Ms. Naila Hashimova has 15 years of management experience in the field of international assistance and development programs in Azerbaijan. Since joining EF in 2006 as the Program Manager, she has overseen a number of programs ranging from transparency in education sector and local governance institutions to the presently implemented Youth Economic Development program. Naila Hashimova has experience working with international institutions such as the World Bank, the European Commission and USAID, as well as a wide range of private donors. She earned her MD from the State Medical University in Azerbaijan and also lived and studied in Norway, Russia and Wales. Her particular expertise lies in the field of evaluation of development programs, as well as performance measurement of public services and youth programs.

nhashimova@epfound.az

Mr.Sabir Laijev has over 14 years experience in the field of finance and accounting. Prior to joining EPF in 2000 Mr.Laijev worked for a number of international organizations operating in Baku. In 2008 Mr.Laijev joined the team of Relief International as an expatriate finance manager. As the Regional Finance Manager responsible for operations in the Middle East, he was based both in the USA and Middle East. Mr.Laijev holds internationally recognized certifications in finance and accounting. Mr. Laijev holds a BA in System Engineering from Azerbaijan State Oil Academy

slaijev@epfound.az

Aygun Eyvazova has over 5 years of work experience in the Finance and Accounting field. She started her Accountant career at the Counterpart International USAID-funded Civil Society Project and continued her experience in the same field at the Eurasia Partnership Foundation. Ms. Eyvazova holds Master degree from Azerbaijan State Civil Engineering University and also holds internationally recognized certification in Accounting.

aeyvazova@epfound.az

Aytan Veliyeva began her EPF experience in 2009 as Administrative Assistant and after six month hardwork, she was appointed to the position HR Manager. Before joining EPF, for three years she worked as Laboratory Technician at Azerbaijan State Oil Academy (ASOA), Development and Exploitation Oil and Gas Fields department. Valiyeva is graduated from Azerbaijan State Oil Academy with both Bachelor and Master of Science Degrees, specialized in Petroleum Engineering. She participated in several trainings and courses, including but not limited to, Mission PBL (Problem Based Learning) program training organized by BP and HR Courses by Anglo-American Business Services. Aytan Valiyeva was nominated to the first place in 2nd International contest “Золотой Резерв Нефтегаза 2009” organized in 2009-2010 year among CIS countries. She is an author of several academic publications.

aveliyeva@epfound.az

Zoya Guseynova joined EPF in 2011. Before coming to EPF she worked as an interpreter at “BUTA” Humanitarian Foundation for Children, gaining the experience of working with international projects and getting acquainted with the work of Azerbaijani NGOs in whole. Zoya studied at Saint-Petersburg Humanitarian University of Social Science and got specialized in Art-critic and translation in art sphere. While studying at the University she participated in various international science conferences as an Assistant-Interpreter and received the certificate of Professional Interpreting in Saint-Petersburg in 2011.

zguseynova@epfound.az

Nailya Huseynova earned her Bachelor and Master Degrees in International Law from the Baku State University. In 2004 she started her career at the Eurasia Foundation as Administrative Assistant and in 2005, after one year of hard work, she continued as Grants Manager for different programs of EPF. She successfully completed 2 month Accounting course and was awarded with certificate.

nhuseynova@epfound.az

Prior to joining EPF Ms.Rahimova worked as a project coordinator of Investigative Journalists Network. Ms. Rahimova hold a BA degree in International Relations from Western University, Baku,Azerbaijan. Ms. Rahimova is an alumna of the IREX Undergraduate Exchange Program of the Department of State within which she studied at the College of Wooster, OH. In terms of professional development Ms.Rahimova has undergone multiple trainings and courses abroad.

lrahimova@epfound.az

Zumrud Ismayilova joined EPF in 2011 and before EPF, she undertook an internship at United Nations Departments of Public Information, Baku Office, where she earned experience in communication, external relations and translation. She completed her Bachelor degree at Bogazici University, in Istanbul and Master`s Degree at Central European University, in Budapest, specialized in the area of International Relations, Political Science and European Affairs. In terms of professional development, she has undergone several trainings on Negotiation and Conflict Styles, Ethnic Diversity and Democracy. While studying abroad, she was engaged in various voluntary works ranging from translation and teaching to raising awareness activities, closely working with governmental entities in Istanbul.

zismayilova@epfound.az

Lala Huseynova started to gain experience with Eurasia Foundation in 2005 as a Program Assistant and then in 2007 she was promoted to the position Grants Manager for the South Caucasus Cooperation Program. In 2008 she was appointed to the position International Grants Manager at Eurasia Partnership Foundation, the legacy institution of Eurasia Foundation. Currently, Lala is coordinating EPF’s Youth Programs. She graduated with Bachelor Degree from Department of Social Sciences & Psychology at Baku State University and received Honor Diploma.
In terms of professional development, in 2008-2009, she conducted an individual social research -“Society with many faces: Dynamics of social repositioning of ethnic group ‘Nations-States’ Hierarchy” – in the framework of 1 year scholarship awarded by Heinrich Boll Foundation. In 2010 she served as a Co-investigator on “Revival of Religion? Transnational Sacred Spaces”, a research financed by the University of Tsukuba, Japan. She acted as Interviewer at “PROGNOZ” Independent Center of Sociological Research. She also successfully completed Training of Trainers on informal civic education.
Prior to joining EPF, Lala Huseynova worked as Administrative Assistant at Shell Azerbaijan Exploration & Production B.V.

lhuseynova@epfound.az

Rena Abdullayeva joined EPF in 2010 as Administrative Assistant. Prior to joining EPF, Rena worked as an intern in Kapital Bank in Baku where she earned an experience in auditing sphere. She received her BA of International Economic Relations from the Baku State Economic University. She completed high school in Israel and also served as a professor assistant in the school’s summer camp. During her studies Rena worked on a project and got specialized at setting businesses. She speaks Hebrew fluently.

rabdullayeva@epfound.az

Ms. Ilaha Rasulova has 11 years of experience in the field of civil society development. Ms.Rasulova has started her career at Eurasia Foundation in 1999 with the position of Administrative Assistant. Since joining EF Ms.Rasulova was promoted 4 times. Currently, Ms.Rasulova is holding a position of Program Manager. Since being appointed to this position she has overseen a number of programs including Norwegian Small Grants program in the framework of which she has managed projects ranging from gender issues to budget transparency. Presently she is managing International Media project. Ms.Rasulova holds an MA degree in Management from Khazar University, Baku.

irasulova@epfound.az

Rashad Aliyev joined EPF in 2011 and before EPF he worked as a reporter and announcer at Azerbaijan Teleradio Company, as a journalist at “Gun-seher” newspaper, and recently as a PR Manager at Azerbaijan National Committee of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly. He attended several trainings and seminars on gender and education organized by Hilswerk Austria as well as on journalism and media by Baku Journalism School, “Yeni nesil” journalism Association, Media Right Institute and Caucasus Media Center. He graduated from Baku State University, Faculty of Journalism with Bachelor Degree and received his Master’s Degree from Georgian Institute of Public Affairs on Media Management.

raliyev@epfound.az