Eurasia Chapter

Kanan Alisoy is currently working as an MLRO, Director of Financial Monitoring and Compliance Department at Azer Turk Bank located in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Experienced manager as well holds MBA degree (General) from ADA University. Accomplished with honors (cum laude) Master program from the University of Bergamo, International Security (PRANET Network Project). Member of Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists. Second Level Master program in Prevention and contrast to Radicalization and Terrorism (Master MaRTe) at the University of Bergamo, Italy, PRaNET project (Scholarship project funded by Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research, General Management for students, development, and internationalization of higher education).

Started his career in the Financial Management department of Bank Technique and worked at various divisions within the department. Later continued in the Financial Management department at the International Bank of Azerbaijan Republic and the Financial Monitoring and Compliance Department (IBAR). In 9 years of his career switched three banks, worked in three departments, and three divisions, and has been assigned to perform the accounting of plastic card operations, internal accounting as well as applying International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) for consolidated annual financial reports.

As an MLRO at ATB bank has been assigned to define the necessary level of knowledge on existing and emerging regulatory compliance requirements across the organization; develop the annual compliance work plan that reflects the organization's unique characteristics; periodically revise the compliance plan in light of changes; guiding in a productive, professional way, the compliance teams. Overseeing and monitoring the implementation of the compliance program; providing guidance, advice, and training; providing strategic direction to the management team on compliance. Preparing and presenting clear and concise compliance reports to the Board. Interacting with regulators on compliance issues. Developing policies and programs that encourage managers and employees to report suspected fraud and other improprieties, without fear of retaliation. Coordinating internal compliance review and monitoring activities, including periodic reviews of departments. Independently investigating and acting on matters related to compliance as well as coordinating efforts related to audits, reviews, and examinations.

Kanan is a Certified Anti-Money-Laundering Specialist (CAMS) and Certified Global Sanctions Specialist (CGSS) an active member of ACAMS.

Meri Badanyan is currently the Quality Assurance/KYC Team Lead at ACX Compliance, a crypto outsourcing firm. Her previous role was as an AML Investigator at Silverbird Global Limited, a UK-based EMI. Prior to starting her international career, Meri spent nearly 12 years at ARMBUSINESSBANK CJSC (now AMIOBANK CJSC), where she headed the Internal Monitoring Division (AML Team) from 2018 to 2022. From 2006 to 2018, she held various AML positions at different commercial banks in Armenia.

In 2017, Meri earned an international golden standard specialization from ACAMS in Luxembourg, following a preparation course organized by the House of Training of Luxembourg (ATTF). She has participated in numerous international trainings and has extensive knowledge of AML risks in both traditional banks and fintechs. Meri is skilled in real-time and post-transaction monitoring, fraud monitoring, and conducting routine and complex investigations and research. She also possesses strong working knowledge of SARs.

Meri holds a Master's degree in Finance and Credit from the Armenian State University of Economics (formerly the Yerevan State Institute of Economy). She is an active ACAMS member and holds both CAMS and CAMS-RM certifications.

Artur is currently the Deputy Head of the Compliance Department at BC "Victoriabank" SA located in the Republic of Moldova. 

In 2016 he graduated as a Doctor of economic sciences. He wrote more than 50 scientific papers in local and international journals.

In 2022, he obtained his Master degree in Business Law at Academy of Economic Studies of Moldova.

Artur has more than ten year experience within the banking system in Moldova, in banks from International Financial Groups: JSCB “Mobiasbanca- Groupe Societe Generale”, JSCB “BCR Chisinau” (part of Erste Group), JSCB “EXIMBANK” (part of Intesa Sanpaolo Group), JSCB “Victoriabank” (part of Banca Transilvania Group).

He has worked extensively in AML compliance, contributing with his efforts to build and promote a strong AML culture in the banking system of the Republic of Moldova. His involvement in the AML community in the fight against financial crimes is well recognized amongst his peers. He has various experiences in implementing AML/KYC/Sanctions IT solutions within the groups he has worked.

Artur takes active participation in AML/CFT round tables organized by local FIU, National Bank of Moldova and the Moldavian Banking Association

He is an active ACAMS member and holds both the CAMS and CGSS certifications, after the Preparation Course organized by House of Training of Luxembourg (ATTF Luxembourg).

Ani Gordeziani is a highly accomplished financial risk and compliance professional with extensive expertise in Anti-Money Laundering (AML), Counter-Financing of Terrorism (CFT), Financial Monitoring, and Operational Banking. With over a decade of experience, she has played a pivotal role in shaping compliance strategies, optimizing banking operations, and strengthening risk management frameworks across leading financial institutions. 

Currently, Ani serves as Head of the Operational Banking and Process Management Division at TBC Bank, where she drives process optimization, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency to enhance banking services. Prior to this, she was Head of Financial Monitoring and Reporting at Cartu Bank, where she led initiatives to fortify financial crime compliance frameworks and reporting mechanisms. 

Before transitioning into operational banking leadership, Ani held a key advisory role as Senior Partner and Head of Risk Advisory at Eddwise LLC, guiding clients in establishing and enhancing AML/CFT compliance programs. Her international expertise was further strengthened during her tenure as a Global Compliance Analyst at Finca Impact Finance, where she implemented risk-based compliance strategies across multiple jurisdictions. 

Ani’s deep-rooted expertise in financial crime compliance was honed at JSC Bank of Georgia, where she advanced from AML Officer to Head of the Financial Institutions Team. In these roles, she led sanctions screening, transaction monitoring, KYC procedures, and risk assessments, while also developing AML/CFT policies and conducting specialized training programs to cultivate a strong compliance culture. 

Ani holds a bachelor’s degree in Finance and a master’s degree in International Relations. She is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS) and an active member of ACAMS. Additionally, she has earned the Anti-Money Laundering Certified Associate (AMLCA) designation from FIBA, further reinforcing her expertise in financial crime prevention.

Liliya is the Chief Compliance Officer in Brillink Bank Corporation Limited. She has 25 years of working experience in banking sector, including 15 years in AML/CFT. She has successful implemented projects in the development and improvement of compliance control systems with worldwide standards in two Top 10 banks in Kazakhstan, including anti-money laundering, anti-terrorist financing, anti-corruption, control of compliance of the bank's laws, standards, and regulations.

Liliya is a member of working group of AML/CFT National Certification Program in KZ, founder and author of study books and trainer in Compliance Academy (KZ). Since 2015 she is an UNODC expert for AML/CFT programs in Central Asian countries.

Anna Mikayelyan has been working as Head of Financial Monitoring Service at Ameriabank CJSC located in the Republic of Armenia for more than 7 years. She has 12 years of working experience in AML/CFT field of banking sector. Before joining Ameriabank CJSC, she had been working for ProCredit Bank Armenia as anti-money laundering officer.

Anna participated in various international trainings and conferences, she has extensive knowledge of banking risks and, in particular, risks associated with AML/CFT, knowledge of legislative requirements for AML/CFT, organization and conducting of supervision over AML/CFT risks in commercial banks.

She holds a master’s degree in finance and banking, and bachelor’s degree in economics from the Yerevan State University, is an active ACAMS member and holds Certified Anti-Money-Laundering Specialist (CAMS) certification.

Anna is proud and excited to join ACAMS Eurasia Chapter which gives the opportunity to support the continuous improvement of the professional education and to support local practitioners to be informed of tendencies in the industry and best practices.

Almaz Musayeva is currently working as a Head of Compliance Risk Management Division at Kapital Bank located in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

For the last 12 years Almaz has worked in the finance industry developing AML/CFT and compliance functions for public and state organizations. She is a highly qualified Risk, Compliance, AML/CFT professional with extensive knowledge of the theory and application of Systems, Compliance and AML/CFT procedures. She has worked as a Senior Financial Analyst for 8 years at the Financial Intelligence Unit of the Republic of Azerbaijan. She held a number of different AML/CFT and compliance related roles throughout her career, related to enlightenment of banks in AML /CFT sector, AML/CFT prescribed transaction reporting, AML/CFT typologies and data analytics. She was a participator of New Payment Method’s co-worker group of FATF and a member of UNODC goAML product’s co-worker group. Almaz continuously monitors improvements in respects of regulatory changes, trends and best practices in the field of AML/CFT and evaluates the implementation of relevant innovations in public and state organisations.

She is a co-founder of the Company engaged in Compliance and AML/CFT, being the first Company to undertake CAMS partnerships with ACAMS in the region. Almaz is a Certified Anti-Money-Laundering Specialist (CAMS) and an active member of ACAMS.

Vadym has 12 years of professional experience, 10 of which he had worked with PwC Legal in Ukraine. His expertise covers legal assistance with complex assignments related to banking and finance projects, M&A, corporate and commercial law.

Vadym has vast experience of working with non-banking financial institutions. In 2020-2021 he held the position of the Head of Licensing of Financial Companies at the National Bank of Ukraine where he supervised the process of issuance of licenses to financial companies, payment institutions, currency exchanges, etc.

Vadym has participated in a number of industry-specific legal due diligences (either full-scope or limited, sell or buy side), provided legal transaction support with several major deals in Ukraine, drafted numerous comprehensive opinions on corporate law issues (including LLC and JSC), reorganisation of businesses (spin-off, merger, split, etc.), internal corporate restructuring and AML compliance.

He was involved in provision of services to such reputable clients as Amway Ukraine, Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Japan Tobacco Inc., LG Electronics, Oriflame Cosmetics Ukraine, Oschadbank, P&G, Toshiba Corporation, Winner Imports Ukraine, Wizz Air Ukraine, etc.

Vadym is also experienced in Ukrainian public sector reforms advising Ukrainian state authorities and working alongside IFIs (World Bank, EBRD, IMF).

Iulia Timofeeva worked at JSC Bank of Georgia for over 20 years, including 17 years in the AML Department. She started as an AML Officer, later becoming Head of the Transaction Monitoring Unit and then Head of Quality Assurance, leading major improvements in transaction monitoring, sanctions screening, KYC and regulatory compliance. She also served as an AML and Sanctions Consultant in the bank’s Transaction Direction.

In September 2025, she joined JSC TBC Bank as a Consultant in Operations Management / Back-Office Operations.

Since 2025, she has also been the Director and Co-Founder of Skyward Academy, a training center in AML and compliance.

Iulia has been an ACAMS member since 2016, holds the CAMS certification, and in 2023 obtained the CGSS (Global Sanctions Specialist) certification.

Ainur is Founder CEO of Compliance and AML consultancy firm. Previous roles include Compliance Officer and MLRO of China Construction Bank Astana Branch, Senior Associate at Conduct Division of Astana Financial Services Authority, Lead Officer of AML division for Fortebank, Chief Associate at Kazakhstan FIU.

Originally from Kazakhstan, Ainur has a degree in Applied Mathematics from a Kazakhstan university and a Master’s in Information Technology and Management from an US university. She has held a number of different KYC and AML related roles, which sparked her interest in financial crime and led to a career in compliance for financial institutions.

Ainur became an ACAMS member in 2015 whilst working in at the Kazakhstan FIU. Now proud to be part of the Eurasia Chapter Board, excited to support ACAMS and industry practitioners to stay informed of regulatory changes, trends and best practices.