Teach For Ukraine NGO is proud to announce that its Chairperson, Oksana Matiash, has become the first Ukrainian selected to join the prestigious Obama Foundation Scholars program. Oksana will be part of the sixth cohort of scholars—12 emerging leaders from around the world—who will participate in a special program at Columbia University in New York City during 2023-2024.
Oksana took the helm of Teach For Ukraine in October 2020 after returning from Oxford University, where she earned a Master’s degree in Public Policy. During her studies in the UK, Oksana was deeply inspired by the mission of Teach For Ukraine: to ensure every child in Ukraine can realize their potential, no matter where they are born or live.
Over three years of leadership, Oksana has not only built a team of over 50 people but also raised more than $2.5 million to create vital educational projects focused on academic and socio-emotional support. These initiatives have reached over 25,000 children and 90,000 teachers across Ukraine.
The Obama Foundation Scholars program, launched in 2018, aims to cultivate the next generation of leaders by equipping them with skills, tools, and experiences that amplify their impact. Scholars engage in academic and experiential learning developed by Columbia and the University of Chicago in partnership with the Obama Foundation.
Since its inception, the program has supported 132 young leaders from 59 countries, all actively working to solve pressing global challenges. More details about the 2023-2024 cohort can be found on the Foundation’s website.
“We are excited to welcome this new cohort of scholars into the Obama Foundation family, where they will join a network of leaders committed to building a stronger, more resilient, and inclusive world,” said Valerie Jarrett, Executive Director of the Obama Foundation.
“I am incredibly proud and honored to be the first Obama Foundation Scholar from Ukraine. For me, this recognition is foremost a tribute to the work of Teach For Ukraine and the dedication of our entire team. During the program, I plan to focus on developing transformative educational initiatives that support learning and wellbeing for children during the war, as well as strengthening Ukraine’s human capital for post-war recovery,” shared Oksana Matiash, Chairperson of Teach For Ukraine NGO.
About Teach For Ukraine:
Founded in 2017, Teach For Ukraine NGO recruits top graduates and talented young professionals from various fields to teach in schools in small communities across Ukraine. Participants commit to relocating for at least one year, becoming role models for children, supporting community development, and enhancing their own leadership and professional skills. In March 2022, Teach For Ukraine launched emergency educational assistance projects aimed at providing academic and psycho-emotional support to children and educators, including Ukraine’s first educational compensation project, Educational SUP.
