Interview with Victoria Drach, UA Director

Victoria relocated to Kyiv from a small town in 1996. Since then, she has dedicated over 8 years to working with both Ukrainian and American NGOs, and more than 16 years to various businesses. Guided by her mantra, “Think Big,” Victoria is unwavered in her pursuit of excellence and progress for any organization she serves. Firmly believing in the importance of knowledge, experience, and the sharing of information, Victoria actively seeks out educational opportunities.

Her academic achievements include earning four degrees: college, a diploma with honors in English Philology, an MBA degree, and participating in numerous international programs and courses on leadership during crises, digital marketing, and project management. Recognizing her expertise in project management and business optimization, Victoria is committed to enhancing the efficiency and productivity of Nova Ukraine on its path to success.

Interview

What is the Director of Nova Ukraine in Ukraine responsible for?

The Country Director brings the entire team together, unites them to ensure everything happens quickly and efficiently, and facilitates people working in Ukraine feel comfortable and understand what they need to do, when, and how to achieve the best results.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job?

Emotions!
It is an ongoing challenge to balance one’s personal emotions with what we need to do and what we need to accomplish.  For example, having to deal with the reality of bombed-out-hospitals and serving those in need, while at the same time, doing all we can to stay alive and safe ourselves. And those emotions when you want not only to help others but also to support your team, every person on your team. Everything else is a process. I love processes, I understand them, and I can always manage. The most important part is people.

What would you like to say to our donors?

Ukraine is trying to defend its independence, showing that it’s wrong and unjust to attack another country. By supporting Ukraine, you are supporting what is good. 

What would you tell yourself 10 years ago?

During the Maidan protests, I was terrified because I had a very young son. Ten years ago, I would have told myself, “Get ready, girl – there will be a war. Be prepared, physically and mentally. Make preparations. Be ready for a quick evacuation. Learn how to provide first aid and how to teach it to others.” I started doing this in 2016, and I am very proud of it!

What important things have you realized over the past 2 years?

Not all those who we consider our friends are friends. Rather, not all those we have trusted are worthy of that trust. However, there are those who support us when we are in trouble, and very often, those are people we might never have thought would because the perception was that what we value is different from one another.  Consequently, what I have learned, in the past two years, is that it is our shared values with others that truly unite us.  

What would you like to do after the Victory? 

Over these past two and a half years, I have thought a lot about what I would do. I will go and hug and talk with all those with whom I could not hug or talk with due to the restrictions on us during this period of time. This is the first thing.

A volunteer is…

A person who does what is needed, when it is needed, without asking for anything in return.

My vocation is …

Helping others by organizing processes and supporting people.

The most important things in life are…

My family, my children, parents, husband, and those people closest to me.

I worry about…

I don’t worry anymore, because worrying does not solve anything.  Now, I focus my attention on being supportive.

I dream about…

I dream of winning and rebuilding Ukraine with my children as soon as possible.