Meet Our Team
Co-founder
Entrepreneur & Coach
Nargiza Korgoldoeva
The founder of HIFE [Health + Life], one of Kyrgyzstan’s first running communities. After six years in marketing, she decided to pursue her passion for running and blogging. Within just a few months of starting daily runs, she saw her group grow from just three people to 2,000 community members — a milestone for Kyrgyzstan. This success revealed the need for a supportive running community, especially for women, which has inspired Nargiza in her work with Juniper Kyz.
From: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Co-founder
Fundraiser & Coach
Joy Stalteri-Roberts
A running enthusiast with a degree in Gender Studies from the University of Victoria. She completed 3 marathons and 2 ultras in 2024 and interned at the University of Central Asia, providing student mentorship. Recently certified as a Wilderness First Responder, she combines her love for the outdoors with a focus on safety in remote environments.
From: Toronto, Canada
Co-founder
Project Manager & Running Coach
Salima Aisultanova
Running coach and project coordinator in Kyrgyzstan, Salima has experience organizing sports events, including mountain races, beginner training programs, and events supporting women in sports. She has been actively promoting women’s sports in her city, helping girls overcome fears, build confidence, and start running. Salima strives to make sports accessible to everyone, regardless of their fitness level or financial situation.
She possesses project management skills and is working on building partnerships to further develop social initiatives. Her mission is to inspire girls in Central Asia to move towards their goals through sports.
From: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Co-founder
Fundraiser and Coach
Lily Nemirovsky
A dedicated runner who first came to Kyrgyzstan in January 2023 for a study-abroad program. During her time there, she improved her Russian and Kyrgyz language skills and grew attached to the local community and mountains. She returned after graduating to live and work in Bishkek. A competitive runner since middle school, Lily now explores distance trail running in Kyrgyzstan’s stunning landscapes. She hopes to share the joy and personal growth running has brought her with other young women through this project.
From: Massachusetts, USA
Co-founder
Digital Marketing
Ayana Aralbaeva
A content marketing and social media expert from Kyrgyzstan with a passion for running and yoga. She regularly participates in local sporting events and believes deeply in the transformative power of sports to change women’s lives. Her mission is to create inclusive and accessible spaces where every woman feels welcome in the world of sports. As part of the project, she develops and implements promotional strategies to inspire and engage women, break down gender stereotypes, and increase participation in sports.
From: Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Our Impact
Juniper Kyz has made a significant impact on the lives of young women in Kyrgyzstan by promoting women's empowerment, fitness, and leadership. We are dedicated to creating a platform that fosters a sense of accomplishment and strength among participants.
Our Name:
The name of the project, “Juniper Kyz,” is inspired by the juniper trees that grow resiliently throughout Kyrgyzstan’s mountainous landscapes. Known for their toughness and ability to thrive in harsh conditions, juniper trees symbolize the strength and self-assurance the project hopes to cultivate in its participants. The word “kyz” means “girl” in Kyrgyz, reflecting the project’s focus on young women's empowerment through physical, emotional, and mental health. The name embodies the idea that these young women, like juniper trees, have the power to flourish in any environment.