Zamira Sydykova is no longer with the Carnegie Endowment.

Zamira Sydykova has an MBA in Journalism from Moscow State University and a B.A. in Linguistics and Literature from Kyrgyz National University. She was the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Kyrgyzstan’s first independent newspaper Res Publica, and taught as an associate professor in the Journalism department at Kyrgyz National University.  In 2000, the International Women’s Media Foundation gave Sydykova the Courage in Journalism Award for her efforts in promoting independent press.  She is also the recipient of the Human Rights Watch Award (2000) and the Amnesty International Award (1997). In 2010 Sydykova received a fellowship from the Woodrow Wilson Center.

Sydykova was appointed Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to the United States and Canada in 2005, and served in this post until April 2010.