Vusal Suleymanov

Vusal Suleymanov is a seasoned business executive with a rich background in corporate strategy, business development, and payment systems innovation. With over a decade of leadership experience in the financial and telecommunications sectors, he has demonstrated a consistent ability to drive growth, optimize operations, and develop innovative solutions tailored to evolving market needs.

Vusal began his academic journey in economics, earning a Bachelor of Economics degree from Baku State University in 2004. He further honed his strategic and analytical skills at the prestigious Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, where he earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in 2012. While at Ross, he specialized in corporate strategy, was awarded a merit-based scholarship, and served as a teaching assistant for the Pricing course in the Marketing Department.

Professional Achievements

Since 2012, Vusal has been at the forefront of financial technology and payment systems innovation. His tenure at eMANAT Payment Network, a leading payment solutions provider in Azerbaijan, highlights his expertise in both strategic leadership and operational excellence:

• Deputy CEO (2014-Present): Vusal has overseen business and product development in cash and non-cash payment services. Under his leadership, eMANAT expanded its network to 5,500 kiosks, achieving an impressive $600 million turnover. He also spearheaded the launch of a mobile wallet product, expanding financial services to underbanked populations and acquiring a user base of over 100,000 customers.
• Business Development Manager (2012-2014): Vusal played a pivotal role in establishing the company’s operations from scratch, including the creation of technical, sales, encashment, and business account management teams. His efforts resulted in the successful launch of a new self-service bill payment kiosk network and the development of robust partnerships with vendors.

Beyond his work at eMANAT, Vusal has held key roles in consulting and telecommunications:

• At AZGRANATA LLC, he designed organizational structures and workflows for a new group of companies.
• During his time with SPRINT NEXTEL CORPORATION, he developed an integrated dashboard for measuring ROI on social media platforms, which uncovered a 100% cost gap in online customer service and provided actionable strategies for leveraging social media teams.
• As a Pricing and Tariffing Specialist at Azercell Telecom, a TeliaSonera Group company, Vusal implemented pricing policies based on qualitative and quantitative analysis, leading to the creation of a customer segmentation map and the execution of 30 targeted campaigns.
• His early career included work as an Internal Auditor with Oxfam Azerbaijan, where he contributed to financial development initiatives.

Personal and Leadership Qualities

Vusal’s career reflects his commitment to innovation, customer-centric solutions, and team development. His ability to navigate complex markets, coupled with his expertise in payment systems, positions him as a thought leader in financial technology and business strategy. His experience spans multiple industries, including telecommunications, FMCG, and non-profit organizations, underscoring his versatility and strategic vision.

Education and Contact

Vusal is fluent in both strategic and operational business concepts, supported by his academic credentials and professional experience. He can be reached at +12025008188 or via email at svusal@gmail.com and vusal@umich.edu.