Within the framework of the Kyiv Women’s Leadership Academy project, we host guest lectures aimed at inspiring women – civil servants, heads of non-governmental organizations, and entrepreneurs – to foster sustainable partnerships, explore new opportunities, and gain greater confidence in their professional endeavors.

The guest lectures constitute a mentoring initiative launched by Marina Khonda, Deputy Head of the Kyiv City State Administration, which initially began in the format of «inspirational talks». Over the past five years, this initiative has evolved into public gender-focused discussions addressing challenges, shared values, systemic barriers, and innovative strategies for change. Participants of the Academy can hear from women whose professional paths and civic engagement influence decision-making at the local, national, and international levels. 

Among them:
- Olena Kondratiuk, Vice-Speaker (Deputy Chair) of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine;
- Emine Dzhaparova, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine (appointed in June 2020; served in 2021);
- Maryna Poroshenko, Member of the Kyiv City Council, former First Lady of Ukraine;
- Larisa Galadza, Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine in 2022;
- Maryna Khonda, Deputy Head of Kyiv City State Administration;
- Anka Feldhusen, Ambassador of Germany to Ukraine in 2022;
- Nurgul Asylbekova, Project Coordinator at UN Women (international UN entity) in 2022;
- Melinda Simmons, Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Ukraine in 2022;
- Olha Aivazovska, public figure, Chair of the Board of the Civil Network “OPORA”;
- Yulia Yarmolenko, Member of the Kyiv City Council, Chair of the Supervisory Board at BKK company;
- Viktoria Mukha, Member of the Kyiv City Council;
- Oksana Prodan, People’s Deputy of Ukraine of the 8^th convocation;
- Ella Libanova, Director of the M. V. Ptukha Institute for Demography and Social Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine;
- Anne Hidalgo, Mayor of Paris;
- Olena Yena, Program Director at the National Democratic Institute;
- Katarína Mathernová, Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine in 2025;
- Natalka Cmoc, Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine in 2025;
- Larysa Denysenko, human rights advocate, co-founder of NGO «JurFem», author;
- Oleksandra Matviichuk, human rights defender, Chair of the Center for Civil Liberties, Nobel Peace Prize laureate (2022).

Through these guest lectures and open dialogue, we cultivate a community in which women feel supported, empowered, and entitled to act, while also providing a platform for shaping a new vision of women’s roles – a vision rooted in ensuring their voices are visible in the public sphere.

 Regular informal exchanges, direct communication, and in-person meetings with women leaders – those who drive change and confidently speak in public arenas – inspire and motivate Academy participants to advance along their chosen paths with determination. 

At present, the Academy is developing a new initiative entitled «Speak with Confidence: Women’s Leadership through the Power of Words», designed to strengthen skills in:
- engaging confidently in public discussions;
- communicating effectively in professional settings;
- building dialogue rather than conflict;
- understanding the structure of a logical argument;
- identifying manipulative tactics and presenting counterarguments. 

Organizational support ‒ is provided by theGender Equality Office,
the Ukrainian Women’s Fund, and the «New Social Vector» NGO.
FB https://www.facebook.com/KyivWLA
E-mail: geo.kyiv@ukr.net  

‍Useful links:
«I am not merelydocumenting war crimes – I am restoring people’s names»: OleksandraMatviichuk
‍On the National Memory Policy Concept, identity,humanity, journalistic ethics, and legal culture – a conversation with humanrights defender and writer LarysaDenysenko
‍Women’s leadership development and support for women:H.E. Natalka Cmoc, Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine
A particularly significant event took place today – aguest lecture by H.E. Katarína Mathernová, Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine‍