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Marsha Lazareva- A Story of a Russian Entrepreneur in Kuwait

Marsha Lazareva, a Russian citizen and the CEO of KGL Investment in Kuwait is a mother of 5 years old son and a U.S Citizen. She is one of the most hardworking women who is a role model of women leaders across the Middle East. 

She holds a degree of B.S in Market Research and Sociology from Moscow State University and also completed her MBA in Finance and Strategic Management from Wharton Schoo, University of Pennsylvania, USA. With her 20 years of experience in several fields like finance, investment banking, private equity, and more in 32 countries, she expertises in emerging markets.

Moving to Kuwait

In 2004, Marsha Lazareva moved to Kuwait. Her first full-time job was with one of the leading business families in Kuwait- The Dashtis. There, she headed Strategic Development for Kuwait & Gulf Link Transport (KGL) Group where she helped the Board of Directors to reorganize the Group through different strategies. KGL also has won billion-dollars contracts to supply food along with other civilian items to the U.S occupation forces in Iraq and other neighboring countries.

KGL Investment Company

Marsha founded the KGL Investment company in late 2006. It is an investment firm that develops and manages private equity funds in developing markets. 

However, before joining this company, at AWT/Creditanstalt Baking Group she served as Director of Business Development for Eastern Europe, managing the transactions of more than USD 460 million. Not only this, but she also worked in Cheshire Group Inc, which is a U.S private investment firm as a Managing Director. This firm specializes in real estate, information technology as well as in logistics. Other than the Managing Director and Vice-Chairman of KGL Investment Company, she served as a Director of the Port Fund and KGL Investment Company in Asia and a Vice-Chairman of Petrolink Holding Company.

Shocking Imprisonment Story

Marsha Lazareva, an investment manager was detained in Nov 2017 and faced false allegations of embezzlement of her work. Since then, the case of Marsha Lazareva made high-light in the news everywhere. She and her partner, Mr. Dashti was arbitrarily detained in Kuwait for 470 days. 

She was found guilty in May 2018 by Kuwaiti Courts and was sentenced to 10 years of jail along with her partner. On June 5, 2019, she was released on KWD 1 million i.e. $3.3 million bail, whereas, Dashti released on KWD 10 million i.e. $33 million. She has been released on bail after a campaign that features some of the most powerful families in the world including son and brother of former President George HW. 

Prisoner Marsha Lazareva was sentenced to 10 years of hard labor in the most notorious prison of Kuwait. She shares her cell with 7 other women. After her bail, she and her young son remain stuck in Kuwait. Because of her detention, she also lost her U.S Green card. When she was unable to return to the U.S to review it, the green card was expired.