Kira Antonyshyn

BIO

Kira is a dedicated member of the Ukrainian community in Canada. Kira was the co-founder and first president of the Queen’s University Ukrainian Students’ Association (QUUSA). She developed QUUSA’s constitution, securing its ratification by Queen’s University, and organized events including informational booths, documentary showings, invited speakers, and fundraisers. 

For twelve years, Kira has been actively involved with Plast at the local and national levels. In Toronto, Kira volunteered as a youth counsellor throughout the year and at summer camps. As a Camp Program Director, she organized and implemented an overnight program for over 100 children and counsellors. As a member of Plast’s Structure and Strategy Committee, Kira developed programming and implemented Leaders-In-Training workshops for counsellors from across Canada. For her dedication, Kira was awarded the Ontario Volunteer Service Award. 

Kira began volunteering for Help Us Help (HUH) in 2014. As a volunteer, she mentored orphaned children in Ukraine, and, within Canada, organized and executed fundraising events and communications plans. In 2019, Kira began her employment with HUH, first as Communications and Development Officer, and subsequently as Director of Operations. Due to the success of her virtual fundraising efforts, Kira was an invited speaker at the bbcon 2021 International Conference. Kira is currently the Canada Ukraine Surgical Aid Program’s Communications Manager.  

Academically, Kira graduated with Distinction from her BSc (Honours) in Life Sciences from Queen’s University, and earned a MSc in Medical Science with a Specialization in Neuroscience from the University of Toronto. She co-authored two scientific research articles and presented at nine conferences. Kira was awarded the Institute of Medical Science Entrance Award, Ontario Graduate Scholarship, School of Graduate Studies Conference Grant, and The Hospital for Sick Children’s Research Training Competition award. Currently, she is in her first year of Medicine at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.