Kseniia

Kseniia Yarysh
[відкрити контакти](див. вище в блоці «контактна інформація») | Kyiv, Ukraine | [відкрити контакти](див. вище в блоці «контактна інформація») | Telegram: @kseniia_iy

Professional Summary
Over 15 years of progressive professional experience across public sector institutions, civil society, defense cooperation, and
international initiatives. Proven track record in facilitating multi-stakeholder civil-military coordination, managing large-
scale donor-funded programs ($4M+), establishing independent evaluation frameworks, and ensuring legal compliance
and accountability. Strong background in institutional cooperation with military brigades, European security entities,
and law enforcement agencies, backed by a Master of Laws degree and specialized human rights training through UNDP
and OSCE.

Core Competencies
• Civil-Military & Inter-Agency Coordination: Engaging security forces, military units, and international security
institutions.
• Program & Grant Management: End-to-end lifecycle, compliance, reporting, and budget execution ($4M+).
• Institutional Capacity Building: Developing methodologies, regulatory frameworks, standard operating proce
dures, and training workshops.
• Legal Compliance & Governance: Public policy analysis, anti-corruption standards, procurement integrity, and
human rights compliance.
• Cross-Sector Stakeholder Management: Fostering partnerships between government bodies, civil society, and
international organizations.

Professional Experience
Head of Programs & Grant Tracks Sep 2023 — Aug 2024
Defense Tech Cluster Brave1 / USF Ukraine
• Program Lifecycle & Governance: Built and managed the complete pipeline of security and defense projects,
from application compliance and independent expert assessment to funding allocation and milestone monitoring.
• Portfolio & Risk Management ($4M+): Ensured operational compliance, supervisory board defense, and trans
parent financial tracking for a $4M+ donor/state program portfolio.
• Methodology & Assessment Frameworks: Designed evaluation metrics, criteria, and operational regulations;
recruited and managed an independent pool of 50+ subject-matter experts for technical and operational evaluations.
• Capacity Building & Workshops: Structured and conducted training sessions and workshops for project teams,
focusing on project design, legal and financial compliance, KPI setting, and execution.
• Operational Scaling: Streamlined evaluation protocols and inter-departmental workflows, accelerating project
turnaround time while maintaining strict compliance.
Founder & Head of Defense Programs & Partnerships Apr 2022 — Present
Charitable Foundation "Obriy" (NGO) Ukraine
• International Security Engagement: Established direct institutional cooperation with European security, defense,
and innovation entities, including Tehnopol (Estonia) and structures within the Bundeswehr (Germany).
• Military Unit Coordination: Facilitated direct operational coordination and practical engagement with Ukrainian
military brigades and technical defense personnel.
• Multilateral Project Delivery: Organized cross-border initiatives and specialized events, including the European
Defense Tech Hackathon, managing operational planning, stakeholder engagement, and logistics in high-pressure
environments.
International Cooperation & Legal Coordination Expert May 2019 — May 2023
Asset Recovery and Management Agency (ARMA) — Public Sector Kyiv, Ukraine
• Inter-Agency Coordination: Led operational and institutional liaison with key security and law enforcement
agencies, including NABU, SBU, SBI, and the Prosecutor General’s Office.
• International Channels: Managed cross-border legal requests and sensitive inquiries through international channels,
including Europol, Interpol, and foreign partner agencies.
• Policy & Regulations: Participated in drafting institutional regulations, public policy analytical documents, and
standard operating procedures to ensure legal compliance.
Procurement Economist Dec 2016 — Dec 2018
Lviv International Airport — Public Sector Lviv, Ukraine

• Administered public procurement procedures and contract compliance via Prozorro, ensuring adherence to statutory
and regulatory standards.
Branch Acting Head / HR Manager Apr 2012 — Jan 2016
Nadra Bank Ukraine
• Managed operational workflows, staff coordination, and compliance with institutional banking policies.

Education
Lviv State University of Internal Affairs (LvDUVS) Lviv, Ukraine
Master of Laws (LL.M.) 2022 — 2022

University of Banking Ukraine
Master of Banking 2012 — 2012

Certifications & Training
• Human Rights Training — United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
• International Security & Human Dimension Seminars — Organization for Security and Co-operation in
Europe (OSCE)
• EU Action against Drugs and Organised Crime (EU-ACT) — European Union Programme
• Google Digital Tools for Management

Languages
• Ukrainian: Native
• English: Upper Intermediate
• Polish: Working Proficiency