CREATE UKRAINE

Returned from Bruges, Belgium

Team: Government Office for the Coordination of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration

International Experience: Oksana has over three years of professional experience in European and international institutions, including the European Commission (DG NEAR, Ukraine Service) and the European Court of Human Rights. As part of the Blue Book traineeship, she worked on analyzing political and legal processes in Ukraine, preparing analytical materials and recommendations on the rule of law, judicial reform, anti-corruption policy, human rights, and internal security, and contributed to the preparation of briefings and responses for EU institutions.

Her professional experience also includes working in international legal environments in Lithuania, Belgium, France, and Cyprus — covering areas from corporate and investment law to human rights and anti-discrimination policy. She has been involved in drafting legal documents for international clients, analyzing cases at the European Court of Human Rights, and participating in European projects and programs, including Erasmus+ and European Commission initiatives in research and innovation.

Professional Goal:

Oksana aims to contribute to the development and implementation of policies in Ukraine’s European integration, particularly regarding harmonization of legislation with EU law, rule of law, and effective public governance. Her goal is to apply European best practices to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Ukrainian state, advance evidence-based policymaking, and support inter-agency coordination in Ukraine’s EU accession process.

Returned from Osaka/Yamagata, Japan

Team: Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine

International Experience: Mariia has solid professional experience at the intersection of the public sector, international organizations, and private business in Japan and Ukraine. She completed an internship at the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), where she was involved in projects related to the recovery of Ukraine and employment support for Ukrainian youth in Japan. 

Mariia coordinated the charitable educational project at Japanese Support for Ukrainian Students Association in cooperation with JICA, the Honorary Consulate of Ukraine in Kobe, and Japanese companies. The project aimed to prepare Ukrainian professionals for participation in future reconstruction initiatives. Until the end of 2025, she was involved in the implementation of a Japan–Ukraine partnership project in the construction industry under JICA’s support program for investment attraction to Ukraine, where she was responsible for intergovernmental and interbusiness coordination, legislative analysis, and communication between Ukrainian and Japanese stakeholders.

Professional Goal:

Mariia seeks to contribute to the development of economic policy focused on attracting foreign investment and strengthening international partnerships, particularly by enhancing the role of the state as a reliable intermediary between Ukrainian and international businesses. She is interested in working at the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, where she plans to apply her knowledge of Japanese post-war recovery practices, her experience in cross-sectoral coordination, and her language expertise to develop effective mechanisms of cooperation between the public and private sectors in the context of Ukraine’s reconstruction.

Returned from Edmonton, Canada

Team: Ministry of Culture of Ukraine

International Experience: Yevhen has over 15 years of international experience gained through professional work and academic studies in Canada and Denmark. He has held leadership positions in Canadian Ukrainian organizations, including the Ukrainian National Federation of Canada and the Ukrainian Performing Arts Society, where he represented the interests of the Ukrainian community and established cooperation with local governments and cultural institutions. His professional experience in the agricultural sectors of Denmark and Canada has provided him with practical expertise in standardization and the management of agri-industrial processes at the European level.

He has also been actively engaged in international cultural diplomacy, representing the Ukrainian community of Canada at the Ukrainian World Congress in Bucharest (2024), which further strengthened his skills in international advocacy and intercultural communication. His education in Canada and Ukraine, including programs in leadership, public policy, and agricultural sciences, enables him to combine academic knowledge with hands-on experience in a global context.

Professional Goal:

Yevhen aims to apply his expertise in cultural diplomacy and agricultural policy to support Ukraine’s European integration, contribute to reforms in the cultural and agricultural sectors, and strengthen the country’s international image through effective engagement with governmental and international institutions.

Returned from Florence, Italy

Team: Ministry of Energy of Ukraine

International Experience: Yuliia has over seven years of international experience studying and working across Europe — in the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Portugal, and Germany. She holds a master’s degree in Sustainable Development and Energy Management from Bocconi University, with a focus on climate policy, renewable energy, carbon markets, and climate finance.

During her internship at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat and work at the Res4Africa Foundation, Yuliia conducted market analysis and prepared recommendations for regulatory decisions, assessed renewable energy markets, developed strategic documents and policy briefs, and collaborated with international stakeholders, energy associations, and the private sector through global consultations and communication campaigns.

Professional Goal:

Yuliia aims to contribute to reforms in Ukraine’s climate and energy policy, particularly within the EU integration process under Chapter 27. Her goal is to support Ukraine’s alignment with the European Green Deal through the development of renewable energy, implementation of ETS and CBAM mechanisms, and the establishment of an effective dialogue between the government, business, and European institutions for sustainable recovery and enhanced energy independence.

Returned from New York, USA

Team: Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine

International Experience: Darka began her career in the technology sector, spending over four years as an analyst at Unity Technologies, one of the world’s leading global gaming and software development companies, working across Kyiv, Tel Aviv, and New York. Building on her analytical and managerial background, she earned an MPA in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University, specializing in energy, climate finance, and development economics. She also worked as a consultant with the Wildlife Conservation Society, contributing to projects on infrastructure resilience and protected-area management in vulnerable regions of the Caribbean.

Between 2023 and 2025, Darka served as a co-initiator and later Director of the Ukraine Energy Security Marshall Plan — an international initiative implemented by the U.S.-based organization Elected Officials to Protect America (EOPA) to mobilize investment into Ukraine’s energy security. In this role, she collaborated with governments, donors, and private-sector partners across the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union; represented Ukrainian priorities at Climate Week NYC, COP29, COP30, and the World Economic Forum in Davos; worked with the Parliament of Canada and Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and led international partnerships at the NGO Repair Together. Her work also included regular deployments to the frontline in the South and the East, and conflict-affected regions as part of humanitarian and journalistic missions.

Professional Goal:

Darka aims to leverage her international experience and expertise to strengthen state capacity, accelerate European integration, and advance strategic reforms in energy security, climate policy, and foreign affairs.

Returned from Porto, Portugal

Part of the team: Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine

International Experience: Valeriia has over three years of professional experience working in a European environment. As an analyst at a consulting company in Portugal, she worked on the development and implementation of interdisciplinary research and applied innovation projects funded under EU framework grant programs, covering sustainable development, Smart Cities, natural sciences, technology, and agriculture. This includes projects focused on policy development and implementation at the European level, as well as research initiatives.

Within these projects, she was responsible for analysis, strategic communications, preparing policy briefs and reports, coordinating with international partners, and translating European policies into practical, locally relevant solutions. She was responsible for project dissemination, strategic communications, event organization, and the use and exploitation of project results, as well as coordinating cooperation with international partners. Her scope of work included translating EU policies and standards into practical solutions and ensuring project sustainability to maximize the long-term use and impact of project outcomes.

She also has substantial experience in civic engagement in Ukraine and abroad. Valeriia is a co-founder and member of the Board of the Ukrainian youth NGO “Youth Democratic Association “YODA” and has been involved in the design and implementation of projects in France and Ukraine aimed at strengthening youth civic participation, civic education, promotion of Ukrainian culture, support for independent youth media, and community building. She has contributed to the implementation of international projects, including Erasmus+, and has participated in trainings and conferences across EU countries. Valeriia is a member of the international European Democracy Youth Network (EDYN) and serves as a European Youth Ambassador in Ukraine, combining youth work with international networking and advocacy for democratic values and Ukraine’s European integration.

Professional Goal:

In her work at the Ministry, Valeriia aims strives to combine her experience in the civil sector and cooperation with European institutions develop and implement solutions that will support integration of the Ukrainian science and educational system into the European digital and educational space at the level of policies, instruments and daily practices in the context of economic recovery and long-term change.

Returned from Oulu, Finland

Team: Ministry of Culture of Ukraine

International Experience: Viera Karam has over five years of professional experience in municipal economic development in Finland. She worked as a Business Advisor and Startup Program Manager at BusinessOulu — the city of Oulu’s economic development agency — supporting over 300 aspiring international entrepreneurs, designing and implementing startup services, coordinating training programs, and organizing dozens of events for the entrepreneurial community. Currently, Viera leads the city’s flagship startup initiatives like Polar Bear Pitching event and represents the local startup ecosystem at leading international platforms.

A key focus of her experience includes supporting Ukrainians in Finland abroad: Viera provides business consulting to Ukrainian clients, and has experience collaborating with international partners l and multilingual collaboration. She also co-founded and served as Vice Head of the Association of Ukrainians of Northern Ostrobothnia, where she fostered the community and participated in large-scale humanitarian initiatives supporting Ukraine.

Professional Goal:

To apply the Finnish model of economic development, startup support, and digital services to strengthen Ukraine’s institutional capacity, foster entrepreneurship, attract investment, and advance European integration through collaboration with government institutions and international partners.

Returned from Zoeterwoude, Netherlands

Team: Office of the President of Ukraine

International Experience: Olha has over 3.5 years of experience in international recruitment, working with companies across the EMEA region. She has collaborated with teams and candidates in 12 countries, contributed to building employer brands on the international stage, and conducted candidate interviews and assessments.

Having lived abroad for nearly 12 years, she earned her bachelor’s degree in English Philology and Cognitive Science in Poland, which strengthened her understanding of international communication and culture.

Professional Goal:

Olha aims to leverage her communication skills, international experience, and passion for Ukrainian culture to support Ukraine on the global stage, counter disinformation, and develop projects that promote Ukrainian culture and enhance the country’s international recognition.

Returned from Banská Bystrica, Slovakia

Team: Ministry of Culture of Ukraine

International Experience: Serafym has extensive experience working in an international EU environment. He worked at Volt Europa (Brussels, Belgium) as an Assistant to a Board Member after traineeship at the office of the Secretary General, where he coordinated multi-team projects, built management structures, and developed educational programs. He also served as a Project Manager at Youthfully Yours SK (Slovakia), organizing international conferences and managing NGO participation in Erasmus+ programs, and in Greece gained practical experience managing European grants and educational projects for refugees.

Throughout his studies and work, he has visited over 30 European countries and collaborated with people from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds, which gave him a deep understanding of both post-communist and Western societies.

Professional Goal:

Serafym aims to contribute to Ukraine’s EU integration by implementing European democratic standards and values. He is particularly interested in working on memorialization, developing inclusivity, and involving international partners in the projects of the Ministry of Culture.

Returned from Brussels, Belgium

Team: Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine

International Experience: Iana has extensive international experience in European policy, migration, and grant programs. She currently works at the European Endowment for Democracy in Brussels, where she evaluates and supports grant projects, coordinates work with international partners, and prepares analytical materials and internal reports for stakeholders, gaining practical insight into the functioning of European institutions and democratic mechanisms for supporting civil society.

She has completed an internship at IOM Czechia and worked at the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic, where she was involved in monitoring and evaluating migration programs, coordinating with field offices, adapting training materials, and directly handling procedures for receiving refugees and asylum seekers. This experience provided her with a deep understanding of migration policy, public administration, and the practical implementation of European standards at the national level.

Professional Goal:

Iana aims to work in Ukraine’s public sector on European and Euro-Atlantic integration, particularly in international cooperation and migration policy. She wants to contribute to projects that connect state institutions, civil society, and international partners, align policies with EU standards, and strengthen Ukraine’s institutional capacity on the path toward European Union membership.

Returned from Milan, Italy

Team: Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine

International Experience: Yana studied in Italy, earning a Master’s degree in Marketing Management at the University of Foggia, and completed a PhD program in Sustainable Development and Climate Change at IUSS Pavia and the University of Pavia. She has participated in numerous international conferences and seminars in Italy focused on statistics, data analysis, and ESG practices, where she presented the results of her research, including the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on global coal markets and climate commitments and goals.

In her professional experience, Yana completed internships at the European Central Bank (Frankfurt, Germany) in the NGFS Climate Team and DG/SGO, where she worked on climate modeling, data analysis and visualization, Python tool development, and preparation of materials for high-level stakeholders.

Professional Goal:

She aims to build a career in climate policy and green transition, particularly within Ukraine’s public sector. She is interested in developing and implementing policies that support a just transition to sustainable development, especially in the energy sector, as well as strengthening collaboration between government, business, and society based on international experience and analytical insights. Her goal is to apply her knowledge and practical experience to implement EU-aligned climate solutions and support Ukraine’s green recovery.

Returned from New York, USA 

Team: Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine

International Experience: Alyssa  has experience studying and working in international environments. She earned a Master’s degree in Global Affairs from Columbia University in New York on a full scholarship, Columbia University Scholarship for Displaced Students, and a Bachelor’s degree in English Studies from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (SWPS) in Warsaw.

During her work at StrategEast and the Professional Government Association of Ukraine, she coordinated international policy dialogues and donor programs involving stakeholders from the EU, the USA, and the Gulf countries, organized business delegations of Ukrainian tech companies to the USA and Taiwan, while also fostering cooperation with Ukrainian governmental bodies and the civil sector.

Professional Goal:

Alyssa aims to contribute to Ukraine’s recovery, state-building, and European integration through effective project management, international collaboration, and expanding access to international investments for Ukrainian businesses. She is interested in working on high-level meetings, supporting European integration clusters, and organizing strategic initiatives, where she can apply her experience in managing donor programs, coordinating teams, and bringing an international perspective to strengthen reforms in Ukraine.

Returned from Almere, Netherlands

Part of the team: Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine

International Experience: Andrii gained professional and academic experience abroad, particularly in the Netherlands and the USA, where he worked as a logistician and transportation manager. He also participated in a logistics management exchange program in Austria. This international experience allowed him to master coordination of multi-stakeholder teams, route optimization, quality control, and compliance with standards in complex logistics processes.

While living and working in Europe, Andrii became familiar with efficient municipal waste management systems, cycling infrastructure, and public transportation, shaping his pragmatic, data-driven approach to implementing “green” solutions.

Professional Goal:

Andrii aims to return to Ukraine to apply his expertise in logistics and project management to implement innovative environmental initiatives, including the development of organic waste separation and the modernization of urban mobility. He is motivated to join multidisciplinary teams working on public reforms, environmental projects, and strategic sustainable development programs in Ukraine.

Returned from Berlin, Germany

Team: Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine

International Experience: Sofiia holds a dual master’s degree in International Economics and Governance (Erasmus Mundus EPOG+) from leading European universities: Sorbonne University, Université Paris Cité, University of Technology of Compiègne, and Berlin School of Economics and Law. She has professional experience in international organizations such as the World Health Organization, where she coordinated projects and prepared analytical materials for leadership, and collaborated with key international partners, including the German Federal Ministry of Health and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

She has actively worked with German and Ukrainian students, promoting academic mobility between the two countries and implementing joint social projects, including initiatives supporting Ukrainian refugees. Sofiia also has experience conducting research on government transparency and Ukrainian refugees integration into European labor markets, highlighting her ability to combine academic expertise with practical solutions.

Professional Goal:

Sofiia aims to apply her knowledge and international experience to advance economic and social policy in Ukraine, support the country’s recovery and European integration processes, and implement evidence-based solutions in the public sector, contributing to strategic national projects and reforms.

Returned from Norwich, United Kingdom

Team: Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine

International Experience: Margaryta has a strong international educational and professional background shaped in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. She obtained a Master’s degree from London Metropolitan University, where she specialized in the social, legal, and psychological aspects of gender-based violence, conflict, and the protection of vulnerable groups. During her studies, she worked with analytical materials, policy briefs, and public presentations, which fostered her interest in social activism and public policy. Margaryta was also shortlisted for the Neurodiverse Business Awards in the prestigious Young Leader of the Year category.

She has worked in international educational environments in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, including with refugee children and students from diverse cultural, linguistic, and neurodiverse backgrounds. Her experience includes coordinating international teams and adapting educational programmes to local legislation and the needs of people affected by war. A separate focus of her professional activity is social entrepreneurship — she founded the online school Know More Languages Ltd for displaced persons. She also has experience in the UK financial sector (AVIVA), working within the EU and UK regulatory frameworks in a multilingual environment.

Professional Goal:

Margaryta aims to contribute to public institutions or programmes at the intersection of European integration and education, working on policies focused on human capital development, inclusion, and the implementation of European standards. Her goal is to apply international experience, trauma-informed approaches, and digital tools to strengthen interaction between the state and society and to support vulnerable groups in Ukraine.

Returned from Tottori, Japan

Team: Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine

International Experience: Yuliia has over three years of international experience in Japan as a researcher at the University of Environmental Studies in Tottori, working with physico-chemical analysis, environmental modeling, satellite land cover observations, and large-scale data processing. Within her academic activities, she participated in international conferences, prepared analytical reports, and presented research results, including the use of GIS and Google Earth Engine (JavaScript, Python).

Simultaneously, she worked as a consultant at the International Development Center of Japan, contributing to Ukraine–Japan projects in education and science. Her role included analytical research, preparation of grant proposals, communication with educational and scientific institutions, and market and policy analysis. She also has experience working remotely with Ukrainian institutions as an expert in accreditation of educational programs according to the European Higher Education Area (ESG) standards.

Professional Goal:

She aims to contribute to the development and implementation of Ukrainian state policy in the fields of ecology, climate, agricultural development, science, and education, with a focus on European integration, digitalization, and post-war recovery. Within the Create Ukraine program, Yuliia plans to work on adapting EU directives and international agreements, modernizing environmental reporting using satellite data and modeling, and transforming STEM education and the scientific ecosystem, including through the development of grant culture, academic branding, and international scientific collaboration.

Returned from Giessen, Germany

Team: Office of the Prime Minister of Ukraine

International Experience: Maryna has substantial experience of working and studying in a European context. In 2023–2024, she studied and worked at Justus Liebig University Giessen (Germany) as a University Research Assistant within a project funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). In this role, Maryna researched Russian propaganda and disinformation narratives, analyzed media discourse, and worked with interviews conducted with political analysts and researchers.

In addition, Maryna worked at the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) in Budapest, an EU body, where she coordinated international communications, outreach campaigns, and cooperation with partners from multiple countries. She also earned a postgraduate certificate in Strategic Communications in Latvia through a UK FCDO scholarship and participated in numerous educational and training programs under Erasmus+ and other European initiatives.

Professional Goal:

Maryna seeks to contribute to the design and implementation of strategic communications and digital reforms that support Ukraine’s European integration, strengthen transparency of public institutions, and build public trust. She is particularly interested in working on projects related to the digitalization of public administration, information resilience, interagency cooperation, and the implementation of European best practices in democratic governance, especially within the Ministry of Digital Transformation or in the areas of European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

Returned from Woking, United Kingdom

Team: Office of the Prime Minister of Ukraine

International Experience: Daria has extensive experience working in the international security environment, including cooperation with the UK Ministry of Defence within multinational operations involving the United Kingdom, the United States, Ukraine, and NATO member states. She provided simultaneous interpretation and communications support for senior officials and military leadership during exercises, crisis simulations, and psychological resilience programmes.

While working within UK defence institutions, Daria contributed to the development of bilingual training and doctrinal materials and briefings in line with NATO standards, and participated in international training programmes in military medicine, aviation training, and civil–military cooperation. Her experience in handling sensitive information and interagency coordination enhanced the effectiveness of training processes and supported high-quality decision-making in complex operational environments.

Professional Goal:

Daria seeks to contribute to the reform of public governance and to support Ukraine’s European and Euro-Atlantic integration, with a focus on institutional transparency, policy harmonisation with EU practices, and strengthening the resilience of public institutions, particularly in the areas of security and civil–military relations.

Returned from Brussels, Belgium

Team: Government Office for Coordination of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration

International Experience: Alyona has extensive international experience in European and multilateral policy, gained through her studies and work in Belgium and the United States. She is a graduate of the College of Europe (Bruges), where she specialized in EU international relations and diplomacy, focusing on sanctions policy, EU enlargement, and the Union’s external instruments. Her bachelor’s and master’s theses examined the evolution of EU sanctions policy.

She worked at the United Nations University Centre for Policy Research in New York within the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Advisory Body, where she conducted analysis on global governance, digitalization, and reforms of the international financial architecture, prepared policy briefs and recommendations, and co-organized international events. In Brussels, she contributed to European Commission-funded projects, combining analytical work with communications, stakeholder management, and research in digital policy and European integration, including Ukraine.

Professional Goal: Alyona aims to contribute to Ukrainian government institutions in the areas of sanctions policy against russia and European and Euro-Atlantic integration, applying her international experience, analytical expertise, and deep understanding of EU institutions to strengthen sanctions effectiveness, coordinate with European partners, and advance Ukraine’s systematic progress toward EU membership.

Returned from London, United Kingdom

Team: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

International Experience: Maryna has extensive international experience in strategic communications and PR. She has worked in London, leading international campaigns for government, corporate, and NGO clients. She headed communications for the Ukrainian Pavilion at Expo 2025 in Japan, securing over 90 million media impressions in leading global outlets such as The Washington Post and The Atlantic, and establishing cooperation with prominent international figures, including Boris Johnson and many more.

Throughout her career, Maryna has also delivered PR campaigns for international clients in the fields of technology, culture, and human rights. Her communication strategies generated hundreds of thousands of international engagements and significantly increased the visibility of Ukrainian projects abroad. This experience enabled her to develop strong skills in intercultural communication, crisis management, and international projects leadership.

Professional Goal:

Maryna aims to implement cultural and strategic communication initiatives that present Ukraine as a modern European state, engage the Ukrainian diaspora, and build a positive international image of the country. She is particularly interested in supporting government projects in the fields of cultural diplomacy and communications to strengthen Ukraine’s global presence and promote its innovative and democratic development.

Returned from Blenheim, New Zealand

Team: Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine

International Experience: Anastasiia has over 10 years of international professional experience in the food and wine industries, having worked in Ukraine, Slovakia, Germany, Turkey, and New Zealand. Currently, she holds the position of Health & Safety and Compliance Officer at a wine company in New Zealand, responsible for implementing occupational health policies, ensuring compliance with international standards (BRC, HACCP, BioGro, SWNZ), conducting audits, risk assessments, and staff training.

In previous years, she held operational and managerial roles in winemaking, coordinated cross-functional teams, implemented operational improvements, and ensured product compliance with international quality standards. In parallel, she has experience in public governance as a board member and secretary of the Marlborough Multicultural Centre in New Zealand, contributing to strategic planning, intercultural programs, and community development.

Professional Goal:

She aims to apply her international experience in food safety, quality, and consumer protection to support Ukraine’s development and European integration. She is interested in projects at the intersection of culture, digitalization, and public communications, where she can strengthen institutional capacity, social cohesion, and modernization of public services by combining regulatory expertise with experience in public governance and intercultural engagement.

Returned from Vienna, Austria

Team: Government Office for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Coordination

International Experience: Anastasiia has extensive experience working with European institutions and international organizations. She worked at the European Parliament (S&D Group, DROI, LIBE, JURI Committees), contributing to the preparation of amendments to European legislation, including on the temporary protection of Ukrainians. While at the European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE), she coordinated engagement with member organizations and participated in the development of political positions on human rights and EU-level advocacy campaigns.

She is the President and Political Coordinator of the international NGO International Community, working on human rights, security, foreign policy, and climate issues, and completed an internship at UNIDO in Vienna. Anastasia also served as an advisor to the city of Yaremche on European cooperation, where she initiated the establishment of the city’s representation to EU institutions and develops partnerships with cities in Austria and Italy.

Professional Goal:

Anastasia aims to support the effective adaptation of Ukrainian state and local institutions to European Union standards by leveraging European policy, advocacy, and inter-institutional cooperation tools, as well as to unite young professionals into a community of future leaders of a European Ukraine.

Returned from Sofia, Bulgaria

Team: Government Office for Coordination of European and Euro-Atlantic Integration

International Experience: Hanna has extensive experience working in international and humanitarian organizations in Bulgaria, focusing on human rights, migration policy, and institutional capacity building. At UNHCR, she was responsible for data management and analysis in the areas of asylum and protection, developed interactive analytical tools, and coordinated information exchange between government agencies and the civil sector, enhancing the effectiveness of cross-sectoral collaboration.

At the Bulgarian Fund for Women, Hanna works as a Grants and Project Evaluation Manager, where she implements EU-compliant grant management systems, develops MEL approaches, and builds partnerships with donors and civil society organizations. The grant programmes she oversees include emergency assistance for Ukrainian women affected by the war.

Previously, Hanna coordinated digital legal aid platforms for refugees and migrants and was directly involved in supporting forcibly displaced Ukrainians in 2022. As a qualified lawyer, she continues to provide free legal assistance to Ukrainian refugees. For this work, in 2022 she received two national awards in Bulgaria — Volunteer of the Year and Person of the Year — becoming the first foreign national to receive these distinctions without being a citizen of the country.

Professional Goal:

Hanna aims to join the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine to contribute to accelerating Ukraine’s European integration. She seeks to combine her expertise in EU law, human rights, and digital management tools to enhance transparency, improve reform quality, and ensure effective engagement with European partners, translating political decisions into practical outcomes for the state and citizens.

Returned from New York, USA 

Team: Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine

International Experience: Tetyana has extensive international academic and professional experience gained in the USA, EU countries, and the Middle East. A graduate of Columbia University with degrees in Political Science and Middle Eastern Studies, she studied  in Jordan as part of Arabic language and MENA politics programs

and worked at leading research and academic institutions in New York and Washington, D.C. In these roles, she coordinated research and communication projects, worked with media, donors, and regional partners, and contributed to publications on international security and foreign policy.

A significant part of her experience involves working with humanitarian and human rights organizations in Jordan, Lebanon, and Lithuania. Tetyana worked directly with refugee communities, developed educational programs in camps, prepared analytical notes on UNHCR and UNRWA policies, and conducted legal research on international humanitarian law, war crimes, and migration. She also has experience in cultural diplomacy at the Embassy of Ukraine in France and in strategic communications within Ukraine’s state defense sector.

Professional Goal:

Tetyana aims to contribute to the development and implementation of Ukraine’s foreign policy and public diplomacy initiatives, focusing on strengthening cooperation with countries in the Middle East and North Africa. She seeks to expand Ukraine’s presence in the Arabic-speaking information space, build partnerships with civil society and academic institutions in the region, and advance joint approaches on displacement, international justice, and countering Russian disinformation.

Returned from Brussels, Belgium

Team: Ministry of Culture of Ukraine

International Experience: Valeriia has many years of experience working on international cultural and human rights projects, including collaborations with USAID, Goethe-Institut Ukraine, the New Theater Institute of Latvia, Erasmus+ programs, and European feminist initiatives. She has coordinated international teams, worked with partners and donors, organized residencies, educational programs, and curated exhibitions, and was responsible for preparing both content and financial reports.

After receiving a philosophical pedagogical education, since 2022, Valeriia has been studying in Brussels, where she earned a Master’s degree in Fine Arts. Her time in the European academic and institutional environment gave her a deep understanding of discussions around memory politics, decolonial approach against imperialist narratives, and ethically sensitive approaches to topics of war and trauma through culture, education, and art. She actively integrates international practices into work in the Ukrainian context while maintaining attention to local specificity and societal needs.

Professional Goal:

Valeriia’s professional goal is to contribute to the development of a contemporary, democratic, and inclusive national memory policy in Ukraine, as well as to develop practical methodologies for working with memory and trauma, focused on Ukraine’s post-war future. She aims to implement interdisciplinary and trauma-sensitive approaches to understanding and representing war at both national and international levels in the field of culture.

Results achieved during participation in Create Ukraine:
Anastasiia led the launch of the Green Platform, which consolidated more than 100 green financing programs for businesses, communities, and startups, and is working on developing mechanisms for war-risk insurance for Ukrainian companies. Her efforts helped increase awareness of green financing, attract international partners, and establish a reliable support system for businesses, creating the conditions for Ukraine’s sustainable economic recovery.

International Experience: Anastasiia is an expert in the financial field with 10 years of work experience in Australia and the United Kingdom. Holds Masters degree in Economics and is ACCA, UK member.

As a Manager at EY Sydney, she led audit teams, participated in financial fraud investigations and advised government agencies on conflict of interest management. She also worked for global companies (Brookfield, Blackstone) where she was involved in financial modeling, planning and analysis, developing controls and business processes, and supporting business transformation during IPO and mergers.

In the United Kingdom, Anastasiia held management positions in the finance departments of Hydrafacial and Estée Lauder, where she was responsible for strategic planning, budgeting, and cost management.

Professional Goal:

Anastasiia aims to apply her international experience in corporate governance and budgeting to the anti-corruption field and contribute to ensuring transparency in the activities of public institutions and economic agents.

Results achieved during participation in Create Ukraine:
Iryna established a unified English-language voice for the Ministry of Economy, strengthening communication and increasing the engagement of international partners. She launched the Economic Intelligence Digest, regularly read by diplomats and ministers to monitor global economic policy developments. Her projects — from the Industrial Resilience Exhibition to the Soul of Soil 2.0 public diplomacy initiative — substantially increased the visibility of Ukraine’s policy priorities and made key ministry programs more accessible for thousands of veterans, delegations, and donors.

International Experience: Iryna began her international career at Greenshore International, a boutique consulting firm, where she provided strategic recommendations to European clients. She then contributed to the development of an online legal dictionary for the Ukrainian legal community at the Zentrum des Deutschen Rechts. At the Canadian company Oslos, Iryna led the operations, marketing, and external communications department, driving brand promotion through social media strategies.

Iryna is also the founder of Eduwest, a Ukrainian-Canadian company that offered tutoring services and comprehensive turn-key publishing solutions for international authors.

Since 2022, Iryna has been working with various Canadian companies, refining her expertise in UX design and content strategy.

Professional Goal:

Leveraging her experience in UX design and operational management, Iryna aims to enhance the efficiency and quality of public service delivery. She is dedicated to initiatives that foster stronger collaboration between government entities and the public.

Results achieved during participation in Create Ukraine:
Oksana initiated and implemented the Investment & Business Engagement Ecosystem — a tool designed to support the implementation of Ukraine’s strategic investment policy goals. The project included 13 workshops involving over 500 companies and presenting more than 100 investment projects. She integrated the business component into government visits to Sweden, Poland, Saudi Arabia, and the Netherlands, engaging around 50 Ukrainian companies from key economic sectors. Oksana co-coordinated the business dimension of URC2025 and the Ministry’s participation in ReBuild 2025 and the World Economic Forum in 2025 and 2026. An important part of her work is the systematic preparation of analytical materials for official events, forming the basis for an institutional memory system: a unified repository of materials and a stakeholder catalogue covering 50+ key institutions and contacts.

International Experience: Oksana has a diverse international professional background in public administration, business, and international relations.

In her role as Assistant to the Vice Consul at the Embassy of Ukraine in Austria, she was responsible for citizen services and preparing legal documents. At the Ukrainian Embassy in Germany, she worked as an assistant in the economic affairs department, participating in organizing high-level visits and meetings and analyzing the economic aspects of Ukraine-Germany cooperation.

This year, Oksana completed an internship in the office of a Member of the European Parliament. Her responsibilities included issues related to mobilizing resources for international aid to Ukraine, digital transformation, energy independence, critical raw materials, and the implementation of the European Green Deal, including Ukraine’s role in this process, particularly its potential in energy transformation and sustainable development.

Before joining the Create Ukraine project, Oksana worked as an assistant to the head of the Austrian construction company Seal Bau GmbH, where she was responsible for preparing contracts, managing document flow, coordinating projects, and liaising with authorities and partners.

Professional Goal:

Oksana plans to leverage her experience working with international organizations to implement programs aimed at attracting foreign investments to Ukraine, thereby fostering economic development and strengthening the position of Ukrainian businesses. She seeks to create the economic conditions necessary for the return of Ukrainian citizens to their homeland and to enhance international cooperation through joint projects that will support Ukraine’s integration into the global economy and political landscape, as well as advance the country’s Euro-Atlantic course.

Results achieved during participation in Create Ukraine:
Olena significantly strengthened Ukraine’s institutional capacity on the path toward integration into the EU internal market by conducting comprehensive research for four chapters (1, 11, 29, 30) of the negotiation clusters and directly contributing to the development of the new Export Strategy of Ukraine 2025–2030. Her analytical work directly reinforced Ukraine’s negotiating position, notably contributing to the EU’s decision of 14 October 2025 to reduce tariffs and expand quotas for Ukrainian agricultural products after the end of the Autonomous Trade Measures. It also formed the basis for improving the government’s Methodology for Assessing the Impact of Legislative Approximation to EU Law.

International Experience: Olena gained a unique international experience of studying in six countries. Over the past few years, she has deepened her expertise in international political economy and development economics.

She has a background in working with non-governmental organisations in Finland and Slovakia.

She worked as a project manager at the Finnish organization Daisy Ladies, which focuses on helping immigrant women adapt. Together with her team, Olena organized cultural exchange events, presentations, exhibitions, and financial literacy training for women.

In Slovakia, as part of her work with the International Visegrad Fund, she was involved in managing and analyzing regional development projects in Central Europe and the Western Balkans. Throughout her experience, Olena has cooperated with more than twenty international donor organisations and embassies of the EU countries and the US.

In addition, Olena participated in several Erasmus study and volunteer projects abroad.

Professional Goal:

Olena aims to integrate her knowledge and skills into government programs that promote economic development and help build resilience in Ukraine.

Results achieved during participation in Create Ukraine:
Roksolana significantly strengthened coordination between ministries, donors, and partners, creating systemic approaches to human capital development, SME support, youth entrepreneurship, and cultural diplomacy. Her work contributed to the retraining of more than 270,000 people, the support of around 290,000 SMEs, and the creation of over 330,000 new jobs, laying the groundwork for sustainable institutional processes that ensure policy coherence and effective implementation of Ukraine’s recovery strategies.

International Experience: Roksolana’s international experience spans the fields of international relations, EU policies, political analysis, and strategic communications.

She completed her master’s degree at Sciences Po, where she studied the impact of European integration on national economies and the participation of women in entrepreneurship and economic activities among other topics. Her studies in international governance and economic policies provided her with a deep understanding of global processes and economic reforms.

At the organization WithUkraine, Roksolana worked on communication strategies aimed at raising international awareness of the situation in Ukraine. She also completed an internship at the Mission of Ukraine to the EU in Brussels, where she was involved in strategic negotiations on European integration, including integration into European markets, and digital and environmental policies. She also conducted analytical work on key aspects of Ukraine’s foreign policy, collaborating with European partners to strengthen Ukraine–EU relations.

Currently, within the Young Security Conference fellowship, Roksolana conducts research on EU enlargement and European security. She is also a participant in the Next Visionaries program, which supports European integration and post-war reconstruction in Ukraine.

Professional Goal:Roksolana aims to help create conditions in Ukraine for sustainable economic development, social justice, European integration, attracting investments, and fostering innovation.

Results achieved during participation in Create Ukraine:
Stanislava provided effective communication support for the Ministry of Economy, preparing briefings, articles, and media materials for Ukrainian and international outlets, and organized the presentation of Ukrainian business resilience stories at Expo 2025 in Japan. Her work contributed to the successful communication support of the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) in Rome, strengthening international visibility of reforms and building trust in Ukraine’s public institutions. Stanislava also managed the development of the Ministry’s social media presence, including launching its LinkedIn page.

International Experience: Stanislava earned a master’s degree in international relations from the London School of Economics and Political Science.

She is involved in the activities of the NGO Brave Generation, which prepares young Ukrainians for the post-war reconstruction of the country.

Stanislava completed an internship at the Department of State Protocol of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. At the ministry, she was responsible for communications with embassies and state bodies, participated in organizing high-level visit programs, and provided protocol support for delegations from Canada, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and other countries.

Professional Goal:

Stanislava plans to work on programs aimed at increasing the role of women in Ukraine’s economy and addressing gender pay inequality. She also wants to participate in projects focused on removing trade barriers through the implementation of European standards.

Results achieved during participation in Create Ukraine:

Tetiana became one of the key coordinators of preparations for URC2025, ensuring effective work across 16 ministries and numerous partners, and contributing to the signing of over 200 agreements worth $15 billion. Thanks to her management, the conference gathered more than 6,000 participants from 60 countries, became the largest in history, and was delivered without disruptions despite critical technical challenges.

International Experience: Tetiana has gained international experience in management consulting over the last three years, working at global consulting firms Deloitte and Synpulse in Slovakia.

In Deloitte’s consulting department, Tetiana worked on projects focused on digital transformation and business strategy development for banks.

Before joining the Create Ukraine program, Tetiana managed large-scale transformation projects focused on process reorganization and automation for insurance companies at the consulting firm Synpulse.

She earned her master’s degree with honors in International Finance from the Bratislava University of Economics in Slovakia.

Professional Goal:

Tetiana aims to contribute to the development and implementation of employment programs to increase economic activity among people with disabilities, veterans, and female veterans. She is equally committed to engaging the public in economic processes and leading projects that enhance Ukraine’s investment appeal to foreign companies.

Results achieved during participation in Create Ukraine:
Together with partner teams, Yuliia worked on national campaigns reaching over 28 million and 7 million people, and ensured Ukraine’s strong presence at major international events — from the Japan-Ukraine Economic Reconstruction Forum, which resulted in 29 signed agreements, to Ukraine’s National Day at Expo 2025 with a total media reach of 38 million people. Her work significantly strengthened Ukraine’s international image and made public policies more understandable to broad audiences.

International Experience: Yuliia earned her higher education at the IULM University of Languages and Communication in Milan. Her master’s thesis in the “Strategic Communications” program was dedicated to the unique phenomenon of fundraising in Ukraine during the war.

Yuliia also has volunteer experience abroad. In the international youth organization AIESEC, she coordinated socialization events for the elderly. After the full-scale invasion began, she volunteered at the Consulate General of Ukraine in Milan, helping compatriots find refuge in emigration. In April 2022, at her initiative and in collaboration with IULM University, a conference was organized to discuss the issue of the full-scale war and introduce the history of Ukraine.

Professional Goal:

Yuliia aims to study the processes of working with EU grants and attract investments for critical projects that will contribute to Ukraine’s development.

Results achieved during participation in Create Ukraine:
Yuliya ensured the successful completion of the final stage of the bilateral screening of five chapters of Ukrainian legislation and prepared the groundwork for adopting the updated Labour Code aligned with EU, ILO, World Bank, and Council of Europe requirements after 19 rounds of negotiations with social partners. During URC2025, she coordinated the labour market panel and managed agreements and memoranda that secured Ukraine’s associated membership in ESF+ (EaSI strand) with access to €760 million and €33 million in other agreements. She also facilitated the signing of a number of international documents, including memoranda with Italy, Lithuania, Belgium, and the UAE.

International Experience: Yuliya gained professional experience abroad through an internship in the Parliament of Canada and studies at the University of Padua in Italy.

As an assistant to a Canadian MP, she worked on a bill related to food security, participated in the analysis of legislation on the protection of the rights of people with disabilities, prepared speeches, statements, petitions, and briefings, and was responsible for communication with constituents.

Through the CUPP program, Yuliya covered Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. In her volunteer work, she contributed to the media project “War Bulletins” for the Embassy of Ukraine in Canada.

Yuliya holds a master’s degree in Human Rights and Multi-level Governance from the University of Padua. During her studies, she participated in the Krylati project as a mentor for Ukrainian teenagers who were forced to leave their homeland due to the war. Additionally, she launched a course on Ukrainian history and culture under the auspices of Open Society Foundations at the University of Padova.

Professional Goal:

Through her participation in the project, Yuliya aims to develop her skills in government relations management, explore wartime decentralization and Ukraine`s accession to the EU.