Enkhbayar Shagdarguntev (Enki), founder and director of ICES, is an entrepreneur and one of the most experienced producers in Mongolia. He initiated and organized most of ICES projects in Mongolia and abroad. He made researches for Hollywood in making of Chinggis Khaan movie in Mongolia; worked as fixer and/or local producer on "lonely Planet Mongolia" documentary film, on "In the Wild: Mongolia" documentary with Julia Roberts, "Searching for Adam" documentary by National Geographic; "Temuulel! Women artists of Mongolia" documentary; "Digging for the truth" hit series by History Channel.

He also worked on countless TV, news and commercial shooting projects with crews from Reuters, ABC and many other TV stations from all over the world.
Direct contact: nk@thisismongolia.com

Batsukh Dash (Baagii Khaan), founder and acting director of ICES, is an economist and lawyer, experienced arts manager, producer and businessman. He co-initiated and co-produced most of the ICES projects and organized the first major Mongolian contemporary art exhibition in New York City in 2000; Mongolian craftsmen visit to Hungarian International Arts and Crafts Festival in 2001; produced "Nomadic Melodies" the best Mongolian performers concert; "Next Top Model of Mongolia" TV hit show and worked on the "Lost Empire of the Genghis Khaan" documentary of the "Digging For the Truth" hit series by History Channel.

Irja Halasz, freelance journalist, Reuters TV and photograph stringer, artist and Mongolist. She studied Mongolian linguistics and culture (5 years course in Budapest University, Hungary and 3 years in Mongolian National University). She had "The wings of art" and "The women's thoughts" solo exhibitions in UB. The winner of "The camera magazine" Honorary Prize for Photographs '85 in Finland, Mongolian Journalists Association Prize'91, Free Democratic Association Prize '94, First Mongolian Democratic Association Honorary Prize '94. "The Star of Democracy"- medal by the Mongolian Social Democratic Party in 1999 for contributing to Mongolia's democratic changes.

Tsendsuren Enkhmanlai, one of the pioneers of Mongolian rock music, is a songwriter, singer and leader of The Haranga Band. He is considered by many to be the finest guitar player in Mongolia and has composed and performed some of the most popular songs in Mongolia. He's been participating in many international events and festivals as an individual and a member of The Haranga Band. He is one of the most popular persons in Mongolia.

Gankhuyag Namsrai is also one of pioneers of Mongolian pop music, as a solo artist and with the Ineemseglel band (Smile). A versatile singer and musician, he is also well known for his work as a freelance arts manager and producer in different arts and culture projects (classical and contemporary music and dance, reservation of cultural heritage, promotion of traditional arts, innovative theater, recording and film industry). He has been intensively traveling and participating in international art events locally and abroad.

ICES team:

Khorolsuren Byambasuren (Jarga), Project manager of ICES.
Arts manager, mathematician, experienced fixer and tour guide. Experiences in guiding different tours with Karakorum Expeditions Co. Ltd, and managing, assisting implementing and fixing different film, TV and cultural projects as "Mongolian Cultural Information Center"; "Colors From Mongolia" arts exhibition in New York and San Francisco; "Zurag! Women Artists of Mongolia" best Mongolian women artists' exhibition in San Francisco; "911- Mongolia" art exhibition and Bold.Do solo show; Black Rose, Haranga bands and Jagaa tour concerts in USA; "Women Artists of Mongolia" documentary film; TV commercials; "Mongolian Craftsmen in International Folk Arts Festival in Hungary" and "City Art and Policy", "Arts Management & Marketing" and "Fundraising for NGOs" seminars and workshops, Special events as luncheons dedicated to Mr. Steven Seagal and Akibono and Ashishoru sumo champions, "Nomadic Melodies"- Mongolian best performers concert and many more…

Munkhzul Dashnyam (Zulaa) - Cultural tourism manager of ICES.
Arts manager and fashion designer. Experiences in assisting and implementing different projects as "Mongolian Cultural Information Center"; "City Art and Policy" and "Arts Management & Marketing" seminars and workshops; Haranga Band and Jagaa USA tour concerts, "911- Mongolia" art exhibition and Bold.Do solo show; "Women Artists of Mongolia" documentary film; developing ICES' cultural tourism programs and Visitors Information Center project; special events as luncheons dedicated to Mr. Steven Seagal and Akibono and Ashishoru sumo champions, "Nomadic Melodies"- Mongolian best performers concert and many more…

Amarsaikhan Elbrus (Amaraa) - Administrational manager of ICES. (part time)
Journalist, TV and audio engineer & manager, documentary film maker and businesswoman. Experiences in managing, implementing and assisting businesses and projects as "A & M private business owner", "Everyday Life of Americans" documentary film for Mongolian National TV, "Mongolian Cultural Information Center", "Chinghis film" preparation and more…

Odontuya Bold (Odnoo) - Production manager of ICES (contractor)
Experienced graphic, package & interior designer and set dresser. Experiences in marketing, designing and printing of all types of graphic designs for different projects and events. Designed and arranged the printing of catalogues and promotional materials for "Zurag! Women Artists of Mongolia" best Mongolian women artists' exhibition in San Francisco; "911- Mongolia" art exhibition and Bold.Do solo show; "Arts Management and Marketing", "Fundraising for NGOs" seminars and workshops; "Eagle Spirit Dancers"- Native American dance troupe tour in Mongolia; "Guys 666" band first album and "Yavgaan" CD covers, monthly arts and cultural calendars; set designing and dressing for 5th anniversary of MFOS- Soros Foundation special event, luncheons dedicated to Mr. Steven Seagal and Akibono and Ashishoru sumo champions, 'Students' Exchange Program' luncheon interior for The World Bank, Fundraising Event organized by Arts Council of Mongolian and Agricultural Bank of Mongolia and many more…

Byambadorj Oyunchimeg (Byambaa) - Web designer of ICES. (contractor)
Student of Science, Information and Technology University of Mongolia, studying mathematics and student of Mongolian University, studying law. Experienced and talented web designer, who designed and participated in designing around 60 major websites of Mongolia such as cultural sites like www.mongolart.mn (Mongolian arts); www.d20club.mn (Students zone), www.haranga.org (rock group Haranga) and Era Model Agency, Mongol Models Center, fashion designer Haliun's website and etc; administrational sites like www.soros.org.mn (Skytel LLC); www.skytel.mn (Youth Gender Center) and tour sites like www.travelmongolia.com; and Selena Travel, Central Mongolian Airways (Mongolian Airlines); government sites like www.mongoliatourism.gov.mn (Mongolian Tourism Board) and other businesses like www.skytel.mn/handsets, www.mgl-trans.com, www.zigzag.mn, www.zugermig.com, www.jetmongol.com, and many more…

Baigalmaa Batsukh (Baigalaa) - Intern of ICES
Ecologist, office assistant, implementing and working on "Mongolian Cultural Information Center" project; fixer for the stories "Vaccine Fund in Mongolia - part II", "Dalai Lama visit to Mongolia" by Fine Productions and Associated Press;

Tungalag Ayush (Tungaa) - Assistant manager of ICES. (Volunteer)
English & Japanese translator and International Affairs Assistant of the University of Humanities of Mongolia;
Experiences in guiding and organizing many different type of tours and assisting, implementing and working on projects as "Mongolian Cultural Information Center", "English for Arts", "Zurag - Women Artists of Mongolia" fine art exhibition in San Francisco and more…

Sarangerel Chimedtseren (Saraa) - Intern of ICES. (Volunteer)
English, Russian translator, office assistant, implementing and working on "Mongolian Cultural Information Center", "Zurag! Women Artists of Mongolia" fine art exhibition in San Francisco, "911 Mongolia" - an art contest and exhibition-event, and "Nomadic Melodies" - joint concert projects.

Volunteers:

ICES has over 50 local volunteers from students to highly recognized artists and cultural professionals and 6 foreign volunteers around the world helping and assisting in different projects and activities:

1. Michael Dingle - American volunteer and founder of ICES.
Arts professional; President of Golden Gate Friends of Mongolia, USA; Production-coordinator of SomArts Cultural Center, San Francisco, who is ICES' main partner and organized all ICES projects in USA.

2. Syann Williams - Australian volunteer and adviser for ICES.
Lawyer, legal advisor for ICES, volunteered for ICES for 2 years in Mongolia, especially helped on establishment of MCIC.

3. Leah McLennan - Australian volunteer (AusAid) and representative of ICES in Australia.
Theater actress and performing art organizer in Sydney, who worked for ICES for a whole year in 1999 and 2000, participated all ICES projects during that time.

4. Rupert McKinnon Hunt (Tuck) - Australian volunteer, English teacher and radio producer of ICES.
Taught English courses for Mongolian artists and art professionals, produced and hosted "Something Else" radio program and assisted "Winter Auction" and "Mongolian Cultural Information Center" projects in Mongolia. Apparently working in Pakistan as English teacher.

5. Adrienn Hruska - Hungarian volunteer and English editor of ICES.
Manager of Hotel and Tourism Industry; Graduate Student of Visual Arts Administration at New York University; initiated and implemented the "Mongolian Craftsmen's participation at International Folk Arts Festival in Hungary" project volunteered and assisted in "Mongolian Cultural Information Center".

6. David O'Connor - Australian Volunteer Abroad, highly experienced journalist who has worked as a singer/songwriter/guitarist, actor, theatre director, radio and TV broadcaster, magician, schoolteacher, dramaturge, librarian, film-maker. Volunteered and assisted in "Mongolian Cultural Information Center", "Zurag - Women Artists of Mongolia" fine art exhibition in San Francisco, "911 - Mongolia" - an art contest and exhibition-event, "Nomadic Melodies- All in One" -joint concert, "The concert of the French opera singer Marie Devellereau" and other project;