TORONTO – After an extensive global search, the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) announced the appointment of Mariia Kupriianova as its executive director.
Mariia Kupriianova, executive director of the Ukrainian World Congress.
In her new role, which began November 1, Ms. Kupriianova will be responsible for leading UWC’s operations, managing staff and supporting volunteer-led committees. In collaboration with the UWC Board and Executive Committee, she will represent and advocate the UWC’s positions to global stakeholders, including governments, civil society and supporters.
Ms. Kupriianova will oversee initiatives that will focus on UWC’s three strategic priorities, namely:
– ending Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and protecting the interests of Ukrainians around the world;
– supporting the development of Ukraine as a successful and sovereign European nation;
– ensuring a strong global Ukrainian diaspora.
UWC President Paul Grod stated: “I am delighted that Mariia has agreed to take on this senior leadership role at UWC. During our rigorous selection process, we interviewed many highly qualified candidates. I would like to thank the UWC search committee members for their work which successfully concluded in the appointment of a highly competent executive director. Mariia brings a breadth of experience in advocacy and stakeholder engagement, a global perspective, in-depth understanding of modern-day Ukraine and, most importantly, her strong commitment to the UWC mission and vision. She is an outstanding addition to our team. I am excited about the unique combination of proven leadership, fund-raising and project management skills. Mariia’s intellect and energy will certainly strengthen the UWC’s impact in Ukraine and across our communities globally.”
With over a decade of experience working with British and Ukrainian government organizations, as well as for the not for profit sector in Canada, Ms. Kupriianova brings a wealth of experience in the areas of advocacy, senior stakeholder relationships, strategic planning, organizational management, fund-raising and team leadership.
In her recent role with the United Kingdom’s Department for International Trade, based at the British Embassy in Kyiv, Ms. Kupriianova led a team of professionals in developing long-term high profile partnerships, spearheaded large-scale bilateral trade and investment projects, as well as successful trade development and communications campaigns. Ms. Kupriianova holds a number of prestigious awards, including U.K. Department for International Trade Global Champion Award for Outstanding Leadership (2018).
“Having cooperated closely with Mariia on a number of high-profile and impactful projects during her time at the British Embassy in Kyiv, I am excited to see her join UWC in an executive role. Mariia represents a new generation of performance-driven motivated young Ukrainian leaders committed to Ukraine’s prosperity. Her international government advocacy and partnership-building skills will be a tremendous asset in implementing the UWC’s ambitious agenda – to build solidarity among the Ukrainian global diaspora and promote the interests of Ukrainian people throughout the world,” commented Daniel Bilak, chairman of UkraineInvest, the Ukrainian government’s investment promotion agency.
Ms. Kupriianova had delivered successful fund-raising projects for various causes in Ukraine over the last 10 years, engaging donors and coordinating diverse teams of volunteers to ensure lasting impact. She speaks five languages (English, Ukrainian, French, Russian and Spanish). She earned her MBA from Vadym Hetman Kyiv National Economic University (in a joint program with Groupe ICN Ecole de Management, Nancy), and also holds a master of arts (honors) in French language and literature from Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University.
“I am honored by this opportunity to work with our dynamic global community, committed volunteers, partners and donors, experienced board and talented staff to help UWC deliver on its vision. I know from my own experience the role that diaspora plays in building modern Ukraine for the future generations. We are all Ukrainians, no matter where we live, and it is in that spirit that I begin my work for UWC,” stated Ms. Kupriianova.
The executive director of the Ukrainian World Congress reports to the president and Executive Committee of the UWC and is responsible for the organization’s consistent achievement of its mission and financial objectives.
The UWC is the international coordinating body for Ukrainian communities in the diaspora representing the interests of over 20 million Ukrainians in 64 countries. The UWC is a member of the United Nations Economic and Social Council as a non-governmental organization with special consultative status and has participatory status as an international non-governmental organization with the Council of Europe. The UWC is headquartered in Toronto with missions in Kyiv, Brussels and New York.