About the Canada-Ukraine Foundation

Established at the 18th Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC), The Canada-Ukraine Foundation was formed in order to coordinate, develop, organize and deliver assistance projects generated by Canadians and directed to Ukraine.

There will always be a need for an institution to monitor, provide & promote commercial, technical and humanitarian aid; to assess and evaluate projects; to foster cooperation and communication among aid providers; to assist in establishing priorities and developing projects that will maximize impact and cost effectiveness; and to act as a forum that brings together individuals and organizations from the community, private and public sectors, which are interested in providing assistance to Ukraine.

CUF therefore was established as a national charitable foundation that would coordinate with Canadian organizations that have projects in Ukraine, as well as other projects in Canada.

Vision Statement

To assist in the development of a democratic nation with a civil society that maintains and develops culture, tradition and language in Ukraine by strengthening strategic partnerships in Canada and Ukraine.

Mission Statement

To attain the vision by supporting, funding and managing humanitarian, economic development, governance and rule of law projects that focus on Ukraine.

Our Charitable Objectives

Relief of poverty

Advancement of Education

Advancement of Religion

Other Purposes beneficial to the Community

To uphold the law by providing observers to assist in carrying out elections in a lawful manner

To do all things that are ancillary and incidental to the achievement of the above charitable objects

Our sources of funding

Donations from the public and private individuals

Membership recruitment

Wills and estates

Government of Canada projects

Projects of Provincial governments

Government of Ukraine — In Kind Assistance

Corporate sponsorship

CUF additionally has a charitable number to issue tax receipts for contributions to projects in Ukraine.

The work of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation is overseen by the following volunteer members of the Board of Directors:

Executive Officers:

National Executive:

Board of Directors:

Lubomyr Markevych

Katherine Smolynec

Corporate Members:

  • Brotherhood of Ukrainian Catholics
  • Council of Ukrainian Credit Unions
  • Help Us Help
  • League of Ukrainian Canadians
  • Plast Ukrainian Youth Association of Canada
  • Ukrainian Canadian Congress, National
  • Ukrainian Canadian Congress Ontario Provincial Council
  • Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Alberta Provincial Council
  • Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Manitoba Provincial Council
  • Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Saskatchewan Provincial Council
  • Ukrainian Canadian Social Services
  • Ukrainian National Federation
  • Ukrainian Self Reliance League

How does CUF benefit its members?

CUF adds value to work its members do, without duplicating or competing with the projects of member organizations. CUF’s activities:
  • foster coordination among Canadian community projects in Ukraine
  • eliminate duplication by sharing information
  • help members get more quality and impact for their project dollar by accumulating shared experiences
  • contribute funding to community-wide, priority projects
  • conduct research and evaluations, setting standards for volunteer community projects
  • encourage public interest, volunteerism and contributions by all Canadians
  • recognize corporations that support charitable work in Ukraine
CUF continually monitors and actively researches what governments and other foundations are doing in Ukraine.
Oksana Kuzyshyn

Oksana Kuzyshyn

• Chief Operating Officer (COO), Chair of Civil Society Committee.
• Major Oksana Kuzyshyn graduated from McGill University in 1983 with a Bachelor of Arts (Economics). She joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1985 and completed her training as a Logistics Supply Officer.

Oksana deployed with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), Israel as the Supply Platoon Officer from 1998 – 1999. Upon her return, she was posted to Area Support Unit (ASU) Calgary where she was the Deputy Commanding Officer. In 2000 she was promoted to the rank of Major and was posted to Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Studies (CFSAS) Winnipeg as a staff officer. Major Kuzyshyn transferred to the Reserve Force in January 2001 and worked as the G4 Operations Officer 41 Canadian Brigade Group in Calgary. In September 2003, Oksana moved to Toronto and held a number of positions at Land Force Central Area. She deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina in May 2004 and worked as the Logistics Plans Officer with the Stabilization Force (SFOR) headquarters in Sarajevo. In 2008, her husband’s career had the family moving back to Calgary, where Major Kuzyshyn returned to 41 CBG as the Community Affairs Officer. After the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti in 2010, she deployed to the military headquarters of United Nations Stabilization Mission (MINUSTAH) as the U4 Logistics Operations Officer. Oksana is a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal. Oksana has been working for the Federal Government as a contracts officer since her retirement from the Canadian Armed Forces in May 2014.

Oksana and her husband John moved to Montreal in 2017, where they plan to retire. Oksana is a member of the Ukrainian Youth Association CYM, a board member of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, an active member of the Ukrainian community in Montreal, and currently is the President of the League of Ukrainian Canadian Women.

Victor Hetmanczuk

Over the last 50 years, Victor has taken on many leadership challenges in the Ukrainian Canadian Community.

He was elected to 20 years on the Consistory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada – 10 of them as Treasurer.

He was the Founding President of the UOCC Foundation (2002-2009).

Served as President of the St. Volodymyr Ukrainian Orthodox Cultural Centre in Oakville (1990-1995).

Elected as Treasurer of the Ukrainian World Foundation (2011-2016). Was a Board member of the Ukrainian Care Centre in Toronto.

During his term as President of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (2013-2020), he organized and financed seven medical missions from Canada to Ukraine staffed by volunteer Canadian medical professionals to treat wounded soldiers injured from the 2014 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Oversaw the management of the Holodomor Awareness Tour – a mobile classroom that travelled across Canada visited by over 54,000 students and adults.

He is serving as Chair of CUF at the present time.

Bradley Sutherland

Bradley Sutherland

CFO and Treasurer

Chief Financial Officer, Ukrainian Credit Union Limited

Olesia Luciw-Andryjowycz

Olesia is an Active Community member of the Ukrainian Community.

Recent Olesia was the Vice-President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, under the leadership of Alexandra Chyczij. The UCC has pushed for sanctions against Russia and helped establish a VISA program to allow Ukrainian Nationals to come to Canada for the next 3 years. UCC has worked with Government to establish federal funding for the Displaced Ukrainians and continues to push for increased assistance for Nationals and for increased sanctions against Russia. 

 

 

Olesia is Board member and Executive Director with Canada Ukraine Foundation (CUF) and in-turn Olesia is an active with the CUF/UCC Humanitarian Relief Committee (UHRC) which is responsible for the distribution of the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal Fund (UHAF). Initially Olesia was one of four members of this committee when the was broke out until she stepped down from the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.  Since the war broke, Olesia together with the small team under the Chairmanship of Victor Hetmanczuk, have disbursed Humanitarian aid which includes assistance to Displaced Persons, medical care, emergency shelter, and food security.  The team has established partnerships to provide surgery for the wounded, medications, medical equipment from x-rays to wound vacs, first aid kits, Firefighting gear, Food boxes, meals, Buckwheat for harvest, shelter, transport, children camps in Europe and Canada, mental health supports, Ukrainian children’s books for Polish libraries, Hygiene kits, and provision of winter necessities such blankets, thermal clothing, heating supplies, generators, mobile shelters in Ukraine, etc.

 

As President / Vice-President / Past president Ukrainian Canadian Congress: Alberta Provincial Council, Olesia has bee actively involved as over the last 10 years in helping the Ukrainian cause here in Canada and Ukraine. Olesia led UCC APC as the war broke out in Crimea and the Donbas area 2014 which included media informatics, rallies & demonstrations, working with provincial government, etc. Under her leadership raised for humanitarian and medical needs in Ukraine within the first 2 months of the war breaking out in Donbas in 2014. Worked with Government of Alberta and visited Ukraine on official capacity to Ukraine’s Lvivska and IvanFrankivsks Oblast to renew the sister agreement with the province and the two Oblasts.  Campaigned tirelessly to have a Ukrainian Consulate here in Edmonton.  Opened the Consulate together with Federal, Provincial and Local Politicians in 2018. 

 

As a National Director of Ukrainian Canadian Women League, Olesia helped organize an Interdisciplinary Rehabilitation Program for Ukraine’s Military Veteran Hospitals in the fall of 2021 for just under 300 Ukrainian Healthcare providers. This program was completed under the auspices of the leadership of the Guardian Angels Committee.  Locally, Olesia was one of three liaisons for Ukrainian Displaced persons in Edmonton and surrounding area, who’s responsibility was to link new displaced person with Mentors who would assist displaced individuals in the first few weeks of arrival during the first six months of the war breaking our in Ukraine.

 

As a Board Director of ACUA (Alberta Council of the Ukrainian Arts) Olesia has worked with Artists to establish an Art for Aid program in 2014 and once again in the spring of 2022, which currently continues. Over $20,000 has been raised for Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal Fund, this year alone, and over $25,000 in 2014-2015 for the front lines through the sale of Art in Edmonton alone. New Displaced Artists have found a home in Alberta and have recently had showings of their work, so they could continue to establish themselves as Artists in Canada as the war continues in Ukraine.

 

Olesia has Been recognized for her community work and been awarded:

·       Cross of Ivan Mazepa medal from the President of Ukraine (2017),

·       Sanctioned from Russia (2022),

·       Queen Elizabeth Platinum Award (2022), 

·       Local Hero Award by SHUMKA Dancers, and

·       HETMAN award by the UCC APC (2022)

Gerry Luciuk

• Chair of the Saskatchewan Ukraine Relations Advisory Committee. He is also a Board member and Vice Chair of the Canada Ukraine Centre Inc.
• Gerald Luciuk is a retired Saskatchewan born and educated resident with a distinguished history of public service and dedicated community involvement.

A soil scientist by training, Gerald worked with provincial and federal departments of agriculture where he was responsible for pivotal studies on land degradation and soil conservation on the Canadian Prairies. Subsequently, he directed programs for promotion of sustainable agriculture and improved soil and water resource management across the Western Canadian Prairie Region.

Gerald extended his Canadian experience to international development in sustainable agriculture beginning with scientific cooperation in Russia. With the collapse of the Former Soviet Union, his agricultural background led to participation in the first Government of Canada technical planning mission to Ukraine charged with establishing sector programs of development assistance to the newly independent Ukraine. Subsequently, he has been an instrumental leader in numerous strategic policy and technical assistance initiatives in Ukraine including a project as policy mentor in 1993 with the Deputy Minister of Economic Planning in the Ministry of Agrarian Policy of Ukraine. His work in international development continued as a director to a China-Canada CIDA funded project on sustainable agriculture in Inner Mongolia. His involvement in the promotion of sustainable agriculture in Canada and abroad resulted in the publication of a number of scientific papers, presentations and reports on issues of environmentally sustainable land and water management.

Throughout his professional career, Gerald Luciuk has been actively involved in the Ukrainian cultural and religious community. He is a long time director of the St. Petro Mohyla Institute. At the local level, Gerald has maintained an active participation in his local Ukrainian Orthodox Parishes in Regina and earlier in Saskatoon. As a member of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Regina Council he was instrumental in establishing interim programs for English language learning for new Ukrainian immigrants to Saskatchewan. At the national religious community level, Gerald served a Board member of the Consistory of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Canada from 1999 through to 2010. As a Consistory member, he chaired an Episcopal Search and Development Committee that was instrumental in securing two new young Bishops for the UOCC in 2008. He continues to chair the By-Laws and Joint UOCC-Ukrainian Self Reliance League Standing Committees.

In the area of Provincial community affairs, Gerald Luciuk served on successive advisory committees to the Saskatchewan Government on Saskatchewan Ukraine relations. In 2009, he was appointed as Chair of the Saskatchewan Ukraine Relations Advisory Committee. He is also a Board member and Vice Chair of the Canada Ukraine Centre Inc, a not-for-profit group dedicated to the promotion of mutually beneficial collaboration between Ukraine and Canada on science and technical innovation.

Yaroslav Baran

Yaroslav Baran is a member of the board of directors and executive of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation.  He chairs the Displaced Persons sub-committee which administers the in-Canada support for Ukrainians temporarily sheltering in Canada from Russia’s war of aggression.

In his day job, Mr. Baran is a partner and co-founder of Pendulum, a communications consultancy.  He has worked in public affairs for over fifteen years, having previously been the national Communications practice lead of one of Canada’s largest public affairs firms.

The Hamilton, Ontario, native has lived in Ottawa since 1997. He worked for several years as a House of Commons proceduralist in the Office of the Chief Opposition Whip before embarking on a career in political communications. He managed the press office of the Office of the Leader of the Opposition for numerous years, served as Director of Communications in former prime minister Stephen Harper’s leadership campaign, and ran “war room” communications for the conservative Party through three successive election campaigns – in 2004, 2006 and 2008. He concluded his time in government in 2010 as chief of staff to the Chief Government Whip, and later as chief of staff to the Government House Leader.

He is also chair of the board of the Parliamentary Centre, an Ottawa-based democratic development NGO, and teaches as Practitioner-in-Residence with the Masters program in Political Management at Carleton University.

Bohdan Romaniuk

• Vice-President, Alberta
• Bohdan Romaniuk is a lawyer, economist and an experienced business executive having held a number of senior executive positions in both very large and smaller enterprises over a business career spanning 30 years.

Bohdan remains active in a number of business ventures, and chairs the Boards and/or Audit Committees of both publicly listed and private companies involved in oil and gas exploration, high speed computing and biotechnology. He was appointed a part-time Commissioner of the Alberta Utilities Commission in October 2012 pursuant to an Order-in-Council of the Alberta government. Bohdan received his B.A. (Honours) in Economics from the University of Alberta, an M.A. and Ph.D. (a.b.d.) in Economics from Queen’s University and an LL.B. from the University of Toronto.

Between 2001 and 2012, Bohdan served on the Investment Committee of the Shevchenko Foundation. He has also served on the Executive Committee of the Calgary Ukrainian Canadian Professional and Business Association since 2007 and has been President since 2011. Bohdan was an active member of SUSK in the mid-1970s and has been involved in the Ukrainian Youth Association of Canada in various capacities since 1962.

Bohdan is a member of the International Telecommunications Society, where he has held the position of Secretariat since 2005, after serving 10 years on the Board of Directors. He also served for several years on the Board of the Calgary Opera Association. He has been a member of the Law Society of Upper Canada (Ontario) since 1988. Bohdan is also an avid fly fisherman and maintains a lifelong interest in amateur astronomy.

Bohdan Kolos

• Chair of Education Committee.
• Bohdan Kolos is President of Plast, Ukrainian Youth Association of Canada (Ukrainian Scouting). Bohdan graduated from Western University, earned a Masters of Education degree from the University of Toronto, and became a Certified Health Executive and Certified Management Accountant.

After working for 25 years as an educator, he now is active in a number of charities in Canada and Ukraine. He represents “Friends of Dzherelo” on the CUF Board.

Bohdan has filled many leadership roles with Plast. Locally, nationally and internationally he contributes to Plast programing and governance. Bohdan has been actively involved on the Boards of a number of charities: Canadian Ukrainian Art Foundation, Shevchenko Scientific Society of Canada, Children of Chornobyl Canadian Fund, Dzherelo Children’s Rehabilitation Centre (Lviv), and St. Nicholas church parish council.

In Ukraine, Bohdan developed and regularly teaches courses for secondary school administrators, and coordinates a students’ stipend fund in seven universities and schools in Western Ukraine. On four occasions Bohdan worked as an observer and team leader in short term election monitoring in Ukraine for the Canadian government, and once, in Moldova for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). Bohdan considers himself a seasoned traveler, an adventure hiker-camper, and an arts and culture admirer.

Roman Litwinchuk

• Chief Operating Officer of Ukrainian Credit Union Limited,President of the Board of Compass Charitable Foundation.
• Roman Litwinchuk, CPA, ACUIC is the Chief Operating Officer of Ukrainian Credit Union Limited.

Roman has worked in the Credit Union system for over 30 years with various credit unions and in many leadership roles. His experience includes finance, accounting, operations, sales, service, information technology, and project management.

Roman studied engineering at the University of Toronto before embarking on his financial career. He is a Chartered Professional Accountant and an Associate of the Credit Union Institute of Canada.

He is the President of the Board of Compass Charitable Foundation (non-profit housing foundation), and past Treasurer of the Ukrainian National Federation, a member of the Credit Union Manager’s Association and a member of St. Elias Ukrainian Catholic Church in Brampton.

Dana Bagan

• Dana Bagan is a licensed pharmacist. She is a member of the Board of the Children of Chornobyl Canadian Fund and Head of the Medical Committee of the Fund.
• Over the past 25 years Dana Bagan has been involved with the Children of Chornobyl Canadian Fund.

In her capacity as a Board member and Head of the Medical Committee of the Fund, she participated in six medical missions to Ukraine where we oversaw numerous projects and programs in healthcare. Her team performed due diligence on behalf of the fund, ensuring that all donated medical equipment and supplies were used appropriately but also identified important gaps in medical education and training. The medical missions provided us with insight into the healthcare system in Ukraine and the challenges faced by Ukrainian health care professionals.

She currently serves on the Board of the Ukrainian Canadian Care Centre where she chairs the Quality and Risk Management Committee.

Dana Bagan holds a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Toronto, is a licensed pharmacist and member of numerous professional associations.

Peter Stephen Sochan

• Corporate Secretary.
• Peter Sochan has an M.B.A. and B.A. from the University of Western Ontario. He has been the Chief Executive Officer of several corporations and a Member of several Corporate Boards.

In Ukraine, Peter was a member of the Secretariate of the Council of Advisors to the Presidium of the Parliament of Ukraine and the International Centre for Policy Studies and advised the government on economic and financial services legislation. He also advised the State Export Import Bank on the negotiation of terms, conditions and documentation for loans and bank lines of credit obtained by Ukraine from foreign governments and supranational financial agencies. He advised and assisted the National Bank of Ukraine and commercial banks in the development, drafting and implementation of prudential regulatory reporting under International Accounting and Auditing Standards. He was also responsible for coordination of agricultural economic reform and advisory services for a USAID financed project where he advised the Ukrainian government and the private sector.

Peter developed and taught MBA banking and finance courses at International Management Institute (IMI) in Kyiv, developed training courses, and lectured on economics, finance and banking for the World Bank, the European Union-TACIS Center for Privatization, the Institute for Public Management and Government and KPMG Barents.

Peter has been involved as a Long Term Observer for the CUF Election Observer Mission in Ukraine in 2012 and as Chief Observer for the Ukrainian World Congress for reruns of parliamentary elections in 2013.

Peter has been involved in Ukrainian Canadian community organizations including parish councils, as an executive member of local Ukrainian Canadian Professional and Business Clubs, and social services and a senior citizen’s home and community care centre.

Christine Brezden

Christine Brezden

Dr. Christine Brezden-Masley is a practicing Medical Oncologist and the Director of the Marvelle Koffler Breast Centre at Mount Sinai Hospital. She is the Medical Director of the Cancer Program at Sinai Health System. She obtained her PhD in Medical Biophysics at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto and her Medical Degree from the University of Toronto.

She is currently an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto, an Associate Scientist at the Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, and an Associate Scientist at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute.

Andrij Tarapacky

• Chair of Governance Committee.
• Andrew Tarapacky is principal of Projects at Work Inc. providing project and program management consulting services for the development and delivery of new products and services, technologies and processes. His clients include Sprint, TELUS Communications, Rogers Communications, Loblaw and Blackberry (previously known as Research in Motion).

Prior to starting Projects at Work, Andrew worked in Insurance, Banking and Telecommunications industries in progressively more senior management positions.

Andrew is a graduate of University of Toronto where he majored in Economics. He holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) and ITIL designation and is a member of the Project Management Institute.

In addition to the Board appointment at CUF, Andrew is on the Board of multiple organizations. These include as follows: 1) Secretary of the Board at BCU Financial (Buduchnist Credit Union) where he also chairs the Audit and Technology Committees, 2) Executive and treasurer of Plast Canada, 3) Executive and treasurer of the Council of Ukrainian Credit Unions (CUCUC), 4) Executive and treasurer of the League of Ukrainian Canadians (LUC National). In addition to these roles, Andrew chairs the Audit Committee at Ukrainian Canadian Congress (Toronto Branch) and is Audit committee member for Homin Ukrainy (Ukrainian Echo) Newspaper.

Roman Waschuk

Roman Waschuk

A CHANGING OF THE AMBASSADORIAL GUARD AT THE CANADA-UKRAINE FOUNDATION

The Canada-Ukraine Foundation (“CUF”) went through a changing of “the Diplomatic Guard” at its recent Board of Directors meeting on January 30th, 2021.

Canada’s former Ambassador to Ukraine Derek Fraser – one of CUF’s longest serving Board members – where he served for over 13 ½ years – retired from active service, and was replaced by Roman Waschuk, Canada’s most recent former Ambassador.

The Board of CUF heartily thanked Ambassador Fraser for his service to Canada and to CUF, and warmly welcomed Ambassador Waschuk to the Board.

Derek Fraser served as Canada’s Ambassador to Ukraine from 1998 to 2001, during the latter part of the Kuchma Presidency and Victor Yuschenko’s Prime Ministership. He also served as Canada’s Ambassador to Greece and Budapest during the years of the Fall of the Soviet Union, and had previously served in Saigon, Bonn, Moscow, and Brussels – all major postings during critical times. He returned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after his Kyiv posting, and was considered as one of the Deans of the Diplomatic Corps. He retired from the service to move to Victoria, B.C., became Adjunct Professor at the Centre for Global Studies at the University of Victoria, and shortly thereafter in 2007 joined the CUF Board.

In thanking Derek for his years of service to CUF, the Chair of the Board, Bohdan Onyschuk, said: “The Ambassador gave us great advice for almost 14 years on civil society, politics, who was who in Ukraine, and what directions we should go. But Derek also went well beyond that expected of a Board member, when in 2012 he agreed to take on the role of Head of Mission and Chief Observer of the Long-Term Observer (LTO) Mission that CUF fielded for the 2012 Parliamentary Elections -the most critical Ukraine election during President Yanukovych’s term in office as President from 2010 to 2014. CUF fielded the first LTO to a Ukrainian election by any NGO (other than that of the OSCE) from July 5, 2012 to the October 28 elections. His reports on the gerrymandering of electoral boundaries, vote buying, pressure on journalists and attack on the TVI news channel and its owner, were all important findings that lead to only one conclusion on that election.”


Derek Fraser will continue to serve on the CUF/International Foundation Fundraising Committee for the new National Holodomor Museum being built in Kyiv, for which CUF is the North American and European fundraising partner of the International Foundation for the Museum in Kyiv.

The CUF Board then turned to welcoming former Ambassador Roman Waschuk to its Board.

Ambassador Waschuk is very well known for his achievements in diplomatic circles, particularly for his double tour of duty during trying times as Canada’s Ambassador to Ukraine from 2014 to 2019, and the Russian invasion of Crimea and the Donbass.

He previously served as Ambassador to Serbia, with concurrent accreditation to Macedonia and Montenegro in the Balkans. Before that he had served as second secretary for politics in Moscow, as minister-counsellor in Berlin, and senior advisor in Kyiv in counsellor positions going back to 1994-98. In Ottawa, between postings, he held positions of deputy director of the EU Division, deputy director of the Policy Planning Division, director of the Global Partnership for Biological and Chemical Weapons Non-proliferation, and director of the Stabilization and Reconstruction Program Division.

Derek Fraser commented on Roman Waschuk’s achievements, saying: “Roman was identified as one of the brightest people dealing with Eastern Europe after only one month of service as a very young man in the Canadian embassy in Moscow in the 1980’s.” As Director of Relations in Eastern Europe and in subsequent postings Derek followed Roman Waschuk’s career closely. He opined that he was “very confident Roman will be able to provide a lot of diplomatic background relating to CUF”.

Roman Waschuk will be a terrific replacement to Derek Fraser and will serve alongside CUF’s other Canadian Ambassador to Ukraine, Andrew Robinson, who served in Kyiv during the Orange Revolution. Ambassador Waschuk’s knowledge of the current situation on the ground in Ukraine, in economics, politics, civil society and rule of law will be invaluable to CUF in its strategic planning and delivery of projects in Ukraine for its development as a strong democratic post-Soviet nation. He will also join the CUF/International Foundation Fundraising Committee for the new National Holodomor Museum project in Kyiv.

The CEO of CUF, Orest Sklierenko, said: “Ambassador Fraser – we are truly grateful for your years of service to the people of Canada, the people of Ukraine and as a board member of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation. Your advice has helped CUF deliver on its mandate of providing assistance projects to Ukraine for over 13.5 years. Ambassador Waschuk, we are equally grateful to you for your service and we look forward to learning from your experiences, insights, and knowledge. Today’s transition between the former ambassadors on CUF’s Board of Directors demonstrates the importance of institutional memory and thoughtful succession planning. The continued commitment from both Ambassador Waschuk and Ambassador Robinson underlines the importance of the role CUF will continue to play in providing assistance to Ukraine in the areas of Healthcare, Education and Civil Society for many years to come.”

Andrew Robinson

Andrew Robinson

Andrew Robinson is a former Canadian diplomat who, amongst other assignments, served as Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine from 2001 to 2005, including during the Orange Revolution. During his assignment in Ukraine he was actively involved in support of the rule of law and free and fair elections in Ukraine, as well as support for Canadian business and for a closer relationship between Ukraine and western institutions.

Roman Petryshyn

Roman Petryshyn

• Former Director of the Ukrainian Resource and Development Centre (URDC) at Grant MacEwan College.
• Roman Petryshyn is a founding member of the Canada Ukraine Foundation (CUF) and the former director of the Ukrainian Resource and Development Centre (URDC) at Grant MacEwan University where he held the Drs. Peter and Doris Kule Chair in Ukrainian Community and International Development.

Roman holds a Phd. in Sociology of Race and Ethnic Relations from the University of Bristol, England and a Diploma in Social Sciences from the University of Birmingham, as well as a Masters and Bachelor degrees in Clinical psychology from Lakehead University. He has worked as a Research Associate in the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies, University of Alberta, and with the Governments of Ontario (Citizenship Branch) and Alberta (Cultural Heritage) where he was engaged in multicultural programming. His research and publications focus on the integration of Ukrainian minorities in Britain and Canada. He edited Changing Realities: Social Trends Among Ukrainian Canadians and has contributed articles to journals and several published compilations.

Since 1991 he engaged in structuring and delivering technical assistance projects in Ukraine and Russia through MacEwan’s representative office. He was Project Manager for the “Agricultural Curriculum” and the “Agri-Business Learning Materials” projects (1991-95); coordinator of research for the study “Reform of the Novosibirsk Health Care System”; Manager of the “Yamalo-Nanetsk and Tyumen Organizational Readiness” project in 1996-97; and co-director of the “Canadian Business Management Project in Ukraine” (1997-2000) and the “Health Education Learning Project” in Russia (2000-04). He was director of the Canada Ukraine Research Team, administered jointly with the Faculty of Education, University of Alberta studying and improving the educational services available to children with disabilities in public schools of Alberta and Ukraine.

In 2008 to 2013 he led MacEwan’s participation in the project that introduced legislation, policies and pilot schools practices on Inclusive Education in Lviv and Simferopol which have now been accepted throughout the entire educational system in Ukraine.

Andrew Witer

• Founding Partner and President of Romyr & Associates. Former Member of Canada’s Parliament and a Commissioner with the Canadian Immigration Refugee Board.
• Andrew Witer is the Founding Partner and President of Romyr & Associates.

Since 1993 Andrew has provided political analyses, planned and developed strategic communication campaigns, opinion audits, and orientation seminars for clients in Ukraine, where he maintains an office. He appeared as a guest lecturer on “Effective Government Communications” at the Institute of Public Administration and Local Government in Kyiv and other universities throughout Ukraine. Prior to his involvement with Romyr, Andrew was a Member of Canada’s Parliament and a Commissioner with the Canadian Immigration Refugee Board. He has a keen interest in choral music and has produced several CDs of the leading choirs of Ukraine.

Bohdan Cherniawski

• Member of League of Ukrainian Canadians executive; Children of Chernobyl Canadian Fund the Ukrainian War Veterans Association.
• Bohdan Cherniawski is a military veteran who served over 23 years with the Canadian Forces. Recently Mr. Cherniawski spent time in Ukraine facilitating Tactical Medicine and Combat Medic training to Ukrainian Forces.

He also deployed and assisted with the delivery of humanitarian aid to Internally Displaced People and trained Ukrainian Medical Personnel in the rapid deployment of field medical facilities and triage. In addition, Bohdan Cherniawski deployed as part of the medical team with the Fall 2014 and Spring 2015 Canadian Surgical missions of the Canada Ukraine Foundation at the Kyiv Military Hospital.

Mr. Cherniawski is also actively involved with the Ukrainian Canadian community through a number of consultative and leadership roles. He sits on the executive of Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Toronto where he serves as the Chair of the Remembrance Day Committee. Mr. Cherniawski is also active with the executive of the League of Ukrainian Canadians, the Medical Advisory Committee of the Children of Chernobyl Canadian Fund and is an active member of the Ukrainian War Veterans Association.

Bohdan Cherniawski is a Graduate of Ryerson University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with Honours. In 2008 Mr. Cherniawski was inducted into the Venerable Order of St. John of Jerusalem. He is a member of the Canadian Nurses Association, Special Operations Medical Association as well as the Sigma Theta Tau International Honour Society of Nursing.

Dr. Linda Dudar

• Dr. Linda Dudar is the former Dean of Education at St. Mary’s University in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
• Dr. Linda Dudar’s educational journey includes a Bachelor of Education and Music Degree, a Master of Arts in Administration and Curriculum and a Doctorate in Philosophy.

She holds over 35 years of teaching, administrative and leadership experience in both Catholic and public-school districts in Western Canada and has led Canada’s only Bachelor of Education program designed to prepare teachers for Catholic as well as Non-Catholic schools.

As an award-winning musician, educator, and school administrator, she has shared her research and her teaching nationally and internationally including in the United States, Ukraine, Taiwan, Italy and England.

As well, Dr. Dudar has been appointed the chair of the Association of Alberta Deans of Education.

In addition to numerous teaching and administrative awards, Dr. Dudar is the recipient of the Hetman Award presented by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress acknowledging her leadership work in the Ukrainian Canadian community in Alberta and the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Ukrainian-Canadian Professional & Business Association of Calgary in recognition of her contributions over the course of several decades to the social, cultural, educational and spiritual fabric of communities in Canada and Ukraine as an educator, university administrator, choral director and social visionary.

Dr. Dudar has been the music director of St. Stephen’s Ukrainian Catholic Church Choir for the last 37 years. Her leadership in this music ministry has led to several music recordings and performances within and outside of Canada.

Her doctoral research in educational leadership at the University of Calgary focused on time-sensitive organizational change. This study reports new findings of how difficult changes are implemented much faster than previously thought. Emerging from this study is a model that depicts a sequential and systematic process which is evidence-based, research-informed and encompasses insights from leaders and stakeholders. Key elements for the success of a time-sensitive change initiative are presented.

Her current research and recently co-authored book Accelerating Change in Schools explored her research of leaders and stakeholders’ perspectives.

Olexandr Vasetsky

Olexandr Vasetsky

Olexandr is an experienced public service professional working in the area of utility regulation. He currently holds the position of Director, Technology and Innovation at the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC).

Throughout his career at the AUC, Olexandr has worked in several roles and has acquired a well-rounded knowledge of all aspects of utility rate regulation focusing on performance-based (incentive) regulation, cost of capital, evaluation of capital expenditures, emerging technologies and how they affect electric and natural gas systems.

Olexandr was born and raised in Ukraine, before moving to Canada for his graduate studies. He holds a Master of Arts in Economics from the University of Calgary and a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) professional designation. Olexandr has been an active volunteer with the Ukrainian Canadian Professional & Business Association of Calgary since 2007 and has been an executive member since 2010.

Ihor Kruk

Ihor Kruk

Ihor Kruk was born in Bradford, England and brought up in his native Ukrainian language. Once exposed to the British school system, he quickly learned Yorkshire and English. Within the school system, he learned French, Latin, German and Russian. 

Ihor attended the universities of Durham and Nottingham as well as completing university courses in Germany and the Soviet Union. After teaching French and Russian in England, he moved to Canada. Graduate studies and a Teaching Assistantship in Slavic Linguistics at the University of Alberta were followed by a teaching career in the County of Two Hills and then the County of Minburn. In addition to teaching languages, Ihor taught Law 20, and believes that he is the only Kruk legally to teach law in Alberta.

In 1983, Mr. Kruk became the supervisor of Second Languages in the County of Strathcona, now Elk Island Public Schools. Ihor is a life member of the Canadian Association of Second Language Teachers, serving a term as president in 1987/88, and a long-time member of the Alberta Modern Language Council. Serving as president, he revived the Northern Alberta Ukrainian Teachers’ Association in 1982.

In 1988/89 Ihor was seconded to the Language Services Branch of Alberta Education as Project Manager, Second Languages. In August 1990 Ihor was appointed to the executive staff of the Alberta Teachers’ Association. He has served in the Professional Development and Member Services program areas. In his work in Member Services Ihor provided members with representation and advice related to professional problems including evaluation, transfer, suspension, and professional relations. Member Services’ executive staff officers also provide general legal advice to members and conduct investigations of alleged unprofessional conduct. Ihor retired from the ATA in October 2019.

When Ihor was not busy working, he enjoys amateur radio, photography and restoring vehicles. He is also active in his church where he served as president of the Parish Council and in the community with Edmonton South Rotary club (President 2019-20, Secretary -twice, Rotary Foundation Chair), Rotary District 5370 (Newsletter Editor, Group Study Exchange Chair), and the Ukrainian Professional and Business club of Edmonton (President 2013-17), as well as having been president–elect of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress-Alberta Provincial Council. Since July 2022 Ihor transferred to his local Sherwood Park Rotary club. He is an Honorary member of RC Lviv-Ratusha.

A highlight for Ihor was leading a Rotary Group Study Exchange to the once forbidden land of the Russian Far East (Khabarovsk, Kamchatka and Birobizhan – capital of the Jewish Autonomous Republic.). In the fall of 2007, and 2014 Ihor served on the Canadian mission as an observer in the Ukrainian general election. In October 2012 and May 2014, Canada seconded Ihor to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) as an election observer in Ukraine.

Having completed a M.Ed. from the University of Victoria, while on sabbatical Ihor has completed doctoral coursework in Education at the University of Alberta. More recently, he received a National Certificate in Workplace Mediation from the UK Mediation Academy, London.

He was also awarded another Rotary mission. He spent 6 months, February to August 2010, teaching in the department of Translation Studies and Contrastive Linguistics at the Ivan Franko National University in Lviv, Ukraine. He also liaised with a local rotary club, Lviv- Ratusha to put in place an infant incubator and infant resuscitation table in two Lviv region hospitals- Radekhiv and Horodok, to provide an ultrasound heart machine for the Lviv Regional TB hospital and on a project to provide operating theatre lights for the cardiology wing of the Lviv Clinical Regional Hospital. In 2017 he completed a project to provide laparoscopy equipment for the gynecology/obstetric department at the Communal City Clinical (emergency) Hospital of First Aid in Lviv.

Since then, smaller projects have been completed with Lviv-Ratusha and the Barvinok Early Childhood development centre for children with Special needs. Also, a partnership has developed with Rotary Club Rivne where projects providing a spider frame rubber band mobility development centre for physiotherapy at the regional pediatric hospital and audiometer/tympan meter and hearing aids for children in need at the regional hospital were implemented.  Before the invasion Ihor was facilitating a project for copying resources in braille for children and a project for a Vocational Training Team of Firefighter Aid for Ukraine using video distance education modules to be followed up with live in-country instruction.

Since 2019 Ihor has been a Board member of the Bishop Budka Charitable Society and has been able to use funding from the Society and Rotary to maximize support for humanitarian investment in Ukraine. Ihor was elected to the CUF Board in 2022.

Marco Levytsky

Marco Levytsky

Marco Levytsky is currently the National Affairs Editor and Western Bureau Chief of New Pathway – Ukrainian News.

He was the Publisher and Editor of Edmonton-based Ukrainian News which he merged with New Pathway in 2017. He has served on the Boards and Executives of numerous Ukrainian community organizations and committees and is the recipient of the Ukrainian Presidential Cross of Ivan Mazepa, the Shevchenko Medal, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Alberta Provincial Council’s Hetman Award, the Ukrainian Professional and Business Association of Calgary’s Lifetime Achievement Awards and the Ukrainian Catholic Brotherhood of Canada’s Certificate of Honour. He is married to Lesia (nee Kolomijchuk) and they have a daughter Christine, who has blessed them with two granddaughters, Cailyn and Kyla Kope.

Leda Hewka Lada

Leda is a strategy and business development consultant in the life sciences sector and enjoys interfacing with and connecting stakeholders and influencers at all levels. She has an education in bioengineering and languages, and a background in project management and product development.

With a strong network in the North American Ukrainian community, she was raised into lifelong community activism, including human rights advocacy, musical traditions and Plast Ukrainian scouting.

Alla Nedashkivska

Alla Nedashkivska

Dr. Alla Nedashkivska is Professor of Slavic Applied Linguistics in Modern Languages and Cultural Studies department and a former Director of the Ukrainian Language Education Centre at the Canadian Institute of Ukrainian Studies at the University of Alberta.

Nedashkivska with a Ph.D. in Slavic Linguistics from the University of Pittsburgh has taught a wide range of courses in Ukrainian language and linguistics at the universities of Pittsburgh, Toronto and Alberta.

At the University of Alberta, Nedashkivska served as Chair of the Department of Modern Languages and Cultural Studies. She directed and served on various committees at the institutional, faculty and departmental levels. As her professional engagement, she is active in leading scholarly organizations and has served in various capacities ranging from chairing international conference program committees, participating in major grant assessments, and nomination review committees.

Nedashkivska publishes in the areas of Slavic linguistics, discourse analysis, gender linguistics, political and media language, as well as language pedagogy and second language acquisition in Ukrainian. She authors Ukrainian language textbooks, one of which, Ukrainian Through Its Living Culture (University of Alberta Press, 2010) has won the 2012 AATSEEL Book prize for “Best Contribution to Language Pedagogy”, and another “Вікно у світ бізнесу: ділова українська мова / A Window Into the World of Business: Ukrainian for Professional Communication (University of Alberta Press/Pica Pica Press 2016) has received “The Inaugural University of Alberta Open Educational Resources Award” (2018). Her newest textbook project [with O. Sivachenko] PodorozhiUA: Beginners’ Ukrainian via the Blended-learning Model is forthcoming.

Tamara Bolotenko

Tamara Bolotenko

After obtaining her Master of Teaching from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, Tamara spent 8 years teaching and working in various educational leadership positions in the United Arab Emirates, New Zealand and Kazakhstan. 

Tamara is committed to various social justice initiatives including the promotion of child rights and the engagement of youth in civic action. She has worked for HUH in Ukraine, where she was responsible for assisting with the delivery of humanitarian aid, writing grant proposals and planning camps. In Kazakhstan, she created a partnership between her students and those at a boarding school for children with cerebral palsy. To support free and fair elections, Tamara has worked as an international long-term election observer and volunteered as a short-term election observer.

Tamara is a lifelong learner and proponent of the growth mindset who has continued her formal postgraduate education with certificates in First Nations, Métis and Inuit Studies and Restorative Justice. She has been able to apply concepts and paradigms learned to her role as the Vice Principal of Citizenship at TFS – Canada’s International School, where she is also the acting Chair of the Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Justice Steering Committee.

Tamara acknowledges and is grateful to live and work on the Traditional territories of the Wendat, the Anishinabek, the Haudenosaunee, the Mississaugas of the New Credit First Nation and the Métis Nation.

Darcia Moskaluk Rutkay

• Darcia joins the CUF board as a representative of Ukrainian Self-Reliance League (USRL).
• She is a retired Businesswoman, De Havilland aircraft designer for 13 years and community activist. Her dedication to the Ukrainian Community has spanned over 50 years. Currently she is the National President of the Ukrainian Women’s Association of Canada, and UOC St. Demetrius Parish in Etobicoke.

She currently leads the St. John’s NL, Orthodox Christian Mission to bring the Ukrainian Orthodox Services to New Canadians in Eastern Canada.

Dedication to the Canadian Ukrainian Community began as a CYMKivka in the 60’s. Currently, as a member of the National Council of Women in Canada, (NCWC) she is aiming to improve conditions for women, families, and communities. NCWC holds status with the Canadian Federal Government and at the United Nations.

Her love of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people and culture was passed down to her from her immigrant parents. She continually strives to promote Ukrainian Culture, Language, and the Orthodox Faith.

Tyler Shandro

Tyler Shandro is a dedicated lifelong public servant and proud Ukrainian-Canadian.

Tyler served as the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General of Alberta from February 2022 to June 2023. As a member of the United Conservative Party (UCP), Shandro was elected to represent Calgary-Acadia in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in the 2019 provincial election. He was Alberta’s Minister of Health from 2019 to 2021, and Minister of Labour and Immigration from 2021 until he was named Justice Minister in 2022.

Mr. Shandro has served on several boards and tribunals. This includes serving as: Commissioner of the Calgary Police Commission from 2015-2018; Committee Member of the Disaster Advisory Committee form 2013-2014; Board Member of the Municipal Government Board from 2013-2014; Board Member of the Parole Board of Canada from 2010-2012; member of the Criminal Injuries Review Board of Alberta from 2005-2010.

Tyler attended the University of Calgary where he completed a B.A. (2000) and J.D. (2004). He also served as a member of the University of Calgary Senate from 2008-2011.

Mr. Shandro also has extensive experience in community and professional leadership roles. These include being a Board Member of the Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre, a CPLED Facilitator and Evaluator for the Legal Education Society of Alberta, a Board Member of the Canadian Association of Police Governance, and a Member of the Board of Directors and Audit Committee for the Calgary Parking Authority.

Tyler currently works as a barrister and solicitor for Wilson Laycraft in Calgary, Alberta. He also previously worked as a barrister and solicitor for Municipal Counsellors from 2013-2016.

Bohdan Kovaluk

Bohdan Kovaluk

Krystina Waler

Krystina Waler

Orest Sklierenko

Orest Sklierenko

Orest Sklierenko was elected President & CEO of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) in November 2019, joining as one of thirty volunteers on CUF’s board of directors. Orest’s mandate has been to shape and activate CUF’s strategic plan as it continues on its mission as the recognized leader in the delivery of humanitarian aid from Canada to Ukraine. 

Priorities have included capacity building fundraising to support establishing and expanding CUF’s office staff, growing the CUF brand and relationships in both Canada and Ukraine, as well as establishing long term objectives in each of the major programming areas of healthcare, education, and civil society. 

In early 2022, CUF partnered with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress to launch its Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal in response to the humanitarian crisis emerging from Russia’s attacks on Ukraine and its people. The appeal had raised almost $60 million CAD as of May 2023, making it the largest appeal in the history of the Ukrainian Canadian community.

Orest is also currently a director of the Board of Ukrainian Credit Union Limited and served on the Board of the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko for six years (2016-2022), where he played a significant role on the governance, nominating, and communications committees, as well as the launch of several novel initiatives including the MITACS and REACH programs, and the TRYZUB Awards Gala. The above volunteer roles, as well as Orest’s leadership on several local education-related initiatives, have demonstrated his ability to work with a broad set of community stakeholders, including government officials and bureaucrats, to build relationships and deliver results.

In his professional career, Orest is well respected for his leadership, strategic planning expertise, launch successes and passion for delivering results. For over two decades, Orest has worked at global leaders in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, mostly in the areas of launching innovative treatments in oncology and hematology over the past fifteen years. These include GlaxoSmithKline, Amgen, Sanofi, and Novartis. Orest has also worked as a healthcare consultant, helping clients evaluate and re-focus their strategic plans and programs. His past clients include multi-national pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, professional associations, healthcare start-ups, specialty and community pharmacies, and medical partnerships as well as individual healthcare practitioners.

Orest took a brief leave of absence from his role of volunteer President of CUF from December 2022 to May 2023 to work as the Acting Executive Director of the Ukrainian World Congress. In May 2023, he returned to continue in helping to lead this important institution to solidify the foundation for future generations of continued success. Imminent priorities include right-sizing the professional office staff, optimizing the continued delivery of aid to meet the evolving needs on the ground in Ukraine, improving the engagement of CUF board members and collaboration with CUF member and partner organizations, and overseeing appropriate financial planning to ensure adequate support for many years of future aid delivery.

Ostap Skrypnyk

Ostap Skrypnyk

• Vice President, Manitoba.
• Ostap Skrypnyk is a consultant and researcher working in the not-for-profit sector, government relations and community development. Past clients have included Canadian post-secondary institutions, community organisations, foundations, and religious associations.

He has served as Executive Director of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) and UCC – Saskatchewan Provincial Council. Ostap is a founding member of the Canada-Ukraine Centre, Inc, the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership, Secretary to the Saskatchewan Ukraine Relations Advisory Committee, a member of the Canada Ukraine Advisory Council. He was an assistant instructor in the University of Saskatchewan’s Ukraine MBA study program.

Ostap has been active in facilitating economic relations between Canada and Ukraine and civil society development in Ukraine as well as humanitarian assistance. Since 2004, he has participated in numerous international election monitoring missions to Ukraine.

Ulana Kawun

Ulana Kawun

Dr. Ulana Kawun is a General Surgeon at Scarborough Health Network, Centenary Campus.

She obtained her medical degree from McMaster University. She completed her General Surgery Residency at the University of Toronto and became a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in 2003. She completed an advanced Minimally Invasive Colorectal Fellowship at Lankenau Hospital, Pennsylvania in 2004. She has been a full staff member of Centenary Hospital since 2005. She participated in the CUF Medical Missions to Ukraine in 2014-2015.