Saule Zhakayeva

Saule Zhakayeva has served as Chairperson of Citibank Kazakhstan since September 2021. She has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry and has held senior leadership positions at Citi Kazakhstan for 25 years. Prior to her appointment as Chairperson, she served as Deputy Chairperson from 2004 to 2021.

Ms. Zhakayeva has extensive experience across Kazakhstan’s leading financial institutions. During her career at Citi, Saule led Operations and Technology function and was responsible for market-leading Treasury and Trade Solutions business, including liquidity management, trade and working capital solutions, as well as securities and fund services. In 2012, she was appointed Head of Corporate Banking and, in 2015, assumed responsibility for all client coverage businesses, including Corporate Banking and Global Subsidiaries. In this role, she oversaw Citi’s coverage strategy in Kazakhstan, focusing on business growth, client relationships, risk and control management, and the protection and enhancement of Citi’s reputation in the market. She also led numerous capital markets and financing transactions, as well as significant trade, direct custody clearing, and liquidity management mandates.

In recognition of her contributions to Kazakhstan’s financial sector, Saule was awarded the Jubilee Medal “30 Years of the Tenge” in 2023 and the Order of Qurmet in 2025. In 2026, she received the Best CEO in Leadership Award from the Kazakhstan Growth Forum, recognizing outstanding leadership, sustained business performance, and contributions to Kazakhstan’s economic development and investment ecosystem.

Saule holds a Master’s degree from HEC Paris (France), a Master’s degree from the International Academy of Business (Almaty, Kazakhstan), and a degree in Finance and Credit from the Kazakh Management Academy (Almaty, Kazakhstan).