Our Members

Christian Gessl is an Austrian economist and international strategy consultant with more than 30 years of experience in economic diplomacy, SME development and institutional capacity building across Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Eastern Partnership region. He served for over 25 years within the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber as Trade Commissioner and Regional Director, supporting export promotion, value chain integration and cross-border business cooperation . He later led and implemented numerous EU-, USAID- and World Bank-related projects in Ukraine, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Georgia and Tajikistan, focusing on Public Private Dialogue, business association development, export promotion and certification systems. Christian Gessl has been actively engaged in civic and regional networking initiatives, including the establishment of the Rotary Club Gagauzia (Republic of Moldova), the Rotary Club Fergana Valley (Kyrgyzstan) and the Central Asia Business Council (Osh, Kyrgyzstan). Within CEE CA SEC, he contributes strategic direction in economic integration, project development, institutional strengthening and cross-regional cooperation.

Volodymyr Matiushko is a Ukrainian expert in investment structuring, innovation management and energy efficiency with nearly two decades of experience in business consulting and project development . He holds a Doctor of Science degree in engineering and has completed postgraduate specialisations in investment analysis, feasibility studies and energy management. His professional experience includes the development of large-scale investment projects, feasibility studies and energy-efficiency programs across Eastern Europe. He has led the preparation of complex business plans and investment programs in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, industrial production, telecommunications and energy management. His expertise includes ISO 50001 energy management systems, energy audits and innovation-driven re-equipment strategies. As co-founder of CEE CA SEC, Volodymyr Matiushko brought forward the original idea of creating an Austrian-based platform to support Ukraine’s reconstruction and strengthen cooperation in the Danube and Black Sea region. Within the organisation, he contributes expertise in investment planning, reconstruction strategies, innovation policy and technical-economic analysis.

Jonas Krabichler serves as the Social Media Manager and Project Contributor within the organization, where he oversees digital communications and supports the development and implementation of key initiatives. As a student of Political Science, he has a strong academic interest in foreign relations and the evolving dynamics of the global and international landscape. With an additional focus on media and communication studies, he brings strategic insight to public relations and outreach efforts. His goal is to strengthen CEE CA SEC’s visibility, expand its network of partners, attract broader attention, and contribute to the successful realization of the organization’s long-term vision and objectives.

Adriano Franzoi serves as the Financial Strategist of CEE CA SEC, based in Innsbruck, where he oversees financial planning and resource management to support the organization’s strategic objectives. Driven by a strong commitment to sustainability and long-term impact, he is dedicated to contributing to a more responsible and resilient future for the next generation. As a Political Science student, he is particularly interested in the forces shaping global society and international development. Engaging with diverse perspectives and building international connections further strengthens his dedication to advancing CEE CA SEC’s mission. Through responsible financial stewardship, he supports the implementation of ambitious development initiatives and effective crisis response efforts. His ambition is to contribute to lasting and meaningful change by ensuring that each initiative is strategically supported and sustainably executed.

Ayleen Edenhauser is a website developer and IT specialist based in Innsbruck and currently pursuing studies in Computer Science. With a strong focus on technological innovation, she applies his expertise to advance the mission of CEE CA SEC through effective and reliable digital solutions. Her work centers on developing and maintaining impactful online platforms that strengthen communication, enhance outreach, and empower the organization’s community. Through the strategic use of technology, he contributes to creating a digital environment where innovation supports meaningful engagement and sustainable impact.

Bakhram Rakhmankulov is a peacebuilding and community development practitioner from the Kyrgyzstan with over 10 years of experience in Central Asia. He leads the regional TRUST – TogetheR Unite efforts for regional StabiliTy programme at DVV International. His work focuses on strengthening trust between communities, authorities, and civil society, particularly in border regions of the Central Asia. He has facilitated dialogue initiatives, youth engagement programmes, and community–police cooperation. He also supports cross-border economic cooperation and conducts trainings on leadership, conflict management, and social cohesion. Bakhram believes sustainable peace grows from empowered communities and education.

Clemens Wagenknecht is a dedicated member of the NGO CeeCaSec, driven by a strong belief in humanitarian support and the responsibility to stand up for people in need anywhere in the world. In their role in project management, they focus on developing practical and sustainable solutions that create meaningful and lasting impact. With a background as a paramedic, Clemens brings a hands-on mindset and a deep commitment to helping others. This experience has shaped their pragmatic approach to problem-solving and strengthened their dedication to humanitarian work. They are also deeply passionate about nature and environmental protection, making sustainability a key priority in every project they contribute to. For Clemens, being part of CeeCaSec is not just a professional role but a personal commitment to supporting communities and creating positive, long-term change.

Oleg Karpov is a film director, filmmaker, curator, and cultural organizer based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. A graduate of the Tashkent Polytechnic Institute, he has worked with Uzkinochronicle, Uzbekfilm, and Tashkent Television, contributing to the production of documentary films, chronicles, and television programs. Karpov is the founder and curator of several cultural initiatives, including the CDO Video Library (1991–2013), the Tashkent Cinema Museum (2004–2009), the international videoART.uz Festival (2007–2017), and the Turkestan Archive (2013–present), an audiovisual archive dedicated to the history and culture of Central Asia. As a filmmaker, he has authored and directed more than 100 documentary films, many in collaboration with Umida Akhmedova, focusing on traditions, rituals, and everyday life in Uzbekistan. His work combines filmmaking with the preservation and promotion of the region’s audiovisual heritage.

Umida Akhmedova is a photographer working and living in Uzbekistan. As a photographer she has participated in exhibitions addressing urban and rural issues and has collaborated on film and book projects including the presentation of the short film The Burden of Virginity. As an Associated Press photographer, her images have been published in the photography sections of the online editions of The New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and The Globe and Mail. As a photojournalist and artist she has worked on projects dedicated to exploring issues of human rights. In the course of her work she has documented the traditions, disparate cultures and everyday events in the modern borders of Uzbekistan. Umida Akhmedova is one of the most prominent representatives of the Uzbek photography.

Yulduz is an emerging filmmaker currently studying cinematography in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. In 2012, her family moved from Uzbekistan to Russia, and in 2025 she returned to pursue film education. In May 2025, she began studying at the Tashkent Film School in a cinematography course led by filmmaker Umida Akhmedova, where she is developing her skills in visual storytelling and camera work. In 2025, Yulduz also participated in the UAFMA Summer Film School in Kosonsoy (Khonjiza), Uzbekistan. During her studies, she has worked on several short documentary and photo-film projects. Her filmography includes So’kmoklar (2025), Hayol (2025), and Parasomnia (2025), as well as documentary films created within the Engage H2O project of the UAFMA Summer Film School: Orom (2025), Snow on the Top (2025), and Toza Suv (2025). Through these works, she is exploring documentary storytelling and visual expression while building her experience as a cinematographer.

Asal Dauletmurat is a filmmaker from Nukus, Karakalpakstan, currently based in Tashkent. Growing up in a large family where evenings were often filled with storytelling, she developed an early fascination with turning words into vivid images—an interest that eventually led her to cinema. Through the lens of a camera, Asal explores everyday moments and subtle human gestures, paying close attention to light, atmosphere, and the emotions hidden in ordinary spaces. She has worked as a screenwriter and directed her first music video, gaining valuable practical experience in filmmaking. In 2025, she began creating documentary films, discovering a passion for observational storytelling and spontaneous narratives. That same year, she made the decision to leave her office job to fully dedicate herself to filmmaking. At the beginning of her creative journey, Asal is committed to developing her voice as a filmmaker and sharing meaningful, captivating stories through film.

Aziz Pulatova is a filmmaker from Uzbekistan who began exploring documentary cinema through his studies at the Tashkent Film School. In 2025, he attended a documentary filmmaking course led by Umida Akhmedova, where he deepened his understanding of visual storytelling and observational filmmaking. He also participated in the 2025 UAFMA Summer Film School in Kosonsoy (Khonjiža), Uzbekistan. Aziz believes that filmmaking is not defined by the equipment one has, but by the ability to see the world and capture meaningful moments through a personal perspective. His filmography includes Blind Date (2025), a short documentary, and the photo film Inside Out (2025), both created during the Tashkent Film School course. As part of the Engage H2O project at the UAFMA Summer Film School, he created the photo film 198 km (2025) and the short documentary films Bo’pti Jo’ra (2025) and Izgnanniki (The Exiles) (2025). Through these works, Aziz continues to develop his voice in documentary filmmaking

Dildora Turobjonova is a documentary filmmaker, photographer, and journalism student based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. She is currently studying International Journalism at the Journalism and Mass Communications University of Uzbekistan (2024–2029). In 2025, she participated in the Engage H2O Summer School program in documentary filmmaking and photography. As a storyteller working with both words and images, Dildora focuses on human experiences, emotions, and the beauty of everyday life. Her work aims to connect people and ideas through honest and visually engaging narratives. Alongside her studies, she works as a freelance photographer in Tashkent, creating portraits and event photography, and has experience producing visual content for social media as a content creator. She also completed a journalism internship at uz24.uz, where she conducted interviews, gathered information, and assisted with editing. Her film work includes The Shape of Solitude (2025), The Valley Whispers (2025), In Her Voice, Mother Nature (2025), When Mothers Look Away (2025), The Welcoming Mountains (2025, photofilm, with Sevara Reimbayeva), and In Heaven (2025, photofilm). Through these projects, she explores themes of nature, identity, and human connection

Shakhnoza Pulatova is a linguist, translator, and amateur photographer whose interests lie at the intersection of language and visual storytelling. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from Namangan State University (2019–2023) and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Simultaneous Interpretation at Uzbekistan State World Languages University. Fluent in Uzbek and Tajik as native languages, Shakhnoza also speaks English at full professional proficiency, Russian at professional working proficiency, and Korean at a limited working proficiency. Since 2019, she has worked as a freelance translator and interpreter, participating in numerous international events, including the China–Uzbekistan Business Forum, the Saudi Arabia–Uzbekistan Business Forum, the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the International Uzbek Jewellery Fair 2025, and the World Championship in Belbogli Kurash for the prize of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. Alongside her work in translation, Shakhnoza has experience in education, having taught English at several institutions, including the Algoritm Teaching Centre and specialized state secondary schools in Namangan. She also served as a coordinator and co-leader of the Namangan Women’s Soccer Club. As a researcher, she is a co-author of the studies A Large-Scale Study of Machine Translation in the Turkic Languages and Evaluating Multiway Multilingual NMT in the Turkic Languages. In addition to her academic and linguistic work, Shakhnoza explores visual storytelling through photography and documentary film, creating projects that reflect emotions, culture, and human connection. Her filmography includes a documentary film and a photo story produced in 2025

Orzumurod is a young activist and documentary filmmaker dedicated to exploring the relationship between people and nature. Through film and media projects, he works to strengthen environmental awareness and encourage a sense of responsibility toward the natural world. For him, filmmaking is not only an artistic practice but also a tool for social and environmental transformation. In his work, he focuses on real stories, real people, and urgent ecological issues, aiming to inspire audiences to reflect and take action. Through documentary films, videos, and storytelling projects, he seeks to promote ecological thinking and contribute positively to contemporary culture. In 2025, he participated in the Youth Film Camp “Engage H₂O” organized by the Uzbekistan Amateur Filmmakers’ Association (UAFMA), where he developed a short documentary project about water and environmental challenges. Alongside filmmaking, he runs several initiatives. Since 2024, he has been developing FaunaUZ, a platform dedicated to videos about Uzbekistan’s wildlife and environmental issues, and OrzuBlog, a personal media project focusing on social and ecological topics aimed at encouraging young people to live more consciously. He is also the founder of the Sahoba Library in Sahoba village, Nurobod district (Samarkand region), established in 2024 to promote reading among youth and support cultural and educational activities. His films include One Day in Kyrgyzstan (2025) and A Neglected Blessing (2025). Through his projects, he seeks to demonstrate that even small initiatives can lead to meaningful change

Ainura is the Director of the NGO "Our Voice". She runs a social house in Bishkek for vulnerable young women. She is actively working on different projects through the whole of Kyrgyzstan.

Kanat is the Deputy Diretor of the NGO "Our Voice". Kanat deals with all technical issues regarding the activities of "Our Voice". He is in charge of all maintenances, repair and investments. He actively supports "Our Voice" in the projects throughout Kyrgyzstan.

Mirzokhid Kuldashevich Yuldoshev is an experienced specialist in agricultural development, investment attraction, and international cooperation in the agricultural sector of the Republic of Uzbekistan. He was born on December 3, 1972. He is of Uzbek nationality, married, and has a son and a daughter. He has over 25 years of professional experience in accounting, financial management, project coordination, and development of farmer organizations. Currently, he serves as the Director of the NGO “Agro Information–Innovation Center of Uzbekistan” under the Council of Farmers, Dehkan Farms and Household Plot Owners of Uzbekistan.

Murod is an environmental communication specialist and project manager with extensive experience in sustainable development, environmental awareness, and ecotourism in Central Asia. They have collaborated with international organizations, including UNDP, OSCE, and the European Union, leading projects on biodiversity, sustainable tourism, and green technologies. Key roles include coordinating OSCE’s “Media for Effective Coverage of Environmental Issues in Central Asia” (2011–2014), managing EU-funded sustainable tourism initiatives (2018–2021), mentoring women’s entrepreneurship in green tech through Tech4Impact (2021–2022), and leading international cooperation and knowledge management for the Aral Sea Basin conservation project (2024). They have also developed and conducted trainings for journalists and online media on environmental reporting, combining expertise in project management with a strong commitment to raising ecological awareness

Aleksey Svetlitskiy is an experienced engineer, manager, and sustainability consultant with a background in telecommunications, defense, and large-scale project management. He holds an engineering degree in radio communications, broadcasting, and television from the Tashkent Electrotechnical Institute of Communications. Over his career, Aleksey has held diverse roles ranging from technical and security positions in the Ministry of Defense and the Uzbek Post and Telecommunications Agency to leadership roles in private companies and NGOs. He has served as Director General of Navigator Study LLC, BREEAM Coordinator at Atlant Construction, and Technical Coordinator and Director of the Republican Resource Ecocenter “EKOMAKTAB”. He also serves as an ambassador and resource administrator for the Green Building Council of Uzbekistan, contributing to sustainable construction and environmental initiatives. He is highly skilled in managing large teams (over 1,000 people), coordinating complex projects and production facilities, sales management, organizational development, and multitasking environments. Aleksey is recognized for strong analytical, communication, and negotiation skills, as well as systems thinking and the ability to teach. Certifications & Training include modules in energy efficiency, renewable energy, green building standards, environmental programs for schools, urban development strategy, and restorative justice education, with organizations such as UZGBC, GBRI, FIABCI, ACTED, EBRD, and HPBS. He holds a driving license (categories A and B) and possesses advanced computer literacy for professional applications.