The Bulat Utemuratov Foundation is a dynamic and multifaceted organization, actively involved in supporting diverse projects across healthcare, culture and education. The Foundation takes a systematic approach to its philanthropic activities, with the goal of raising quality of life and driving sustainable development.
The Foundation’s mission
We bring together people, ideas and resources to create valuable and sustainable solutions that move society forward.
Effectiveness
We strive to achieve the best result in the most effective way.
Care
Our projects focus on supporting those who need it the most.
Trust
We strive to earn and maintain the trust of our beneficiaries, partners, sponsors and the people of Kazakhstan.
Responsibility
We take seriously the responsibility of overseeing the funds entrusted to us and the hopes placed upon us.
Openness
We maintain open communication in all our activities. We are committed to continuous development and welcome new experiences, knowledge, and challenges.
Bulat Utemuratov
The founder
Bulat Utemuratov is a distinguished entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the key investor of the projects managed by Verny Capital Investment Group.The sphere of his business interest covers finance, telecommunication and media, hotel business, real estate, natural resources, transport and logistics, consumer goods and services. Bulat Utemuratov's public activities are aimed at developing education, supporting sports, promoting cultural values and health care.
Almaz Sharman
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
President of the Kazakh Academy of Preventive Medicine. A prominent Kazakhstani expert in medicine, professor, and doctor of medical sciences, widely recognized for his work in public health, biomedical research, and the digital transformation of healthcare in Kazakhstan and beyond. Sharman was involved in university teaching as Associate at the Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health. Since 2010, Sharman’s primary focus has been on establishments of Academic Healthcare System at Nazarbayev University with the goal of integration of patient care with biomedical research and education.
Zhaniya Aubakirova
Member of The Board of Trustees
The renowned pianist Jania Aubakirova is the laureate of international competitions. People's Artist of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Laureate of the State Prize of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Holder of the Order of Arts and Literature of France. Prize winner of the European Union of Arts named after Gustav Mahler and the Golden Cross for merit to Poland.
Olzhas Suleimenov
Member of The Board of Trustees
Poet, literary scholar, the Kazakh SSR people’s writer (1990), an important Kazakh political and public figure and diplomat. Mr Suleimenov’s poems have been translated into English, French, German, Spanish, Czech, Polish, Slovakian, Bulgarian, Hungarian, Mongolian and Turkish. The renowned Kazakh poet achieved most acclaim in France where, his poetry was often published in multiple respected periodicals and a number of collections of his poems were published. Mr Suleimenov is also known for his initiation of the well-known antinuclear movement Nevada – Semipalatinsk.
Alexander Vinokurov
Member of The Board of Trustees
Kazakhstani former professional road bicycle racer and current general manager of UCI ProTeam Astana. As a competitor, his achievements include two bronze medals at the World Championships, four stage wins in the Tour de France, four in the Vuelta a España plus the overall title in 2006, two Liège–Bastogne–Liège monuments, one Amstel Gold Race, and most recently, the gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics Men's Road Race.
Armanzhan Baitasov
Member of The Board of Trustees
Businessman, journalist, publisher of Forbes Kazakhstan magazine, president of media holding company 31st Channel. Ph.D. in philology and member of the Kazakh Academy of Journalism. Mr Baitasov is also the chairman of the supervisory board of the International Academy of Business and a member of the Kazakh branch of the YPO (Young President’s Organization).
Ainur Karbozova
CEO
Ainur Bagdatovna brings extensive experience in international relations, diplomacy, investment promotion, and higher education.
Her professional career includes positions at the Consular Service Department and the Department of Information and Analysis at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as at the Embassies of Kazakhstan in South Korea and the United Kingdom. She has served as President of the Centre for International Programmes under the Ministry of Education and as Deputy Chairman of the Board at Maqsut Narikbayev University.
Gulmira Murzalinova
Deputy General Director/Finance Director
Zhanar Rakhimzhanova
Head of the Resource Center
Temirlan Yerbossynov
Research, Development and Internationalization Director
Yuliya Mitroshina
Head of HR
Aida Baimakova
Head of Corporate Relations
BULAT UTEMURATOV
Bulat Utemuratov is a leading Kazakhstani entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the key investor in the projects managed by Verny Capital Investment Group. Mr Utemuratov’s business interests include finance, telecommunications, hospitality, and real estate.
In 2014, Bulat Utemuratov established the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation, a registered charitable foundation aimed at improving the quality of life in Kazakhstan by supporting the development of healthcare, education and culture. The total value of the Foundation’s projects exceeds USD$240 million.
The Foundation allocated over USD$16 million for the “Autism. One World for All”, a flagship program which provides early intervention services for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and support for their families. Over the past nine years, more than 20,000 children have benefited from the 13 Asyl Miras Autism Centers.
The Foundation is one of few organizations in Kazakhstan that implements large-scale social initiatives on a systemic basis, ensuring broad geographical coverage and long-term impact across various sectors. This allows it to respond quickly where relief is needed for most, including in emergency situations. In addition to providing local relief, in 2023 the Foundation donated USD$5 million to help Turkey recover from a devastating earthquake, and USD$1 million to support the families of miners who lost their lives in the Kostenko mine explosion in October 2023.
In 2024, the Foundation allocated over USD$26 million to eliminate the consequences of large-scale floods in Kazakhstan. These funds were used to provide essential aid and housing for more than 400 families in the Aktobe region. To support regional development, the Foundation initiated a number of social infrastructure projects across the country worth over USD$133 million, transferring them to the state free of charge.
In September 2023, a new school in the city of Kosshy was opened, funded entirely by the Foundation. It became the first school built to meet the new “Comfortable School” national standard. In September 2024, two more schools for 900 students each opened in the Almaty region. In November 2024, a new passenger terminal at Kyzylorda Airport, covering 7,500 square meters, was launched. It increased the airport’s capacity sevenfold to 2 million passengers per year, and it was recognized with the Eurobak Award in Kazakhstan.
In March 2025, a new public and cultural center opened in Kosshy. With a capacity of over 1,000 people and a total area of 8,500 square meters, the center combines sports, educational, and leisure facilities. Furthermore, in 2026, the Foundation transferred the modern Shabyt Youth Development Center, with a total area of 2,600 square meters, to the city of Zhezkazgan.
The Bulat Utemuratov Foundation has experience in implementing youth development initiatives. Through the Jas Leader Akademiiasy program, 41,500 Kazakhstani school students have learned leadership and teamwork skills, effective communication, and empathy. To foster a culture of sustainability and teamwork, the Foundation launched the Zhasyl Mektep (“Green School”) project in 36 schools in Almaty and Astana. As part of the program, children learn about healthy lifestyle habits and the basics of planting and growing plants.
Beyond philanthropy, Bulat Utemuratov directly supports two non-profit educational institutions: Narxoz University, one of Kazakhstan’s leading private universities, and the Haileybury International Schools in Kazakhstan, which offer preschool and school education following the traditions of independent British schooling. All proceeds are reinvested in the respective institutions and are used to develop human capital, infrastructure improvements, and educational quality.
In 2007, Bulat Utemuratov was appointed President of the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation. In 2017, his contribution to tennis development was recognized by the International Tennis Federation and the Asian Tennis Federation for “Outstanding Achievements in the Development of Tennis in Kazakhstan.” Mr Utemuratov has invested over USD$200 million in tennis development and infrastructure across the country.
Bulat Utemuratov is also a supporter of culture and the arts, including support for the Batyrkhan Shukenov Foundation, and provides scholarships for talented music students across the country. Under his patronage, the Forte Bank Kulanshi Art Space regularly hosts exhibitions by the Kulanshi Center for Contemporary Art. With the support of the Foundation, the exhibition “Kazakhstan: Treasures of the Great Steppe” was held in 2024 at the Musée Guimet in Paris.
The Foundation has also supported projects to preserve the literary legacy of Olzhas Suleimenov and the musical legacy of Batyrkhan Shukenov. With the support of the Foundation, works including “AZ and I”, “Ambassador of My Land” and “Book of Poems” were republished to mark the 90th anniversary of Olzhas Suleimenov. Shamshi 100 is another project recently launched by the Foundation, aiming to preserve the works of Shamshi Kaldayakov, a key figure in Kazakhstani music and the composer of the national anthem, and promote them among international audiences. The project covers the creation a digital archive of the works of the Kazakh composer, the translation of 20 of his compositions into English and Spanish and the publication of the “Eternal Songs of Love” international anthology.
In December 2023, independent members of the Kazakhstan Growth Forum’s expert council awarded Bulat Utemuratov the “Philanthropist of the Year” award for his outstanding contributions in social areas. In June 2024, the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation received the American Chamber of Commerce in Kazakhstan Award in the category of “Service to Society.” In 2025, the Bulat Utemuratov Foundation received the American Chamber of Commerce in Kazakhstan award in the Healthcare category for the “Autism. One World for All” program and won the EUROBAK Award in the Corporate Social Responsibility category for the construction of a multifunctional community center in Kosshy.