Meet our team

Olga Prodan

Founder + President

Olga Prodan is a Ukrainian Canadian humanitarian, trauma recovery specialist, and community leader whose life’s work is dedicated to helping individuals, families, and communities heal, rebuild, and thrive in the aftermath of war and adversity.

A passionate advocate for democracy and human dignity, Olga was one of the student leaders of Ukraine’s Revolution of Dignity, standing alongside thousands of Ukrainians who envisioned a free, democratic, and prosperous future for their country. She later served as an Assistant and Press Secretary to a Member of Parliament in Ukraine from 2017 to 2019, gaining valuable experience in public service, advocacy, and civic engagement.

Today, as President and Founder of the organization, Olga brings together her deep commitment to humanitarian service, mental health recovery, and community empowerment. She is also the visionary architect behind Raise.UA, an innovative trauma recovery ecosystem operating across Ukraine that provides rehabilitation and psychosocial support to children and families affected by war.

For more than four years, Olga has led the Raise.UA program as a somatic psychologist, helping children process trauma, restore a sense of safety, and rediscover hope. Her work is grounded in the belief that healing is possible even in the face of profound loss and that every individual deserves the opportunity to recover, grow, and flourish.

Olga’s long-term vision is to establish a world-class trauma rehabilitation centre in Ukraine—an enduring place of healing, recovery, and renewal for all those affected by Russia’s war. Through innovative programming, compassionate care, and community-driven solutions, she is helping lay the foundation for a stronger and more resilient future.

Inspired by the extraordinary courage of the Ukrainian people, Olga believes deeply in the power of post-traumatic growth—the idea that individuals and communities can emerge from hardship with greater strength, wisdom, and purpose. Her leadership reflects a simple but powerful conviction: when people are given the tools, support, and opportunity to heal, they can transform not only their own lives but the future of generations to come.

“Together, we can build a resilient generation and create lasting change through healing, hope, and action.” — Olga Prodan

Adrian Petriw

Iryna Kalantai

Graphic Designer

Iryna is a dedicated graphic designer passionate about showcasing Ukraine through design and culture. She curated a powerful exhibition of war posters by Ukrainian graphic artists, bringing stories of resilience to Canadian audiences. With over 12 years of experience in design, she continues to build bridges between Ukraine and Canada through art, culture, and advocacy.

Olesia Guts

Social Media Coordinator

Olesia is a Registered Nutritionist and educator with a background in journalism. She first joined UCAG by designing a nervous system-regulating nutrition program for the Recovery Program for Children Traumatized by War. Drawing on her journalism degree and experience building her own digital platforms, she now leads UCAG’s social media strategy. Her work focuses on amplifying UCAG’s mission through creative storytelling, visual content, and meaningful community engagement.

Yuliia Kalantai

Social Media Coordinator & Content Creator

Yuliia first joined UCAG as a volunteer, supporting exhibition installations and merchandise sales. Over time, she began contributing video content for UCAG’s social media platforms, combining creativity with a strong sense of storytelling. Now a core member of the team, she supports the implementation of UCAG’s social media strategy, helping to share the organization’s mission with wider audiences through engaging digital content.

Tamara Nowakowsky

Communications and Media Director

Tamara is a broadcast and print journalist and communications specialist who works to amplify important stories. At UCAG, she leads media outreach and communications, ensuring Ukraine’s fight for sovereignty remains in the spotlight. Her advocacy began with grassroots volunteer work, from fundraising and supporting efforts to collect medical aid and source fishing nets from Vancouver’s maritime industry, which are shipped to Ukraine and repurposed for camouflage. Passionate about the power of storytelling, Tamara combines professional expertise with a deep commitment to Ukraine, keeping the urgency of its cause in the public eye.

Sasha Pobochii

Secretary + Board Member at Large 

Sasha Pobochii is an actress and activist from Kyiv, who came to Vancouver in the summer of 2022 after getting accepted into the University of British Columbia. From a young age, she’s been involved in local activist movements and attended many protests in support of democracy, as well as human and animal rights. Since leaving her hometown in February 2022, Sasha has joined several groups and movements supporting Ukraine in New York and Vancouver. Apart from being a part of UCAG, she is also on the board of the Ukrainian Student Union of the University of British Columbia. Sasha works towards spreading knowledge about Ukrainian culture and history, as well as russian imperialism.

Anastasiia Lobanova

As the Assistant to the Founder and Volunteer Coordinator, Anastasiia supports the work of UCAG by managing operations, engaging volunteers to be a part of impactful events and assisting with advocacy initiatives. Beyond her role, she is deeply committed to strengthening the connection between Ukrainian and Canadian communities. As a member of the team, she works to ensure that the Ukrainian Canadian Advocacy Group’s projects and initiatives are effectively organized, supported, and promote Ukrainian culture and advocacy.