Oksana Kovalenko is the Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Economics at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.  She is the co-owner and creative director at 2KOLYORY, a brand of national ethnic clothing. She previously worked as an associate professor of the Department of Economic Theory and Micro- and Macroeconomics of the Faculty of Economics. Oksana has also authored youth programs for the Diia.Business. Oksana received her master's and doctorate degrees in Economics at the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.  

IVLP Impact Award Project: The School for Future Leaders

This project developed the soft skills of 150 to 200 young people who learned about leadership and entrepreneurial skills. Ten workshops were organized covering topics such as public speaking, team building and business development. Mentors also worked with participants in weekly min-groups to assist with homework and develop the idea for the students' final projects. Featured workshop speakers included Iuna Potomkina (IVLP alumna), Oleksandr Marikovsky (Member of Parliament) and Solomiia Vitvitska (1+1 Media news presenter).

Explore Oksana's insights on her IVLP Impact Award project and IVLP experience in this in-depth article, highlighting the power of global collaboration and cultural exchange: IVLP Impact Awards Perspectives: Future Leaders of Ukraine | Meridian Blog

"I have understood what leadership is. I have learned to communicate with people, work in a team, and solve important issues." – Project Participant

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Oksana participated in the IVLP Project Women and Entrepreneurship II, organized by the U.S. Department of State and the Institute of International Education, in partnership with World Affairs Council of Philadelphia, World Affairs Council of Dallas/Fort Worth, International Citizen Diplomacy of Los Angeles, and Global Ties KC.

Oksana's exchange experience led to the development of her IVLP Impact Award Project: "An important part of the project is the mentoring program for alumni and leaders, which allows experts to join youth initiatives and serves as a kind of guide in their implementation."

U.S. Communities Visited

Los Angeles, CA; Washington, DC; Kansas City, MO; Philadelphia, PA; Dallas, TX

Country: Ukraine

Click here to go back to the IVLP Impact Awards Main Page