“Over the past three years, PR room Awards has grown into a respected national platform, bringing together more than 120 projects. This experience has given us a deep and practical understanding of what truly effective, results-driven communications look like in Kazakhstan.
Today, we are taking the next step — moving onto the international stage. Our goal is to connect projects that operate across multiple markets, position Kazakhstan as a strategic hub, attract investment, and develop export-ready ideas, products, and communication practices. PRroom Awards: global and Central Asia Cross-Markets is designed to become a catalyst for these cross-border collaborations” – Ainur Jumadilova, Chair of the Jury.
Panel of Judges
Ainur Jumadilova is a PR and GR professional with extensive experience in public-sector and financial communications. She currently serves as Deputy Director of Communications at the National Bank of Kazakhstan and the Chair of the Committee on Professional Status Development at the Association of Media Professionals (APRM).
Ainur is an active member of the PR room professional community and the Chair of the Jury of the annual PR room Awards. In this role, she contributes to the advancement of industry standards, transparency, and cross-market PR practices in Kazakhstan and across the region.
Costinela Drăgan is Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility Director at Rompetrol Group, with over 20 years of experience in the energy sector. She leads the Group’s sustainability strategy and transition agenda, with a strong focus on environmental performance, emissions management, stakeholder engagement and community investment. In this role, she also oversees and coordinates the CSR campaigns and social investment programs across the Group, ensuring alignment with business priorities and societal needs.
She has also acted as a sustainability consultant for KMG NC, supporting the company in the preparation of its first sustainability report, contributing to the development of reporting structures, materiality assessment and alignment with international sustainability standards.
In addition to her corporate role, Costinela has been actively involved in the development and implementation of social impact initiatives, collaborating with a wide range of non-governmental organisations operating in areas such as education, health, social inclusion, culture and environmental protection.
Costinela holds a PhD in American Studies from the University of Bucharest and an Executive Master of Management in Energy from BI Norwegian Business School in Oslo.
Between 2017 and 2019, Costinela served as President of Global Compact Network Romania, the local network of the United Nations Global Compact, promoting the UN principles on human rights, environmental protection and responsible governance within the business community.
Kamilla Zhalilova (Dubai), co-founder and CEO of Women in Modern Industries and a Consulting Growth Team Leader at one of the Global largest ‘Big 4’ companies
Kamilla Zhalilova is a co-founder and CEO of an international NGO promoting professional development and leadership of women in Energy and Resources industries. With more than 10 years of working with companies in these industries, Kamilla possesses an extensive 18 years experience in international management consulting bringing her knowledge and skillset to further grow and run the Women in Modern Industries community and promote the Award the NGO has established more than five years ago across the world. The award is aimed to recognize achievements of each woman in the industry whose efforts made significant impact on company and industry development. “The award itself and the contest is a great tool for both women participants and companies to assess talents and recognize best professionals on an international level. I am proud the number of participants is growing each year and has trippled since the first launch year!”
Zhanar Bekbassova, Founder & CEO of the international communications agency “Turan Business Development” (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, USA), Representative of Al Jazeera Media Network in Central Asia and the Caucasus
Strategic communications expert with 18 years of experience in both government and private sectors. Political scientist, EMBA, ICBT
She has held positions such as Communications Advisor to the Office of the Vice-Prime Minister of Kazakhstan and Head of PR departments in both international and national companies. Zhanar has extensive practical experience in developing and implementing communication strategies for government bodies, multinational corporations, and major local businesses.
Co-author and trainer of:
Mini MBA “Effective PR Strategies: From Writing to Implementation”
Mini MBA “Strategic Communications in Business & Government Relations”
Zangar Boztayev is CEO at Genesis CSP – an official YouTube partner, providing YouTube promotion services. Company is operating in 30+ countries, including USA, Canada, Asian region, etc.
Valentina Butnik, Сhief External Communications and Reputation Management, Beeline Uzbekistan (VEON Group)
Valentina Butnik is a recognized expert in public relations and reputation management with more than 15 years of experience in the telecommunications industry. Since 2021, she has led external communications and reputation management at Beeline Uzbekistan.
She has expertise in strategic, international, cross-cultural, and crisis communications, as well as in information risk management and executive positioning. Valentina began her PR career in Russia and, in 2014, was appointed Director of Public Relations at MegaFon Tajikistan. Under her leadership, major national and international projects were implemented, gaining support from government bodies and diplomatic missions, reaching the international level, and earning prestigious professional awards.
At Beeline Uzbekistan, Valentina combines corporate standards with local cultural codes, introducing innovative approaches to communications. In 2023, she launched the PRO TALKS discussion platform — a community for professionals in communications (PR, GR, IR, marketing, and more).
In addition, Valentina heads the Public Relations and Strategic Communications Committee at the Europe-Uzbekistan Association for Economic Cooperation (EUROUZ), where she drives initiatives aimed at strengthening Uzbekistan’s image on the international stage.
She graduated from Khakass State University named after N. F. Katanov with dual degrees in History, Social Studies and Law and Economics and Enterprise Management. She is also a graduate of the Independent Director, Board of Directors program at TEAM Executive Education, which focuses on corporate governance and strategic responsibility.
Shirin Dubanaeva, founder of the Communicators Club of Kyrgyzstan, PR of Wildberries in Kyrgyzstan
Shirin Dubanaeva is the founder of the Communicators Club of Kyrgyzstan and an expert in PR and e-commerce with over 13 years of professional experience. She has worked with commercial, governmental, and international organizations, and has consulted the press offices of the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Ministry of Transport and Roads of the Kyrgyz Republic on communications and media relations. She currently serves as the PR of Wildberries in Kyrgyzstan.
Tagzhana Aidaralieva, PR Manager at Bank Kompanion (Kyrgyzstan)
I possess extensive professional experience in public relations spanning government, non-governmental, and private sectors. Core areas of expertise include: • designing and executing comprehensive PR strategies • managing institutional reputation and public image • building and maintaining effective media and stakeholder relations • fostering cross-sector partnerships and collaboration This background enables me to approach communications with a strategic, interdisciplinary, and systemic perspective. IVLP Alumna Hanns Seidel Foundation Alumna Author of the brochure “Your Own Press Secretary,” Bishkek, 2018
From Kazakhstan to the World. From the Region to Impact.
PR room International Awards
Concept: Regional Cross-Market Competition
PR room International Awards is a regional, cross-market competition designed to recognize communication teams and creators who operate simultaneously across multiple markets (Kazakhstan + Europe, Kazakhstan + USA / Canada, Kazakhstan + Central Asia/ Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and beyond)
This approach highlights mature regional projects and export-ready PR practices.
Application period: February 1 to April 10.
Winners announcement: by April 20.
Please follow updates on our website.
Detailed competition terms and selection rules will be available via the link below (PDF). (soon)
Idea and Positioning
PR room International Awards: Central Asia and International Cross-Markets recognize PR projects that:
• operate across two or more markets, requiring meaningful localization of narratives, channels, and stakeholder engagement;
• connect Kazakhstan with international markets (Europe, the USA) or with the Central Asian region (Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan), or with the Caucasus and Mongolia, or with the Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, and beyond)
• demonstrate effectiveness not only through reach, but through reputation management, risk mitigation, compliance, and cultural fluency.