David holds a PhD in disaster psychology and has over 20 years of professional and executive leadership experience with government and non-government organizations. David also has had the privilege of supporting people and communities affected by wars and disasters around the world. This includes ten years with the United Nations in the Middle East and numerous shorter humanitarian missions. The Grassroots Hero Foundation was borne after his experience in Ukraine, where he witnessed not only the immense suffering caused by the war but also the incredible volunteerism, spirit and resiliency of the Ukrainian people.

Prior to coming to Canada, Taras studied at the Lviv National Medical University where he obtained a specialty in pathology. In Ukraine, Taras combined his medical practice with public work, serving for two years as an executive director for the Galician Hospital Fund as well as the secretary of the Health Committee at the Civil Council of the Lviv Regional Administration. Taras is presently completing his doctorate degree in the Interdisciplinary Oncology Program at the University of British Columbia. In addition to the Grassroots Hero Foundation, Taras serves as the sports coordinator at the BC Cancer Research Institute Graduate and Post Doctoral Society. He also volunteers at the telemedicine platform TeleHelp Ukraine as a medical translator and interpreter.

Olga is a Ukrainian-Canadian from the Kyiv Region though her family is originally from the Donestsk Region. While Olga now lives in British Columbia where she works in a major accounting firm, her heart belongs to her motherland Ukraine. Since coming to Canada and especially since the invasion of Ukraine, Olga has been committed to volunteering and helping newcomers and refugees rebuild their lives in Canada. In her own words about the importance of supporting Ukraine, “I want to be useful without a weapon in hand and that is why I proudly accepted the opportunity to join the Grassroots Hero Foundation and utilize my skills in helping rasie funds and address unmet humanitarian needs in Ukraine.”

Jaden is a South African national currently living in Vancouver and attending the University of British Columbia where he is completing a bachelor’s degree focusing on conflict resolution. Having had the privilege of growing up in seven different countries, Jaden has been involved in a diverse range of NGOs and volunteer projects in countries like India, Thailand and Uzbekistan. In Vancouver, he is also member of the non-profit Building Bridges, an organization aimed at advocating indigenous rights in British Columbia and improving education initiatives surrounding settler colonization. Jaden is committed to movements like Grassroots Hero Foundation for their capacity to bring direct and impactful relief during times of conflict, and their capacity to humanize distant and remote conflicts for the Canadian experience.

Heidi is a health emergency management specialist currently working for the Provincial Health Services Authority in Vancouver. Heidi holds a Masters’ degree in Disaster and Emergency Management from York University in Toronto and has been volunteering with the Canadian Red Cross (CRC) for over 12 years. She is currently a CRC National Member, as part of the organization’s governance structure, and is a seasoned Emergency Response Team supervisor, helping to support several responses across Canada. Her extensive volunteer experience with non-government organizations, both within Canada and internationally, has given her a deep understanding that making a difference starts with listening and supporting community strengths at the grassroots level.

Svitlana is a Ukrainian national who is presently living in Odesa. Svitlana comes with a wealth of life experiences. Svitlana has worked as a make-up artist in the film industry, in health care as a laboratory technician, and taught children in school. Since the war, Svitlana has worked in the humanitrian field with a number of international organizations. During this time, she has also volunteered with the Grassroots Hero Foundation and has been critical to its success on the ground. Svitlana is committed to helping people in her country and supporting those most affected by the war. Svitlana is a strong believer that “small things make big changes”.

Cathy Dent is a Ukrainian-Canadian whose grandparents immigrated to Canada from Ukraine in the 1920’s and settled in the farming community of Mundare, Alberta. Many of Cathy’s memories of her grandparents and parents are of their acts of kindness when they supported others in their times of need. Their humanity has influenced her lifelong commitment to help others. In Cathy’s own words, “it is truly heroic to ease suffering of others and build community while simultaneously living alongside the dark realities of war”.