Central Eurasia Leadership Alliance (CELA), founded in 2002, is the premier network for Central Eurasia’s leaders to consistently expand their leadership skills, grow their professional network, and enhance the positive impact they make on their families, businesses, and communities. With 17 academies, 655 Alumni, more than 30 Annual Reunions, and 2 Global Network Summits under its belt, CELA has demonstrated its effectiveness in developing partnerships among our members for business, professional, altruistic, and personal purposes.
We design an array of opportunities and means for members to continuously learn, developing themselves and their skills so that they can accelerate the successes in their lives. CELA offers direct access to successful business leaders worldwide with the ability to network and connect with those leaders online and through various hosted summits and events. The wealth and depth of knowledge and expertise available in the network are only matched by its members' warm hearts and kind deeds. CELA continues to nurture a growing group of young leaders who are there because they care; we are a family one can trust and always depend on.
- 10COUNTRIES
- 655ALUMNI
- 17ACADEMIES
- 2GLOBAL NETWORK SUMMITS
CELA was the first regional network established as part of the growing Global Network, which currently includes affiliate organizations such as SIBF, MELA, and SEALA, all closely connected.
CELA's annual membership is your passport to a world beyond borders. Our community breaks down geographical barriers, connecting you to a global network of opportunities across diverse professional landscapes. You'll tap into an inspiring ecosystem that spans continents, offering rich cultural insights and leadership experiences that extend far beyond your local horizons.
Our community thrives through active participation. While alumni remain part of the CELA family, active members fuel our mission through annual contributions. These dues are more than just a payment—they're a commitment to growth, keeping our network vibrant and connecting leaders across regions.
- CELA Academy is not just a place for learning. It’s a place where you feel like part of a big, caring family. Here, people believe in you, support you, and inspire you to keep moving forward. I’m deeply grateful for every meeting, every lesson, and every heartfelt conversation that became so meaningful to me. If I had to describe this training in one word, it would be “home.” That’s exactly how I felt there. Thank you, CELA Academy, for this invaluable experience and for the incredible people I now have in my life!Aidzhan Karieva (CELA’17 - 2024)Head of Business Development Department, OJSC “Eldik Bank”, Kyrgyzstan
- Is it worth sacrificing 10 days of vacation time?
Absolutely. Every minute, every hour, and every day are invaluable. However, active participation is crucial. The more you engage, listen, understand, and assist others, the more profound the benefits. It's a cascading effect—helping others leads to personal well-being, relaxation, reflection on shared experiences, and increased empathy. There is also a chance that these 10 days will not be as exciting. Everything depends on you!George Makaridze (CELA’16 - 2023)Georgia - I was one of first three Mongolians who participated in CELA 13. In other words, we were impressed with the athletes who did not have the coaches, and they all changed the first day just as we had expected. I have realized that we have not been paying close attention to the importance and the precious things of our lives, and those amazing 10 days that reminded me of such things and one of the important parts of the program gave us great lifelong friends with similar values and interests. Being in touch with CELA teams through different channels not every day gives me an impression that CELA academy was never over and it is still happening right now. If you are interested in a unique leadership program that you cannot describe in a few sentences, then it is CELA!Enkhtuya Sharavnyambuu (CELA’13 - 2017)Head of Business Services Department, Transwest Mongolia LLC
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For me, CELA is a new planet, full of interesting people, ideas and challenges. Once you are in, it is difficult to be out. Why? Just because of the incredible energy and spirit that this network gives to you. You really get a chance to revise your goals and strengths, to get the “objective” feedback and find people who care about you and your well-being. CELA 13 gave me a new breath and made me think about myself and community from another angle. CELA is the best present you can give to yourself, if you are a curious, brave enough and developing personality.
Arpi Karapetyan (CELA ’13 - 2017)Founder and Managing Partner of Cascade People & Business, Armenia - If I had to use one word to describe my CELA experience, it would be sincerity. Now, that may seem like an odd word to describe a leadership program but this is what makes CELA unique. Faculty, staff, guest speakers, participants – they all sincerely want you to understand who you are and where you are going in life. The ten-day jam-packed academy is such an emotional roller-coaster that you are guaranteed to re-emerge as a new person – from slightly altered to fundamentally shaken. And just when you think the program is over, the real journey begins.Rashad Bayramov (CELA ’9 - 2012)Modernization & Transformation Manager, BP Azerbaijan Georgia Turkey Region, Azerbaijan
- CELA is more than an academy. CELA will become the part of your life to bring perspective and forever since it is great people, it is a new opportunity, the opportunity for the personal and professional growth, the opportunity for the expansion of business and geography, the opportunity that I experienced myself. The main point is that it is the opportunity to create something valuable together in my country and for my country, in my region and in a global way. CELA is for those who are in action!Ainura Sagynbaeva (CELA ’5 - 2006)Founder, SIAR Research & Consulting Ltd & Co-founder, Steppe Learning KG Ltd, Kyrgyzstan
- Gift yourself the best present you can – CELA!! A place which will stay in your heart and mind forever. CELA is a chance to make your life more interesting and meaningful! Importantly you will realize how many we are, a huge network of people around the world with the same mindset and goals – to make world better place to live!Kakha Kuchava (CELA ’12 - 2016)Member of the Parliament of Georgia
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I consider this vibrant network as one of the most valuable parts of my life. CELA became a new source of knowledge, wisdom, inspiration, personal stories, chance to meet likeminded people both within my country and the globe. I highly recommend it to those who are looking for change & challenge for the better, those who wish to build global & regional links and can capitalize them in their personal lives, be it business projects or careers in general.
Hikmat Abdurahmanov (CELA ’9 - 2012)Chair of the Association of International Business and Technologies, Uzbekistan - CELA is an investment to your education and business. One of the largest professional networks in Central Asia and Caucasus provides you with tools and mechanisms for future prosperity in life and career. When I look for inspiration and energy, I find them in and within CELA’s network. Meanwhile, CELA is about each of us, our commitments, and our beliefs. They drive us to reach horizons.Ainur Nurtay (CELA ’8 - 2011)Owner of MANAR GROUP Real Estate Management, Kazakhstan
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In a fast world you have to withdraw yourself to an ‘island’ to rethink important values and priorities on how to lead people and processes for the benefit of your personal and professional life.
CELA is one such ‘island” where in a short period of time you can have an opportunity for you to set the right questions on how to lead your life.
Not only CELA program will present such an amazing opportunity for having the conversation about Leadership but you get to meet one of the most extraordinary and bright Leaders. You get to see different facets of Leadership through diversity of fields, cultures, regions and experiences. As a bonus you get access to one of the most prominent Network of Leaders who will always be happy to spare and share their personal and professional time!
Ozod Davlatshoev (CELA ’9 - 2012)CEO, Tcell 5G, Honorary Consul of Sweden to Tajikistan, President of Cycling Federation of Tajikistan, Global Director - Accelerate Prosperity