Women in Finance: How Aigerim Tleshova Reshapes Investment Strategy

Female leaders are poised to fundamentally reshape the finance and investment sector and deliver higher returns in decision-making roles within financial institutions, according to the World Economic Forum. Research conducted by Warwick Business School analyzed 2,800 investors over three years and found that women investors outperformed men by an average of 1.8% per year. To learn more about this trend, we spoke with Aigerim Tleshova, MBA, Head of Investment Management at BI-Group, a major construction holding company in Central Asia.

Aigerim has built an impressive career, rising from an accountant to a leading figure in Central Asia’s financial sector. Today, she oversees a diversified investment portfolio worth $0.7 billion. Her success reflects the critical role women can play in finance, demonstrating that they can excel and make a significant contribution to the businesses they lead.

Commenting on the topic, Aigerim noted that “there is indeed a trend towards more female finance and investment executives.” She added that in recent years, many companies have actively worked to increase gender diversity in leadership roles.

According to Aigerim, this shift has occurred because companies recognize that diversity in leadership offers benefits beyond improving corporate culture. It increases efficiency and fosters more innovative solutions. “Equal opportunity initiatives and the pursuit of independence are helping women advance in their careers. Additionally, legislative efforts and programs that support women in business are contributing to the rise of female leadership,” she explained.

“However, despite the progress, there are still challenges, including stereotypes and biases that can hinder the equal distribution of leadership roles. So while we are seeing positive changes, it’s essential to continue addressing these barriers and promoting equal opportunity for all,” Aigerim added.

From her early years, Aigerim was highly motivated. As a student, she worked in network marketing, gaining valuable commercial skills that later served her well in the corporate world. After graduating, she took a position as an assistant accountant, where her talent was quickly recognized. That led to her promotion to full accountant. Realizing the importance of further education for career advancement, she pursued an MBA at Birmingham City University in the UK.

This international exposure broadened her perspective and equipped her with the tools to succeed in the global finance sector, leading her to a role at Danone, a world leader in food production. 

A pivotal moment in her career came when she joined the construction industry, where she fully realized her potential. Starting as an economist at BI-Group, she quickly proved her capability in handling complex financial operations. Within three years, she was promoted to Financial Manager at the company’s headquarters, overseeing financial planning and budgeting for large-scale projects.

When asked about the most challenging aspects of building a career in finance, Aigerim mentioned that despite achieving strong results very early on, she often struggled with self-doubt. Overcoming this was a critical step in her professional development. Another notable obstacle was balancing ambitious goals with personal needs.

“I had to learn how to manage my time effectively, prioritize, and remember the importance of self-development and relaxation. It wasn’t easy, but over time I realized that sustainable success isn’t just about achievement at work — it’s also about maintaining inner balance and personal fulfillment,” she said.

Aigerim’s talent made her a sought-after professional, and she was soon headhunted by a large manufacturing and trading company, where she served as Operational Financial Director. However, she was soon asked to return to BI-Group to take on a new challenge, automating the company’s consolidated accounting and budgeting systems.

Under her leadership, BI-Group implemented an automated accounting and consolidation model using IBM Cognos and 1C 3.0. She also improved the holding company’s accounting directories and classifiers and introduced project-oriented accounting across 280 companies and 4,000 projects. This innovation allowed BI-Group to manage multiple projects and track each one’s reporting within a unified system at the same time.

Based on Aigerim’s innovative approach and the strong results it produced, she was promoted to head the Investment Department, where she now oversees a $0.7 billion portfolio. Her asset allocation and risk mitigation strategies have been instrumental in the company’s 15% annual growth in investment capabilities. 

Beyond her technical expertise, Aigerim has been recognized for her leadership and ability to inspire her teams to achieve exceptional results. As curator of the company’s finance club, she mentors young finance professionals, laying the foundation for the next generation of industry leaders.

Aigerim has noticed a growing number of female members in the community. “While the industry was once dominated by men, more women are becoming visible and active participants,” she explained. According to Aigerim, this shift is driven by women’s growing interest in financial markets and investing, as well as increased career opportunities and support for gender equality initiatives within the professional environment.

With Aigerim’s leadership and strategic approach, BI-Group was able to streamline its processes and significantly increase profitability. For example, she led the implementation of divisional accounting in the holding company. Leading a multidisciplinary team of analysts, developers, HR managers, accountants, treasurers, and financiers, she successfully implemented this new system, which significantly improved the company’s financial transparency and control. A year later, Aigerim’s work on automating the management of free cash flow into reserve accounts resulted in a $3 million (KZT1.3 billion) increase in profits for the company.  

Most recently, in 2023, Aigerim adapted the McKinsey 5 Blocks framework to manage the company’s investment portfolio. By categorizing investments based on profitability and importance, she provided BI-Group with a clear roadmap for maximizing returns while minimizing risks. 

As a finance and investment expert, Aigerim believes there are key points that new female professionals should keep in mind. According to her, it’s essential to have confidence in one’s abilities, especially since “the finance field can be competitive and it may take extra effort to get your achievements noticed.” She also emphasized the importance of being open to continuous learning, investing in education, seeking mentorship, and building a network of contacts.

Aigerim noted that while career success is important, it’s crucial to take care of health and personal relationships. “Finding a balance that allows you to work effectively while maintaining a fulfilling life outside of work will help you find joy and satisfaction in your professional life,” she concluded.