Yerlan Danenov is an expert in external relations and international cooperation issues, with experience in management and strategic communications, trade and investments promotion, central banking, analytics, coordination and corporate development. From 2017 to 2020 Yerlan worked in the International Monetary Fund, serving as Senior Advisor to the IMF Executive Director representing the Swiss Constituency, which accounts for 9 countries. In this role, he was responsible for crafting position statements on IMF policies and country reports for Executive Board meetings, and ensuring seamless and coordinated communications between country authorities and the IMF’s top management. As well, he coordinated mutual visits and missions, and helped develop technical assistance programs.

Previously, Yerlan managed the National Bank of Kazakhstan’s International Cooperation Department (2015 – 2017), developing collaborations with international and regional organizations, central banks, and other foreign authorities. He led capacity development efforts for the NBK, identifying priorities and supervising implementation. In addition, he supported the NBK Governor’s international agenda, managing the subject briefing and speechwriting of related events. As well, he oversaw the planning and managing of domestically-based international events.

From 2011 to 2014, Yerlan managed the Branch office of a French consulting company in Kazakhstan, promoting investment projects and innovation solutions, and contributed to the development of the local International Chamber of Commerce. Prior to that, from 2006 to 2010, he worked for Kazakh developing institutions, supporting the investments projects as well as export development initiatives. Yerlan oversaw corporate development issues, donor relations, partnerships, MOUs negotiation, capacity building programs, analytics, and public relations.

Yerlan started his carrier serving in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during which time he was posted to the Embassy in France where he managed multilateral relations on key policies, as well as bilateral cooperation, in the economic, political, and cultural fields.

Yerlan is fluent in four languages (English, French, Russian, Kazakh), and holds a Master’s in European and International Governance from the University of Geneva, a Master’s in International Relations from the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, and studied Law at Paris I - Pantheon Sorbonne University.