Dora Chomiak
Dora Chomiak | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1969 (age 55–56) New York, NY, USA |
| Alma mater | Princeton University (AB, 1991) |
| Occupations | Nonprofit executive, civic leader |
| Years active | 1992–present |
| Employer | Razom for Ukraine |
| Title | Chief Executive Officer |
| Awards | |
Dora Chomiak (born 1969) is a Ukrainian-American nonprofit executive and civic leader. She has served as Chief Executive Officer of Razom for Ukraine since 2014, overseeing large-scale humanitarian aid, advocacy, and grantmaking initiatives to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and civil society.[1][2][3] Her work has been recognized by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with the Order of Merit, Class III.[4] Her initiatives have garnered coverage in major media including TIME magazine;[5] and Princeton University alumni publications.[6]
Early life and education
Dora Chomiak was born in 1969 in New York, NY, USA, to Ukrainian immigrant parents. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy from Princeton University in 1991.[6] During her studies, she focused on Eastern European politics and emerging democratic institutions.
Early career
After graduation, Chomiak began her career in media development, co-founding a media incubator in Kyiv, Ukraine, aimed at establishing independent news outlets in the post-Soviet era.[7] She later held senior editorial and product roles at McGraw-Hill and Thomson Reuters, where she managed global content strategy and digital initiatives.
Razom for Ukraine
In 2014, Chomiak began volunteering for Razom for Ukraine, a New York–based nonprofit organization founded to deliver humanitarian aid and support grassroots civil society amid the conflict in Eastern Ukraine. She became CEO in 2023. As CEO, she has:
- Expanded grantmaking programs, including a USAID-funded $7 million project to strengthen Ukrainian civic institutions[8]
- Coordinated large-scale emergency relief shipments of medical supplies and protective equipment during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.
- Led international advocacy campaigns, securing partnerships with governments and corporations across North America and Europe.
Keynote lectures and public speaking
Chomiak has delivered keynote lectures on heritage, decolonization, and Ukraine’s post-war reconstruction at institutions including Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute[9] and Columbia University’s Harriman Institute.
Awards and recognition
- Order of Merit (Ukraine), Class III (2023) – Awarded by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on behalf of Razom for Ukraine for contributions to Ukrainian sovereignty.[4]
- Included in TIME100 Health list (2024) for leadership in humanitarian response.[5]
- Recognized by Princeton Alumni Weekly for support of democracy and civic engagement in Ukraine.[7][6]
References
- ^ Pogrebin, Robin (2022-02-23). "NYC's Ukrainians Are Anxious and Afraid". The New York Times. New York City. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
- ^ Kozinn, Allan (2022-12-20). "The Story of 'Carol of the Bells,' a Christmas Staple From Ukraine". The New York Times. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
- ^ Soldak, Katya (2021-08-24). "Looking Back: How A Young Ukrainian-American Helped Build A National News Agency In Ukraine In The 1990s". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
- ^ a b Harriman, Columbia University (2023-09-24). "Dora Chomiak Receives, on Behalf of Razom, Order of Merit from President Zelenskyy". Retrieved 2025-08-21.
- ^ a b Ducharme, Jamie (2024-05-01). "Dora Chomiak". TIME100 Health. TIME. Retrieved 2025-08-21.
- ^ a b c Princeton Alumni (2022-04-10). "Dora Chomiak '91 wants to bring the world 'together' for Ukraine". Retrieved 2025-08-21.
- ^ a b Princeton Alumni Weekly (2022-05-24). "Dora Chomiak '91 Is Supporting Democracy in Ukraine". Retrieved 2025-08-21.
- ^ CEPA (2023-07-31). "Dora Chomiak". Retrieved 2025-08-21.
- ^ HURI (2023-12-31). "Reflection on Keynote Lecture by Dora Chomiak". Retrieved 2025-08-21.