In a career spanning nearly 15 years, Dinara Yarulina has carved out a distinct niche in the HR landscape, rising from her humble beginnings to become a recognized HR leader with significant impact across Central Asia. Currently serving as the HR Director at Danone, she has dedicated her career to driving people-centric strategies that enhance business outcomes while fostering a supportive, growth-oriented culture. Her journey exemplifies determination, adaptability, and a passion for creating meaningful change, all of which continue to guide her vision for the future.
Dinara was born in a small town in Kazakhstan, where her initial academic pursuits were geared toward teaching or becoming a translator. She graduated with the goal of teaching English, a career she saw as an ideal outlet for her interpersonal skills. However, life had a different path in store, and soon she found herself stepping into the world of HR—a career change that quickly became a calling. Her first significant professional opportunity in 2010 ignited a passion for human resources, where she found that her natural ability to connect with others was a perfect fit. With time, her responsibilities grew and diversified as she took on roles in major organizations, including Ernst & Young and EFES Kazakhstan, before ultimately joining Danone, one of the most globally recognized companies dedicated to health through food.
Today, Dinara’s hard work, relentless drive, and dedication have earned her the title of “Best HRD” in Kazakhstan, affirming her impact within the industry. Beyond her professional accolades, she is also a devoted wife and mother of two daughters, balancing her commitments at home with her professional aspirations. Dinara’s personal mission is grounded in her dedication to inspiring her community by sharing best practices and creating a workplace environment that fosters growth, transparency, and a commitment to positive societal impact.
Vision for Health and Sustainability
Working at Danone, Dinara has aligned her values with a company that has a unique, mission-driven focus. The foundation of Danone’s commitment to health dates back to 1919, when founder Isaac Carasso began producing yogurt as a remedy for intestinal issues, making the product accessible through pharmacies before expanding to grocery stores. For more than a century, Danone has remained steadfast in its mission to bring health through food. This historical commitment resonates with Dinara, who is deeply inspired by Danone’s journey to continually innovate and adapt to the evolving needs of consumers.
Danone’s mission is rooted in promoting healthier food choices, and in recent years, the company has actively responded to consumer demands for products that reflect a more conscious approach to nutrition, environmental preservation, and social responsibility. This mission directly aligns with Dinara’s belief in meaningful work that goes beyond profit margins, instead contributing to the betterment of communities. As a regional HR leader, Dinara channels this commitment into her work, ensuring that Danone’s people policies reflect the same dedication to health and well-being, not just for the consumers, but also for the team members who make it all possible.
Building an Empowered, Accountable Team
For Dinara, building an effective team begins with fostering a culture of proactivity and accountability. These two principles are central to her leadership philosophy. She believes every HR professional, regardless of their position, should take full responsibility for their respective roles and functions. This ownership mindset encourages employees to step into leadership positions from day one, proactively managing their projects and contributing solutions rather than waiting for direction. Dinara’s approach embodies a shift in HR from a support role to a function that actively leads change within the organization.
A key element of her strategy is establishing a long-term vision for the team, complete with clear goals and benchmarks for success. She encourages her team to develop one-, three-, and five-year strategies and actively engages them in understanding how their individual roles align with the broader organizational vision. To strengthen this alignment, Dinara organizes biannual HR Days, a strategic initiative where team members discuss goals, accomplishments, and opportunities for improvement. These sessions are designed to foster inspiration and shared purpose, empowering team members at all levels to understand the significant role they play in advancing Danone’s objectives.
Dinara’s commitment to team development extends beyond strategy sessions. She fosters a culture of recognition, encouraging her team to celebrate achievements and take ownership of the progress made. Her HR Days provide a unique opportunity for team members to reflect on projects that align with Danone’s core pillars, reinforcing a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Through collaborative discussions, Dinara enables the team to acknowledge milestones, assess their progress, and strategize for future achievements.
In addition to strategic planning, Dinara believes in a personal approach that respects the cultural nuances of Central Asia, where relationships and personal connections are highly valued. She maintains close connections with her team, understanding their personal motivations, aspirations, and concerns. Her dedication to building trust within the team encourages a supportive and open environment, where constructive feedback is regularly exchanged, allowing each member to grow and excel.
Agile Leadership and a Collaborative Environment
Dinara promotes an agile and creative approach within her team, encouraging members to explore ideas outside of their typical roles. By allowing flexibility in project assignments, she fosters cross-functional collaboration, helping team members acquire new skills while enhancing their adaptability. She emphasizes that roles should not confine innovation; rather, all HR team members, whether in administration, compensation, or internal communications, are welcome to contribute to projects that align with their interests and the needs of the business.
As a leader, Dinara prioritizes setting an example for her team by embodying Danone’s core values. Her hands-on approach, coupled with her commitment to the company’s mission, enables her to model the behaviors and values she expects her team to embrace. Through her authentic leadership, she inspires her team to mirror these values, ensuring a consistent and positive organizational culture.
The Future Vision
As Dinara looks to the future, she envisions herself expanding her impact within Danone, either by taking on new challenges in larger markets or contributing her expertise at a corporate level. Her ambition reflects her desire to continuously grow and tackle new challenges, staying ahead in a rapidly evolving industry. Dinara currently oversees the people and culture agenda for nine Central Asian and Caucasus countries, each with distinct cultures and ways of working, a role that excites and motivates her as she seeks new ways to innovate and inspire.
For Danone’s future in Central Asia, Dinara is focused on driving initiatives that cater to the region’s unique health and nutritional demands. She is committed to expanding Danone’s local production capabilities and diversifying its product portfolio, all while pursuing sustainable, profitable growth. The company’s mission to promote health through food resonates deeply within Central Asia, where there is an increasing interest in healthier eating habits, which Dinara refers to as a positive trend for the community.
Elevating HR in Central Asia and Beyond
As an active member of the HR community in Central Asia and the Caucasus, Dinara is passionate about showcasing the region’s HR accomplishments on an international stage. She actively participates in global forums, where she shares innovative practices from her region and collaborates with other industry leaders. Her experiences at these events have shown her that Central Asia’s HR community has a wealth of valuable insights and practices, which are often overlooked. By sharing real-world case studies and proven strategies, Dinara is helping to elevate the global perception of HR in Central Asia, paving the way for future leaders to draw inspiration from her work.
Dinara’s commitment to advancing HR in Central Asia goes beyond her work at Danone. She sees herself as a mentor and resource for her local HR community, eager to share knowledge, experiences, and innovative practices. Her belief in the importance of building a connected, supportive HR community motivates her to continue pushing boundaries and advocating for practices that elevate the standard of HR in the region. She sees her role as an opportunity to leave a lasting impact, not only within Danone but throughout the industry at large.
Advice for Aspiring HR Professionals
Dinara encourages budding entrepreneurs and HR professionals to embrace the opportunity to create real value within their organizations. She believes HR is a transformative function, capable of shaping business outcomes through the right people practices and culture. Her advice to newcomers is simple: invest in building a people-focused culture, where employees feel valued and supported. Dinara emphasizes that HR is far from a transactional function; rather, it plays a crucial role in humanizing business and driving results through meaningful employee engagement.
By fostering an environment where people feel a sense of belonging, HR can drive positive outcomes for both employees and the organization. Dinara’s own journey is a testament to the powerful impact HR leaders can have on a company’s success, as well as the satisfaction that comes from building a supportive, thriving workplace.
Inspiring Change and Leading with Purpose
Dinara Yarulina’s journey is a story of resilience, innovation, and a profound commitment to people and purpose. Her leadership at Danone embodies a vision for HR that transcends traditional roles, transforming the function into a catalyst for change and growth. With a clear sense of mission, Dinara has created a workplace culture where employees are inspired, engaged, and empowered to contribute to Danone’s broader goals.
As Dinara continues to push boundaries, she remains deeply dedicated to her role in Central Asia, a region she sees as ripe with potential for growth and innovation. Her vision for a future where HR practices elevate both people and business reflects her unwavering commitment to creating positive impact. Through her authentic leadership, Dinara is not only advancing HR within Danone but also inspiring a generation of leaders across Central Asia to follow in her footsteps, building a better working world for today and for generations to come.
