I am Donna Frose, a Canadian, and have been here in Ukraine since the summer of 2023. I am volunteering with the Magic Food Army and the Ants Collective. Both organizations help provide meals to the front lines.

I am a teacher of History, Politics and the Theory of Knowledge and taught at international schools in Asia, the Middle East and South America for 35 years. I am now retired and focusing on volunteer

work.

Although I very much appreciate the social aspects of IWCK, I view our main mission as the goals outlined in the charter - to provide supports to the elderly, disadvantaged and children of Ukraine.

To me, the core of IWCK is our charity work.

If you are interested in helping out in this role please contact a member of the steering committee.

Helen is originally from the United States. She has lived in Kyiv since 1998 and has been an IWCK member since 2009. As a few months as Head of Membership, she served on IWCK's Steering

Committee from 2015- 2018 as Secretary. Helen also served several years on the Charity Committee. She has been an Overseer since 2022. Helen is married to a Ukrainian and has two children at Kyiv International School. In addition to being a mother, she also grows organic fruits and vegetables marketed through "Helen's Veggies”.

IWCK has meant a lot to Helen over the years, from providing support as she learned to be a full-time mom to providing growth, challenges, and professional development opportunities.

I’m Emiko Ota from Japan. I lived in Kyiv from 2012 to 2016. During that time, I was a member of IWCK and joined several interest groups, where I met lifelong friends.

After Russia’s full-scale invasion, Japanese nationals were no longer able to officially enter Ukraine. As a result, my husband was assigned to handle business in Ukraine again, based in Poland.

I have been living in Warsaw for the past three years and have been a member of IWCK since 2024. I am currently serving as Head of Membership. Although speaking English is still a challenge for me, I would like to contribute to IWCK in any way I can and hope to support the club however possible.

I look forward to meeting members old and new, and to helping strengthen the warm and welcoming spirit of IWCK.

Hi! I'm Mila Stoupnikova. I am a US corporate finance professional who originally came to Ukraine in 2013 for an eight-month volunteer experience.

I've since settled here long-term with my Ukrainian husband and have spent the last five years as an active member of IWCK, including serving as Treasurer for the 2022-2025 term.

I also volunteer for our food delivery program to provide essential aid to the elderly, children, and people with disabilities.

Combining my professional background with direct community service has been a deeply rewarding way to support our mission alongside such a dedicated group of women.

If you are interested in helping out in this role please contact a member of the steering committee.

If you are interested in helping out in this role please contact a member of the steering committee.

Vivica has worked 12+ years in communications, and moved to Ukraine in 2010. She is an experienced and passionate editor, writer, and storyteller. Vivica worked as a news anchor for UATV, a communications and content manager for a HealthTech company, and an editor for the UN Ukraine, Intellias, Save Pets of Ukraine, and many other organizations. She has also been the co-editor for the EuroMaidan news infoletter since 2014, helping to share Ukraine’s voice with the world. Vivica also loves spending time with her extremely vocal and amusing cat, Marcus, and taking him on adventure walks.

Alla Gedz, was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, in 1972.

Many years of her life, much energy, and all personality were dedicated to homeless children and children with learning disabilities. A team of young people faithfully supported her in her dedication in the 1990s and early 2000s.

"Times have changed, the children have grown up, but each of them stays in my heart... Memories and many priceless photographs remain".

Caring for abandoned pets has become a part of her life during this uncertain time. This is how it appeared: "Cat's House" at her dacha (100 km from Kyiv), where cats receive food, warm beds, and veterinary care all the year round.

Despite the current situation, she did not leave the country and often takes part in various events and activities.

Experiences of a translator, private tutor, and TV news reporter greatly help move forward with new projects and achievements.

Loves people and all of God's creation!

My name is Michiko Kono. I lived in Kyiv with my husband from 2019 to 2022 until before the full-scale invasion. In August 2025 we moved to Warsaw, Poland. I enjoyed living in Kyiv, and IWCK was an important part of my life there. I value IWCK’s support to expats

as well as its charitable activities, and I would be happy if I could contribute to IWCK as a SC member and help the organization keep going even under these extraordinary circumstances.

I’m from Japan but have lived in several countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and the USA. I worked in several countries for an electronics company, Japan’s official aid agency and international advertising agencies, among others.

She is Japanese. She worked for Panasonic Japan at International Relations/Logistic, was involved in importing/exporting electronic products. After living in Kyiv for 11 and half years, Ukraine is always at the center of her heart, it is all love for Ukraine. She’s currently living in Warsaw with her husband and working for a Polish company as a freelancer. Her daughter has been in Ukraine since before and after the full scale invasion by russia, working as an International journalist to tell the world the truth for Ukraine.

Thanks to IWCK, she made lifelong friends and had lots of explorations in Kyiv. She’s still in touch with them today. In order to keep going, she would like to contribute to IWCK in the midst of the unprecedented hardships in Ukraine.

Elizabeth is British, but moved to Kyiv in 1988 and has been a member of IWCK for many years. She served as IWCK President between 2014-2017 and again 2023-2025 with a stint as Head of Charity in 2022-2023. Her husband is the Ukrainian author Andrey Kourkov. They have three adult children, all living in Kyiv.

Elizabeth taught English for the British Council in Kyiv until 2020 and continues to teach on a voluntary basis. She also helps her husband with translations of his non-fiction works.

She values IWCK as an organization that supports ex-pats like herself and involves them in charitable projects that improve the lives of vulnerable people in the local community.