Gulanor Atobek, the chairwoman of Alif Bank, skillfully manages not only a large financial institution but also her time, family, and personal interests. Her journey from a young student to a leader in the banking sector is full of bold decisions and perseverance.
“Destiny guided me”
Gulanor Atobek was born and raised in Dushanbe, but spent much of her childhood in the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region (GBAO). "Those were unforgettable years: we climbed mountains, roasted potatoes over the fire, and slid down hills on tubs. Those memories always warm my heart," she recalls.
After finishing school, Gulanor enrolled in the Faculty of Foreign Languages of Khorog State University, but her real goal was to study in Bishkek, where the Aga Khan Foundation supported education. "I chose the foreign language faculty more as a "stepping stone" than as a profession," she admits. In Bishkek, she planned to enroll in International Economic Relations, but found out unexpectedly that the faculty didn’t exist. "I went to the exam for economics, even though I wasn’t on the list. That was my chance, and I took it," she recalls.
After a challenging exam and an interview with the university's vice president, she chose economics and business administration. "It was a new, interesting field. I chose it intuitively, and it turned out to be the right decision," Gulanor says.
"If love disappears, it’s time to move on"
After her studies, Gulanor started her career in auditing. Working at a "Big Four" firm, she faced heavy workloads, deadlines, and stress. However, according to her, this was her choice. "When you love your job, the challenges don’t feel like hardships. Time flew by, I learned new things, and was always looking for ways to improve processes," she shares.
But over time, her love for auditing faded. "When that feeling disappeared, I realized it was time to move on," she says. This led her to a position at Alif Bank.
"It’s important to know when to be a leader and when to be a manager"
After leaving Deloitte, Gulanor was invited to meet Abdullo Qurbonov, co-founder of Alif Bank. What impressed her immediately was his question: "What do you want to do?" She answered that she would like to work in finance, as it was the field where she had the most experience. They then offered her the position of chief financial officer. "From the first day, it was clear that 'Alif' met my expectations, and the more I interacted with the team, the more confident I became in my choice," she recalls.
Three months later, Gulanor was appointed first deputy chairperson, and then chairperson of the bank. "The chairperson of a bank is essentially like a CEO. They are responsible for strategy, vision, and team development," she explains.
"Not every good specialist can be a good leader"
Gulanor emphasizes that a leader must be both a manager and an inspirer. "If a leader is only a manager, there will be no direction. If they’re only a leader, chaos will ensue," she believes. It’s important to be flexible and adapt to different people, especially when you have a team of nearly 900 people with diverse personalities and approaches.
"When work brings joy…"
Gulanor successfully balances her professional life with family life. "For me, balance isn’t equal time between work and family but proper allocation depending on priorities," she says. With three children, she believes it's important to dedicate time to them. "In the early years, you give more to your family, and work understands that," she adds.
"It’s very important to have a hobby. When I completely abandoned my passions, I felt unhappy. But when I returned to my favorite activities, I became happier, and it reflected in both work and family," she admits.
"Advice for young professionals"
Gulanor offers advice to young professionals finishing university and starting their career paths. "The main thing is to do what you love. When you enjoy your work, you don’t waste energy resisting, and you do everything with your heart," she says. According to her, career advancement is a result of passion, not the goal. "If the field you’re in isn’t right for you, don’t be afraid to change. But you need to spend at least 3-6 months in it to understand if it’s truly your calling," Gulanor concludes.
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