María Javier Brugarolas, President of KFCSED, shares her journey from a young engineer from Spain to leading a national movement empowering women, fostering hospitality, and shaping inclusive growth in Kazakhstan.
María Javier Brugarolas, president of KFCSED, linkedin
About me
I’m originally from Spain, born and raised in the north, in a city called Pamplona. I come from a large family — I’m the fourth of nine siblings — and we’ve always had a strong emphasis on education, values, and service.
I first came to Kazakhstan in 2003, right after graduating from university. I was offered a job as mechanical engineer in a construction company here and thought it would be an adventure — a way to start my professional life by doing something different. In a way, this step was very natural: five of my siblings also moved abroad after graduating. Some of us eventually returned to Spain, others didn’t.
There’s a family connection to Kazakhstan that goes back even further. In 1992, my father came here as part of a delegation of experts from his medical center to explore possible collaborations. He always spoke with great fondness about that visit — the warmth of the people, the beauty of the mountains, eating in a yurt, walking through "barakholka"bazaar, and witnessing a country just beginning a new chapter after independence. His stories left a strong impression on me.
So, when I came to Kazakhstan years later, I carried all that with me. I’ve always believed that professional life is not just about making a living, but about contributing something unique to society — something that makes the world a little better. That belief has guided much of what I’ve done since.
About my work
My involvement with the KFCSED began in its early years. At the time, I was working in Kazakhstan and felt a deep desire to understand the local society more intimately — its values, its needs, and its people. That led me to meet the founders of the KFCSD, and I started volunteering with them.
Back then, we ran programs for university students — mainly young women from KIMEP, KNU, and Al-Farabi University — to foster a sense of social responsibility. We organized weekend workshops, training sessions, and conferences to expand their horizons and encourage civic engagement. Soon, we began traveling outside Almaty to small towns and rural areas, offering similar workshops to those with fewer opportunities.
This was before phones, social media, or even widespread internet access, so connectivity was limited. It was powerful to see these well-educated young women, often from more privileged backgrounds, sharing their knowledge with others — from schoolchildren to mothers in villages, often meeting in schools or local government buildings.
At the same time, I was facing challenges in my own professional career as a young female engineer — and a foreigner — trying to have my voice and expertise recognized. That contrast made me even more aware of the gaps that still existed in Kazakhstan’s development.
I was deeply moved by the transformation I witnessed in the participants of our projects. These young women were shaping their own professional paths inspired by the impact they realized they could have on their country. That, to me, was something beautiful.
In a way, while my day job was about designing buildings and infrastructure, what we were doing through KFCSED was helping people design their lives. That realization drew me in further, and gradually, what started as a weekend volunteer role became a full-time commitment.
In 2009, I was invited to take on the presidency of KFCSED to help structure the work and build a stronger team. That marked a new chapter in my journey.
First impressions
When I first arrived in Kazakhstan in 2003, my impressions were shaped by a mix of surprise, curiosity, and admiration. I landed at night in November — it was cold, snowing, and the airport was very small and quite old. There were no jet bridges, and we had to walk across the tarmac. Inside, it felt more like a couple of rooms connected by stairs than a proper terminal.
I vividly remember the migration officers — very serious. They only spoke a language I didn’t understand, and I felt very foreign. As I left the airport, I was immediately surrounded by a crowd of people offering taxi services — it was a bit overwhelming until I finally found the person who had come to meet me.
At that time, Kazakhstan felt like a country just beginning a new chapter, eager to modernize but still marked by remnants of the past. Foreignersthenwere often seen as potential sources of money. I remember frequent police stops when we were driving — a sign of the time.
And yet, from the beginning, what stood out to me was the warmth and openness of the people. Later, I came to understand that this deep hospitality is rooted in the country’s nomadic culture — where welcoming others is part of the fabric of society. People were eager to understand you, to make you feel welcome, and to show genuine curiosity and admiration.
Many things have changed since then. Kazakhstan has undergone a remarkable transformation. The country has embraced digital innovation — in many ways more rapidly than parts of Europe, including Spain. Services like Kaspi and e-gov have made daily life incredibly efficient. Anti-corruption policies are stronger, and the way the country handled the COVID-19 crisis showed impressive levels of structure and coordination.
Almaty itself also left a strong impression on me — a small, cozy city surrounded by stunning mountains. That beauty hasn’t changed. But now, alongside that natural charm, I see a society that’s much more connected, modern, and dynamic — and still, at its heart, deeply welcoming.
Personal and professional impact
What strikes me most is how much we grow when we truly coexist and build something together with others who are different from us. When I return to my hometown in Spain, I often notice how much more homogeneous people's experiences have been — and how easy it is to miss the beauty and strength that comes from diversity.
What Kazakhstan has taught me is that diversity isn’t about losing your own identity — it’s quite the opposite. It challenges you, yes, but it also helps you grow stronger in your own beliefs and values. You learn to be more tolerant, more open, more grounded. It has reinforced my sense of purpose, my understanding of the role each person — and each organization — plays in shaping a better society.
It has also given me a deeper perspective on leadership and work. I now see work not just as a way to earn a living, but as a space where people can develop, contribute, and be part of something meaningful. I believe strongly in leadership that empowers others — that helps each person see their value and find joy in responsibility.
About plans
Looking ahead, we’re in a phase of consolidation and strategic growth. After more than 20 years of grassroots work, KFCSED is entering a new chapter — one that seeks not only to deepen our local impact, but also to scale and systematize what we’ve learned.
Personally, I’m focused on helping the team gain more autonomy, clarity, and leadership — not just following instructions, but truly owning their roles and bringing their own vision. We’re investing in training, digitalization, and creating clearer structures so that more women can grow within the organization and beyond.
One of our biggest ambitions is to bring more visibility to the values and talents of Kazakh women, especially those who have fewer opportunities. We want to amplify their voices, stories, and skills — through hospitality, education, and entrepreneurship — and create models that can be adapted and replicated across the country, and possibly beyond.
I would say: what’s next is impact at scale — but without losing the soul. Always keeping the heart of our mission, which is human development, personal dignity, and service.