Antonina Zahrotska

Antonina Zahrotska is a Ukrainian programme management and public policy professional with over 15 years of experience in governance, public health, institutional development, and humanitarian response. Her expertise focuses on policy development and implementation, institutional capacity building, and strengthening community-based services to better respond to people's needs.

Throughout her career, Antonina has worked with government institutions, international organizations, and civil society to design and implement reforms in emergency medical services, public health, child protection, and social services. Her experience includes policy and legislative advocacy, strategic programme management, and the development of partnerships across sectors. She has held positions with the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, the Public Health Center, SOS Children's Villages Ukraine, and other national and international organizations.

Antonina is particularly committed to strengthening community resilience, supporting veterans and their families, and improving access to sustainable, people-centered services. As a member of the Board of Directors of First Aid of the Soul, she contributes her expertise in strategic governance, institutional partnerships, and policy advocacy, with a particular focus on advancing trauma-informed approaches in professional education, training systems, and community-based social and mental health services.

Antonina holds a Master of Laws from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and a Master's degree in Pedagogy and Teaching Methodology from Borys Grinchenko Kyiv University. She has also completed professional certificate programmes in Global Mental Health and Leadership and Management in Health at the University of Washington, as well as in Public Health at the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy School of Public Health.

Why First Aid of the Soul?

I believe that Ukraine's long-term recovery requires not only addressing the immediate psychological consequences of war, but also building stronger communities and sustainable systems of care. What drew me to First Aid of the Soul is its commitment to combining direct psychosocial support with professional capacity building, trauma-informed practices, and systemic change. I see my role as helping connect these efforts with broader public policy, institutional partnerships, and community-level recovery initiatives.