Yulia has a deep understanding of organisational processes and takes an empathetic, very human approach. It wasn’t just a ‘scheduled mentoring session’ – it was a genuine dialogue, where she listened to our needs, recognised our potential and provided exactly the right support where it was needed. Working with Yulia was never formal – it was all about genuine engagement and professional respect.

She generously shared practical and effective methods for monitoring the activities of civil society organisations, tools for motivating the team, approaches to a clear and effective division of roles, as well as her own insights on how to identify, support and sustain motivation within the team.

What I found particularly valuable was that Yulia didn’t just offer ‘textbook’ advice, but shared her own genuine, tried-and-tested ‘insider tips’ for effective leadership. Throughout, she consistently kept the focus on preventing burnout – both for the leader and the team as a whole. 

Thanks to my mentoring with Yulia, I managed to: clearly set priorities, identify clear and realistic paths for the team’s development, gain a better understanding of my own leadership roles and areas for personal growth, and get answers to hundreds of questions – even the very unusual and ‘strange’ ones. I wholeheartedly and sincerely recommend that every female community leader in Ukraine – and beyond – do everything they can to secure a mentoring placement with Yulia Sporysh. It’s about support, clarity, strength, development and belief in yourself and your cause. Yulia is a mentor who truly empowers!