Scaling Leadership For Ukraine – Школа масштабуючого коучингу Ірини Золотаревич

SCALING LEADERSHIP

FOR UKRAINE

Creating a new culture of scalable leadership in times of war and transformation

About the project

Russia’s full-scale invasion has forced Ukraine to reinvent every aspect of its life — including leadership.
Ukrainian leaders across business, education, public policy and civil society are navigating extreme complexity. They face not only physical threats, but also strategic uncertainty, decision fatigue, and institutional overload.

“Scaling Leadership for Ukraine” is a coaching-based national initiative that supports those leaders in real time — strengthening their clarity, resilience, and strategic focus.
At its core, this is not just a set of programs. It is a growing ecosystem that helps people lead under pressure and at scale.

Our Manifesto

We are not only responding to crisis — we are building the future

Through coaching, leadership becomes scalable

Through leadership, Ukraine becomes unbreakable

Why this matters

Why coaching leadership matters — now more than ever

War. Uncertainty. Responsibility.

Since 2022, Ukrainian leaders have been operating in conditions of continuous stress, risk, and extreme decision-making. But leadership under pressure is not just about surviving. It’s about choosing how to lead when the stakes are highest

Coaching becomes a response to the deepest leadership challenge:

Scalable leadership in Ukraine’s context, means the ability to lead not just individually — but in a way that activates systems, people, and culture around you. It is leadership that creates ripples: across cities, universities, ministries, and communities

This is not only about supporting leaders — it’s about shaping a new national logic of leadership

The Initiative In Action: Four Waves of Impact

WAVE 1: Resilience Coaching for Active Leaders

A grant-based coaching program designed for leaders navigating wartime complexity across sectors — business, civil society, and public administration. The focus: strategic clarity, emotional resilience, and leadership presence

10 leaders were selected from over 120 nominees across sectors and received access to strategic coaching programs, including personal strategy sessions, group leadership coaching, and long-term one-on-one formats
Focus areas: team restructuring, personal clarity, long-term vision
Participants represented SMEs, government bodies, NGOs, and grassroots initiatives

What we delivered:

Impact observed:

Alumni received hands-on supervised practice

Leaders received high-level coaching support at no cost

Participants who received a grant

Nadiia Vasylieva
Director of the NGO “Institute of Digital Transformation”. Field of activity: digital economy and transformation, eco-system, startups
Horbal Nataliia
Partner at Arzinger Law Firm. Area of expertise: advocacy
Olena Klochko
Marketing Director at Mitsubishi Motors Ukraine. Area of expertise: marketing
Natalia Koval
Head and co-owner of the Jupiter Farm. Field of activity: farming, agriculture, food
Bohdan Kruglik
Director, CEO of Frendt LLC. Field of activity: agriculture
Natalia Limonova
Founder, CEO of GIOS Industry: educational startup
Mayboroda Alla
Medical Director of LifeScan LLC. Field of activity: medicine
Nataliia Pohrebna
Director of The Department of Economics of the Kyiv Regional Military Administration. Field of activity: public administration and economics
Mykola Politikin
Director of Misto Energy LLC. Field of activity: energy efficiency
Yana Sytnichenko
Owner of Sole proprietor Sytnichenko, TM Creative Wood. Field of activity: production and distribution of wood products

Participant reflections:

Natalia Koval

Head and co-owner of the Jupiter Farm. In 2012, my husband and I purchased the premises of a bankrupt company and established the Pani Yupiter dairy farm. The farm occupied 8 hectares and produced 7 tons of milk per day, made craft cheeses, had a confectionery shop, and developed tourism.

In April 2022, the farm came under occupation, lost electricity, and survived thanks to a generator and limited cow milk production. It was a very difficult time: the village, with about 300 to 400 inhabitants left, survived on milk, cheese, and bread from a local farm with about 12 employees.

We were forced to preserve the cows and stopped insemination. The farm lost more than 130 cows because we were unable to provide them with veterinary care, medicines, vitamin support, and even normal balanced food. After all, during the occupation, we were unable to prepare feed.

After the de-occupation, the main task was to preserve what was left and return the employees. We looked for various resources, sought government support, and participated in grant programs for the development of Ukrainian farms. In the spring of 2023, I took part in the Ukrainian Leaders Scaling Grant Program, where I had individual work with a coach.

As a result of working on this project, I realized that the most important thing is to pull yourself together, find a foothold prioritize, and move step by step from one small goal to another. She managed to find her own sources of energy, secure the support of her team, and achieve some success. It all took a lot of time and effort, but we greeted 2024 with a completely different attitude.

There is still a lot of work to be done, but we already have the strength and desire to work, develop, establish new connections, and defend the interests of the farm at various levels. There is an overwhelming desire to regain our position in the market.

Natalia Limonova

Working with a coach helped me gain a deeper awareness of my strengths and limitations, clearly define my role in business and team development, and understand the scale of my own personality.

What was especially valuable was how this process supported my emotional state, preventing discouragement while helping me recognize a new level of myself and my project.

I particularly appreciate the high level of empathy and attentiveness from the coach. I also found it extremely useful that after each session, I received a short summary of all the discussed topics—this was incredibly convenient and valuable.

Natalia Horbal

Coaching gave me the opportunity to look at seemingly resolved issues from a fresh perspective, leading to deeper understanding and new insights.

This experience opened up new perspectives and helped me reassess my challenges in a different light, fostering both personal and professional growth.

The professionalism, empathy, and support of the coach were particularly valuable, creating a trusting environment for self-development.

Mykola Politikin

Working on my personal and company development strategy was a completely new experience for me. A key part of this process was strengthening my leadership skills.

What stood out the most was the coach’s ability to sense my state and mood, which allowed for better adaptation of the sessions to my needs. This created a comfortable atmosphere for self-exploration and achieving meaningful results.

Bohdan Kruglyk

For me, coaching has been a key stage in my transformation. I developed new skills and changed my approach to public speaking as well as interactions with colleagues. Thanks to coaching, I was able to clearly define my goals and ambitions, with the fundamental question—”For what purpose and why do I need this?”—becoming central to my self-discovery.

These positive changes translated into tangible business success. Our company gained public recognition, was listed in Forbes Ukraine NEXT 250, retained and expanded jobs, launched new business directions, and achieved steady growth in revenue. One of the key milestones was securing three grants, including ISO certification, which elevated our company’s status. Additionally, we developed two new consulting products—**Digital EBITDA and Digital Field Transformation**.

As a result of these innovations, our company’s gross revenue increased by 45%, proving the success and high demand for our new products. We also launched a new training center, expanding opportunities for employee professional growth.

For me, coaching is closely associated with self-discovery, stress management, and support during challenges. Each session brought not only business benefits but also positive changes in my personal and professional life. Coaching offers a unique approach tailored to individual needs and ambitions, making it a powerful tool for transformation.

WAVE 2: Coaching in Higher Education

The first university-based coaching program for educators in Ukraine, launched in partnership with the Faculty of Psychology, Taras Shevchenko National University. The goal: empower academic leaders to adapt, lead and transform learning in crisis

What we delivered:

Impact observed:

Professors reported increased motivation and clearer personal strategy

Follow-up initiatives launched within faculty structures

Participant reflections:

During my coaching sessions, I felt a greater sense of inner balance and self-confidence. This positively impacted both my personal and professional life—I became more structured in setting my goals and defining clear steps to achieve them. Professionally, I became more productive, and personally, more organized, which helped me set my priorities correctly.

The key insight I gained is that change starts with small steps, and every action brings you closer to the result. The most important thing is to have a goal and steadily move toward it.

I highly recommend coaching to my friends and acquaintances. It’s a great way to look at your goals from a new perspective and find the resources to move forward.

Thank you for your support and professional approach!

During my coaching sessions, I felt supported, understood, and that she was truly flexible in her approach.

Coach always met me where I was and created a space of support, understanding, and non-judgment—a space filled with warmth and, in a way, love .

Her professionalism was evident. Through the right questions, she helped me *draw out* the answers I needed to understand myself better and, most importantly, find time for the things I love. Thanks to our sessions, I started regularly practicing yoga and meditation—things that energize me, provide inner peace, and restore my balance.

There were moments of resistance, but coach gently guided me back on track, for which I am deeply grateful. Now, I realize that I was always heading toward the answers I was meant to find. I sincerely appreciate this opportunity, the understanding, the support, and the deeply enriching sessions.

Coaching has had a profound impact on my mental and emotional well-being, especially since my sessions focused on personal matters.

Through this process, I found the strength to enter relationships without expectations and to take risks with greater confidence.

I often recall our work with gratitude and remind myself of a key takeaway: *“I truly lose nothing when I take a risk.”* This perspective has reshaped the way I approach life and decision-making.

Accepting situations without expectations frees me from fear and allows me to step into spaces that hold value for me. The most precious aspect of this experience was the sense of support—it felt like wings that helped me overcome fear and let go of limiting expectations.

I have felt the impact of coaching on my mental and emotional well-being. It has helped me maintain harmony and balance in my life.

Through the communication in my coaching sessions, I was able to dive deeper into my true *”Real Self”* and rethink my intentions on the path toward my *”Ideal Self.”* I am learning to stay present in the *”here and now,”* showing love and care for myself.

The most significant change for me is that I now happily dedicate time to myself and intentionally shape my daily routine.

A key insight I gained from coaching is that new opportunities and skills come exactly when we are ready for them—when we are prepared to turn a new page in our lives. Thanks to coaching, I have learned to view my future with greater honesty and realism, embracing the new *gifts* that life brings my way.

My overall impression of coaching is extremely positive. In today’s fast-paced and often chaotic world, coaching has helped me navigate periods of self-development more effectively and productively.

WAVE 3: Executive Coaching in Practice

Executive Coaching graduates from the School of Scaling Coaching were deployed to support real-life leaders in various sectors — from humanitarian organizations to municipal structures

What we delivered:

Impact observed:

Alumni received hands-on supervised practice

Leaders received high-level coaching support at no cost

Participant reflections:

Thank you for the push I needed, for the opportunity not only to see my goals more clearly but also to reassess them.

I had five sessions, during which I received valuable insights and a great deal of positive energy. We worked on important topics for me—balancing work and personal life, looking at my challenges from a different perspective, and finding solutions that were truly my own rather than imposed by others. I also gained a clear understanding of the necessary sequence of actions and their feasibility.

The sessions were useful and effective for me because, although I felt like I understood and knew everything already, something was still missing.

My understanding of situations became structured and clear. The confidence, timely questions from the coach, and revisiting unresolved points helped me maintain focus in any situation and always ask myself, *”Where am I in this?”* It also helped me align my perception with reality.

Additionally, I developed skills in identifying internal barriers that were preventing me from reaching my goals and learned how to set practical objectives.

I not only gained a clear structure for the program but also increased confidence that it would truly work. This was deep and valuable work that led to great results.

What was especially meaningful for me was that after completing the sessions, we analyzed and documented the working model, allowing me to replicate this successful experience in the future. Now, I feel confident that I can do it again.

To be honest, I am incredibly satisfied with this experience. I was able to clearly set my goals and articulate my challenges.

I was open throughout the process, which helped me overcome my insecurities and fully immerse myself in the work. I learned how to use new tools that I could immediately integrate into my business. Of course, this integration is still in its early stages, but I see a clear path for further development in this direction.

Thank you for the opportunity to benefit from your experience and knowledge!

During my coaching sessions, I received a systematic breakdown of the *Scaling a Company* strategy, which was incredibly valuable for me.

Through this process, I gained tools and knowledge that are clear and practical for implementation. Now, I have a solid understanding of how to scale a company correctly.

This outcome is significant for me because I now possess specific tools that will help me turn scaling into reality. It gives me confidence in the future growth of my company.

The biggest changes I am ready to implement in the near future include working on maintaining balance and improving my focus and prioritization of tasks and directions. This will allow me to move forward more effectively and confidently.

Thank you for the support and professionalism!

WAVE 4: Strategic Coaching for Reform Leaders

A long-term partnership with the board of the Professional Government Association (PGA) — a platform uniting public leaders with international education working on reform and governance renewal

What we delivered:

Impact observed:

PGA leadership has integrated coaching into its development model

Ongoing work with coaches extended into 2024

Project in progress

NEXT WAVE IS COMING

Wave 5: Coaching for Ukraine’s Local Leadership

Across Ukraine, local leaders are not waiting. They are rebuilding schools, holding communities together, managing crisis response — and driving long-term transformation

Wave 5 will bring coaching to this level of leadership:

Our aim: to empower local leaders who carry national resilience on their shoulders — and rarely receive structured leadership support

We are now forming a new circle of coaches, partners, and supporters for this next wave.
Let’s build this chapter together

Join the next wave

Project`s coaches

Vodnikova

Olena

Zhdanova

Nataliia

Oganova

Lіudmyla

Sibova

Inna

Dementieva

Liudmyla

Katskevych

Yuliia

Fesіun

Nataliіa

Іvanova

Nataliia

Shaternyk

Olha

Krykun

Kateryna

Bezrukava

Olena

Bilyk

Iryna

Еremenko

Tetiana

Kondrakova

Anna

Hrytsenko

Yulia

Zolotarevych

Iryna

Institutional Partnerships

We work hand-in-hand with organizations that shape the future of Ukraine’s governance and education:

PGA — Professional Government Association of Ukraine
Reform-minded public leaders with international education
Association for New Economic Education
A civil platform for values-driven educational transformation
League of Coaches Ukraine
A national network committed to coaching ethics, quality and community

International Team of Coaches

Certified professionals trained in executive and systemic coaching, including MCC- and PCC-level practitioners from Ukraine and beyond. Many have experience in conflict zones, public transformation, or large-scale leadership development.

Alumni of the School of Scaling Coaching

All executive coaches involved in the project are graduates of the School of Scaling Coaching founded by Iryna Zolotarevych.
They bring not only credentials (ICF-certified), but also shared methodology and a commitment to social impact.

Coaching as a system, not just a service

Behind every wave of impact stands a growing community of committed professionals, united by a belief in coaching as a tool for societal change

Our Ecosystem

Founder And Strategic Leadership

Founder of the International Agency for Scaling Coaching

Iryna Zolotarevych

Master Certified Coach (ICF) | Agile Brain Master Practitioner | EMCC Master Practitioner Candidate
Executive Coach & Advisor to the Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine
Iryna Zolotarevych is one of Ukraine’s leading coaching professionals and a pioneer in integrating coaching into public leadership, education, and national resilience
With over a decade of experience in executive coaching, public strategy, and education, she brings a unique combination of depth, systems thinking, and visionary energy
She is the author of the Scaling Coaching methodology — a model for coaching leadership in complex, rapidly changing environments. Her mission is to build coaching not just as a service, but as a culture of national transformation

Founder of the International Agency for Scaling Coaching

Iryna Zolotarevych

Master Certified Coach (ICF) | Agile Brain Master Practitioner | EMCC Master Practitioner Candidate
Executive Coach & Advisor to the Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine
Iryna Zolotarevych is one of Ukraine’s leading coaching professionals and a pioneer in integrating coaching into public leadership, education, and national resilience.
With over a decade of experience in executive coaching, public strategy, and education, she brings a unique combination of depth, systems thinking, and visionary energy.
She is the author of the Scaling Coaching methodology — a model for coaching leadership in complex, rapidly changing environments. Her mission is to build coaching not just as a service, but as a culture of national transformation.

Partner With Us

Support sustainable leadership for Ukraine’s future

We believe leadership is not a title — it’s a responsibility. Especially in times of war, coaching can empower leaders to make decisions that matter and build systems that last

If you represent a foundation, development agency, coaching body, or values-driven company — we welcome your partnership

Together, we can scale leadership where it’s needed most

zolotarevych.official@gmail.com

Our Partners

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