Alumni Spotlight

Iryna graduated from UWC-USA in 2009. She went on to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Mathematics from Clark University in the United States. During her third year, she studied at the London School of Economics. After two years of work experience as an analyst in a financial consulting company in Boston, Iryna continued her studies at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, receiving a Master’s degree in Finance.

Currently, Iryna works as a Senior Associate at Citibank, based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. She started a career as a Corporate Banker, and now has become a part of the Wholesale Credit Risk – Banking, Capital Markets & Advisory Transformation Team. 

“At the age of 18, for the very first time, I boarded a plane, crossed the ocean, and saw the red desert of New Mexico. I arrived at the UWC-USA campus wanting to be a good representation for Ukraine, determined not to waste the opportunity I was given. I remember exiting the car and seeing a whole crowd of students who met me with smiles and hugs, telling me how excited they were to finally meet me (I arrived two days late). Things were happening around me, I was already led somewhere, someone was carrying my suitcase, and I was just smiling and thinking that things were better than I expected them to be. I still had some challenges, like the language barrier and the realization that the 6 IB subjects are actually harder than the 14 subjects in my Ukrainian school. And yet, I really enjoyed the sense of belonging, support, and a weirdly different feeling of family warmth and joy from the moments created by all these young, energetic, bright people with such diverse life stories and values.

All these memories: sleepless nights, concerts, historical and political discussions, breathtaking adventures — always make me smile and appreciate UWC-USA and the Ukrainian National Committee. 

When I was graduating from UWC, I thought that everything was about to end. I had no idea what life would bring me. But as it turns out, my connections with friends did not disappear. I still meet UWC people in Boston, Washington, and London. Without UWC, I would not be able to get into Clark University, and without Clark I would never be able to study and live in downtown London, receiving packages with Ukrainian chocolate from my family. Finally, without this experience and all the kind people I’ve met and learned from, I would not be able to get into Cambridge and learn about the global cooperation and partnerships which are essential to personal and career growth.”

Vladyslav is an alumnus of UWC Costa Rica (2006-2008). After earning his International Baccalaureate, he pursued economics at Wheaton College in Massachusetts (2008–2012), including a stint at Boston University’s London program in 2010. With a firm grounding in economic principles and a global outlook fortified at UWC, Vladyslav was poised to shape both business and community.

Following the Russian occupation of Crimea, Vladyslav made a pivotal decision to return to Ukraine. He joined MGID, the global native advertising leader, and has since risen to become Vice President of Strategic Partnerships. Over more than nine years, he has led an 80‑person global team, driving publisher-side strategies, market expansion across Europe, Latin America, and APAC, and forging key media partnerships worldwide. Under his leadership, MGID’s publisher base multiplied tenfold—a testament to his strategic foresight and commitment to scalable growth.

But Vladyslav’s impact goes far beyond business. When the full-scale Russian invasion began in 2022, he channeled his leadership into pressing humanitarian needs. Leveraging his blog and YouTube presence as “Metal Pilgrim,” celebrated in the heavy‑metal community by tens of thousands of fans, he founded the Steel Wings Foundation to support frontline humanitarian and military efforts in Ukraine. Through this initiative, Vladyslav coordinates the delivery of vital equipment — generators, Starlink terminals, bullet‑proof vests, drones, and ambulances — to war‑torn frontline towns, newly liberated regions, and medical teams. His international experiences allowed him to rapidly mobilize international support, rallying audiences in the U.S., U.K., and beyond — and often raising needed funds within hours.

Vladyslav’s path from UWC Costa Rica to global tech leadership and wartime humanitarianism is a powerful reminder of how education, empathy, and entrepreneurship can combine to make a difference. At MGID, he reshaped digital media landscapes; through Steel Wings, he saves lives and uplifts communities. Vladyslav exemplifies the UWC mission: using education as a force to unite people, nations, and cultures for a sustainable future. His efforts highlight a profound legacy: leveraging skills, networks, and passion to serve others. For alumni and students alike, his story is a beacon, proving that with vision and courage, individual action can echo across borders and battlelines, creating hope and tangible change.

Iryna graduated from UWC-USA in 2009. She went on to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Mathematics from Clark University in the United States. During her third year, she studied at the London School of Economics. After two years of work experience as an analyst in a financial consulting company in Boston, Iryna continued her studies at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, receiving a Master’s degree in Finance.

Currently, Iryna works as a Senior Associate at Citibank, based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. She started a career as a Corporate Banker, and now has become a part of the Wholesale Credit Risk – Banking, Capital Markets & Advisory Transformation Team. 

“At the age of 18, for the very first time, I boarded a plane, crossed the ocean, and saw the red desert of New Mexico. I arrived at the UWC-USA campus wanting to be a good representation for Ukraine, determined not to waste the opportunity I was given. I remember exiting the car and seeing a whole crowd of students who met me with smiles and hugs, telling me how excited they were to finally meet me (I arrived two days late). Things were happening around me, I was already led somewhere, someone was carrying my suitcase, and I was just smiling and thinking that things were better than I expected them to be. I still had some challenges, like the language barrier and the realization that the 6 IB subjects are actually harder than the 14 subjects in my Ukrainian school. And yet, I really enjoyed the sense of belonging, support, and a weirdly different feeling of family warmth and joy from the moments created by all these young, energetic, bright people with such diverse life stories and values.

All these memories: sleepless nights, concerts, historical and political discussions, breathtaking adventures — always make me smile and appreciate UWC-USA and the Ukrainian National Committee. 

When I was graduating from UWC, I thought that everything was about to end. I had no idea what life would bring me. But as it turns out, my connections with friends did not disappear. I still meet UWC people in Boston, Washington, and London. Without UWC, I would not be able to get into Clark University, and without Clark I would never be able to study and live in downtown London, receiving packages with Ukrainian chocolate from my family. Finally, without this experience and all the kind people I’ve met and learned from, I would not be able to get into Cambridge and learn about the global cooperation and partnerships which are essential to personal and career growth.”