Elena Agaragimova

Elena Agaragimova has a diverse work experience spanning various roles and industries. Elena is currently the Head of Talent Acquisition and Development for the Appian Practice at Horizon Industries, Limited, where they manage staffing projects and leads the design and execution of a learning and development strategy.

Prior to their current role, Elena worked as a Career Development Coach, L&D Consultant, and 1:1 Trainer at Elena Agar LLC. Elena helped individuals and organizations address talent acquisition and development challenges, utilizing neuroscience and psychology research to create practical actions.

In 2019, Elena founded Bloom Youth, a non-profit Future of Education platform aimed at empowering students and creating future leaders. Elena also co-founded Bessern in the same year, focusing on leadership capabilities building in corporations.

Elena has also worked as a Podcast Host for Shift - with Elena Agar, where they interviewed professionals in talent acquisition, career development, and entrepreneurship. Elena was also a Class Host for NewCampus, a platform offering unlimited daily classes for active learners.

Previously, Elena held positions at The University of Manchester Middle East Centre, where they managed the Careers and Alumni Relations department and provided coaching and support to executive MBAs. Elena was also a Career Consultant, designing and delivering training for MBA students and graduates.

Before transitioning into coaching and consulting roles, Elena worked as an International Recruiter for George Mason University, representing the university globally and assisting international students with admissions and cultural understanding. Elena also worked as a Regional Coordinator at the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission.

Throughout their career, Elena has demonstrated a passion for talent acquisition and development, utilizing their expertise in coaching, training, and building strong relationships with stakeholders.

Elena Agaragimova has a diverse education history. Elena obtained a Graduate Certificate in Cognitive Neuroscience from George Mason University in 2022-2023. Prior to that, they received a Master of Science degree in Higher Education/Higher Education Administration from Old Dominion University in 2010-2011. Elena also completed an Executive Education Program on "Leveraging Neuroscience to Power Organizational and Individual Performance" at Columbia Business School in 2017. Elena holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in International/Global Studies from Old Dominion University. Elena further enhanced their education by participating in an Executive Education Program on International Business Negotiations at Alliance Manchester Business School in 2017. Elena is currently pursuing a course on Learning and Development from the Josh Bersin Academy, with an expected completion in 2022-2023.

In addition to their degrees, Elena Agaragimova has obtained several certifications. These include People Analytics, Coaching at Scale, Leading L&D, and The Agile Learning Organization from the Josh Bersin Academy. Elena also completed certifications in Creating Your Personal Brand and The Data Science of Using People Analytics from LinkedIn. Elena holds a Certified Trainer certification from the Association for Talent Development (ATD) and a Level 5 L&D Certificate from CIPD (completion date December 2017). Elena is also a certified Academy of Leadership and Management-Level 5 Mentor/Coach from ILM. In 2014, Elena obtained a certification in F-1 Student Advising from NAFSA: Association of International Educators, and in 2011, they became a Master Advisor Certified from NACADA.