Yuliya Tychkivska Named Among Vogue Ukraine Leaders 2026

Yuliya Tychkivska, Executive Director of Aspen Institute Kyiv, has been named among Vogue Ukraine Leaders 2026, the annual edition dedicated to people whose work is shaping Ukraine today and contributing to its future. The Class of 2026 brings together leaders from culture, civil society, media, and other fields.

In an in-depth profile for the new edition of Vogue Ukraine, Yuliya reflects on her eight years at Aspen Institute Kyiv, the Institute’s mission, and the people it brings together for challenging conversations. One of the central themes of the interview is the ability to engage in dialogue with those whose views may differ significantly from our own.

“Our mission can be summed up in three words: dialogue, leadership, action. We help participants find common ground and turn conversations into decisions and change,” Yuliya says.

For Aspen Institute Kyiv, dialogue does not necessarily mean reaching agreement. Its value often lies precisely in the opportunity to hear a different perspective and seek mutual understanding where views diverge.

“Our superpower is bringing together people with different views — people who disagree and sometimes do not share each other’s values at all, yet are capable of engaging in dialogue. The goal is not consensus, but creating space for mutual understanding.”

Yuliya also speaks about leadership and its deeply human dimension.

“Leadership is impossible without love. It is an incredibly important ability — to understand people, to feel, and to love them.”

Another part of the profile explores Yuliya’s personal journey: from Plast and her studies at the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy to working on reforms after the Maidan, studying at Oxford, and leading Aspen Institute Kyiv. She reflects on combining motherhood and work, experiencing exhaustion and searching for balance, as well as returning to the piano after many years away from it.

“I believe in harmony within a particular moment. In the ability to accept circumstances as they are, listen to yourself, and make a conscious choice,” Yuliya says.

The profile also looks towards the future of Aspen Institute Kyiv and two major aspirations Yuliya has for its development. For her, this work extends far beyond a professional role:

“It is something bigger than yourself. These are the moments that give you a sense of mission and the strength to keep moving forward.”

Yuliya Tychkivska’s full profile appears in the third annual edition of Vogue Ukraine Leaders 2026.

We congratulate Yuliya on this recognition and thank Vogue Ukraine for highlighting her work and the work of Aspen Institute Kyiv.