Spotlight
Madina Karimova
Madina Karimova is a Senior Manager in Corporate Communications at AIFC, she focuses on social media content creation, where she brings creativity and passion to her work. Outside of work, Madina enjoys recording music covers and singing karaoke.
Corpcomms
Hello Madina! Thank you for taking the time to join us for the Spotlight interview series. Could you please introduce yourself to those of our colleagues who haven't had the pleasure of meeting you yet?
Madina
I was born in Semey and completed high school in Astana. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree from L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, majoring in Foreign Philology. Later, I was fortunate enough to receive the Bolashak scholarship, which allowed me to pursue my M.A. in Communication at Purdue University Northwest located in the United States.
Great! Could you tell us what you were doing before joining the AIFC?
Sure. I've been working in the media field for most of my career. My first job was at Khabar Agency, where I learned the ins and outs of working with paperwork and got acquainted with the movie and TV distribution process. I also worked as SMM manager for the state media outlet BaigeNews. My favorite social media platform to work with was Telegram, where I developed my own style of writing and quickly grew a significant following. Another valuable experience was my time at the Center for International Programs. That role was particularly meaningful to me because it was through them that I was awarded the Bolashak Scholarship years ago. My colleague, Aiganym Mustapayeva, and I focused on highlighting the achievements of Bolashak graduates from regional areas who were making history, even if they weren't in the public eye. I also had the opportunity to help organize the 30th-anniversary forum of the Bolashak program.
And what do you do at the CorpComms unit?
I’m a Senior Manager in the Corporate Communications Department, specializing in social media management. As I mentioned, I have a passion for writing, particularly for platforms like Telegram and LinkedIn. Until last week, I also managed our Instagram page.
Interesting. So do you draft all the posts and messages yourself? How does the process work?
Pretty much, yes. The key to being a successful SMM manager is understanding the nuances of different social media platforms and knowing how to create and share content that aligns with the brand’s identity. Crafting social media content can be more challenging than writing an article for a website. Why? Because when creating a post for social media, you must understand your target audience and communicate in a way that resonates with them. Uninteresting or unengaging text simply won't cut it. Often, you don’t need to use the full 2,200 characters allowed on Instagram—sometimes, a few powerful phrases paired with a compelling image or video are enough to make a lasting impact.

I’d love to take you behind the scenes of our work process! Not everyone realizes the effort it takes to create something like a single Reels video. We brainstorm ideas, arrange equipment, scout for the perfect location, write the script, and then I act as the director during production.
Do you enjoy working here? Why or why not?
You know that popular TikTok sound, “Everybody’s so creative”? That pretty much sums up our job. Overall, yes, I really enjoy working at AIFC. It’s fulfilling to be part of an organization where creativity is encouraged and where I can make meaningful contributions. The work aligns well with my passion for content creation and communication. Plus, I have the freedom to express myself and experiment with new ideas.
What do you find best about the work environment here?
One of the best aspects is that I can bring my ideas to life while continuously learning about topics I might never have explored otherwise. For example, we’ve produced videos on subjects like I-REC certification and decarbonization, which has significantly broadened my knowledge base. I also appreciate the balanced distribution of work. During my interview, I was told that AIFC values work-life balance, and I’ve found that to be true. Of course, with upcoming events like the forum, we sometimes have to put in extra hours, but overall, the AIFC is committed to maintaining that balance.
Tell us about your personal accomplishments. I happen to know you practice karate. Can you share more about that or any other hobbies you have? What do you like to do in your free time?
I practiced karate when I was a kid, which really helped train my spirit and discipline. I’m also passionate about recording music covers. I bought a professional microphone while in the States and have recorded a few videos. Singing karaoke is another favorite pastime of mine.
If there was one message you could share with all of our colleagues, what would it be?
I want to share a powerful quote from Maya Angelou:

“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
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