LEADERSHIP

Mary grew up in Arlington Va, surrounded by multiple cultures and friends from an array of different countries as the Washington Metro area is a melting pot for many. She earned a BS in Accounting Information Systems at Virginia Tech, while minoring in Global Business and studying French.

After graduation, she worked for reputable accounting firms gaining experience in audit, financial management and federal financial accountability.

Wanting to make a difference on the global front, Mary transitioned into International Development where she worked for 15 years, ensuring financial compliance and managing firm risk profiles, most recently in Tunisia and Libya.

She has experience traveling and working in over 45 countries across the globe. She’s helped to support projects in stabilization, health and education.

Kevin is a retired U.S. Army Infantry and Civil Affairs Officer with 24 years of active-duty service. A 1991 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Kevin held numerous leadership positions throughout his career, including postings to the Pentagon and an exchange assignment with the Canadian Army. He completed multiple combat tours in Iraq and was wounded in action in 2004. His international experience also includes extended service in Korea and other regions. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and studied Stability Operations and Rule of Law at the Naval Postgraduate School.

Following his military career, Kevin served as an FBI Special Agent in California and New York and held roles in the private sector, including pharmaceutical sales, financial advising, and construction management. Most recently, he worked for the National Park Service and operated Michigamme Maple Syrup Company.

Motivated by a deep sense of duty, Kevin joined humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, serving as an ambulance driver with the NGO Prevail. He currently resides in Palm Springs, California, and is pursuing EMT/Paramedic certification to continue serving in crisis response.

Zak was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, and raised in Brooklyn, New York, bringing a personal and cultural connection to his ongoing support for Ukraine. After completing his education, he began his career in the U.S. government, where he developed a strong foundation in public service and policy.

Since 2021, Zak has worked in data privacy at Meta, contributing to the protection of user rights and digital information. His professional background spans government, technology, and corporate compliance, with a focus on responsible innovation and governance.

Zak has been actively involved in supporting Ukraine since 2014 through both his professional work and volunteer initiatives. He brings valuable experience in fundraising, leadership, and project management to Volunteers for Ukraine, where he plays a key role in advancing the organization’s mission. His deep-rooted connection to Ukraine and consistent advocacy make him a vital member of the VfU team.

Zachary Stearns is a growth strategist and marketing leader with over a decade of experience helping mission-driven organizations and technology companies expand their reach and impact. With specialized expertise in CRM strategy, demand generation, and go-to-market execution, he focuses on building systems that deliver sustainable and measurable results across sectors.

Zachary holds a degree from The Ohio State University, where he concentrated in intelligence and national security. He brings an analytical and strategic lens to his work, applying insights from his academic background to both the private sector and the nonprofit space. His career reflects a consistent commitment to leveraging business and marketing tools in support of meaningful, purpose-driven missions.

As a Board Member for Volunteers for Ukraine, Zachary contributes operational insight, strategic planning, and business acumen to the organization’s global humanitarian efforts. His dedication to scalable impact and mission alignment makes him an invaluable asset to VfU’s leadership team.

Ed is the founder and Chair of the Governing Board of the Institute for the Study of States of Exception, a nonprofit focused on critical issues of law, policy, and power in times of crisis. He brings over two decades of national security experience to his work, having served 24 years in the U.S. Government across overseas and Washington, DC assignments before retiring in 2024.

Since retiring from government service, Ed has provided strategic advisory support to leading technology and defense companies, contributed to several nonprofit organizations, and advocated publicly and consistently for Ukraine’s sovereignty and defense in the face of Russia’s invasion. His expertise spans national security, governance, international affairs, and ethics.

Ed holds a J.D. and an LL.M. in Taxation from Temple University, an M.A. in Continental Philosophy from Staffordshire University, and a B.A. in Philosophy from La Salle University. He currently resides in Washington, DC, where he continues his advocacy and research work often accompanied by his two travel-loving cats, Gizmo and Yoda.

Daryna Puhach is a language and cultural expert who serves as both a Director of the Ukrainian branch of Volunteers for Ukraine and a Board Member of its U.S. entity. Born and based in Ukraine, she has played a key role in VfU’s local coordination, leveraging her deep understanding of Ukrainian society, language, and global engagement.

With a degree in linguistics from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Daryna has spent years teaching Ukrainian to foreigners including diplomats, international soldiers, journalists, investors, and humanitarian volunteers. Her work has contributed directly to international cooperation and understanding on the ground in Ukraine. She also studied abroad in Denmark at Rønde Højskole as an international student, further strengthening her intercultural communication skills and global perspective.

In addition to her work in education and humanitarian coordination, Daryna is a high-level athlete and currently competes as a volleyball player in Ukraine’s First League. Her dedication to both national resilience and international partnership makes her a vital member of the Volunteers for Ukraine team.

Samantha brings over 15 years of experience in international policy and political affairs, with a career spanning diplomacy, governance, and global development. She most recently led a major USAID program in Libya with the National Democratic Institute, where she worked to strengthen democratic institutions and civil society in one of the world’s most complex political environments.

Previously, Samantha served as Senior Policy Advisor to Canada’s Foreign Minister, playing a key role in shaping foreign policy and international engagement. Her expertise includes diplomacy, multilateral cooperation, human rights and security across Africa, the Americas and Middle East.

Samantha holds degrees from McGill University and the London School of Economics. Originally from Montreal, she currently resides in New York City and contributes her extensive policy and advisory background to Volunteers for Ukraine’s mission of advancing freedom, resilience, and democratic values in Ukraine.

Celia Zeilberger is a global development and innovation leader with over 15 years of experience advancing social impact across diverse regions and sectors.

Beginning her career in journalism, she went on to lead communications for USAID in Ghana before managing a multi-million dollar youth engagement project and providing strategic communications and partnership leadership across numerous large-scale initiatives in Latin America, Central Asia, Africa, and East Asia. Celia has held senior roles guiding strategy, growth, and external engagement at leading international development organizations, and has helped secure over $75 million in funding to support mission-driven programs worldwide. She is currently exploring how emerging technologies can help organizations navigate complex environments and accelerate inclusive development.

Celia serves on the Board of Directors of Volunteers for Ukraine, where she brings deep expertise in communications, fundraising, and financial oversight. Of Ukrainian heritage, she is driven by both professional purpose and personal commitment to supporting the resilience, dignity, and recovery of the Ukrainian people.

Preston Stewart combines a distinguished military background with a powerful digital voice on global security and conflict.

A West Point graduate and former U.S. Army officer, Preston served two deployments to Afghanistan with the 101st Airborne Division before continuing his commitment in the National Guard and Army Reserves.

Today, he leverages his experience to educate and engage global audiences on war and international affairs through one of the largest military-focused content platforms online, spanning YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. His work has fostered collaborations with NATO, the Department of Defense, and multiple units across the Ukrainian Defense Forces, while also driving fundraising campaigns that have delivered critical equipment to Ukrainian troops.