About Us
Our Vision
is to build a bridge between the West and Ukraine. A bridge that connects the resources of the West with the ingenuity of the Ukrainian people. Built on a foundation of unyielding integrity and principles.
Founded in Ukraine during the early days of the 2022 Russian invasion by a Ukrainian and Western team, we believe that by bringing our experience from both worlds, we can increase the efficiency with which aid is delivered across Ukraine.
In a landscape often marred by slow bureaucratic processes and the spectre of corruption, we strive to introduce a new paradigm of efficiency and trust. Our approach transcends traditional barriers, uniting Western stakeholders concerned with integrity and a Ukrainian populace in dire need of swift and effective aid. By building a network of trusted individuals and organizations, we've delivered tangible results—feeding tens of thousands, establishing community centers, and addressing vital needs like water scarcity at efficiencies and effectiveness unheard of by larger charities and government entities.
Looking ahead, we aim to expand our impact through government sponsored projects, further solidifying the financial and operational linkages between Western support and Ukrainian resilience. Our vision is not just to provide immediate relief but to reshape the future of cross-national aid in Ukraine, ultimately influencing the nation's trajectory towards a brighter, more hopeful tomorrow.
The Team
Zhanna Galeyeva
Co-founder, CEO
I always felt inside of me that one day, I’ll create something. I didn’t know what it was, and where to start. But I always felt as if every experience in my life was just another piece of the puzzle. All being added together for a special creation someday. So throughout my life, I was just getting closer and closer to this moment I guess.
And then one day, everything just came together. All the experiences and connections that I’ve acquired over the years came together. Friends, family, friends of friends. The story, the circumstances, the moments. All coming together into this project that is now called Bird of Light Ukraine.
I never saw myself doing humanitarian work but I was always admiring those who do this kind of work. Watching movies about people who selflessly dedicate their lives to serving those in less favourable circumstances. Touching something inside of me. Evoking this calling.
So, here I am.
Isaac Yeung
Co-founder, Chief Operating Officer
I originally came to Ukraine to support Zhanna in her quest to reconnect with her father. War was looming in the background during this time, but I knew that I couldn’t push her to pack up and leave. So, I came to Ukraine instead. Just in case.
That decision has since taken us on a wild journey culminating in the development of our humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. As Zhanna’s co-founder and chief operations support on this project, I handle all the non-Ukrainian operations, finances, and everything in-between.
Life always brings us somewhere for a reason.
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Tom Perriello
CO-FOUNDER, ADVISOR
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OPEN SOCIETY, FORMER VA CONGRESSMAN -
Kyrylo Lapko
ORPHAN PROGRAM PARTNER
COORDINATION CENTER FOR FAMILY UPBRINGING -
Bogdan Kovaluk
RECONTRUCTION
FORMER DEPUTY GOVERNOR, CHERNIVTSI OBLAST -
Amir Eftekhari
ADVISOR, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
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Maksim Tkachenko
UA GOVERNMENT PARTNER
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, DEPUTY CHAIRMAN - SERVANT OF THE PEOPLE PARTY, FIRST DEPUTY CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON RESETTLEMENT OF OCCUPIED TERRITORIES -
Serhii Kozyr
UA GOVERNMENT PARTNER
MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT, FORMER GOVERNOR, KHERSON OBLAST -
Veronica Vitalia
PROCUREMENT
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Oleksandr Shvedyk
LEAD ARCHITECT
CHIEF ARCHITECT OF CHERNIVTSI OBLAST -
Ilona Rotar
LAWYER
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Olga Khoboda
UA GOVERNMENT PARTNER
DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL PROTECTION, CHERNIVTSI OBLAST -
Anya
ACCOUNTANT
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Grigory Prygeba
DISTRIBUTION, IDPs
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Yura Ursakiy
DISTRIBUTION, KHARKIV OBLAST
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Oleksandr Ravchev
PR & MEDIA CONSULTANT
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Nikita Vasylchenko
WAREHOUSE MANAGER
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Andrii Zhovniriuk
WAREHOUSE DIRECTOR
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Myroslav Pik
FIXER
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Vyacheslav Veshkin
WAREHOUSE SUPERMAN