ team: Anar Huseynov (CELA’13), Armine Sargsyan (CELA’15), Debra Hays (SIBF), George Simongulashvili (CELA’13), Hikmat Abdurahmanov (CELA’9), Jarkyn Samanchina (CELA’13), Jon Whetsell, Meade Sutterfield (SIBF), Salma Al-Shuhail (MELA), Sarika Grover (SEALA), Sholpan Primbetova (CELA’14), Susan Simons (SIBF), and Susan Sutterfield (SIBF) — who ensured that discussions were dynamic, supportive, and transformative.
The CELA’18 Academy is now part of the network’s shared legacy, adding new graduates to a growing community of leaders across Central Asia and the South Caucasus.
Participants reflected on their experience:
“CELA turned out to be far more than a leadership program. It’s a journey that teaches you about yourself, your values, your purpose, and how to live with more intention. It challenges you to grow, to lead with empathy, and most importantly, to give back to your community. For those of us living in uncertainty, especially in Afghanistan, this experience has been nothing short of transformative.”
— Shoaib Ghyasi, CELA'18 Afghanistan
“Some experiences shift something deep within you, powerfully but quietly… participating in CELA – the Central Eurasia Leadership Alliance – was exactly that. Not just a program, but an exceptionally transformative journey that reshaped how I see leadership, collaboration, and myself, both professionally and personally.”
— Shushanik Gasparyan, CELA'18 Armenia
“I return not with answers, but with better questions. Not with titles, but with trusted allies. And not just with growth, but with a greater responsibility to lead with purpose.”
— Vugar Namazov, CELA'18 Azerbaijan
“We learned that leadership isn’t just about what you do — it’s about who you are when the titles fall away.”
— Nino Kemularia, CELA'18 Georgia
“I was told before going that these days would change how I see everything. I didn’t quite believe it. Now, I do.”
— Iro Tsagareishvili, CELA'18 Georgia
The completion of the CELA’18 Academy reaffirms the Alliance’s mission of nurturing responsible, values-driven leadership in Central Eurasia, preparing new generations of fellows to meet regional and global challenges with vision, empathy, and purpose.
The Academy featured a distinguished faculty whose guidance and commitment shaped the program: Ashok Mittal, Bill Starnes, Michael Kouly, Paulette Carnicelli Pidcock, Raheel Waqar, Rashad Bayramov, and Sergey Tantushyan. Their lectures, case studies, and open dialogues provided invaluable insights into leadership, strategy, and personal development.
Equally central to the Academy’s success was the facilitators’ team: Anar Huseynov (CELA’13), Armine Sargsyan (CELA’15), Debra Hays (SIBF), George Simongulashvili (CELA’13), Hikmat Abdurahmanov (CELA’9), Jarkyn Samanchina (CELA’13), Jon Whetsell, Meade Sutterfield (SIBF), Salma Al-Shuhail (MELA), Sarika Grover (SEALA), Sholpan Primbetova (CELA’14), Susan Simons (SIBF), and Susan Sutterfield (SIBF) — who ensured that discussions were dynamic, supportive, and transformative.
The CELA’18 Academy is now part of the network’s shared legacy, adding new graduates to a growing community of leaders across Central Asia and the South Caucasus.
Participants reflected on their experience:
“CELA turned out to be far more than a leadership program. It’s a journey that teaches you about yourself, your values, your purpose, and how to live with more intention. It challenges you to grow, to lead with empathy, and most importantly, to give back to your community. For those of us living in uncertainty, especially in Afghanistan, this experience has been nothing short of transformative.”
— Shoaib Ghyasi, CELA'18 Afghanistan
“Some experiences shift something deep within you, powerfully but quietly… participating in CELA – the Central Eurasia Leadership Alliance – was exactly that. Not just a program, but an exceptionally transformative journey that reshaped how I see leadership, collaboration, and myself, both professionally and personally.”
— Shushanik Gasparyan, CELA'18 Armenia
“I return not with answers, but with better questions. Not with titles, but with trusted allies. And not just with growth, but with a greater responsibility to lead with purpose.”
— Vugar Namazov, CELA'18 Azerbaijan
“We learned that leadership isn’t just about what you do — it’s about who you are when the titles fall away.”
— Nino Kemularia, CELA'18 Georgia
“I was told before going that these days would change how I see everything. I didn’t quite believe it. Now, I do.”
— Iro Tsagareishvili, CELA'18 Georgia
The completion of the CELA’18 Academy reaffirms the Alliance’s mission of nurturing responsible, values-driven leadership in Central Eurasia, preparing new generations of fellows to meet regional and global challenges with vision, empathy, and purpose.
About CELA, SIBF, MELA, SEALA, NALA
Central Eurasia Leadership Alliance (CELA), founded in 2002, is the premier network for Central Eurasia’s leaders to consistently expand their leadership skills, grow their professional network, and enhance the positive impact they make on their families, businesses, and communities. With 18 academies, 697 Alumni, more than 30 Annual Reunions, and 2 Global Network Summits under its belt, CELA has demonstrated its effectiveness in developing partnerships among our members for business, professional, altruistic, and personal purposes.
SIBF (Society of International Business Fellows) is the parent organization of CELA, SEALA, MELA, and SIBF LA. Formed in the United States about 35 years ago by a group of CEOs, corporate executives, and leading entrepreneurs, SIBF was established to bridge gaps between regions through leadership and business networks.
MELA (Middle East Leadership Alliance) was launched in 2010 by SIBF and a group of Arab business leaders, modeled after CELA. MELA draws its members from across the Middle East annually for its leadership masterclass, fostering dialogue, collaboration, and regional growth.
SEALA (South East Asia Leadership Alliance) is a not-for-profit initiative launched in 2013 by SIBF. SEALA draws its members from across the South East Asia annually for their leadership workshop.
NALA (The North American Leadership Alliance) is an intensive, five-day immersion program. It brings together leaders from Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
Central Eurasia Leadership Alliance (CELA), founded in 2002, is the premier network for Central Eurasia’s leaders to consistently expand their leadership skills, grow their professional network, and enhance the positive impact they make on their families, businesses, and communities. With 18 academies, 697 Alumni, more than 30 Annual Reunions, and 2 Global Network Summits under its belt, CELA has demonstrated its effectiveness in developing partnerships among our members for business, professional, altruistic, and personal purposes.
SIBF (Society of International Business Fellows) is the parent organization of CELA, SEALA, MELA, and SIBF LA. Formed in the United States about 35 years ago by a group of CEOs, corporate executives, and leading entrepreneurs, SIBF was established to bridge gaps between regions through leadership and business networks.
MELA (Middle East Leadership Alliance) was launched in 2010 by SIBF and a group of Arab business leaders, modeled after CELA. MELA draws its members from across the Middle East annually for its leadership masterclass, fostering dialogue, collaboration, and regional growth.
SEALA (South East Asia Leadership Alliance) is a not-for-profit initiative launched in 2013 by SIBF. SEALA draws its members from across the South East Asia annually for their leadership workshop.
NALA (The North American Leadership Alliance) is an intensive, five-day immersion program. It brings together leaders from Canada, Mexico, and the United States.