As a Project Director for the Kazakhstan Foundation for Cultural, Social and Educational Development, Mariya aims to increase young women’s potential to make them main actors of Kazakh society. Mariya is an expert in young women’s development and has developed skills in communications, project management, and proposal writing. During her fellowship in the United States, Mariya hopes to learn about empowering young women from vulnerable societies, as well as tools and techniques for exerting positive long-term influence and strategy building. She also hopes to develop her skills in leadership, research and project evaluation. Upon returning from the Community Solutions Program, Mariya plans to implement various educational initiatives to reduce passiveness in society and to help young women from vulnerable groups thrive and become leaders of their communities.