Meet Our BoD

Anastasiya Kornyat – President

Anastasiya is a third-year student at the University of Guelph and previously served as VP Finance on the SUSK Board of Directors. She attended the Yuri Lypa Ukrainian Heritage Academy and continues to engage with the Ukrainian community through cultural events, fundraising efforts, and advocacy campaigns. Alongside her academics, she is involved in the Guelph Student Investment Council and Guelph Private Capital as a senior analyst. Anastasiya is passionate about advocating for Ukrainian-Canadian youth, contributing to Ukraine’s economic resilience, and strengthening connections among Ukrainian-Canadian students nationwide. This is her second year on the SUSK Board, and she looks forward to leading impactful initiatives and representing student voices across the country.

Key Responsibilities: The President leads the Ukrainian Canadian Students’ Union (SUSK), oversees the Board of Directors, and represents the organization at the national level. This role is responsible for setting strategic direction, coordinating the team, and ensuring that SUSK fulfills its mission of serving and advocating for Ukrainian students across Canada.

Anastasia Hemon – VP National 

Anastasia is in her fourth year at Toronto Metropolitan University, studying Biomedical Sciences. Her involvement in the Ukrainian community began at a young age through Ukrainian dance lessons and active participation in CYM. Having grown up deeply rooted in the Ukrainian community, Anastasia is passionate about giving back – whether it’s through organizing events with the Toronto Metropolitan Ukrainian Students’ Club, cantoring at church, or playing violin in the Ukrainian band Tysk. Anastasia is also excited to continue supporting Ukrainian Canadian students as she enters her third year on the SUSK Board of Directors!

Key Responsibilities: The Vice President National supports the President, coordinates with Regional Vice Presidents across Canada, joins subcommittees, organizes national meetings, and represents SUSK when the President is unavailable.

Ilyana Hemon – VP Finance

Ilyana Hemon is a student at the Schulich School of Business at York University. She attended the Pablo Yzyk Ukrainian School and remains actively involved in the Ukrainian community through cultural, educational, and volunteer initiatives. Alongside her studies, Ilyana serves as Director of Corporate Relations for the Schulich Sales Association, where she helps build industry partnerships and support student engagement. She has also contributed to organizations including CYM Mississauga and St. Joseph’s Ukrainian Catholic Church in leadership and community-focused roles. Passionate about student advocacy and community building, Ilyana looks forward to supporting impactful initiatives and responsible financial stewardship through her role on the SUSK Board.

Key Responsibilities: The Vice President Finance manages SUSK’s budget and financial records, oversees funding applications, ensures transparent reporting, and supports financial planning for national initiatives and events.

Yustyna Hankevych – Secretary

Yustyna is a fourth-year Biomedical Sciences student at Toronto Metropolitan University and currently serves as Secretary on the SUSK Board. She has been an active leader within the Toronto-Ukrainian student community, serving on the executive team of the TMU Ukrainian Students’ Club for the past three years, where she helped organize numerous cultural events, fundraisers, and community initiatives. Growing up with a deep connection to her heritage, Yustyna has spent many years teaching and performing Ukrainian dance, supporting community events and fundraising efforts while sharing Ukrainian culture with younger generations. In January 2026, she traveled to Ukraine to volunteer at a hospital treating patients wounded in the war, an experience that further strengthened her commitment to humanitarian support and advocacy for Ukraine. With her passion for celebrating Ukrainian culture, empowering youth leadership, and strengthening connections within the Ukrainian-Canadian community, Yustyna looks forward to contributing to SUSK’s mission and fostering collaboration among Ukrainian students across Canada.

Key Responsibilities: The Secretary holds a high-level and responsible position focused on maintaining communication with the SUSK Board of Directors by scheduling meetings, informing members of decisions made in their absence, and contributing to projects and committees through close collaboration with the Board.

Yelyzaveta Shymko – Internal Relations Director

Lyza Shymko is a second-year Political Science student at the University of Victoria. She is the current president of the University of Victoria Ukrainian Students’ Society. Lyza was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, and moved to Canada in 2022 after the outbreak of the full-scale invasion. Over the last four years, Lyza has been an active member of the Ukrainian community in British Columbia, involved in advocacy both in her high school and now on her university campus. Lyza is passionate about promoting Ukrainian language and literature, doing photography, learning new languages, music, and film.

Key Responsibilities: The Internal Relations Director coordinates internal communication within SUSK, addresses formal grievances, supports the integration of existing USOs, and helps establish and develop new USOs across Canada.

Artem Sudarkin – External Relations Director

Artem Sudarkin is a student at the University of Ottawa, pursuing a degree in Political Science. He was born in Odesa, Ukraine, and moved to Canada following the outbreak of the full-scale war. Over the past three years, Artem has been actively involved in advocacy for Ukraine, including participating in UCC Advocacy Day. At university, he is president of his local Ukrainian student club, working towards creating stronger Ukrainian community on campus, and advocating for better representation of the Ukrainian youth. He is also an active member of the UNF Ottawa-Gatuneau branch and UCC Ottawa, contributing to the Ukrainian community outside of campus.

Key Responsibilities: The External Relations Director builds partnerships with external stakeholders, including community organizations, institutions, and sponsors, to enhance SUSK’s visibility and lead initiatives that strengthen its reach and impact.

Larysa Grod – VP Central

Larysa is a second year student at Wilfrid Laurier University. She attended Paul Yuzyk Academy of Toronto Ukrainian School (PYAT) and engaged with the Ukrainian community through her Ukrainian Club in high school. She has been continuously volunteering at the Ukrainian Youth Association (CYM) since 2022 and attending CYM as a member for 10 years before that. This year, Larysa re-started the Ukrainian Club at her university which sparked her interest in this position because she understands how difficult it is to do that alone, and wants to be the person other clubs can rely on for help. Larysa is excited to be able to communicate with universities in the central area and be a support system for them wherever needed.

Key Responsibilities: The Vice President Central acts as a liaison between SUSK and Ukrainian student organizations (USOs) across Ontario, maintaining communication with active clubs, supporting local initiatives, sharing SUSK updates, and assisting new or developing USOs.

Albina Holokhvastova – VP East

Albina Holokhvastova is a third-year Communications and Media Studies student at Carleton University. Born in Kyiv and raised in Bila Tserkva, Kyiv Oblast, she has been based in Ottawa since fleeing russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Albina is entering her second year as President of the Carleton Ukrainian Students’ Club (CUSC), through which she works to create opportunities to learn more about Ukraine on campus and beyond, bring Ukrainian perspectives, promote Ukrainian culture, and support student initiatives. She is passionate about advocacy, diplomacy, activism, and building strong, inclusive communities that empower young people to connect and lead. Through her proactive involvement in various academic and student events, Albina has further gained experience in communications, outreach, and fostering connections. Based in Canada’s capital and serving Eastern Canada, she is committed to strengthening engagement among Ukrainian students and supporting the growth of Ukrainian student life across the region.

Key Responsibilities: The Vice President East acts as a liaison between SUSK and Ukrainian student organizations (USOs) across Eastern Canada, maintaining communication with active clubs, supporting local initiatives, sharing SUSK updates, and assisting new or developing USOs.

Solomiia Kulyk – VP West

Solomiia is a second-year Business student at the University of Saskatchewan. Originally from Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine, she moved to Canada two years ago and has since been actively involved in the Ukrainian-Canadian community. Solomiia participated in a student delegation in Regina advocating for the extension of a program that reduces university tuition fees for Ukrainian newcomers in Saskatchewan, which was later extended until 2030. She also took part in UCC Advocacy Day on Parliament Hill. Solomiia serves as International Liaison for University of Saskatchewan Ukrainian Students’ Association, where she focuses on supporting and engaging newcomers. This is her first year on the SUSK Board and she looks forward to representing Western Canada.

Key Responsibilities: The Vice President West acts as a liaison between SUSK and Ukrainian student organizations (USOs) across Western Canada, maintaining communication with active clubs, supporting local initiatives, sharing SUSK updates, and assisting new or developing USOs.

Olena Savostenko – Project Director

Olena Savostenko is a third-year Bachelor of Kinesiology student at the University of Alberta, majoring in Sport Performance. Originally from Ukraine, she is passionate about community engagement, leadership, and fostering connections among Ukrainian students across Canada. Throughout her university experience, she has held several leadership roles within the Ukrainian Students’ Society (USS), including First-Year Representative, Vice President Events, and Vice President Communications and Volunteer Recruitment. She has also been actively involved with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, advocacy initiatives, cultural events, and community-building projects. Beyond her involvement in the Ukrainian community, Olena is dedicated to giving back through volunteerism and service. She volunteers with the Steadward Centre, supporting individuals of diverse abilities through inclusive recreation, physical activity, and personal development programs. She is passionate about using her skills and experiences to create meaningful changes, whether through community programs, student initiatives, or advocacy efforts. Through her work with Ukrainian organizations, she has contributed to projects that promote cultural preservation, strengthen community engagement, and advocate for issues affecting Ukrainian Canadians. Olena is committed to creating opportunities for others, strengthening communities, and driving positive changes through leadership, advocacy, and service.

Key Responsibilities: The Project Director coordinates national initiatives and special projects, from advocacy campaigns to cultural events, and oversees project funding support for Ukrainian Student Organizations (USOs). For any USO funding-related questions, please contact the Project Director directly.

Mia Korotky – Media Director

Mia Korotky is a third-year Sociology student at the University of Guelph. Growing up in a Ukrainian community and staying closely connected to her culture through Plast and Ukrainian school has greatly influenced who she is today. These experiences sparked a passion in her for raising awareness—whether through fundraising initiatives or meaningful conversations. She enjoys learning through hands-on involvement in her community and is excited to see where her role with SUSK will take her. As SUSK’s Media Director, Mia looks forward to using her creativity and communication skills to help amplify SUSK’s voice and connect with students across the country. She’s eager to engage with others who are equally passionate and ready to make an impact.

Key Responsibilities: The Media Director leads SUSK’s communications strategy, using creativity to manage social media, create engaging content, and promote initiatives that connect students, amplify SUSK’s voice, and popularize Ukrainian culture across Canada.

Katherine Vainberg – Alumni Director

Katherine is a third-year Biomedical Science student at the University of Guelph. Her passion for Ukrainian culture and community has remained a constant throughout her life and continues to shape her involvement both on and off campus. She teaches and dances with Barvinok School of Ukrainian Dance in Mississauga, where she helps foster cultural appreciation and mentorship among youth. Through her active involvement in the Ukrainian community and student leadership, she is dedicated to preserving Ukrainian heritage and building meaningful connections within the community.

Key Responsibilities: The Alumni Director, strengthens SUSK’s ties with alumni through fundraising, events, networking, and highlighting alumni achievements, while also managing donor relations and archives.

Steven Klus – Student’ Editor

Steven is very excited to be serving as editor of Student! He has a passion for writing and have previously served as the Edwards Business Students’ Society’s weekly newsletter editor, but is now looking forward to working on this wonderful and historic publication. Steven comes from a small town in Saskatchewan, and is pleased to carry on the Ukrainian culture of my ancestors who settled here in 1905. In his spare time he loves being social and swapping stories, which is why he likes to involve himself in many different organizations. Currently, Steven serves as vice president of the University of Saskatchewan Ukrainian Students’ Association (USUSA) after previously serving as its treasurer.

Key Responsibilities: The Student’ Editor leads the editorial team for SUSK’s official publication, Student (Студент) – SUSK’s national newsletter since the 1960s, sharing content for Ukrainian youth in Canada – overseeing content creation, editing, and production to amplify student voices and share stories from the Ukrainian Canadian community. 

Zoriana Holyk – Inclusion and Diversity Officer

Zoriana Holyk is a second-year student at York University in the Concurrent Education program, where she is pursuing her goal of becoming a teacher. She has been actively involved in the Ukrainian Canadian community from a young age through CYM Mississauga, St. Joseph’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, Barvinok Ukrainian Dance School, and various volunteer and cultural initiatives. Passionate about bringing people together and creating welcoming spaces, Zoriana is committed to fostering inclusion, diversity, and meaningful engagement among students. As SUSK’s Inclusion and Diversity Officer, she looks forward to helping ensure all students feel represented, valued, and empowered to participate while strengthening connections across the Ukrainian Canadian student community.

Key Responsibilities: The Inclusion and Diversity Officer promotes equity, inclusion, and accessibility within SUSK. This role leads efforts to create a welcoming, diverse, and representative environment for all students, ensuring that SUSK reflects the values and experiences of the broader Ukrainian Canadian student community.

Daria Furtak – Past President

Key Responsibilities: The Past President serves as an advisor, offering experience and insight to support the Board by sharing institutional knowledge, mentoring new members, and assisting with strategic planning and special projects that ensure continuity and long-term success.