Executive Team

She has many years of management experience in educational institutions. Yuliya served as a Vice President at Kyiv School of Economics (KSE). She worked as a Head of the advisory group for Ukrainian Minister of Economic Development and Trade. Yulia is a co-founder of Bendukidze Free Market Centre. She is a civic activist in Ukraine and founder of the Open University of Maidan. Yuliya graduated in Atlas Leadership Academy and Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. In 2018, Forbes selected her as a top 30 under 30 in Europe in Law and Policy field for her role in the building of civil society in Ukraine.

Civil Society Development Expert: Since 2016, Program Development Director at the Aspen Institute Kyiv; since 2007, cooperated with the Aspen Ukraine Initiative as a moderator; Program Development Manager of the International Renaissance Foundation, an expert and project coordinator of the UN Development Program in Ukraine; Degree in psychiatry.

Specalist with 20 years of international experience in organizing business, educational and cultural events in Ukraine and abroad, including Seoul and Beijing. Has managerial experience in recruitment companies. In 2010, she joined the Aspen Initiative in Ukraine as the project leader of The Responsible Leadership seminars and worked on the development of the Aspen-Ukraine Alumni Association. Today she heads the seminar programs of the Aspen Institute in Kyiv.

Olena Fomina is Ukrainian lawyer and programs director. She joined the team of the Aspen Institute Kyiv in February 2019 and occupied different positions, including Justice and Law Program Coordinator, Good Governance Program Director and Director of core Policy Programs at the Aspen Institute Kyiv (Good Governance, Justice and Law, Media, National Identity and Cybersecurity). She is an Attorney-at-law (BAR certificate, 2009) and Insolvency Practitioner (certificate, 2019). Before joining the Aspen Institute Kyiv, Olena led Bankruptcy and Tax practices at Nobili Law Firm (2015-2019) and was awarded as one of the TOP-100 UA Best Lawyers: Leader of Tax Practice: 2015, 2017, 2018. Olena graduated from Yaroslav Mudryi National Law University, CELLI Institute (Prague) on International Bankruptcy Models, and Kyiv Mohyla Business School on Mediation. She is a member of the Ukrainian Bar Association and held the position of the Vice-Chairman of the Bankruptcy Committee of the Ukrainian Advocates‘ Association (2019-2021). She is the author of more than 50 publications on legal and socio-economic issues in national media. Olena participated in the seminar "Justice, Law and Society" (Aspen Institute Kyiv, 2018) and is an active member of Aspen Community since then.

Media Manager and Media Expert. Program Activity Director at Internews-Ukraine Public Organization. Master’s degree in Philosophy History at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. Attended the Aspen Institute seminar (USA) in 2006. Co-founder of the Ukraine Aspen Club.

Primarily responsible for coordinating communications at Aspen Institute Kyiv. Ms. Zabotkina possesses practical communication experience in both the public and private sectors, specifically working in the Ukrainian Parliament (Verkhovna Rada) and Shipping Administration. She has a strong focus on PR, copywriting, and organizing PR events. Moreover, she has experience in electoral campaigns. Ms. Zabotkina is also passionate about studying sign language, translating songs for people with hearing impairments, playing chess, and dedicating her free time to running and cycling. Education: Management of Foreign Economic Activity and International Relations.

Alona joined the team in October 2023, providing administrative and operational support for the organization's projects, including financial operations and grant reporting. She holds a master's degree in accounting and auditing. Alona has worked at a Big Four company and an international express delivery service.

Дарина координує програму для підлітків Aspen Teens. Також відповідає за підготовку та організацію подій інших програмних напрямів. Приєдналася до команди Аспен Інституту Київ у 2025 році. Має досвід роботи в міжнародних та громадських організаціях, серед яких програма USAID «RADA: Next Generation» та організація освітніх проєктів для молоді. У студентські часи Дарина активно долучалася до діяльності Ради студентів ІМВ КНУ та вела колонку у студентському часописі «Міжнародник». За освітою — магістр міжнародних відносин та соціальних комунікацій (Інститут міжнародних відносин КНУ імені Тараса Шевченка), також навчалася за обміном в Цюрихському університеті за напрямком Media Research and Communications. Вільно володіє англійською та німецькою мовами. Серед захоплень — вивчення мов, пілатес і читання.

At Aspen Institute Kyiv, Tetiana primarily oversees event organization. She facilitates communication with participants, alumni, and community members. Additionally, she is responsible for the Institute's office functions. Tetiana is a lecturer and PhD laureate in Geography at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. She has worked in education for 7 years, gaining experience in providing general organizational support for university research activities and scientific guidance (Theses, Bachelor's Qualifications). In addition, she authorizes over 20 academic publications, including articles in professional journals and materials from international and all-Ukrainian conferences. Tetiana is also a History and Geography Faculty Graduate at the V. G. Korolenko Poltava National Pedagogical University.

Marina Boiarchuk is a Coordinator at the Aspen Institute Kyiv. She helps to develop and implement Aspen Teens program, a policy program of the Aspen Institute Kyiv. Before joining the Aspen Institute Kyiv, Marina served in the Investment banking company. Marina also served as a Teach, having taught French language and literature at the University and Primary School. After graduation she studied Literature at the Università degli studi di Roma “Tor Vergata” in Italy.