Leadership Education And Development (LEAD) Programme is a fully funded training programme for talented Ukrainian students and recent graduates. We aim to develop and support those active citizens who are keen to drive positive changes in their native country through social initiatives or by pursuing public sector careers. We do this by providing participants with an understanding of Western best practices and tools to apply them to systems, institutions and values in Ukraine.

During fourteen days in London you will:

Gain exposure to professional environment and culture of the UK′s public and private institutions
Participate in a variety of workshops and presentations
Meet public administration experts, social entrepreneurs, journalists and private sector influencers
Acquire essential skills and tools to implement positive changes in Ukraine
Develop a real project alongside other participants
Make new friends and connections for life

Change can come in two paces - fast and slow. Fast change, like a torrent of water rushing through a burst dam, sweeps aside the existing order to replace it with something new, often taking unexpected turns and causing substantial damage on the way. Much of the recorded history is focused on such rapid changes that end up obscuring the truly important developments. Slow change is by definition less visible and pompous, but it is also far more effective in the long run. Slow change happens not out of fury, but out of a deep personal conviction, dedication and hard work. We seek to foster this type of sustainable evolution in Ukraine by connecting likeminded individuals during an intensive two-week programme of study, discovery and challenge in London. Our alumni are ambassadors of change. Little by little. Steadily but surely. Onward!

Who are we looking for?

Up to twelve students and young professionals from across Ukraine who are:

All

ͽ able to demonstrate leadership qualities, academic excellence and active social engagement

ͽ have an advanced level of English

ͽ show interest and involvement in the public sector and / or social initiatives in Ukraine

Students:

ͽ current Master′s students majoring in Business or Humanities related disciplines in Ukraine

Professionals:

ͽ recent graduates aged 27 or under currently employed in public or non-profit sectors in Ukraine

Application Process

Stage One - Online Questionnaire January 8 - February 28

ͽ we ask our applicants to desribe themselves, their experiences and influences

ͽ each application is read and scored by at least three independent reviewers

ͽ the highest scoring 35-40 applicants proceed to the next round

Apply Now!

Stage Two - The Interview March 15 - March 31

ͽ personal 45 minute interviews are conducted via Skype with two organisers

Decisions April 16!

ͽ finalists, start packing your bags!

The LEAD team

We began as a group of volunteers, who live and work in London. Some of our alumni have joined the project in 2016.

LEAD Programme doesn′t have a founder. It was born out of an Excel Spreadsheet, where we pooled together our ideas, skills, and resources, and moulded them into the pilot project which took place in London in August 2014.

UK Team

Katia Denysova

Katia is currently performing a client development role for Christie′s auction house in London.

With BA in Management and years of experience within business enterprises in native Ukraine, Katia moved to the UK to obtain MA degree in Gallery Studies from one of the country′s leading Curatorial Schools subsequently curating exhibitions of international contemporary art.

Alex Merkulov

Alex is a member of BlackRock′s Portfolio Management Group. He is a lead product strategist for the European Team within BlackRock Fundamental Fixed Income.

Before joining the Portfolio Management Group in 2010, Alex began his career as an analyst in BlackRock′s Portfolio Compliance Group in 2007. Alex earned a BA degree in finance from Drexel University in 2006.

Tetyana Mulesa

Tetyana is a global Business Development professional in the energy industry, who gained work experience across North America, Europe, Africa and Central Asia. She holds a BA degree in Business Administration from Ukraine, and a Masters in Economics from University College London, UK and Tartu University, Estonia. Passionate about Ukraine′s prosperity, Tetyana is regularly engaged with the Ukrainian community.

Polina Poluneeva

Polina is currently working for Citibank in London. She has started her career in commodities finance in Germany and Switzerland, and later transitioned into private wealth management, focusing all along on her native Ukraine and CIS countries. Polina holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the University of Warwick in the UK.

Daria Ruban

Daria is a young professional with experience of designing and implementing major public sector management and international development projects funded by major bi- and multilateral donors. In the past, she also conducted research for a London-based think tank tackling issues connected with public procurement and government stewardship. She holds a Bachelor′s degree in International Relations from Leeds University.

Yana Sobetska

Yana currently holds a client management position in a global insurance brokerage firm, managing a portfolio of Major Global Accounts. In the past, Yana has worked for an international underwriting company, specialising in multinational insurance of Financial Risks. She earned a degree in Risk Management and Insurance from Temple University of Philadelphia.

Iryna Tandura

Iryna works for a renowned US real estate company in London where she is responsible for oversight of the development assets, local partners, and underwriting new investments. Iryna co-founded EdVent, a charitable organization, aimed at creating opportunities for academic, professional, and personal development of disadvantaged children and adolescents in Ukraine. Iryna holds an MBA degree from Boston University Graduate School of Management.

Reach out!

UA Team

Viktoriia Bezukhanych

Viktoriia is currently a brand manager in a distribution company in Lviv. She received her Master′s degree in Management of Small and Medium Businesses from National University ′Lviv Polytechnic′. Participated in LEAD Programme 2014 and now is the official LEAD representative based in Lviv.

Yevhenii Bosiuk

Yevhenii holds a Master′s degree in International Economics from Ivan Franko National University. Has experience in consulting, international relations, participated in numerous exchange programmes and social projects. Currently works in Nielsen (management consulting) in Warsaw.

Participated in LEAD Programme 2014 and now is the official LEAD representative based in Poland.

Olga Klymenko

Olga holds a degree in Human Resources (Bachelor′s) and Finance (Master′s) from University of Banking, also studied in Cracow University of Economics. Has experience in Human Resources and Public Relations. Currently works in UKRSIBBANK BNP PARIBAS Group. Participated in LEAD Programme 2014 and now is the official LEAD representative based in Kyiv.

Nataliia Kovb

With a Master′s degree in Finance (University of Banking), Nataliia started her career as a team member of The Communication Reform Group, joint Ukraine-UK project on government communications development. She is currently working in the energy industry of Ukraine. Has strong work experience with European Commission, EU countries, USA. Nataliia participated in LEAD Programme 2015 and now is the official LEAD representative in Kyiv.

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