Дар'я

DARIA SHULZHENKO
[відкрити контакти](див. вище в блоці «контактна інформація») | [відкрити контакти](див. вище в блоці «контактна інформація»)
Based in Kyiv, Ukraine. Ready to relocate
CORE COMPETENCIES
Strategic Communications | Media Relations & Stakeholder Engagement | Research, Monitoring & Analysis | Multimedia Storytelling
(Video, Text, Social Media) | War & Crisis Reporting | Project & Production Coordination
EXPERIENCE
THE KYIV INDEPENDENT, Ukraine’s biggest English-language media outlet Kyiv, Ukraine
Co-founder, journalist Nov. 2021– Aug. 2025
• Co-founded and helped build Ukraine’s largest English-language media outlet into a globally recognized platform,
reaching international policymakers, donors, and broad international audiences
• Produced and coordinated high-quality communication products, including written features, videos, social media content
• Document Russia’s war in Ukraine, focusing on civilian impact, defense efforts, responses from the global community
• Helped define and drive editorial and public-facing communication priorities to elevate Ukraine-related issues in
international media and public discourse
• Grew into an on-camera presenter; video interview with Ukrainian soldiers surpassed 1M views on YouTube
• Delivered fast, accurate breaking news during major attacks and political developments
• Developed and produced multimedia projects for international organizations, including UNDP, showcasing their work
across Ukraine
• Built and sustained strong, trusted relationships with national and international media, experts, civil society actors, and
institutional partners

KYIV POST, former leading English-language newspaper​ Kyiv, Ukraine
Journalist​ June 2018 – Nov. 2021
• Grew from trainee to full-time journalist, developing strong reporting, interviewing, and editing skills​
• Reported extensively on Covid-19, covering public health measures, social impact, and government response
• Wrote over 400 articles spanning social issues, lifestyle, politics, and business for print and online​
• Covered key events in Kyiv, conducting on-site interviews with prominent local figures​
• Produced clear, engaging content tailored to diverse audiences across digital and print platforms​
• Hosted the newspaper’s travel vlog on YouTube
• Role ended when the entire team was dismissed for defending editorial independence

OTHER EXPERIENCE
BAMBOOK ACADEMY, private language school ​ Kyiv, Ukraine
Account Manager, Communications and social media manager​ Feb. 2017 – Aug. 2017
• Led communications strategy and managed all social media channels
• Supervised and mentored staff to improve performance and client service
• Planned and executed promotional events to attract new students and increase brand visibility
• Boosted sales by 30% compared to the previous quarter
• Launched and managed a successful summer language camp for children, from promotion to coordination

ZEB, international management consulting specialist focusing on financial services Kyiv, Ukraine
Intern​ Aug. 2016 – Nov. 2016
• Conducted research and analysis of the Ukrainian banking sector to support strategic communication and consulting
outputs

EDUCATION

INSTITUTE OF LINGUISTICS AND PSYCHOLOGY,
KYIV INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY​ Kyiv, Ukraine
Bachelor’s degree in Philology. Translator from English and German languages​​ Sept. 2012 – July 2016
• Ranked among Top-3 students
VOLUNTEERING, OTHER PROJECTS & SKILLS
• Authored stories for “Kyiv is Kyiv,” English-language zine capturing the vibrancy of Ukraine’s capital. July – Aug. 2021
• German language courses at Volkshochschule. Starnberg, Germany. Nov. 2017 – May 2018
• On-camera presenting, trauma-informed interviewing, OSINT verification, fact-checking, social media management;
currently improving video editing skills.