Darmen Sadvakassov

Mr. Sadvakassov is a Kazakhstani chess player, grandmaster (1999), and public figure. Since 2018, Darmen has been the founder and managing partner of Dasco Consulting Group, specializing in strategic management, IT technologies, investments, public sector, and oil and gas sector.

From 2009 to 2012, he worked in the Administration of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan as a consultant and sector lead. From 2012 to 2013, Mr Sadvakassov worked as the head of the Planning and External Relations Department at the Agency for Civil Service Affairs. From 2013 to 2016, he headed the Analytics and Forecasting Department and the Strategy and Coordination Work Department in KazMunayGas National company. From 2016 to 2018, Darmen was a senior partner of the consulting company Center for Strategic Initiatives. Darmen is also a Vice-President of the Chess Federation of the Republic of Kazakhstan, member of the Council for Youth Policy under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, member of the Council of the Association of Scholars of the Bolashak International Presidential Scholarship, member of the Public Council of the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, member of the Center for Analysis and Monitoring of Socio-Economic Reforms under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Darmen graduated from the L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian State University with a degree in Translation Studies. In 2009, he graduated with a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Carnegie Mellon University (USA). In 2015, he received a PhD degree in investment management. Darmen completed internships and advanced training courses at the University of Cambridge, the Dutch Institute of Management, Bocconi University, the University of California, etc.