Yelena Gareyeva, 32, is the founder of the Young Professionals Network and the SAGA Podcast, creating platforms that connect young professionals with mentorship, skill-building opportunities, and career guidance. From 2022 – 2024, Yelena served as a Go Viral Ambassador for the Institute of War and Peace Reporting, promoting media literacy, entrepreneurship, and the creative economy. She organized country-level festivals, workshops, networking events, and mentorship programs. Now, she is part of the C5+O.N.E. regional initiative under the American Councils for International Education, encouraging cross-border collaboration among mid-level professionals in Central Asia.

Yelena has successfully built three communities in Turkmenistan—FLEX Alumni, Go Viral, and the Young Professionals Network. She is an audit committee member of the U.S.–Turkmenistan Alumni Association, working under the U.S. Embassy in Turkmenistan.

A FLEX program alumna, Yelena holds a BA in Anthropology from the American University of Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan) and an MA in Research and Studies of Eastern Europe from the University of Bologna (Italy). In 2023, she was named Alumna of the Year by the U.S. Embassy in Turkmenistan for her outstanding contributions to society and efforts to strengthen U.S - U.S.-Turkmenistan relations.