Early Life
Dinara Nursultanqyzy Nazarbayeva was born on August 19, 1967, in Temirtau, Kazakh SSR, Soviet Union. She is the middle daughter of Nursultan Nazarbayev, the former President of Kazakhstan. Dinara comes from the Shaprashta clan of the Senior Zhuz, a prominent Kazakh tribe. From an early age, she was exposed to leadership and responsibility, which laid the foundation for her future roles as a businesswoman and philanthropist.
Rise to Success
Dinara's career is closely tied to her family's influence and her involvement in key ventures that drive economic activity in Kazakhstan. She graduated from the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts in 1989 and received her MBA from KIMEP University in 1998. In 2007, she defended her doctoral dissertation on educational system management. Dinara Kulibaeva, along with her husband Timur Kulibayev, owns shares in Halyk Bank, Kazakhstan’s largest bank. Their investment portfolio also includes ventures in the construction, operation, and servicing of oil and gas wells.
Key Business Strategies
Kulibaeva is involved in various business ventures. She and her husband, Timur Kulibayev, jointly own a majority stake in Halyk Bank. Dinara benefited from the 2014 sale of Altynalmas Gold to Polymetal. Her business acumen has positioned her among the most influential figures in Kazakhstan's private sector. She also heads the National Education Fund named after Nursultan Nazarbayev since 2009.
Philanthropy
In addition to her business pursuits, Dinara has dedicated considerable effort to philanthropy and social causes. She is actively involved in initiatives that promote access to education and healthcare, recognizing these as fundamental pillars of societal development. One of Dinara's notable contributions is her work with the Nazarbayev Fund, an organization established to support education and innovation. Through her leadership in charitable organizations, she has supported the construction of schools, hospitals, and cultural institutions that benefit communities across Kazakhstan.
