Program Manager
Khilola Iakubzhanova
I am a Program Manager with experience across international organizations, government, and tech-driven environments, specializing in building efficient systems, optimizing program performance, and leading cross-functional collaboration to deliver scalable impact.
My work combines data, user insights, and structured workflows to design and execute programs that improve stakeholder experience, streamline operations, and drive measurable results — from policy and development initiatives to technology-enabled process improvements.
I am a graduate of Cornell University, holding a Master of Public Administration (STEM) focused on technology, systems thinking, and program strategy.
Academic Background
Education
Master of Public Administration (STEM), Science & Technology Policy
Cornell University
Bachelor's Degree (Triple Major: Political Science, History & Law)
University of Rome Tor Vergata
Erasmus+ Exchange Program — Business & Managerial Economics
University of Cologne
Career
Professional Experience
Programme Management & Public Information Intern
United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism
- Coordinated cross-regional UN initiatives by managing timelines, stakeholder workflows, and deliverables, resulting in streamlined program execution and improved reporting accuracy.
- Developed mission reports and implementation plans by aligning inter-agency inputs, resulting in stronger strategic oversight and decision-making.
Capstone Project Lead — Program Management & Policy Research
GAO Collaboration
- Led a federal policy research initiative by managing cross-functional teams and project milestones, resulting in data-driven recommendations to strengthen national water infrastructure sustainability.
Project Analyst & Strategy (M&E)
ME&A, Inc.
- Implemented Monitoring & Evaluation frameworks across 300+ USAID-funded projects by standardizing KPIs and reporting systems, resulting in improved performance visibility and execution consistency.
- Structured insights from 60+ stakeholder consultations into sprint plans, resulting in stronger cross-regional coordination.
Project Program Coordinator
Bilim Bulagy Public Foundation
- Led education and youth development programs by coordinating training sessions, volunteers, and partnerships, resulting in expanded learning access across underserved communities.
Education Programs Intern & Program Coordinator
Universal Education
- Supported education access initiatives by coordinating mentorship, training delivery, and student guidance, resulting in increased international university readiness for youth participants.
Community Project Lead
American Councils for International Education
- Led 50+ community initiatives and secured a U.S. Government Alumni Grant by building volunteer systems and funding proposals, resulting in program expansion across two Kyrgyz regions.
Public Engagement & Strategy Associate
Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic to Italy
- Supported negotiations with five partner countries by coordinating diplomatic engagements and documentation, resulting in two international agreements and a 15% increase in bilateral trade.
Work
Featured Projects
UN Counter-Terrorism — Policy Workflow Optimization
Designed and implemented AI-enabled policy tracking and reporting workflows at the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, reducing research and reporting time by 30% while improving cross-unit coordination across five UN departments. Standardized documentation processes to enhance data accuracy, reporting consistency, and operational efficiency.
30% reduction in research and reporting time across 5 UN units
BlitzBlend Product Launch Strategy & Go-To-Market Roadmap
Led an end-to-end product launch project for a redesigned immersion blender, using A/B testing, sales lift analysis, customer sentiment modeling, and engineering briefs to prioritize features, test pricing strategies, and deliver a data-driven go/no-go recommendation to senior leadership.
Data-driven go/no-go recommendation delivered to senior leadership
Increasing Access to Safe Drinking Water — Puerto Rico Policy Project
Conducted policy and financing analysis on how community water systems in Puerto Rico can better access State Revolving Fund (SRF) resources. Identified structural funding barriers and developed actionable recommendations to improve equity, streamline funding pathways, and strengthen water infrastructure resilience.
Published in Cornell Policy Review
Honors
Honors & Awards
Inducted Member — Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society
Pi Alpha Alpha (Global Honor Society for Public Affairs & Administration) · Cornell University
Inducted in recognition of outstanding academic achievement (GPA 3.7+) and excellence in public policy, leadership, and public service.
May 2025Presidential Scholarship "El Umutu" — National Merit Award Recipient (2x)
President of the Kyrgyz Republic · Cornell University
Highly selective national scholarship awarded for academic excellence and leadership, fully funding graduate studies in the United States.
2023 & 2024Erasmus+ Scholarship Recipient — Academic Exchange Program
European Union Erasmus+ Programme · University of Cologne & University of Rome Tor Vergata
Awarded EU-funded mobility scholarship based on academic merit for a six-month international academic exchange.
2020LazioDisco Scholarship — Italian Government Merit Award
DiSCo Lazio · University of Rome Tor Vergata
Prestigious government-supported scholarship fully funding undergraduate studies in Italy and providing monthly living support.
2018World Scholars Cup — Best Speaker & 3rd Place Finalist
World Scholars Cup
Recognized as Best Speaker in the Debate Tournament and placed 3rd among 200+ international students in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
2018Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) Program Scholar — Fully Funded
U.S. Department of State
Selected as one of 97 finalists from over 5,000 applicants for a fully funded one-year academic and leadership exchange in the United States, focused on cultural diplomacy, leadership development, and academic excellence.
2017Expertise
Skills & Tools
Product
Analytics & Data
Tools & Design
Languages
Press
Media Coverage
Featured across national television, international publications, and major digital outlets.
Interview on Presidential Scholarship Recipient
Ala-Too 24 (National TV)
Televised interview where Khilola speaks about her success as a Presidential Scholarship recipient and her academic journey to Cornell University.
Our People in the World: How to Get from Kyrgyzstan to an Ivy League University
WeProject (International)
Feature profiling the journey from Kyrgyzstan to an Ivy League university, emphasizing academic excellence and determination as a role model for Central Asian youth.
Who Became a Recipient of the Presidential Scholarship El Umutu?
Ala-Too Kyrgyzstan National TV
Televised feature announcing recipients of the highly selective Presidential Scholarship, confirming national prominence and recognition by official state channels.
How to Become a FLEX Program Participant and Spend a Year in an American High School
ForumDaily New York (U.S. Media)
Published in New York, this article presents the applicant as a successful alumnus of the U.S. Department of State's FLEX exchange program.
I Am a FLEXer: How to Become a FLEX Program Participant
WeProject (International)
Highlights selection and experience as part of the internationally recognized U.S. government FLEX exchange initiative.
MT Inspired Youth Leaders
Kutbilim.kg (National)
Featured among outstanding young leaders driving change in Kyrgyzstan, underscoring leadership and public influence in education and youth development.
News Article on Achievements
Limon.kg (National)
Highlights early accomplishments and role as an emerging leader from Kyrgyzstan by one of the country's most widely read digital platforms.
National Coverage of Achievements
Limon.kg (National)
Feature documenting academic and extracurricular accomplishments with ongoing national media interest.
El Umutu Scholarship Broadcast
Ala-Too Kyrgyzstan National TV
Second televised feature confirming selection as a recipient of the Presidential Scholarship by the leading national broadcaster.
Ongoing National Recognition
Limon.kg (National)
Multiple features across this major Kyrgyz outlet show consistent and ongoing national media interest in her success.
Moments