501(c)(3) Public Charity EIN: 92-0981446 | ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE
Who We Are
DAWN is dedicated to preserving Ukraine’s cultural heritage, providing essential medical aid, promoting mental health, and protecting the environment.
Our mission is to protect and promote cultural heritage, identity and traditions; bridge gaps in medical care and community health resources; nurture mental health and emotional resilience; and conserve and restore Ukraine’s natural environments.
We strive to create a resilient Ukraine where people and nature thrive together.
D.A.W.N. IS OUR MISSION
• Defend freedom and dignity
• Aid people and nature
• Widen opportunities for healing and growth
• Nurture goodwill and cultural heritage
In Ukrainian DAWN means Світанок (Svitanok)
View our 2024 Year-end Report
Board of Directors
Yulia
Brockdorf
Board President
Yulia Brockdorf | Board President
I was born in Ternopil and spent my childhood years in the Luhansk region of Ukraine. Sovereignty and freedom are close and dear to my heart. I founded and volunteered with Supplies for Life, Inc for 10 years. I support local, national, and international efforts to promote the healing and welfare of people and our planet. I am an integrative dietitian and a psychotherapist.
Valentina Pishchanskaya-Cayanan
Vice President & Secretary
Valentina Pishchanskaya-Cayanan | Vice President
I was born in Kyiv, Ukraine, and raised in the United States. Growing up in both cultures has allowed me to bring unique experiences and knowledge related to intersecting identities, cultures, respect for those that are different than me, and finding ways to preserve what is most important. I hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy. I have spent years working with non-profit organizations in varying capacities, and am excited to contribute to the Dawn US mission.
Galina
Voloshinov
Treasurer
Galina | Board Member
Galina Voloshinov was born and raised in Kyiv, Ukraine. She graduated from Kyiv Polytechnic University with a degree in Engineering. Twenty-seven years ago, she moved to the United States with her husband and two children.
In the U.S., Galina worked as a social worker, helping immigrants from around the world adjust to a new society and supporting senior immigrant communities through English classes and other essential services. She later returned to school, earned a degree in Dental Hygiene, and now works at Portland Community College as faculty in the Dental Hygiene program.
Galina is an active member of the Ukrainian community and serves on the board of DAWN Inc., volunteering and supporting Ukrainians both in the U.S. and in Ukraine.
Founding Members
Yulia
Brockdorf
Board President
Yulia Brockdorf | Board President
I was born in Ternopil and spent my childhood years in the Luhansk region of Ukraine. Sovereignty and freedom are close and dear to my heart. I founded and volunteered with Supplies for Life, Inc for 10 years. Currently I support local, national and international efforts to promote healing and welfare of people and our planet. I am an integrative dietitian and a psychotherapist.
Valentina Pishchanskaya-Cayanan
Vice President & Secretary
Valentina Pishchanskaya-Cayanan | Vice President
I was born in Kyiv, Ukraine and raised in the United States. Growing up in both cultures has allowed me to bring unique experiences and knowledge related to intersecting identities, cultures, respect for those that are different than me and finding ways to preserve what is most important. I hold a bachelors in psychology and a masters in marriage and family therapy. I have spent years working with nonprofits in varying capacities and am excited to contribute to the Dawn US mission.
Maria
Borisovska
Ex-Treasurer
Maria Borisovska | Treasurer
I was born and raised in Kyiv, Ukraine. I obtained my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in applied physics there. I left Ukraine for Germany to earn a PhD in neuroscience. After that I moved to the USA for my postdoctoral training. Currently I work as a data scientist in the biologics industry. I’ve been an activist and advocate for Ukraine for over 10 years, helping my people in our dignified fight for freedom. I have volunteered and keep volunteering for several Ukrainian-American non-profit organizations. I’m passionate about people fighting for their freedom and rights; knowledge, science, and technology; cultural heritage; and the beauty of the world and nature.
Lavrentii
Hutton
Ex-secretary
Lavrentii Hutton | Secretary
I am a Ukrainian citizen born in the United States. Ukraine is dear to my heart and is not only my nation but my connection to my family. Currently a high school senior, I plan to major in English as well as study Ukrainian language and history in the future. I am a strong believer in human and animal rights, and have volunteered with multiple non-profit organizations. Most recently my efforts have been focused on supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and freedom.
Operational Council
Melissa Kniazeva
Melissa Kniazeva
Melissa Kniazeva was born in Germany to an American military family. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in English from The University of Texas at El Paso and a Master’s degree in Linguistics from the University of Texas at Austin.
After graduate school, Melissa ran UT Austin’s study abroad program in moscow. When her contract ended, she remained in the city teaching English to adult learners and eventually married a muscovite dissident. During those five years, she witnessed firsthand the oppression and control of an authoritarian regime. When she and her husband made the decision to leave, they understood they were choosing freedom over fear—a choice that has profoundly shaped their family’s values.
Returning to the United States, Melissa taught English at New Mexico State University, where she earned her MBA. Today, she, her husband, their daughter, and their son live in Portland, Oregon.
Melissa stands unequivocally with Ukraine. Having lived under authoritarianism, her family knows exactly what Ukrainians are fighting against—and what they’re fighting for. They volunteer tirelessly to support Ukraine’s freedom and resistance. Melissa currently dedicates her work as an English teacher, both online and in-person, exclusively to Ukrainian students. She is committed to helping Ukrainians build new lives in freedom, because she knows the courage it takes to escape tyranny.
Eric
Koszyk
Eric Koszyk
Eric Koszyk is a self-employed Licensed Massage Therapist who resides with his wife and two children in Portland, Oregon.
He is a strong supporter of Ukraine who knows firsthand the strength and perseverance of the Ukrainian people, having traveled to Ukraine in 2013. Eric studied Eastern European history in college and holds a Masters in Public Administration with a concentration in International Development from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. He is an elected delegate to the State Central Committee of the Democratic Party of Oregon and was a delegate to the 2024 DNC in Chicago. He is a volunteer for DAWN.
Clifton
Pieters
Clifton Pieters
I am a semi-retired small business owner with over four decades of intellectual and experiential wisdom in executive coaching, sales training, and leadership development. I am a proud Boy Dad, as well as a dog and cat Dad. I’m deeply embedded in the trail running community. I train, I race, I volunteer, and I write a weekly newsletter related to local trail runners.
Olha Morhunova
Olha Morhunova
Olha has an academic foundation in international law and education, with graduate training from the National Academy of Internal Affairs and an earlier degree in Ukrainian language, literature, and world literature from Kryvyi Rih State Pedagogical University.
After moving to the United States, Olha began working with local non-profit organizations, supporting clients, engaging with the community, and assisting people from a wide range of backgrounds.
Rose Mcclelland
Rose McClelland
Born an American citizen abroad, I am a system architect, writer, and poet with a Bachelor’s in English and a Master’s in Liberal Arts. My deep love for different cultures and perspectives and my passion for philosophy and world history led me to volunteer and advocate for Ukraine’s fight for freedom beginning in 2022.
Kevin
Patterson
Kevin Patterson
I was born in and am a citizen of the USA. I am a retired professional pleased to support DAWN’s efforts to bring relief to those in Ukraine needing it most, as well as those increasing awareness of Ukrainian culture. One of the ways I support DAWN and Ukraine is through copywriting/editing communications materials.
Inna
Kovtun
Inna Kovtun
Inna Kovtun is a Ukrainian folk music ambassador, ethno-singer, folklorist, and musicologist. She holds a Master’s degree in Music and Folklore and has deeply studied Ukrainian traditions, history, rituals, songs, and dances. She has collected and preserved over a thousand authentic traditional songs, folk tales, and ceremonial practices, and has shared this heritage through performances and teaching around the world. Throughout her career, she has served as a soloist and artistic director of several leading Ukrainian folk ensembles. Inna is also a Qualified Mental Health Professional. Her work builds a meaningful bridge between ancestral traditions and modern approaches to cultural preservation and emotional well-being.
Krystan
Resch
Krystan Reich
Krystan grew up in Salem and was active in sports at Sprague High School. She then attended the University of Oregon, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Sociology.
After completing her degree, Krystan moved to Portland, where she held various leadership roles in the telecom, business management, and software industries, focusing on marketing, sales, customer experience, partnerships, and business development. During her time in the software industry, she worked at a data and artificial intelligence startup that rapidly grew and became a publicly traded company within a few years.
Outside of work, Krystan enjoys spending time outdoors with her friends and family. Her partner, Frank, and their dogs, Olly and Charlie keep her busy as they embark on new adventures together.
Frank
Polito
Frank Polito
From the beginning of the full-scale invasion, Frank felt determined to help the Ukrainian people in some way. Luckily, a chance encounter with Yulia shortly afterwards provided that opportunity.
Originally from New England, Frank has spent the last dozen years making his forever home in the Pacific Northwest. When he’s not volunteering, Frank enjoys bird hunting, fly fishing, and working with his two Labrador Retrievers.
Amelia
Lukas
Amelia Lukas
An inspired communications expert and modern production pioneer, Amelia Lukas is the principal and founder of Aligned Artistry, a micro-agency that expands the impact of artistic, adventurous, and growth-focused clients through sophisticated strategy and high-profile publicity. She has successfully served more than 60 clients in the organization’s year history and brings a wealth of experience to Oregon from diverse markets such as London, New York, San Francisco, and Boston, where she held key roles in both large-scale and grassroots organizations. In serving on the Board of Directors for Chamber Music Northwest, she helps guide one of the most extensive classical music festivals in the nation. In 2020, she worked on a task force that managed Chamber Music Northwest’s transition to virtual performances due to the pandemic, which became a success model for festivals across the country. As All Classical Portland’s first Director of Community Engagement (2014 – 18), Amelia was an integral part of the team that brought the station to number one in the country for audience growth among classical radio stations. In that role, she successfully produced and promoted events at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall, Hollywood Theater, Alberta Rose Theater, Nordia House, and aboard the Portland Spirit, and as part of the Rose Festival, negotiating innovative partnerships with organizations such as TriMet, PGE, OMSI, the Rose Festival, LAIKA, and Bob’s Red Mill. She is a 2024 recipient of The President’s Volunteer Service Award, given in recognition of her commitment to strengthen our nation and communities through volunteer service, specifically in support of Ukraine. In addition to her work with Aligned Artistry, Amelia is a Powell Flutes Artist and performs with “a fine balance of virtuosity and poetry.” (New York Times) Her recent engagements include solo appearances with Chamber Music Northwest, Makrokosmos, United for Ukraine, Fear No Music, March Music Moderne, Kenny Endo, Portland Taiko, the Astoria Music Festival, Music in the Woods, Cascadia Composers, and All Classical Portland’s live radio broadcasts. Learn more at alignedartistry.com/staff and amelialukas.com.
Devin
Mullins
Devin Mullins
Devin hails from Western North Carolina, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in international relations in 2022. After graduation, he worked for a non-profit in London, UK before moving to Germany as a U.S. State Department cultural diplomacy fellow, where he studied public policy at Leuphana University and served as a staff assistant to a member of the German Parliament. In both countries, Devin volunteered with organizations supporting Ukrainian refugees in the wake of the Russian invasion. In 2024, he relocated to Portland to work as a Legislative Assistant to the Oregon House Majority Leader. Devin also volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA), serves as the policy director for DAWN, and contributes to the policy committee for the American Coalition for Ukraine. Devin has worked across the UK, Germany, and the U.S. supporting Ukrainian refugees and advancing pro-Ukraine policy. He now serves as policy director for DAWN and has served as a co-leader for the Oregon delegation to the Ukrainian Action Summit. Based in Portland, he also works in city government.
Paul
Cosgrove
Paul Cosgrove
Paul has practiced law for over 40 years, licensed by both Oregon and Washington. His primary practice until 2022 was Government Relations – representing national and regional companies, associations and charitable organizations before state and local governments agencies and legislatures. He continues to represent small businesses, non-profits and individuals needing legal help with general business and real estate issues, and estate planning.
Vanesa Gomez Gonzalez
Vanesa Gomez Gonzalez
Originally from Europe and now living in Silicon Valley, I bring 19 years of experience in technology and leadership, including 9 years at NASA working with robotics, drones, and AI. In 2025, I spent three months living in Ukraine, directly supporting Ukrainian civilians during a critical time. An experience that deeply shaped my values and sense of purpose. I’m now committed to using my skills to support Ukraine’s resilience and meaningful humanitarian efforts. Beyond work, I enjoy mentoring early‑career engineers, fostering kittens for an animal shelter, and spending time piloting small aircraft or scuba diving whenever I can.
Rafael
Villegas
Maggie
Yokum
Maggie Yokum
Jennie Rodriguez
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I was born in Kyiv, Ukraine and raised in the United States. Growing up in both cultures has allowed me to bring unique experiences and knowledge related to intersecting identities, cultures, respect for those that are different than me and finding ways to preserve what is most important. I hold a bachelors in psychology and a masters in marriage and family therapy. I have spent years working with nonprofits in varying capacities and am excited to contribute to the Dawn US mission.
Victor Echevarria
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I was born in Kyiv, Ukraine and raised in the United States. Growing up in both cultures has allowed me to bring unique experiences and knowledge related to intersecting identities, cultures, respect for those that are different than me and finding ways to preserve what is most important. I hold a bachelors in psychology and a masters in marriage and family therapy. I have spent years working with nonprofits in varying capacities and am excited to contribute to the Dawn US mission.
Catherine Pedersen
Catherine Pedersen
Andrey
Shulik