Who we are

Future Ukraine Limited is a DGR-approved company limited by guarantee that was formed on the initiative of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO), the peak body for the Ukrainian diaspora community in Australia.

How we are different

Future Ukraine is about building back better, transitioning from wartime, and focusing on Ukraine’s upcoming era of post-war innovation and prosperity.

Featuring DGR status and fully tax-deductible donations, Future Ukraine also uniquely provides its high-level donors and supporters the opportunity to collaborate in identifying, designing and delivering projects that have a maximum positive impact.

Future Ukraine allocates 97 per cent of revenue to projects, spending only 3 per cent on administrative costs.

 
 

Our Board

Kateryna
Argyrou

Kateryna Argyrou works as a Portfolio Manager in the financial industry, focusing on the Real Estate sector. Prior to her current role, Kateryna was the Head of Australian Real Estate equities research at Credit Suisse.

Kateryna was born in Ukraine, spent her childhood in Canada, and moved to Australia 10 years ago. She graduated with honours from the George Washington University and the London School of Economics. In her volunteering capacity, Kateryna is Co-Chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO) and a Co-Founder and NSW Representative of the Australian-Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce (AUCC).

Jarema
Polatajko

Jarema was Born in Adelaide. He transferred to Melbourne in 1974 as a Trainee Accountant, whilst employed by a Public listed Company. He graduated in Accounting and Business Studies in 1976. He was employed as an Accountant in a further two Public listed Companies, until he opened his own Accounting and Tax practice in 1983.

Jarema is a member of: Tax Institute Australia – Chartered Tax Adviser; National Tax & Accountants’ Limited – Member; Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations – Finance Director since 1 April, 2012; Federal Plast Ukrainian Scouting Organisation – Federal Leader of Senior Scouts in Australia; Karpaty Foundation – Director; Future Ukraine Limited – Director; Ukrainian School Council of Victoria – Treasurer; Ukrainian Elderly Peoples Home – Founding member 1 January, 1993; Association of Ukrainians in Victoria – Member.

Daniel Bohdan
Wolody

I thought I retired in September 2008 after a thirty six year career focusing on the provision of consulting services to multinational corporations throughout Asia Pacific. On returning to Australia I became increasing involved in helping out in the Ukrainian community. Then the war started and retirement went out the window.

Over my work life I held numerous senior positions and learned to achieve outcomes both as a participant and leader of teams involved in strategic planning and change management. I developed as a communicator and spent most of my career “on my feet” in business development roles. Now I do this for;

  • The Ukrainian Council of NSW
  • The Orthodox Parish Strathfield
  • The Ukraine Crisis Appeal
  • The AFUO audit committee
  • and now, Future Ukraine

Having held executive directorships with global banking and real estate groups I have a good understanding of corporate governance and the responsibilities of directorship. Above all, I try to keep learning and stay open minded (apart from the occasional meltdown) and focus on uniting our community in the challenges ahead.

Founders and Former Board Members

Stefan
Romaniw

(12 November 1955 – 26 June 2024)

The late Stefan Romaniw was a co-founder of Future Ukraine and a deeply respected leader within the Ukrainian-Australian and broader multicultural communities.

Stefan served as the Executive Director of Community Languages Australia and as Co-Chair of the Australian Federation of Ukrainian Organisations (AFUO). He held senior Australian government and management positions, served terms as Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission and the Victorian Government’s Australia Day Committee, and sat on numerous boards, including the Starlight Children’s Foundation (Victoria), the RMIT University Language Advisory Board, the Board of Council of Adult Education, and the Commonwealth Ministerial Standing Council on Immigration and Multicultural Affairs.

He was Australia’s representative on the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ukraine.

Stefan served as First Vice President of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) and chaired many Ukrainian-Australian organisations over more than 50 years of involvement in the community.

He was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2001 and the Centenary Medal in 2003. He also received Orders of Recognition and medals from the President of Ukraine, as well as a Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine medal for services to international relations. Stefan was a Member of the Hall of Fame at St Bernard’s College.