The landscape of business transformation in emerging markets requires more than textbook solutions—it demands leaders who can bridge cultural gaps, navigate complex transitions, and build sustainable change from the ground up. In Kazakhstan’s rapidly evolving business ecosystem, one visionary CEO has emerged as the catalyst for a new approach to organizational transformation, combining international expertise with deep regional understanding to create lasting impact.
Yuliya Zhevno has never been content with conventional approaches. As CEO of Re:Work Consulting and a recognized Change Management Ambassador in Central Asia, she has consistently challenged traditional paradigms, transforming resistance into opportunity and turning organizational friction into competitive advantage. Her journey from project management consultant to pioneering change leader illustrates how authentic leadership can reshape entire industries.
The Genesis of a Change Revolutionary
Yuliya’s path to founding Re:Work Consulting wasn’t born from academic theory but from real-world frustration that became her greatest inspiration. Working as a project management consultant across Central Asia, implementing international methodologies and systems, she encountered a persistent challenge that would ultimately define her career trajectory.
“When explaining and suggesting international and proven approaches to my clients, I was constantly facing resistance and doubts among employees that the approaches would work,” Yuliya recalls. “At the same time, I saw they needed those approaches. This was exactly the time when I decided to master organizational change management—I was inspired by the idea to make company changes easier for leaders and employees.”
This defining moment revealed a critical gap in the market: organizations needed more than just new systems—they needed someone who could help people embrace change rather than resist it. Her experience leading the PMI Kazakhstan Chapter as a volunteer further reinforced her commitment to human-centered approaches, motivating her to focus on supporting both leaders and employees through transformation journeys.
The decision to open Re:Work Consulting on February 3, 2023, represented more than entrepreneurial ambition—it was the culmination of years spent understanding what Central Asian organizations truly needed to thrive in a global economy.
Building a Movement Beyond Traditional Consulting
Re:Work Consulting emerged from what Yuliya describes as “a bold idea: to rethink the way individuals and organizations work, lead, and adapt to change.” But unlike traditional consulting firms that impose external solutions, her approach recognizes that sustainable transformation must account for cultural context and regional realities.
“I observed that many businesses were struggling not because they lacked talent or ambition, but because they were locked into outdated structures, rigid mindsets, and project management practices that could not keep pace with the evolving challenges of modern economies,” she explains.
The company began as a training-first organization, focusing on developing individual and corporate capabilities through hands-on, practical approaches. However, as client demand grew and market gaps became apparent, the vision expanded significantly. Re:Work Consulting evolved to integrate ESG strategies and digital transformation into its consulting portfolio, recognizing these as critical for long-term sustainability and investment appeal.
“The name ‘Re:Work Consulting’ took on new meaning—not just revisiting work systems but redefining work culture,” Yuliya notes. “Today, Re:Work Consulting is not just a service provider—it’s a movement for smarter, braver, and more ethical transformation.”
This evolution reflects Yuliya’s understanding that true organizational change requires more than process improvements—it demands a fundamental shift in how people think about work itself.
The Convergence of Change Management and ESG Excellence
What sets Yuliya apart in the consulting landscape is her unique ability to merge change management expertise with deep ESG knowledge—a combination she describes as perfectly complementary. “Change management as a profession is deeply rooted in supporting people in their transition to better and more efficient ways of working,” she explains. “Meanwhile, ESG and sustainability focus on the ethical, responsible, and human-centric treatment of stakeholders.”
This integration addresses one of the most significant challenges facing modern organizations: ESG transformations are among the most complex shifts companies face, touching not only strategy and reporting but also values, leadership behaviors, and company culture. Without robust change management, ESG efforts often remain performative rather than transformative.
“By merging these fields, I help companies move beyond box-ticking into meaningful, lasting impact,” Yuliya emphasizes. Her approach recognizes that sustainable business practices require more than compliance—they demand fundamental shifts in organizational DNA.
Key ESG trends she’s observing include the shift from compliance-based reporting to embedding ESG into business models, the rising importance of the “S” factor (employee wellbeing, diversity, equity, inclusion, and ethical labor practices), and the growing role of AI and digital tools in ESG data management and forecasting.
Her advice to forward-thinking companies reflects this integrated approach: “Treat ESG like a long-term transformation journey, not a one-time project. Make ESG part of your leadership agenda, KPIs, and decision-making. And most importantly—listen to your people. Sustainable transformation only happens when values meet behavior.”
Navigating the AI Revolution Through Human-Centered Leadership
As an AI enthusiast, Yuliya brings a unique perspective to one of today’s most pressing business challenges: how to embrace artificial intelligence while managing the human side of change. Her approach recognizes that digital transformation is no longer optional—it’s the baseline for staying relevant.
“I help clients embrace AI not just as a tech upgrade, but as a shift in mindset, workflows, and culture,” she explains. “While tech teams focus on tools, our team focuses on people: preparing them, engaging them, and supporting them through uncertainty.”
Her methodology involves building digital literacy, rethinking roles, and making AI adoption feel less like a threat and more like an opportunity. “Change management becomes the bridge—linking strategy with human experience—because no AI solution will succeed in a resistant culture,” she notes.
Looking ahead, Yuliya predicts that AI will fundamentally redefine project and change management within the next 3-5 years. Routine PMO tasks will be automated, freeing professionals to focus on leadership and decision-making. More significantly, AI will transform how leaders manage change through AI-driven impact analysis, sentiment tracking, and readiness assessments.
“The future is not man vs. machine—it’s humans driving meaningful change, with AI as a partner,” she emphasizes, advising organizations to build AI literacy now rather than wait for the transformation to arrive.
Strategic Innovation Through Immersive Learning
Yuliya’s approach to strategic consulting breaks traditional molds through her use of interactive business simulation games and strategic sessions designed to create alignment and momentum. Rather than relying on conventional presentation formats, she creates immersive experiences that drive real behavioral change.
“I design and facilitate strategic sessions that help leadership teams gain clarity, alignment, and momentum,” she explains. “My role is to create space where tough questions are welcomed, priorities are challenged, and decisions are made with purpose—not by consensus, but through alignment.”
Her business simulation games focus on predictive and agile project management, organizational change, and ESG challenges. “These are not just games—they’re powerful tools to shift mindsets, break silos, and build critical thinking,” she notes. “People don’t change through slides—they change through experience.”
This philosophy extends to her project management methodology selection, where she eschews one-size-fits-all approaches in favor of tailored solutions. Her framework considers factors such as scope clarity, regulatory requirements, team size, and risk levels to determine whether predictive, agile, or hybrid approaches best serve specific organizational needs.
“The project community is sometimes full of disputes on this choice, but the reality is that there is no universal recipe for all projects,” she observes, bringing practical wisdom to often theoretical debates.
Building Legacy Through Community Leadership
Yuliya’s impact extends far beyond her consulting practice through her foundational role in building Central Asia’s project management community. As founder and ex-president of the PMI Kazakhstan Chapter, she established a culture of professionalism, openness, and peer support that continues to influence the region’s approach to project management.
“My goal was always long-term: to grow a strong, values-driven community that challenges the status quo and elevates the profession,” she reflects. This legacy continues as she now leads the initiative to establish the IASP Kazakhstan Chapter, expanding impact into strategic management while serving PMI as Region Mentor for Eastern Europe countries.
Her multicultural background—born in Lithuania, living in Kazakhstan for decades, and working internationally—provides unique insights into leading diverse teams across geographies. “Leading projects across geographies means embracing different perspectives, communication styles, and sometimes definitions of ‘urgent,’” she notes. “I see my role as a translator of expectations and a builder of psychological safety.”
This approach reflects her broader leadership philosophy, which emphasizes that successful CEOs in 2025 and beyond must be culture shapers who lead through emotional intelligence, empathy, and deep listening. “People don’t follow titles; they follow trust,” she observes.
Measurable Impact Through Systematic Transformation
The effectiveness of Yuliya’s approach is demonstrated through concrete client results. In one of her most significant projects, she worked with a large national educational organization undergoing commercialization—a major cultural and operational shift requiring new mindsets and capabilities.
“I helped them set up a Project Management Office and Transformation Office from scratch, aligning strategy with execution and building internal capacity,” she explains. The results were substantial: within a year, the organization adopted a culture of adaptability, improved project delivery timelines by dozens of percentage points, began making strategic decisions about project viability, and saw increased employee satisfaction rates.
“Real change, rooted in structure and mindset,” Yuliya reflects, crediting the company’s top management for their support and engagement throughout the transformation.
This case exemplifies her holistic approach to organizational change, which addresses both structural and cultural elements necessary for sustainable transformation. Rather than focusing solely on processes or solely on people, she creates integrated solutions that support long-term success.
Staying Ahead in a Rapidly Evolving Landscape
Yuliya’s ability to remain at the forefront of multiple evolving fields—change management, AI innovation, ESG frameworks, and leadership development—stems from what she describes as “being intentional with what you consume and who you surround yourself with.”
Her learning strategy combines deep research with practical application. She regularly studies reports from McKinsey, WEF, PMI, and ESG-specific think tanks to identify patterns and trends. Short, high-quality courses help her stay agile on topics ranging from AI tools to regulatory updates, while podcasts provide insights from top minds during her daily routines.
“The prerecorded format is especially important for businesspeople like me as we often ‘do not have time,’” she notes pragmatically. Professional communities like PMI, ACMP, IASP, and Change Alliance serve as laboratories for shared learning and peer mentoring in fast-changing environments.
This systematic approach to continuous learning enables her to anticipate market shifts and provide clients with forward-thinking solutions rather than reactive fixes.
Empowering the Next Generation of Change Leaders
As a successful female CEO in consulting and tech, Yuliya is particularly passionate about mentoring women aspiring to leadership roles. Her advice reflects both practical wisdom and inspirational vision: “Stop waiting for permission. These industries need your voice, your perspective, and your leadership—now.”
She emphasizes the importance of building expertise through certifications and results while simultaneously developing networks as a strategic priority. “Relationships open doors that CVs can’t,” she notes, encouraging women to find both mentors and sponsors who can provide advice and visibility.
Her message addresses common challenges faced by women in leadership: “Imposter syndrome visits everyone, even boardrooms. The difference? Successful women learn to hear the voice and keep moving anyway.”
Most importantly, she advocates for authentic leadership that challenges existing systems: “Lead with authenticity. Consulting and tech thrive on innovation, and innovation needs bold, human-centered leadership. Be that leader. Challenge broken systems. Redesign the rules. Create space for others as you rise.”
The Future of Transformation Leadership
Looking ahead, Yuliya’s vision for Re:Work Consulting and the broader field of change management reflects her commitment to continuous evolution and impact. She sees the consulting industry moving toward more integrated, human-centered approaches that address the full spectrum of organizational needs.
“The CEO of 2025 is not just a strategist—they’re a culture shaper,” she observes. “Great CEOs lead through uncertainty and build resilience across the organization.” This perspective guides her own leadership style and influences how she develops other leaders.
Her dual role as CEO and consultant provides unique advantages: “Running a business makes my trainings sharper (real-life stories included), and training keeps me sane by reminding me why I do all this in the first place.” This integration of execution and education ensures that her consulting approaches remain grounded in practical reality while pushing theoretical boundaries.
As she continues to build Re:Work Consulting’s impact across Central Asia and beyond, Yuliya remains committed to her original vision: making organizational change easier for leaders and employees. But that vision has evolved into something larger—a movement toward more ethical, sustainable, and human-centered approaches to business transformation.
Through her work, she demonstrates that the most effective change leaders are those who understand that lasting transformation requires more than new processes or technologies—it requires a fundamental shift in how organizations think about people, purpose, and progress. In an era of unprecedented change, leaders like Yuliya Zhevno are not just managing transformation—they’re defining what transformation can become.
