Born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva is prominent philanthropist and cultural ambassador in her home country. She obtained both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of World Economy and Diplomacy, where she studied international law. Ultimately, Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva went on to earn her doctorate in psychology at Tashkent State University.

 

Since completing her education, Lola Karimova-Tillyaeva has gone on to pursue an active career as a philanthropist. In 2002, she established the You Are Not Alone Foundation in an effort to deliver better support to local orphanages and children who otherwise do not live under the care of their parents. Under her guidance, the foundation has worked directly with several Mercy Homes across Uzbekistan. By remodeling and building these facilities, it has helped create nurturing environments in which young children can thrive. Complementing her work at the foundation, Ms. Karimova-Tillyaeva has also sought to launch wide-scale orphanage reform in Uzbekistan.

 

Ms. Karimova-Tillyaeva later established the National Center for the Social Adaptation of Children. For the last 13 years, the organization has helped children with special needs, providing them with the academic and medical support they require, at no charge. The organization allows children to receive treatment from speech therapists, psychologists, neurologists, physical therapy specialists, and an array of other professionals to ensure they are able to attain their full potential.

 

Outside of her contributions to these children’s causes, Ms. Karimova-Tillyaeva has served as the president of Uzbekistan’s Gymnastics Federation since 2005. Over the years, she has focused much of her work on expanding and promoting the sport across Asia. Her efforts attracted the attention of the General Assembly of the Asian Gymnastics Union (AGU), which named her as its honorary president in 2010.

 

She has also spent the last decade working as a permanent representative of Uzbekistan to UNESCO, the cultural arm of the United Nations. In this role, she has promoted her nation’s rich history and culture in an effort to promote international understanding and peace.