Since 2014 Alma Kassymova is leading EBRD Advice for Small Businesses programme in Kazakhstan. She offers over 15 years professional experience of administering and implementing economic development projects. Since 2000 she led the following USAID-funded projects: Regional Economic Cooperation (CAR export and trade development); Kazakhstan Small Business Development (educating SMEs and creating business service providers network throughout Kazakhstan); Entrepreneurship Development Project in Central Asia (SME consulting and support); Business Environment Improvement (through elimination of administrative barriers to entrepreneurship); served a coordinator for the World Bank-funded Kazakhstan retirement system reform. Holds BA in linguistics and MA in Marketing. Since 2008 is a certified business coach within the ExxonMobil (USA) «Global Women in Management» programme.