Leaders

In recent years, Dubai has emerged as a thriving hub for women entrepreneurs, where innovation, ambition, and leadership converge. With a strong support system from both the government and the private sector, the city has fostered an ecosystem where women are empowered to lead and scale businesses across a diverse range of industries.

From technology and finance to education and consulting, Dubai's women leaders are breaking traditional barriers and redefining success on their own terms. A trailblazing woman leader, setting new benchmarks is Kristina Tantsyura, a standout figure in the business consulting landscape.

Kristina Tantsyura is the Manag­ing Partner and CEO of SKY Consulting Group, a firm that has become a bridge between international markets and the UAE. Under her leadership, SKY Consulting has grown into a respected name, known for its strategic devel­opment services, market promotion expertise, and strong government rela­tions. Kristina plays a hands-on role in every aspect of the company’s growth,

from shaping its development strategy and launching new services, to actively managing client relationships and consulting on complex projects. Her deep involve­ment ensures that she maintains a personal connection with each client. She regularly engages with them to discuss their long-term goals and the value they derive from working with SKY Consulting Group.

Beyond her corporate achievements, Kristina also fulfills an important social mission. She serves as a lecturer at several Russian universities and conducts specialized programs for businesses aiming to expand into the UAE and the wider Gulf region. Her teachings, aimed at both students and senior executives, focus on the nuances of international business development and cross-cultural collaboration.

She sees this role not as a source of income, but as a way to foster mutual understanding between Russian and UAE businesses. By sharing her insights and experience, Kristina helps lay the foundation for stronger economic ties and more meaningful partnerships between the two regions. Let’s dive into this one-on-one interaction to hear more from her.

Tell us more about SKY Consulting Group. What is the underlying idea and vision behind the venture?

SKY Consulting Group is a boutique consulting firm built on the principle of personalized service and long-term client relationships. From the beginning, the vision behind the company was clear: to offer hands-on, tailored support rather than operate as a large, impersonal corporation.

I know every client personally and understands their needs instinctively, often before a conversation even begins. This level of connection has become the company's hallmark, with clients starting with a single service and gradually entrusting SKY Consulting with broader responsibilities over time.

The firm was founded with inspiration from a statement by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum - "We don't know the word 'impossible' in the UAE". This mindset became the driving force behind SKY Consulting’s operations.

The company specializes in helping international businesses enter the UAE market, offering services such as company formation, legal and AML consulting, accounting, and tax support.

Take us through the formative years of your life. What were some key influences that played a pivotal role in shaping your life’s trajectory?

I was born in the Soviet Union into a family where discipline and education were deeply valued. My father was a Soviet army officer and my mother was a teacher. Because of my father’s military career, we moved frequently, and I ended up attending more than ten different schools.

While this might seem disruptive, these constant changes were, in fact, foundational to my personal and professional development.

Moving from one school to another taught me three essential life skills that have greatly influenced my success, especially when building a career abroad. First, I learned how to quickly integrate into unfamiliar environments and connect with new people, a skill that later became vital when establishing business relationships in different countries.

Second, I developed a deep respect for diverse cultures and regional differences, learning how to adapt to different ways of life and communication styles. Third, I became highly self-reliant and goal-oriented. Earning top marks despite frequent school changes has required strong discipline and the ability to study independently.

Looking back, I see those early years as a "school of life". They taught me resilience, adaptability, and emotional intelligence, qualities that are now at the core of my business leadership.

Today, I am confident in setting and achieving goals, navigating new relationships with ease, and understanding people from varied cultural backgrounds. Those early experiences have laid the groundwork for building a successful international business and creating meaningful connections across borders.

Tell us about your extensive professional journey as a business leader. What key areas of expertise have you developed over the years in the aforementioned space?

My professional journey began as a personal assistant, and over time, I grew into a leadership role by closely ob­serving and learning from the managers I worked with. I gained invaluable insights into how different busi­nesses operate, how to communicate effectively with teams, and how to navigate challenges with resilience.

This real-world experience became my greatest teacher, often more impactful than formal training. When I had stepped into a managerial role myself, I quickly under­stood that leadership involves more than delegation, it requires intuition, strategy, and empathy.

Over the years, I’ve developed strong expertise in task delegation based on individual strengths, emotional in­telligence in managing teams, and a deep understanding of business operations.

I believe a good manager must recognize their employees’ capabilities and assign roles accordingly, for example, pairing introverted employ­ees with remote sales tasks and assigning client-facing roles to those who thrive in personal interactions. In

smaller teams, a leader often becomes a support system, recognizing burnout and offering help without overstep­ping professional boundaries. Above all, I’ve learned that a successful manager must remain an expert in the business itself. Without this expertise, no amount of leadership skills can sustain long-term success.

Looking back at your professional journey, what key milestones have you achieved so far? What has been your success mantra?

My core success mantra has always been - nothing is impossible. This belief has guided me through every stage of my professional journey. I founded my company from the ground up and built it into a profitable business.

While I did receive initial investment support from partners, the entire process of shaping the company, developing services, acquiring the first clients, building a strong team, and driving growth, was something I accomplished independently.

Over the past four years, my career has evolved beyond management into recognized industry leadership. I have been honored to head the UAE Committee within one of Russia’s leading international business associations, and I also established the Moscow office of the Emirates Business Association, Eurasia Gulf. In addition, I’ve co-authored four books on business and entrepreneurship, and I regularly lecture at top universities across Moscow and Russia.

Being named one of the 50 Women Entrepreneurs of Dubai by Women Entrepreneur magazine stands out as a proud milestone. These achievements reflect my belief in continuous growth, self-reliance, and the power of perseverance.

What is your vision for SKY Consulting Group going forward? Which impactful industry trends are you aligning the company with, to thrive in the near future?

Looking ahead, our vision for SKY Consulting Group includes continued growth through new product launches and achieving specific sales targets in the coming year. We closely monitor shifts in the regional and global business landscape, aligning our strategies with emerging trends to stay ahead of client needs and market developments.

One of the key initiatives we're preparing to implement is the opening of an office in Saudi Arabia. We’ve seen a growing demand from our clients for support in entering the Saudi market, coupled with a clear lack of Russian-language expertise available locally.

Establishing a presence there will allow us to better serve clients, expanding into this rapidly evolving market. While I prefer to speak about results rather than plans, this expansion represents a major strategic step aligned with both client interest and regional economic trends.

Kristina Tantsyura, Managing Partner & CEO, SKY Consulting Group

Kristina Tantsyura is the Managing Partner & CEO of SKY Consulting Group, special­izing in international business development and market entry in the UAE and Gulf region. A seasoned expert, lecturer, and author, she bridges cross-cultural business relations and has been recognized among Dubai’s 50 most influential women in 2023.

Educational Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in business, Finance, and Insurance

ICA Associate Membership – Certified in Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) for DNFBPs

Awards & Recognitions

Named among the 50 Most Influential Women in Dubai, 2023

Hot 50 Awards – Best IT Consulting Services Provider, 2019

Top 50 Channel Chiefs in the Middle East, 2018