Rosa Martyniuk is a journalist and the originator of the idea behind the bilingual online magazine Maiak, which she co-founded. She writes about culture, history and socially significant human stories. Rostyslava has experience in journalism, the third sector and social entrepreneurship. She believes in solutions journalism, in the idea of meaningful vocation, and in the power of stories that help people feel less alone. She also absolutely loves dogs.

Helen Lewis is the English language editor. Having graduated from Central-St Martins in Theatre Design, she worked as a costume designer-maker for several prestigious theatrical and dance companies, before re-training to become an educator. For around 30 years, she taught students and trained teachers. Helen currently produces classroom resources in a variety of subjects for teachers in British and International schools, and has taken up marathon running as a new, late-onset infatuation.

Anastasiia Zanuzdanova is the Ukrainian language editor. She is raising two bilingual children. Anastasiia has a strong passion for social projects and spent five years leading a fundraising initiative dedicated to making people’s dreams come true. She is also the founder of the book publishing support agency Samvydav. In her spare time, she creates handcrafted jewellery from semi-precious stones and personalised felt decorations.

Anatolii Shalaiev is a journalist, radio presenter and co-founder of the project. He is the author and host of “Razom/Together” — the only Ukrainian-language FM radio programme in the United Kingdom, broadcast on ALL FM 96.9. He works with stories that bring Ukrainians in the UK together and foster a sense of connection, even when they are far from home. Anatolii has experience in community development and investigative journalism and was recognised as one of the top investigative journalists in Ukraine. He believes in the power of conversation, trust and community.

Mike Gorodetskyi is a founder of the IT company Indi Vision and a digital transformation expert with over 20 years of experience in global corporations, including Samsung, Cisco and IBM. Previously, a journalist and the author of more than 100 articles. He believes that technology should serve society and improve lives. Mykhailo helps veterans develop digital skills and introduces teenagers to the world of IT. He values mutual support and meaningful conversations.

Anna Lysenko is a translator and a journalist at heart with a deep affection for pop culture in all its forms. She is a devoted fan of Twin Peaks, enjoys slow living in her native Cherkasy region and adores her dog-daughter Paris. Anna especially enjoys telling the stories of Ukrainians who pursue their work with talent and dedication. She believes that the best way to understand contemporary Ukraine is through the stories of its people.

Liudmyla Pryimachuk is a journalist from Lutsk. Since the start of the full-scale war, she has travelled to front-line regions, writing reports about life in resilient Ukrainian cities. She dreams of publishing a book of reportage. Liudmyla also works as a guide in Lutsk and the Volyn region, an art mediator and a documentarian of war crimes. She loves people and travelling and believes in the future of Ukraine.

Yulianna Kokoshko is a journalist living and working in Dnipro. She most often writes about culture and the artists who shape it. Yulianna also has extensive experience covering social initiatives in solutions journalism, as well as writing profiles of remarkable individuals whose stories inspire others. She works in both Ukrainian and English.

Svitlana Pylypchuk is a writer of essays, interviews and long-form stories based in Ukraine. Her work focuses on human stories and the belief that words can shape and change the world. Through storytelling, she seeks to explore and reveal people and their experiences. Her interests include media literacy, mediation and education.

Karina Volovidnyk is a journalist based in London. Previously a reporter for Ukrainian television, she now writes news and human-interest stories. Karina believes there are no ordinary or boring stories — sometimes it simply takes curiosity to notice them. She is inspired by the resilience of Ukrainians and enjoys introducing Ukraine to international audiences. In her spare time she plays chess, cooks traditional dishes and travels.

Zoia Nikitiuk comes from Irpin, a Ukrainian town where Banksy painted a rhythmic gymnast with a ribbon on the wall of a war-damaged building. Zoia has worked in journalism since the days when newspapers still employed typesetters and owning a Nokia 3310 was something to envy.

She finds inspiration in the people she interviews and the stories they share. Alongside journalism, she helps families turn their memories into memoirs, preserving personal histories that might otherwise be lost somewhere between “Do you remember?” and “We should have written that down.”

Kaleriia Andriienko is a journalism student at the University of the Arts London (UAL). She actively writes about the Ukrainian community in London. Her interests include art and social issues, and she is involved in organising university events and student activism. Kaleriia works in both Ukrainian and English. She is still exploring her path in journalism and hopes to become the kind of journalist people trust with their stories.

Adriana Martyniuk is currently studying at the University for the Creative Arts. She is interested in fashion, styling and UGC content creation. Adriana volunteers at a charity thrift shop and runs her own Instagram page, where she shares her approach to style. She enjoys slow walks by the sea and takes part in fashion shows. She believes that upcycling and recycling clothes can create unique pieces while reducing carbon waste.

Iryna Radziievska is an illustrator and 2D artist specialising in visual storytelling who lives in Canada. She is the author and illustrator of the art book Botanical Garden and holds a Ukrainian record for creating the electronic book Bosorka. All illustrations featured on the Maiak website are hand-created by her. Her work explores themes of women’s strength and meaning. In her free time, she enjoys tea ceremonies, hiking and reading.

Nadiia Kyrei is a journalist and animation director with over 14 years of experience in Ukrainian media. She writes and illustrates children’s books, including Balabalachka and Veseloped. She is the creator of the Yagabook app, available in ten languages. Her animated film based on the works of Lesya Ukrainka has been presented in Azerbaijan, Georgia and the United Kingdom.

Lana Mel is a multidisciplinary artist and researcher working at the intersection of textile, sculpture, and conceptual art. Born in Ukraine’s Kherson region, she now lives, works, and studies in London. She volunteers as a set decorator in an inclusive theatre and is a partner and member of the organisational team of Creatives for Ukraine. Her practice explores themes of dreams, memory, migration, and the restoration of cultural heritage.

Yana Kozar is a photographer whose practice is rooted in deep understanding and collaboration with the people she photographs. She has been working in photography for over ten years, gradually moving from commercial work towards socially engaged projects and community-based practice. Yana also runs charity workshops in analogue photography and uses both image and video to tell stories about Ukrainian culture to English-speaking audiences. She is currently studying Photography & Creative Industries at the University of the Arts London. Her favourite colour is light lime green.

Olena Onyshchenko is a marketing specialist, media professional and content creator with extensive experience in PR and media project development. She previously worked as an editor and producer of television programmes focused on business and construction. Olena is currently studying digital marketing in London. Her interests lie in communications, creativity and projects that bring people and countries together. She believes in the power of content to build connections, create opportunities and generate new meaning.