Bridging Theory and Practice with Industry Experts
CaseKey Industry Talks
Experience interactive talks designed to deepen your understanding of key industries and inspire innovative thinking for real-world business challenges
Purpose of the Talk
CaseKey Industry Talks are designed to equip students with practical industry intelligence, helping them become "mini-experts" in key sectors. This prepares them to solve business case prompts with realistic, grounded thinking, rather than distant, textbook logic. Each session is a strategic deep dive, led by a senior executive, structured to reveal:
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How the industry actually works
A clear view into day-to-day operations and core processes.
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How strategic decisions are made
Insights into the frameworks and thinking behind key business choices.
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Real-life challenges, mistakes, and trade-offs
Real stories of obstacles, learning moments, and balancing priorities.
Industry Talks in Numbers
- Months of exploration, growth, and impact
- Talks of expert insight and inspiration
- Minutes of deep dives and real dialogue
Session Format Overview
From structure to substance—how each session delivers impact
Getting to Know the Industry
Meet the speaker and learn about their role and career path. Get an overview of their company’s mission, strategy, and market position. Then explore the industry’s size, customers, competitors, and major trends like tech and sustainability. Think of what a new intern needs to know in their first week.
How Strategy Works
Build your strategy toolkit by exploring key questions about customers, competition, growth, innovation, operations, and ethics through real stories. This helps you understand how companies analyze and succeed in their markets.
Inside the Company: Process Walkthrough
See how the company works in practice. The speaker will guide you step-by-step through a key process, showing how decisions are made, who’s involved, and how success is measured.
Executive Reflection + Mini Case
Hear about a real tough decision and what was learned. Then, try solving a mini case yourself to practice thinking like a strategist in a complex situation.
Ask & Learn: Final Q&A
End with an open Q&A where you can ask about strategy, careers, or daily work. Get advice and insights to help guide your future.
Upcoming Industry Talks
The Future of Mining
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Vardan Jhanyan - First Deputy General Director, ZCMC
Leader at Armenia’s largest mining company (ZCMC), with $0.8B in annual revenues and ambitious plans to double production in five years. Also President of the Union of Mining and Metallurgical Companies of Armenia. Previously at Deloitte Moscow, rising from audit assistant to manager before transitioning to executive roles in industry. ACCA, CFA charterholder, and INSEAD Executive MBA graduate. Actively promotes youth and community engagement through company-sponsored sports initiatives.
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Anna Saghabalyan - Deputy Director of Sustainability, ZCMC
With 20+ years of experience in public relations, communications, and ESG, Anna Saghabalyan leads sustainability efforts at ZCMC, where she has reshaped the company’s communications and played a key role in ESG strategy and reporting. Previously Director of Communications at Lydian International and a consultant for a World Bank-funded mining strategy at Grant Thornton, she holds an MSc in Corporate Communications and has been published in Mining.com and The European Business Review. Recipient of the Shell Netherlands Stimulation Award, Anna is also a passionate advocate for animal rights.
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Artyom Petrosyan - Board member, Deputy CEO ZCMC
Mr. Petrosyan brings over 15 years of senior management experience in the mining and legal sectors. Since 2022, he has served as Deputy General Director of Zangezur Copper Molybdenum Combine. He is also the Legal Director of GeoProMining Gold (since 2016), and previously held key legal roles at Teghout CJSC and Spayka LLC. He has taught at the American University of Armenia (AUA Extension, 2014–2018). Mr. Petrosyan holds an Executive MBA from the Skolkovo School of Management and a PhD in Law. He studied international and European law at the University of Strasbourg and earned his law degree from the Russian-Armenian University, where he also completed his postgraduate studies. He is a member of the Armenian Bar Association.
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Armen Stepanyan - Director of Sustainability, ZCMC
Dr. A. Stepanyan brings 24 years of expertise in Environmental, Social, Health & Safety management, security, and sustainable development. He joined ZCMC in 2022 after serving as Director of Environment and ESG reporting at London-listed Petropavlovsk PLC. Previously, he was Senior VP of Sustainability at Lydian International, leading ESG efforts for the Amulsar gold project. Earlier in his career, he worked at Armenia’s Nuclear Safety Regulatory Committee and the National Academy of Sciences. He holds a Ph.D. in Engineering, an MBA from AUA, and degrees in Environmental and Chemical Engineering from NPUA. Dr. Stepanyan is also the author of 9 scientific articles and holds 3 Armenian patents.
Talks We’ve Hosted
From Analysis to Action: Inside Investment Decision-Making
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Vachik Gevorgyan Executive Director of leading Armenian investment company Apricot Capital. A seasoned finance professional with extensive experience in investment banking and capital markets, Mr. Gevorgyan holds a PhD in Economics and is a lecturer at the Armenian State University of Economics.
Meet the Organizers & Partners
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Together, we are shaping the future of business leaders
CaseKey 2025 is made possible thanks to the generous support of our sponsors, the collaboration of our esteemed partners and universities, and the dedication of our coaches and trainers. We are also immensely grateful to the students, whose enthusiasm and hard work drive the success of this event.
