Karina is originally from Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine, but completed her studies at Jagiellonian University, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Cultural Management, a Master’s degree in Social Work, and a Master’s degree in Cognitive Science. She was also affiliated with the Behaviour in Crisis Lab at Jagiellonian University. She also holds diplomas in sexology and Gestalt therapy.

For several years, she has worked in the international organisations and social projects sector. As a co-founder of MentalQuest, she led a team developing a B2C mental health platform, taking the project from the initial concept to a functional MVP. At CLEAR Global (USA), she served as a Programme Officer and Grants Project Officer, managing humanitarian projects in Ukraine and Poland, working with partners such as H2H, GIZ and UKHIH, and developing digital tools to support refugees, including the Kompass Search Agent. She also delivered training in humanitarian communication and plain language. Previously, as a Project Coordinator at On-Line On-Soul, she organised educational events and social projects related to social work and mental health.

Since 2024, she has been a member of the NGO “Ozhyvy Mriyu” (eng. Bring the Dream to Life), where she is responsible for writing and submitting grant applications and coordinating the project team. She took part in the international project “The Importance of Social Work for Democratic Participation in Europe” in Berlin and Kraków, dedicated to democracy and social work. She is the author and co-author of academic publications, including publications by Routledge, such as Social Work Education and the COVID-19 Pandemic.

At ODF, she draws on her experience in international project coordination, grant management and humanitarian work, particularly in the context of Ukraine and Poland. She supports our initiatives through effective project management, inter-organisational cooperation, and the implementation of innovative communication and educational tools that promote human rights.

Her interests include psychotherapy, art and new technologies in the context of personal and social development. She creates art- and therapy-based projects, such as The Actor-Psychological Project and Money Relationship Therapy, combining psychology, performance and emotional education. She is also passionate about travel, literature and contemporary theatre.