Kateryna Barysheva

An expert in strategic partnerships, project management, and communications with 16 years of professional experience, including over 3 years in the security and defense sector. Kateryna has built a career across Ukrainian state institutions, the non-governmental sector and industry associations, in cooperation with international partners.

At the State Concern “Ukroboronprom”, she served as Advisor to the Deputy Director for Economic and Social Affairs, where she conducted monitoring, assessment, and mapping of the social infrastructure of the Concern’s member enterprises. She contributed to the development and signing of sectoral agreements in the defense (2016–2018) and aviation industries (2017–2020), which established standards, guarantees, and rights for workers nationwide. For her contributions, she was awarded for her personal and significant input into strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities.

She also worked at the State Property Fund of Ukraine as Deputy Head of the Regional Office in Kyiv, where she oversaw privatization processes, asset marketing, partnership development, and public relations.

Currently working in the defense sector, Kateryna focuses on resilient community development, strategic communications, Ukraine’s integration into NATO, and the implementation of OSINT approaches and artificial intelligence technologies in security processes. She coordinates the educational project “Defense Sector: Change Makers.”

She holds two master’s degrees: in Public Administration (National Academy of Public Administration under the President of Ukraine) and International Economic Management (Sumy National Agrarian University). She completed a program in Administration at the University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland. Kateryna is also a trainer in professional development, communications, and community building.