CONFERENCE 1
AGNES PAWELKOWSKA
Conference Host and Moderator
International Trade Specialist, Ukraine Desk
U.S. Department of State
Agnes Pawelkowska is an International Trade Specialist at the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) Office of Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia.
For over 15 years prior to joining DOC in 2022, Agnes worked on numerous trade and business development projects. In 2009, she founded Green Gate Consulting, LLC of Alexandria, VA to assist European companies in entering the U.S. market and U.S. companies in finding trade partners in Europe.

She previously worked on a USAID/USDOC EcoLinks trade assistance and export promotion program involving
matchmaking, as well as development, management and implementation of international programs, study tours and conferences in Europe and the United States.
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Among her business development projects have been organizing and accompanying representatives of the Greater Richmond Partnership on a trade mission to Poland and representing the Virginia Economic Development Partnership on a trade and business development trip to eight Polish cities where she held seminars on the U.S. market and on Virginia business opportunities.
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She has authored a number of articles in Poland on business opportunities for European companies in the United States and performed market research for her company’s clients and the Polish Government through EU-funded contracts.
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Agnes holds a Master’s degree in International Commerce & Policy from George Mason University, as well as a Master’s degree in International Trade and Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Gdansk University in Poland.
CONFERENCE 1
BRIDGET A. BRINK
U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine
Ambassador Brink was nominated by President Biden to be U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine on April 25, 2022, confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate on May 18, 2022, and arrived in Kyiv on May 29, 2022. A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Ambassador Brink served as U.S. Ambassador to the Slovak Republic from August 15, 2019, until her confirmation as Ambassador to Ukraine.

She previously served as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs at the Department of State, with responsibility for issues related to Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and the protracted conflicts in Europe. She also served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassies in Tashkent, Uzbekistan and in Tbilisi, Georgia.
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During her twenty-five years in the Foreign Service, Ambassador Brink has spent most of her career advancing U.S. policy in Europe and Eurasia. She was the Director for the Aegean and the South Caucasus at the National Security Council and served in the State Department as the Deputy Director for Southern European Affairs, Special Assistant to the Under Secretary for Political Affairs, and Cyprus Desk Officer. She began her career in Belgrade, Serbia.
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Originally from Michigan, Ambassador Brink joined the State Department in 1996. She holds Master’s degrees in International Relations and Political Theory from the London School of Economics and Political Science as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Kenyon College. Ambassador Brink speaks Russian and has studied Georgian, Serbian, and French. She is married with two children.
CONFERENCE 1
OKSANA MARKAROVA
Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States  
Ambassador Markarova recently met with the Secretary on February 18 and DAS De Falco on March 22.  Oksana Markarova was named Ukraine’s Ambassador to the United States by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on February 25, 2021, and arrived in Washington, DC on Apr 20, 2021.  She served in Ukraine’s Ministry of Finance in 2015-2020 as First Deputy Minister and Government commissioner on investments, and then (from 2018-2020) as Minister of Finance. 

During her time at the Finance Ministry, she was a co-author of Ukraine’s macroeconomic revival program, conducted unprecedented fiscal consolidation leading to reduction of Ukraine’s budget deficit to GDP of 2% and debt-to-GDP ratio to below 50%. She negotiated and coordinated two IMF programs and other IFI cooperation programs for Ukraine.   
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During her tenure as Minister, she and her team has also created the UkraineInvest government promotion agency, the “Ukrainian Startup” fund, and an eData ecosystem of government public finance portals, including spending.gov.ua and openbudget.gov.ua, which opened most public finance data to the public and boosted Ukraine’s standing in major international data transparency ratings.   
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Prior to her career in public service, Ambassador Markarova spent 17 years working in private equity and financial advisory roles, including with a leadership role in the “ITT” investment group, the Western NIS Enterprise Fund, Chemonics, and the World Bank. She also founded the Archidata startup electronic archive company in between her government service positions in 2020.   
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Ambassador Markarova serves on the Boards of Ukraine House DC foundation in Washington, D.C., the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, and the Ukrainian Development Foundation, and supports Ukrainian Catholic University and the Ukrainian Press Museum-Archive.   
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She holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Environmental Science from Kyiv-Mohyla Academy in Ukraine and an M.A. in public finance from Indiana University in Bloomington. She is married with four children and a grandson.  
CONFERENCE 1
MARISA LAGO
U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade
Marisa Lago is the Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade. She was appointed by President Joseph R. Biden and sworn in on Dec. 28, 2021, to lead the federal government’s efforts to assist American businesses entering or expanding into international markets, enforce fair trade policies, promote travel and tourism to the United States and U.S. products and services overseas, provide in-depth trade analyses, develop strategies that will shape the future of international trade, and engage in commercial diplomacy across the globe.

Under Secretary Lago has a distinguished career in public service with expertise in international markets, trade, financial regulation, and enforcement. Before joining ITA, she led the New York City Department of City Planning and the City Planning Commission. In the Obama-Biden Administration, she served in the Department of the Treasury as Assistant Secretary for International Markets and Development.
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Lago has also served as the Director of the Boston Redevelopment Authority and Chief Economic Development Officer for the City of Boston, President, and CEO of the Empire State Development Corporation, Director of the Office of International Affairs for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and Global Head of Compliance for a major investment bank.
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She received a Bachelor of Science in Physics from The Cooper Union and her Juris Doctor cum laude from Harvard Law School.
CONFERENCE 1
YULIA SVYRYDENKO
First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine -
Minister of Economy of Ukraine
Yulia Svyrydenko was appointed Minister of Economy of Ukraine on November 4, 2021, following the resignation of Oleksiy Lyubchenko, after serving on the official staff of President Zelensky.
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Yulia supports U.S.-Ukraine cooperation and has publicly called for increased cooperation in agriculture, nuclear and renewable energy, and the aerospace sectors. She started her career in 2008 in the private sector.

She served in leadership capacities for several organizations specializing in economic development, trade, and agriculture in Ukraine. She graduated from the Kyiv National University of Trade and Economics and received a master’s degree in management of Antimonopoly Activities.
Yulia spoke with the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy Svyrydenko on October 11 regarding the importance of Ukraine critical raw minerals. Earlier, you met her in Kyiv, Ukraine on July 26, 2024, and joined the Secretary’s August 30 meeting with the First Deputy Prime Minister at Commerce HQ.
CONFERENCE 1
TETYANA PROKOPCHUK
Vice President, the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine
Tetyana Prokopchuk is the Vice President of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Ukraine. She has been a part of AmCham Ukraine team for 11 years.
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Tetyana's areas of competence include, in particular, strategic B2G direction of AmCham activities, policy, and advocacy of member companies' interests at the highest level.

Her experience, professional expertise, and strategic approach have been recognized and acknowledged both within the Chamber and by external stakeholders in the Government and business community.
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Tetyana is the leader and ideological inspirer of a personal development and business-networking AmCham Ukraine platform - Women’s Executives Leadership Development Initiative (WELDI). AmCham Ukraine is a part of the EMPOWER HER initiative that aims to promote the role of women in international business and trade.
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As AmCham’s Vice President, Tetyana is actively involved in programs to support women's leadership and development in Ukraine. Last year, she cooperated with the U.S. Department of Commerce on a joint program titled Empowering Ukrainian Women Entrepreneurs Through Trade and a program with the U.S. Department of State on a program titled Empowered Women's Leadership. This year, Tetyana continues cooperation with the U.S. Department of Commerce on a joint Mentoring Ukrainian Women to Success program.
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You met with Tetyana Prokopchuk during your latest visit in Kyiv, Ukraine on July 26, 2024 during AmCham’s lunch and the later meeting with a small group of selected Ukrainian women-led businesses (members of AmCham).
CONFERENCE 1
MARY ANN ROBINSON
Senior Manager Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs 
U.S. Department of State
Since June 2021, MaryAnn Robinson has managed the Western Hemisphere and South-Central Asia portfolios of the Academy for Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) program in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in nearly 100 countries worldwide, from program initiation to implementation and alumni networking.

AWE provides female business owners with the knowledge, networks, and access needed to start and scale successful enterprises. The program harnesses the power of private-public partnerships and alumni networks to help U.S. embassies reach their economic, outreach, women, peace, and security goals. Through AWE, women entrepreneurs participate in a facilitated entrepreneurship program supplemented with localized content, as well as networking and mentorship opportunities. The program equips women with the tools needed to create and grow their own businesses, raise capital, and effectively network with other successful business owners.
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Before joining the AWE program, MaryAnn held other positions at the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs since joining the State Department in 2018.
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Her earlier career includes work in the private sector, as well as teaching English. MaryAnn graduated from College of Charleston with a BA degree in International Studies.
CONFERENCE 2
OKSANA CHABAN
Senior Expert in Public Administration Reform, Ministry of Economy of Ukraine
Oksana Chaban is a Senior Expert in Public Administration Reform with a solid foundation of 10 years of experience in human capital management in the private sector, including the last 4 years with the Reform Support Team at the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine. She leads capacity-building initiatives to enhance the Ministry’s organizational effectiveness, focusing on fostering a collaborative work culture and improving team coordination across departments.

During her time with the reform team, Oksana has contributed significantly to large-scale HR projects that bolstered team productivity, strengthened interdepartmental coordination, and built cross-functional capacity within the public sector. Her work has been instrumental in modernizing the Ministry's approach to human capital management and enhancing public sector service delivery.
Oksana holds a Master’s degree in Finance and has completed advanced courses in HR leadership and management from leading international institutions. She is dedicated to driving innovation and efficiency in Ukraine’s public sector through modern human capital practices.
CONFERENCE 3
NINA LEVCHUK
Co-Founder, Managing Director, Impact Force
Nina Levchuk is a Ukrainian and European tech and social innovation leader, specializing in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies. A passionate advocate for women's rights and social innovation, she has spearheaded numerous initiatives that leverage technology for social good. As co-founder of Impact Force, a pioneering women-led non-profit, Nina has driven transformative social behavioral change and expanded economic opportunities, focusing on innovative solutions to societal challenges.

Nina is also the honorary founder of United for Ukraine, a platform dedicated to addressing Ukraine's emergency needs and fostering collective action toward civil society security. Her expertise in technology is further reflected in her permanent role at Google, where she manages one of the EMEA retail streams. She also advises Mandiant (part of Google Cloud) on cybersecurity strategy, contributing vital expertise to strengthen the digital resilience of Ukraine and Europe against evolving threats.
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In her role with Impact Force, Nina has been lauded for providing critical educational resources for vulnerable groups and cultivating social entrepreneurship. She has been recognized in the prestigious UP 100 Women’s Power ranking and was celebrated by SPIEGEL as one of the 100 most inspiring figures in Germany in 2024.
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Nina's thought leadership in technology has earned her recognition as a Top Innovator by the World Economic Forum’s Uplink Program and as a Young Leader by Globsec. She is a Responsible Leader by the BMW Foundation and a top 8 global activist recognized by the International Rescue Committee. In 2023, she joined the pro-bono advisory board for innovation and technology at UN Women in Ukraine.
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Nina holds a Master’s degree in International and Digital Marketing from Hult International Business School and is currently pursuing executive education in Public Policy at the Harvard Kennedy School. She was awarded a special certificate in Cybersecurity in August 2024.
CONFERENCE 3
MARYNA KHUDOLII
Entrepreneur / Amazon Program Manager
I am passionate about writing, public speaking, and staying active in the gym.
Behind me sales, marketing and project management experience in international companies.
My dream is to build a non-profit organization, where I can make a meaningful impact to the community.

CONFERENCE 3
OLEKSANDRA ALKHIMOVYCH
Co-founder and managing partner at APT
Oleksandra held senior leadership roles, including Managing Director of Luxoft Ukraine and Vice President of Talent Management at Miratech. Currently she is a co-founder of APT (abilities. proficiency. talents), a Ukrainian agency focused on investing in human capital. Oleksandra is recognized among Ukraine's TOP 30 influential women. She is also a driver of several initiatives focused on promoting STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) professions among girls in Ukraine.

CONFERENCE 3
YULIIA BUHLAK
Founder of FISKIN
Yuliia Buhlak is the visionary founder behind Fiskin, a Ukrainian-Norwegian luxury brand known for pioneering the use of sustainable fish leather in high-end fashion. Originally from Ukraine, Yuliia fled the war with her young daughter and quickly established Fiskin in Norway, where her commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation has garnered widespread recognition. A fish biologist and creative entrepreneur, Yuliia combines her expertise in craftsmanship with her passion for eco-conscious design. Her work has elevated Fiskin as a symbol of resilience, sophistication, and responsible luxury, transforming unique materials into pieces that embody both beauty and exclusivity.

CONFERENCE 3
IRYNA VOLNYTSKA
President of SET University
Iryna is developing modern technological education in Ukraine. She has over 10 years of experience leading technology teams in executive and C-level positions in
deep-tech companies and business consulting.
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SET University is a new non-profit technological university, established to provide world-class higher education for future leaders in the field of technology and accelerate Ukraine's recovery.

During the full-scale war, the SET team has developed and launched master's programs in cybersecurity and computer science, established long-term partnerships with the Fisher Center for Business Analytics at the University of California, Berkeley, SigmaSoftware, IdeaSoft, ISACA, and launched short-term programs such as micromaster's, accelerators, boot camps, and trainings in collaboration with globally renowned venture funds, companies, anduniversities.
CONFERENCE 3
NADIIA KHOMAZIUK
Executive Director, U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC)
Nadiia Khomaziuk serves as the Executive Director of the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC), a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening trade and investment ties between the United States and Ukraine. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., USUBC is the largest Ukraine-focused trade association outside of Ukraine, representing over 200 member companies across all industries.

With more than 15 years of experience in international relations, economic development, and strategic partnerships, Nadiia leads efforts to foster collaboration among U.S. and Ukrainian businesses, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. She is a committed advocate for deepening bilateral ties and advancing Ukraine's victory and future economic recovery.
CONFERENCE 4
SVITLANA KROPELNYTSKA
Associate Professor, Ph.D (Economics),
Project manager, Director, Project and Educational Center "Agents of Changes" of PNU
Chairman of the Board, NGO "AGENTY ZMIN IF"
Docent of Finance Department, Faculty of Economics
Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University
Expert of projects,Precarpathian Scientific and Analytical Center
Regional Coordinator, REGIONET Network in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine
Svitlana Kropelnytska is the Director of the Project and Educational Center for Innovation Development and Investment Promotion in the Region “Agents of Changes” at PNU, Chairman of the Board of the NGO “AGENTY ZMIN IF”, a scientist-entrepreneur in the field of project and cluster management consulting, PhD in Economics, Associate Professor of the Department of Finance at Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University.

She has been an expert in development projects for over 20 years, a specialist in regional / local development projects (tourism, social, investment), cluster development projects, in particular in the field of creative industries.
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Alumna of the American business internship program SABIT “Regional Economic Development: Small and Medium Business Development” (2017).
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She has experience in coordinating the development, attraction of financial instruments and implementation of projects under the EU sectoral program “Innovative Economy and Investment”, and is the main executor of several cluster development projects and cross-border cooperation projects. She is a project evaluation expert, trainer, mentor, moderator, and speaker within the framework of grant programs funded by GIZ, House of Europe, DOBRE, ULEAD, etc. as well as local, regional, and national programs.
She is the author of her own methodological approach to using innovative artificial intelligence tools to develop project concepts of recovery and resilience projects in Ukraine.
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Learn more about Svitlana's activities in her profiles:
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https://agentyzmin.pnu.edu.ua/specialist/svitlana-kropelnytska/
CONFERENCE 4
YANA CHAPAILO
Director of the Ukrainian Defenders Leadership Center
Yana Chapailo is a Director of the Veterans Center “Ukrainian Defenders Leadership Center” at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. She established the Center in May of 2024, and as of now, more than 70 veterans (both men and women) already received direct tailored educational services.
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Yana’s focus has always been on education as a pivotal instrument of empowering people and ensuring their access to skills enables their independence.
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She is a facilitator for the Congressional Office for International Leadership (COIL), and a Fulbright Graduate Student Program Alumni (2021-2023).

Yana has an extensive experience in program management and international cooperation. She coordinated the Academic Integrity and Quality Initiative (AcademIQ), implemented by the American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS with the support of the US Embassy, Kyiv, Ukraine (2018-2021). As a head of the Workforce Development unit at the USAID Public Health Resilience and Recovery Project (2023-2024), implemented by Pact, Inc in Ukraine, she coordinated activities to ensure universities’ up-to-date approaches in graduate and post-degree education programs.
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Yana received her MA Degree in International Education Policy from the University of Maryland, College Park (2021-2023), and MA in Humanities (Literature and Comparative Studies) with Honors from the National University of Kyiv- Mohyla Academy (2015).
CONFERENCE 4
OLENA MARTYNENKO
Founder and Director of FG Habenets
Olena Martynenko is the founder of the Gabenet Farm, which has been successfully operating in the Zhytomyr region for over 10 years.
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Agriculture is a family business, as Olena's father founded Vega Agro LLC in 2008. Both enterprises cultivate over 2,500 hectares of land, grow grain and oilseed crops, potatoes for chips, and have a combined annual sales of 80-100 million hryvnias.

The enterprise has its own elevator, provides services for storing, cleaning, and drying grain.
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Since 2014, it has been manufacturing its own grain dryers and boilers on an alternative type of fuel.
Despite the challenges of wartime and falling product prices, the enterprise was able not only to restore and adjust its work, but also to invest in the development and creation of added value by installing equipment for processing soybeans into oil and soybean meal.
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In 2023, with the help of the USAid Investments for Business Sustainability program, OTP Bank lent two of our farms a total of UAH 5 million for one year, at 0.01%.
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There are also plans to implement a project to raise broiler chickens.
CONFERENCE 4
LISA KAESTNER
Regional Manager, Ukraine and Moldova
​International Finance Corporation, World Bank Group
In 2022 Lisa Kaestner was appointed as IFC’s Regional
Manager for Ukraine and Moldova, In this capacity, she is responsible for IFC’s work to mobilize investment and support the private sector in the two countries while overseeing IFC’s response to the war in Ukraine and the postwar recovery agenda in the region. Ms. Kaestner has taken on this new role at a time when the region is deeply affected by the war and economic uncertainty. Despite the challenges, the private sector can play a significant role in the recovery of the region and its economic transformation.

A US national, Kaestner joined IFC in 1999 as the resident representative in Georgia. Since then, she has fulfilled a variety of roles in both IFC and World Bank mostly in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The last four years, Kaestner gained experience in Africa, where she led IFC's advisory services to governments in Eastern and Southern Africa, supporting reforms and policy implementation for private sector-led growth across a range of sectors—including agribusiness, tourism, and housing to ICT and the financial sector. Most recently, she briefly served as the County Manager for Sri Lanka and Maldives until being asked to take up the role in Ukraine and Moldova, due to the unprecedented circumstances.
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​Before IFC, she worked with several nonprofit development organizations in the South Caucasus region. Lisa holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy and Economics from Princeton University
CONFERENCE 4
BARBARA RAMBOUSEK
Global Director for Gender and Economic Inclusion at EBRD
Barbara has 25 years of senior leadership experience in development finance and policy engagement, urban regeneration and post-conflict recovery. Her experience spans across Eastern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, Asia as well as the UK. Barbara is passionate about the role of the private sector in creating sustainable development outcomes – and in translating innovation and thought leadership into operational responses.

As the EBRD’s Global Director for Gender and Economic Inclusion, she established the Bank’s approach to integrating a focus on human capital and equality of opportunity into private and public sector investments to create equitable access to employment and skills, entrepreneurship and finance, as well as key infrastructure services. This formed an entirely new value offer to the Bank’s clients and shareholders, with over EUR 20bn in linked investments to date. 
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During earlier parts of her career, as Head of Regeneration and Investment Planning at the London Development Agency, Barbara led the design of London’s Economic Development Strategy as well as large multi-sectoral regeneration programmes across the wider London region. Before that, she directed integrated refugee return and economic development programmes in post-war Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as humanitarian relief programmes in India and Sri Lanka.  
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Barbara is a regular speaker at high profile international events, including all COPs since 2021, the WEF Davos Annual Meeting, New York Climate Week, European Development Week, OECD events, the World Bank Annual Meetings, Chatham House or the London School of Economics. 
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She serves as an Advisory Board member of the MSc in Infrastructure Investment and Finance at University College London, the OMFIF Sustainable Policy Working Group for Transition Finance, the ILO Global Commission on the Future of Work (2021) and the Global Infrastructure Hub (2020 – 2022). Barbara is a regular lecturer on inclusive business finance and labour market reforms, with a broad range of publications spanning across the IMF, LSE, CNBC Africa, BBC, Financial Times and others.  
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​Barbara holds an Executive MBA from Bayes Business School, an MSc in European Politics and Policy from the London School of Economics, and an MA in Political Economy from the University of Vienna. 
CONFERENCE 4
YULIIA CHUFISTOVA
Presidium Member, Mayor's Club
CEO, UMEDA
Yuliia Chufistova is a talented, skilled and qualified lawyer with 20 years of diverse experience in providing legal assistance to different corporate sector. Since 2022, have intensified public activities in the non-profit organization Mayors' Club to assist Ukrainian communities in economic development and investment attraction. Thanks to leadership skills and hard operational work, the number of members of the Club has increased from 30 to 640 mayors in a year and a half. Have initiated several all-Ukrainian and international projects and programs.

CONFERENCE 5
ANNA DEREVYANKO
Executive Director of the European Business Association, Ukraine
Born on February 25, 1977, in Zhytomyr, Ukraine, Anna Derevyanko graduated from Kyiv National Economic University with a degree in International Economics and Law.
In 2000 Anna was appointed the Deputy Director of the European Business Association (the EBA), and since 2003 she has been serving as the Association’s Executive Director.​

The EBA under Ms. Derevyanko’s supervision has quadrupled its size now bringing together around 900 companies that create over 2 million jobs in Ukraine. The EBA has become one of the largest and most influential business unions in Ukraine with four regional branches (Lviv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Odesa).
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Currently, the EBA takes an active part in facilitating the development of EU practices in Ukraine's regulatory field and contributes to its vision – making Ukraine a better place for business.
Anna Derevyanko is a member of the Supervisory Board of Raiffeisen Bank Aval, UkraineInvest, Business Ombudsman Council, Children of Heroes Foundation, member of the GLOBSEC Support Council, Women on Boards, and the NorwegianUkrainian Chamber of Commerce Advisory Council.
Besides, Anna is a co-founder of Global Business for Ukraine, an organization aimed to unite international businesses around Ukraine, strengthening trade and economic ties, enhancing partnerships, and providing information to potential investors.
Anna Derevyanko is married and has two sons.
CONFERENCE 5
MARIANNA KRAVCHENKO
Strategic and Digital Marketing Specialist, Business Development and Marketing Consultant
Sunrise Export Taskforce
Marianna Kravchenko is an EU certified export and marketing consultant, and co-founder at Sunrise Export Taskforce agency.
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She is a highly motivated, confident manager with exceptional multi-tasking and organizational skills. She
has a good experience in an optimization of business processes, time management, management of budget and expenses. Marianna always work with great feeling of responsibility, enthusiasm and exchange with excess. She is stress resistant and has a solution finding personality.

Marianna also has an extensive experience of identifying the needs of corporate customers, running and delivering sales and marketing campaigns for key clients. She has held leadership posistions in project management.
Marianna possesses a significant record of achievement in account management and able to understand the mission, vision and values of an organization quickly.
CONFERENCE 5
NATASCHA GRAMS
Founder of Genesy Capility
Ukrainian by birth, with over 30 years of life experience in Germany and a professional track record spanning New York, London, and Zurich. Nearly 20 years of experience in leading global corporations.
Successfully established and led global key account management at Hays, the world’s largest specialist recruitment firm, overseeing operations across 33 countries.

Served as a strategic advisor to one of Germany’s most prominent Sequoia-backed start-ups.
A recognized expert in global deal-making, uniquely positioned to bridge Western and Ukrainian business interests. Extensive experience managing cross-border transactions involving outsourcing agreements, investments, legal frameworks, and complex financial structures across multiple jurisdictions and regulatory environments.
CONFERENCE 5
OLGA MEREZHA
Lawyer, entrepreneur, founder of interior design "3D OM " studio
​Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs
My name is Olga Merezha.
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I am a lawyer, entrepreneur, founder of interior design "3D OM " studio.
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15 years I have been in real estate and five years I have been designing interior design.I work in Ukraine in Europe and now in the US I believe in the victory of Ukraine and I am preparing for the rebuilding of Ukraine.

CONFERENCE 5
SARAH NICKEL
Commercial Service Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv
Sarah Nickel is currently the Commercial Service Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv. Prior to arriving in Kyiv, Sarah served in the Department of Commerce International Trade Administration’s Office of Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia as the Senior Ukraine Desk Officer.
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Before joining the Foreign Commercial Service, Sarah was the Executive Director of the U.S.-Kazakhstan Business Association from 2014-2020, working with and
representing American companies investing and doing business in Kazakhstan.

As part of this role, she advised companies on strategic engagement between the public and private sectors in Kazakhstan and developed opportunities to shape policy that would facilitate economic competitiveness and a productive business climate.
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​Sarah was an Associate at Oxford Analytica, a political and macroeconomic consulting agency, from 2011-2014, engagements ranged from strategic development in the public and private sectors to targeted analytical work for clients focused on international business issues, energy, economic diversification, and monitoring of the Eurasia region. Prior to joining Oxford Analytica, Sarah was the Coordinator of the Black Sea Energy and Economic Forum (now the Council’s Istanbul Summit) at the Atlantic Council; she coordinated the Summit’s first two annual meetings in Bucharest and Istanbul in 2009 and 2010, respectively.
Sarah is a member of the Center on Global Interests’ 2015-16 Rising Experts Program and the Eurasia Foundation’s Young Professionals Network, 2014-15 cohort. She graduated from Central College of Iowa with her B.A. and Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service with her M.A. in Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies.
CONFERENCE 5
KHRYSTYNA DERHA
Founder of Jungle Gifts Store
Khrystyna Derha is the founder of Jungle Gift Store. Jungle is a Ukrainian brand of personalized leather accessories, crafted in our workshop in Lviv for over 8 years.
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Sold in 50+ countries, Jungle specializes in unique gifts that create a “wow” moment—featuring custom embossing with names, special phrases, or even company logos. ​​

With a wide range of colors and products like cosmetic bags, travel wallets, passport covers, luggage tags, keychains, and pet accessories, our items are perfect individually or in curated gift sets.
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Trusted by global brands like Maybelline, Sony, and Clarins, Jungle is your destination for unforgettable personalized gifts.
CONFERENCE 5
HALYNA CHYBUROVSKA
Co-owner and commercial director of PJSC "Elektrovymiruvach" in Zhytomyr
Co-owner and commercial director of PJSC "Elektrovymiruvach" in Zhytomyr. The company develops and manufactures STEM equipment and equipment for the science and mathematics field of education in secondary education institutions of Ukraine, as well as measuring complexes for industry.
Since 2019, educational equipment for physics and mathematics produced by the company has begun to be widely used in schools in the United States of America. Today, this equipment is used in more than 100 school districts in 15 US states. It covers over a million students and over a thousand teachers.

Among the largest school districts are the Seminole School District in Florida, the New Jersey School District, Washington, D.C., and New York. The scientific and design bureau of PrJSC "Electrovymiruvach" closely cooperates with the scientific research society in physics - Physical Science Research Associates (Physcira), a national leader in the field of physical education in the United States.
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The equipment created by the Ukrainian company and the teaching methodology developed by Ukrainian scientists in cooperation with the physics research society - Physical Science Research Associates (Physcira) have made physics in the United States accessible to students and teachers. As a result of the experimental use of Ukrainian equipment in its schools, the state of New Mexico chose to use equipment created by Ukrainian scientists as a state initiative. It is expected that the result will be an increase in the number of students entering universities in the departments of physics and astronomy. School equipment, produced by PJSC "Electrovymiruvach", is also supplied to the Baltic countries, Georgia, Kazakhstan and Moldova.
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In 2024, for the development and production of equipment for education, Halyna Chyburovska became the winner of the VI National Award "The best Ukrainian woman in the profession" in the nomination "Innovator in the field of education, entrepreneur, visionary".
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As a public figure and the head of the NGO "Zhytomyr Volunteer Headquarters", she was awarded the award "For dignity and patriotism" in 2022 and the award of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine "For assistance to the Armed Forces of Ukraine" in 2024. Under the leadership of Ms. Chyburovska, the Volunteer Headquarters of Zhytomyr became the winner of the National Award "Charity Ukraine - Charity for the Protection of Ukraine-2022" in the nomination "Best Collective Volunteerism".
CONFERENCE 5
KATERYNA NIKOLAIENKO
(VAYDYCH)
Founder & Co-Owner of RyabChick
I worked at the National Joint Stock Company "Naftogaz of Ukraine" in the Department of International Relations for 10 years, where I was involved in launching new projects, in particular the reconstruction and modernization of the Ukrainian gas transmission system (GTS).

For three years, I headed a nationwide network of medical centers, which, under my leadership, grew from 3 to over 35 branches across Ukraine. Within the framework of cooperation with international organizations, several projects were implemented to support citizens affected by the full-scale war in Ukraine.
I entered the food industry as an advisor to the chairman of the board of MHP Agro-Industrial Holding, where I later headed the Department of Innovative Projects.
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Currently, I am the co-founder and CEO of MHP Trend Foods, which is part of the MHP group of companies. In 2021, I founded the RyabChick brand, and I am now a co-owner of the product, which has not only won the hearts of Ukrainians but also gained recognition in Europe, the UAE, and the UK. RyabChick has also won two international awards in the category of "Most Innovative Product."
CONFERENCE 5
Olena Tverdovska
VP Customer Service, Nova Global
Olena Tverdovska has 10+ years of experience in customer experience in both international and local companies and 7 years developing customer experience in international delivery at Nova Global.
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She is also a coach-consultant for entering foreign markets and global marketplaces, with 5+ years of experience.
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Olena's has expert specialization in supporting clients entering export, B2C, and B2B export and is a certified trainer at the Nova Poshta Business School.

CONFERENCE 5
YURIY OSTAPYAK
Cheif Operating Officer at Logistics Plus
Yuriy Ostapyak joined Logistics Plus in 2005, starting what is now a 20-year career spanning supply chain management, third-party and contract logistics, warehousing, freight forwarding, and global procurement. Currently overseeing all global and domestic operations, Ostapyak has played a key role in LP’s continued success as one of the fastest-growing privately-owned companies in the US. With notable awards from Erie Reader “Erie’s 40 Under 40”, Inc. 5000, Supply & Demand Chain Executive, Transport Topics, and Great Place to Work® to name a few.

Since his appointment, Ostapyak has pioneered LP’s transition from a logistics company to a supply chain management company that not only delivers logistics services but offers highly specialized solutions for top Fortune 50 companies in the realm of energy infrastructure, IT infrastructure, and business intelligence to name a few. He continually produces innovative positive results for customers and business units across the board by identifying and resolving multileveled issues that reduce cost, uncover waste, and drive profitability and effectiveness.
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He continues to use his expertise in closing complex acquisitions, negotiating terms, financial conditions, and third-party financing to establish global foreign exchange structures and Global Reconciliation/Netting structures worldwide.
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Prior to joining LP, Ostapyak earned his B.A. in International Business and Marketing from the Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 2004 and, subsequently, a master’s degree in International Economics from the Kyiv National Economic University.
CONFERENCE 5
JUSTYNA SWICA
Senior International Trade Specialist
SABIT Program
U.S. Department of Commerce
Justyna has been with the U.S. Department of Commerce International Trade Administration for over 15 years. In that time, she has been devoted to creating industry-focused programs for senior-level delegations from Eurasia, Europe, South Asia and the Middle East. Her expertise lies in fostering meaningful exchanges with professionals from those regions and their U.S. counterparts in Government, industry associations, academia and most notably the private sector.

She has traveled to Ukraine and the Eurasia region on many occasions to facilitate trainings for SABIT Program alumni. Most recently, she partnered with the WMarketplace to arrange a training workshop on ecommerce for Ukrainian women entrepreneurs which was held in Warsaw in April 2024.
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Justyna’s previous work was in finance where she worked in international banking at U.S. Bancorp.
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​Justyna received her B.A. from St. Olaf College and her MA in International Relations from the University of Southern California. She lives in the Washington, DC area with her husband and son.
CONFERENCE 6
DR. REVI STERLING
Technical Director Women in the Digital Economy Fund WiDEF
Dr. Revi Sterling has worked to advance digital inclusion for women n both domestic and international contexts for over 25 years. She is the Technical Director for the Women in the Digital Ecosystem Fund (WiDEF), a White House initiative to close the gender and technology gap. She previously developed and ran the USAID WomenConnect Challenge, another presidential program that successfully spanned three administrations.

Prior to these positions, Revi founded and directed the first ICT for Development professional master’s program in the United States at the University of Colorado Boulde. Before academia, Revi spent a decade at Microsoft Research spearheading efforts in gender equity in computer science, and in the Emerging Technologies division as a software engineer and program manager. She serves on leading gender and technology boards, has testified before the U.S. Congress about emerging technologies, and has received such awards as the Anita Borg Institute’s Social Impact Award and Engineering4Change’s Women Technologist of the Year.
CONFERENCE 6
YULIIA BUHLAK
Founder of FISKIN
Yuliia Buhlak is the visionary founder behind Fiskin, a Ukrainian-Norwegian luxury brand known for pioneering the use of sustainable fish leather in high-end fashion. Originally from Ukraine, Yuliia fled the war with her young daughter and quickly established Fiskin in Norway, where her commitment to quality, sustainability, and innovation has garnered widespread recognition. A fish biologist and creative entrepreneur, Yuliia combines her expertise in craftsmanship with her passion for eco-conscious design. Her work has elevated Fiskin as a symbol of resilience, sophistication, and responsible luxury, transforming unique materials into pieces that embody both beauty and exclusivity.

CONFERENCE 6
ANNA ZMIIEVSKA
Founder & CEO of Anzy Home
Anna Zmiievska is the founder and CEO of Anzy Home, a Ukrainian brand of knitted home décor and newborn products. Anzy Home was originated in 2016 from the handmade hobby which turned into craft manufacturing employing over 20 people. The company is focused on export sales, covering mainly North America and EU markets, works with DTC and B2B models. Despite the need to suspend business operations and relocate the manufacturing in 2022 due to the full-scale war start in Ukraine, Anzy Home managed to recover sales and even grow in comparison with the pre-war volumes, all thanks to export. The social mission of the brand is to support Ukrainian women of different ages and social positions by creating for them meaningful and fairly-paid jobs.

CONFERENCE 6
ELENA POLOMOSHNOVA
Managing Director, Deliotte
Elena Polomoshnova is a leader within Deloitte Consulting LLP, focusing on Organization Transformation and Talent in Global Health space. She has over 20 years of experience with US Government clients and International Development organizations. She has been responsible for complex multi-million dollar projects with focus on sustainable organization transformation in international context. Elena has worked with senior officials within the foreign governments on broad transformational projects focusing on global health, economic growth and capacity building in a number of countries around the Globe.

Among other projects she led implementation of large USG funded technical assistance programs in Ukraine focusing on transforming Ukrainian health sector, improving transparency and accessibility of health services to Ukrainian people. Since the beginning of Russia’s war in Ukraine, the program’s activities also focused on health sector recovery and reconnecting people with healthcare.