See Forward Impact Mentoring & Leadership Program

Empowering women to defend their Ukrainian identity and rediscover purpose in a nation rebuilding from war.

In the face of war, leadership isn’t a choice — it’s a necessity

  • Educational Disruption

    Young women have endured their final school years in bomb shelters, missing out on vital education and mentorship opportunities.

  • Community Pillars

    These women are the backbone of their communities, balancing household responsibilities while volunteering tirelessly to support others.

  • Proven Experience

    With nearly three years on the ground, our volunteers have built deep connections, listening to countless women and gaining insight into their unique challenges.

Empower young women to rise into roles that inspire and transform their communities.

Our Mentees

  • Marya Kuzmina

    Volunteer work
    Humanity & Inclusion (HI) NGO Ukraine

    From
    Mykolaiv, Mykolaiv Oblast, South Ukraine

    Top issues
    • addressing the issue of the "glass ceiling"
    • recognizing the importance of empathy as a crucial management tool
    • combatting corruption

    Interested in
    Psychology / Scientific Research

  • Kateryna Yeryomenko

    Volunteer work
    Children's center SPILNO by UNICEF - conducting workshops for children

    From
    Mariupol, Donetsk Oblast, Eastern Ukraine

    Top issues
    • free learning opportunities
    • women's leadership
    • inclusive space

    Interested in
    Finance / Business / Economics / Entrepreneurship / IT

  • Maria Shevchuk

    Volunteer work
    Assistant for Academic Competition, Law Students Union

    From
    Kyiv, Kyiv Oblast, Central Ukraine

    Top issues
    • democracy, issues around peace and disarmament
    • confrontation of two ideologies
    • ecological or environmental crisis

    Interested in
    Finance / Business / Economics / Entrepreneurship

  • Anastasia Kashlikuova

    Volunteer work
    Organized scientific conferences and projects in chemistry and pediatrics for junior medical specialists.

    From
    Lysychansk, Luhansk Oblast, Eastern Ukraine

    Top issues
    • staying true in my field of public health
    • finding and retaining friends
    • communication

    Interested in
    Science / Research Activities / Healthcare / Medicine / Education

  • Elizabeth Karpetchenko

    Volunteer work
    Head of the SMM department at JLU - the student organization of journalists.

    From
    Hornostaivka, Kakhovka Raion, Kherson Oblast, Southern Ukraine

    Top issues
    • gender inequality
    • gap, economic stratification within Ukrainian society
    • high level of corruption

    Interested in
    Marketing / Sales / Media / PR / Psychology / History / Culture / Art

  • Kateryna Neumyvako

    Volunteer work
    'Teenergizer' – a charitable organization dedicated to offering psychological support and consultations to Ukrainian youth

    From
    Sofiivska Borshchahivka, Kyiv Oblast, Central Ukraine

    Top issues
    • mental health
    • education, financial literacy
    • critical thinking, dependency on social media networks and social opinion.

    Interested in
    Government / NGO/ Economics / Finance / Education / Psychology

  • Yaroslava Tsiulina

    Volunteer work
    'Ltava' – A choreographic ensemble that performs charity concerts to raise funds in support of the Ukrainian Army

    From
    Toretsk, Donetsk Oblast, Eastern Ukraine

    Top issues
    • fostering the development of the creative community
    • cultivating talents and promoting innovations in the field of art
    • availability of education in art and science

    Interested in
    Media / PR / History / Culture / Art

  • Sophia Belenchuk

    Volunteer work
    Junior Academy of Sciences of Ukraine

    From
    Hola Prystan, Kherson Oblast, Southern Ukraine.

    Top issues
    • amplifying women's voices in the workplace
    • breaking down gender stereotypes
    • celebrating women as equals in art and science

    Interested in
    Science / Research Activities / History / Culture / Art

  • Karyna Stukhonog

    Volunteer work
    'Building Ukraine Together' – served as an Iron Volunteer, contributing to community rebuilding efforts. During the coronavirus pandemic, supported social deliveries between Zaporizhzhia and Melitopol through 'Students for Volunteering'. Facilitated empowering training sessions for women at 'Vilna', a space organized by the NGO 'League of Modern Women'.

    From
    Kharkiv, Kharkiv Oblast, Northeast Ukraine

    Top issues
    • fostering engagement among youth
    • fighting ingrained prejudices
    • encouraging empathy and consideration for others

    Interested in
    Government / Public / Nonprofit / Marketing / Media / PR

  • Olha Bondareva

    Volunteer work
    Mentee from Eastern Ukraine – supported displaced children and orphans, and contributed to 'Unforgettable' events, bringing joy and connection to people with dementia and their families

    From
    Boryspil, Kyiv Oblast, Central Ukraine

    Top issues
    • systemic discrimination against minorities and women
    • the propagation of violence under the guise of toxic pacifism
    • distortion of social dynamics through the prism of social media networks

    Interested in
    Government / Public / Nonprofit / Marketing / Media / PR

  • Valeria Hladka

    Volunteer work
    'Unbreakable Youth - NEZLAMNA MOLOD'

    From
    Pervomaisk, Mykolaiv Oblast, Southern Ukraine

    Top issues
    • inertia, disinterest and lack of motivation among young people
    • lack of awareness about available opportunities among young people
    • difficulty in establishing cooperation between NGOs and local authorities
    • burnout of NGO staff

    Interested in
    NGO / Education / History / Culture / Art

  • Nika Zayats

    Volunteer work
    Student organization "Vidlunnya"; knitting military nets, packing and delivering items to the victims of war

    From
    Rivne, Rivne Oblast, Western Ukraine

    Top issues
    • shortage of qualified female volunteers

    Interested in
    Marketing / Sales / Media / PR / History / Culture / Art

  • Adelina Diakova

    Volunteer work
    SpivDia Dnipro

    From
    Dnipro, Dnipro Oblast, Central Ukraine

    Top issues
    • people leaving Ukraine
    • violation of women's rights
    • political conflicts that seem to be escalating globally

    Interested in
    Governmental / Public / Nonprofit / Charitable Organizations / Education

  • Liana Lichtenwald

    Volunteer work
    Armed Forces of Ukraine

    From
    Bakhmut, Donetsk Oblast, Eastern Ukraine

    Top issues
    • insufficient support for internally displaced persons (IDPs)
    • unclear reconstruction program for war-affected regions
    • low-quality education

    Interested in
    Media / PR / Finance / Business / Economics

  • Margarita Shatkovska

    Volunteer work
    World's Largest Lesson (Global) 2023 on Sustainable Development Goals; ROBOTICA 2023 - STEM festival for high schoolers in Ukraine

    From
    Kyiv, Kyiv Oblast, Central Ukraine

    Top issues
    • embracing responsible consumption
    • ensuring quality education
    • the reduction of inequality

    Interested in
    Finance / Business / Entrepreneurship / Education / IT / Marketing / Sales

  • Marya Vinnitchenko

    Volunteer work
    Organized and managed school sports events

    From
    Mariupol, Donetsk Oblast, Eastern Ukraine

    Top issues
    conflicts and wars that jeopardize the peace and safety of communities

    Interested in
    Governmental / Public / Nonprofit / Charitable Organizations / Education

  • Elizabeth Taran

    Volunteer work
    'Give a Holiday to a Child', and co-organizer of the charity 'Student City Cup of Humor'
    Member of the organizing committee of the event "Quiz" (an intellectual team game for 1st-4th year students of NTU DP)

    From
    Dnipro, Dnipro Oblast, Central Ukraine

    Top issues
    • ageism
    • corruption
    • poverty

    Interested in
    Government / Nonprofit / Education / Media / PR

  • Solomiya Lukuovska

    Volunteer work
    'Ukrainian Youth - Christ's' – Engages in organizing charity events, visiting families of fallen soldiers, supporting lonely individuals and orphanages, and coordinating community clean-up activities

    From
    Ternopil, Ternopil Oblast, Western Ukraine

    Top issues
    • environmental pollution
    • quality and access to education in Ukraine
    • mental health

    Interested in
    Governmental / Public / Nonprofit / Charitable Organizations / Education

  • Veronika Pavliuk

    Volunteer work
    Teaching choreography and dance to internally displaced children and youth

    From
    Mariupol, Donetsk Oblast, Eastern Ukraine

    Interested in
    Media / PR / Sales

  • Vika Dashkovska

    Volunteer work
    Lviv book forum and Festival European Heritage Days

    From
    Khmelnytskyi, Western Ukraine

    Top issues
    • lack of qualified teachers and adequate teaching materials
    • inequality
    • ecology

    Interested in
    Finance / Business / Economics / Entrepreneurship / Marketing / Sales

  • Bohdana Hura

    Volunteer work
    Facilitating psychological support groups as part of the "Children and War" program and providing guidance and care for children from Mariupol during a 7-day camp

    From
    Lviv, Lviv Oblast, Western Ukraine

    Top issues
    • empowering youth development
    • enhancing psychological well-being for military and civilians
    • addressing the gap in financial literacy

    Interested in
    Finance / Business / Economics / Entrepreneurship / Marketing / Sales

  • Darya Fyodorova

    From
    Velyka Novosilka, Donetsk Oblast, Eastern Ukraine

    Top issues
    • patriarchy embedded in the structures of education and work
    • environmental problems in Ukraine
    • diminishing social responsibility

    Interested in
    Healthcare / Medicine / Science / Research Activities

Our Partners

  • Golda Meir Institute for Civil Society Development
  •  Kyiv School of Public Administration