Program Director

Abakhon T. Sultonazarov

Washington, D.C. *******@*****.*** 202-***-**** Linkedin.com/in/abakhonsultonnazarov Executive Summary: Strategic, multilingual nonprofit and development executive with 20+ years of global leadership managing multi-country, multimillion-dollar portfolios across 5+ countries. Proven record of scaling high-impact programs, securing $10M+ in donor funding, and institutionalizing operational excellence in complex, high-stakes environments. Expert in program management, strategic partnerships, fundraising, grants acquisition, compliance, and management, and AI-driven organizational innovation — applying Generative AI, LLMs, and advanced tools (ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Tableau, AI-based project management platforms) to enhance decision-making, reporting, impact measurement, data insights, productivity, and workflow automation. Certified in Generative AI Leadership & Strategy, Responsible AI with Google Cloud, and ESG leadership. Recognized for aligning large-scale operations with mission priorities to deliver measurable social impact, advance equity and inclusion, and drive sustainable change. Trusted by governments, foundations, and multilaterals for results-oriented leadership. EB-1 Green Card Holder. Core Competencies

Strategic Program & Global Operations Leadership

Resource Mobilization & Donor Stewardship (USG, Foundations, Multilaterals)

Stakeholder Engagement & Cross-Sectoral Partnerships

Executive Communication & Leadership Representation

Budget Oversight (>$10M), Compliance & Risk Mitigation

People Management & Capacity Building (Teams: 30+ Across Regions)

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (M&E) / Impact Measurement

Procurement, Contract Management & Operational Efficiency

Digital Transformation & AI-Driven Innovation

Data Analytics, Insights & Evidence-Based Decision-Making

Gender Equity & Inclusion Mainstreaming

ESG Principles & Sustainable Development

Career Highlights

o Directed multi-country operations for 20+ years, managing $10M+ annual portfolios with 100% compliance and sustainability.

o Led 30+ staff across 5 countries, achieving 90%+ retention in high-risk contexts. o Secured multi-year donor funding (+30%) and strengthened stakeholder alignment. o Scaled programs by 200%, launched CABAR.asia & Go Viral platforms, achieving 5M+ annual engagements.

o Delivered high-profile events including Go Viral Festivals (5,000+ attendees) and Inter-Confessional Forums (2,000+ participants).

o Pioneered digital transformation and AI-enabled systems, increasing data accuracy by 40% and reducing reporting time by 35%.

o Advanced gender equity, increasing women’s leadership participation by 40%. Professional Experience

Institute for War & Peace Reporting (IWPR) - Global Programs Multiple Locations 2005–2025 Program Director & Strategist Washington DC, USA; Almaty, Kazakhstan 2010–2025 o Directed a $10M+ portfolio spanning governance, education, health, and civil society, impacting over 1M beneficiaries. Led 34 staff across multiple geographies, embedding operational excellence, data-driven decision-making, and equity principles. o Implemented AI-enabled management systems: enhanced data accuracy +40%, expedited reporting by 35%.

o Secured diversified multi-year donor funding (+30%) via strategic negotiations and stakeholder alignment.

o Maintained 100% compliance across procurement, HR, and finance in multi-country environments. o Advanced gender equity: increased women’s leadership participation by 40%. o Achieved 110–125% of target outcomes, recognized by donors for transparency and innovation. o Implemented digital security frameworks, safeguarding sensitive data in high-risk contexts. o Scaled programs by 200%, launched digital platforms CABAR.asia and Go Viral, achieving 5M+ annual engagements.

Key Achievements

Delivered complex, multi-stakeholder programs with 110–125% outcome achievement rates.

Reduced operational risks by 40% through technology integration and risk management.

Achieved 90%+ staff retention in challenging environments through leadership development.

Recognized by major donors as a trusted, transparent partner sustaining long-term impact. Operations Director (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan) 2008 – 2010 o Led operations across 6 countries, managing budgets, procurement, HR, and compliance with zero breaches.

o Implemented transparent procurement policies, reducing costs by 15% and streamlined HQ-field coordination by 25%.

o Streamlined workflows between field offices and HQ, improving decision-making speed by 25%. o Mentored multi-country teams, achieving high retention and operational excellence across all projects (50+).

Key Achievements

Managed operations for 50+ concurrent projects with zero compliance breaches.

Increased operational efficiency, reducing administrative bottlenecks and audit risks. Senior Programme & Finance Manager (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan; Kabul, Afghanistan) 2005–2008 o Managed budgets and program cycles across six offices (100+ staff); delivered 100% compliance. o Enhanced new financial systems—forecasting accuracy improved by 25% o Established standardized project cycle systems, reducing administrative delays by 20%. o Expanded partner engagement by 35%, ensuring program reach, credibility, and sustainability. Early Career 2000–2005

o Finance Officer & IT Manager, Aga Khan Foundation – Tajikistan o Senior Administrator & Finance Associate, UNDP - Tajikistan o Assistant Program Officer, FOCUS Humanitarian Assistance o Graduate Intern, Aga Khan Foundation USA

Education

o MSc, Management & Financial Management – Lomonosov Moscow State University o BSc, Banking & Currency Policy – Lomonosov Moscow State University Select Certifications and Expertise

Generative AI Leadership & Strategy (Coursera)

Practical expertise in applying ChatGPT and LLMs for decision-making, reporting, data insight, team productivity, and automated workflow optimization

Responsible AI with Google Cloud

Microsoft Copilot, Tableau, AI-based Project Management Tools

International Account Standards Certification

Hostile Environment Field Training

ESG Principles

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