Young Change Makers: Why and How Tetiana Kotelnykova of Brave Generation Is Helping To Change Our World
It will be more difficult than you think. When I started, I thought passion and hard work would be enough. But I quickly realized that obstacles come from all directions — bureaucracy, lack of funding, and even skepticism from others. There were moments when I felt completely overwhelmed, but pushing through those hardships made me stronger. If someone had told me just how tough it would be, I would have mentally prepared myself better and embraced the struggle as part of the journey.
As part of my series about young people who are making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Tetiana Kotelnykova.
Tetiana Kotelnykova is the co-founder and executive director of Brave Generation, a New York-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting young Ukrainians affected by war through education abroad, mental health support services and cultivating future Ukrainian leaders. Brave Generation has helped a 487-member network of Ukrainian students and facilitated $5.1 million in scholarships awarded to Ukrainian students. Tetiana is a graduate student at Yale University specializing in European and Russian Studies and a research assistant at the Wilson Center.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dig in, our readers would like to get to know you a bit. Can you tell us a bit about how you grew up?
I grew up in a small industrial city in Ukraine, near the Russian border. As a child, I spent a lot of time with my grandmother, a veterinarian, on what used to be a Soviet collective farm. She often told me stories about Siberia — stories passed down from her parents, who had been arrested as kulaks and exiled to Siberia during Stalin’s repressions. Those memories, filled with hardship and resilience, shaped my understanding of history from an early age.
Is there a particular book or organization that made a significant impact on you growing up? Can you share a story or explain why it resonated with you so much?
I first read The Master and Margarita when I was 13, which, in hindsight, might have been a bit too young to fully grasp its depth. Still, it left a lasting impression on me. The blend of satire, mysticism, and philosophical inquiry was both fascinating and challenging.
What struck me most was how the novel subverts traditional notions of good and evil. Woland, for instance, doesn’t commit any overtly malicious acts as one might expect from a devilish figure. Instead, he exposes hypocrisy and corruption, almost acting as an agent of truth rather than pure destruction. The other supernatural characters were also so vividly written that they lingered in my mind long after I’d finished the book.
Only later did I come across the theory that Bulgakov may have written the novel with Stalin in mind — whether as a critique or something more ambiguous. It remains one of the most debated interpretations. Also, an interesting detail: Bulgakov was Ukrainian, born in Kyiv, though he wrote in Russian, which adds another layer to discussions about his work and identity.
By the way, in 2024, a fantastic adaptation of The Master and Margarita was released. It’s a Russian fantasy-drama film directed by Michael Lockshin. I highly recommend watching it, especially for how it reinterprets the novel in a modern context. It’s a visually stunning and thought-provoking film that brings fresh perspective to Bulgakov’s work while staying true to its essence.
How do you define “Making A Difference”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
To “make a difference” is a complex concept, one that I find difficult to explain in just a few words. However, at the same time, if I look deep within myself, I can define it in the simplest way: to make a difference is to give love and understanding.
From there, it can take on different shapes, forms, and actions. But at its core, I believe making a difference means giving love and understanding to others, which then brings the change. It could be on a larger scale in the world or in the life of just one another person. In my opinion, those who truly make a difference are, deep down, driven by a genuine desire to empathize, understand, and to acknowledge the pain and suffering of others.
Ok super. Let’s now jump to the main part of our interview. You are currently leading an organization that aims to make a social impact. Can you tell us a bit about what you and your organization are trying to change in our world today?
At Brave Generation, first, we try to redefine what it means to be a survivor of the war. We want to transform their experience into something stronger so they can contribute to the world with that experience.
We also help young people affected by the war to heal, to get access to global education, to get leadership experience and to contribute to the world because what’s happened to them should not discount what they can offer the world.
Can you tell us the backstory about what inspired you to originally feel passionate about this cause?
My personal story of having experienced war twice and the stories of others I have witnessed — people who just weren’t lucky enough to be born near the Russian State — have shaped my passion for this cause.
War and its consequences fall upon ordinary people who have no power over the forces that shape their fate. I am passionate about helping people go beyond the burdens imposed on them by war. I want to see them grow and become something new, something full of life and hope.
Many of us have ideas, dreams, and passions but never manifest them. We don’t always get up and just do it. But you did. Was there an “Aha Moment” that made you decide that you were actually going to step up and do it? What was that final trigger?
In 2022, when I was outside Ukraine without any support, no prospect of education, and completely alone, it was the kindness of a person who helped me find a way out. She saw me, acknowledged my struggles, and extended a hand. That single act of kindness and understanding completely changed my life. I saw such power in this and realized then that from that day forward, I would commit myself to doing the same for others, just as she did for me.
Many young people don’t know the steps to take to start a new organization. But you did. What are some of the things or steps you took to get your project started?
1. Find people who are deeply committed to your cause because they have been affected by it. I surrounded myself with individuals who truly understood the problem and were passionate about solving it. Their personal connection to the cause will drive them to work hard and stay dedicated.
2. Find an experienced mentor who is willing to share their knowledge and help you grow. It really helps to have guidance from someone who has walked a similar path and can save you from making common mistakes. In my base too, a mentor provided support, insight, and the wisdom needed to overcome challenges effectively.
3. Continue your work even when people leave you. Not everyone will stay, and that’s okay. The key is to remain focused and committed to your mission, even when setbacks come.
These three steps laid the foundation for my work, and I believe they can help others take their first steps toward making a real difference.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
When I was a student at Columbia University, I asked to include the application for mentors to mentor Ukrainian students in the Columbia University newsletter. Someone passed this to Dr. Irwin Redlener. He and his wife are founders of the Children’s Health Fund and when the war started, they founded the Ukraine Children’s Action Project (UCAP). He emailed me, and we connected because he was interested in my work. I didn’t know how influential he was. He just called me and wanted to meet me for lunch. I had never experienced something like this before. He was so approachable and open to helping others. When we met, he and his wife provided support to Brave Generation that I could have never imagined.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson or take away you learned from that?
When I came to the United States, I knew nothing about starting a non-profit here. I didn’t even know what a Social Security Number was. I felt very naive in those moments and even though I had studied law in Ukraine, I felt so clueless about everything. I guess I learned that it’s important to do your homework and a ton of research before you start out a new venture.
None of us can be successful without some help along the way. Did you have mentors or cheerleaders who helped you to succeed? Can you tell us a story about their influence?
Karen Redlener, the Chair of the Board at Brave Generation helped us succeed. As co-founder of the Children’s Health Fund and the Ukraine Children’s Action Project, she has dedicated her career to improving the lives of children facing adversity. With over 37 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, she brought a wealth of expertise to Brave Generation, helping to build a strong and sustainable organization poised for long-term impact.
Without saying specific names, can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
One of our alumni graduated from the London School of Economics and is currently working as an assistant at the Ministry of Economy. Another is a student who came from Ukraine to study psychology at Bard, whom I personally helped apply for the program. I met her very late in the application process, but we tried to seize the opportunity and we were successful.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
The root of the problem, in my view, is that the Ukrainian and the international community don’t prioritize the healing and empowerment of young people and the future generation of leaders and changemakers. While countries prioritize the act of the war and the battlefield experience, they aren’t necessarily thinking about what happens when the war ends. People are deeply impacted by the war and lack the necessary support to truly grow and shape the future. That’s why at Brave Generation, we focus on three key aspects in our work:
- Healing: The trauma of war can have a chilling effect on survivors’ motivation to move forward. We connect our Mentees to a network of professional mental health care services, helping them cope with uncertainty and foster resiliency as they focus on rebuilding their lives.
- Global Education: We help our Mentees overcome financial barriers to education, including standardized English exam fees and airfare to the universities they are enrolled in. We also subsidize English language tutoring and help Mentees build the skills they need to succeed in higher education.
- Mentorship and Leadership: Our global network of Mentors — alumni, and students from top US universities — serve as a steadfast community. They aid our mentees, Ukrainian students applying to international institutions by helping them navigate the university application process and providing support.
Fantastic. Here is the main question of the interview. What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why? (Please share a story or example for each).
5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Started
1. It will be more difficult than you think
When I started, I thought passion and hard work would be enough. But I quickly realized that obstacles come from all directions — bureaucracy, lack of funding, and even skepticism from others. There were moments when I felt completely overwhelmed, but pushing through those hardships made me stronger. If someone had told me just how tough it would be, I would have mentally prepared myself better and embraced the struggle as part of the journey.
2. Rely only on yourself and develop your potential
Early on, I placed too much trust in others, thinking that if we shared the same vision, they would stay committed. But people leave. They lose interest, they get tired, or they move on to something else. The only person you can fully count on is yourself. That’s why it’s important to constantly learn, grow, and develop your skills, so that even when you’re alone, you can still move forward.
3. Maintain a positive attitude
At the beginning, I listened too much to others including people who doubted me, who said my efforts wouldn’t change anything, who thought I was wasting my time. Their negativity used to make me question myself. But I learned that if you truly believe in your work, you can’t let outside voices shake your confidence.
4. Don’t plan for too long
I used to spend so much time planning and trying to make everything perfect before starting. But I’ve learned that the best way to learn and grow is through action. Plans will change, unexpected challenges will come, and if you wait too long, you might never start at all. Just take the first step and adjust along the way.
5. Prioritize your well-being
Burnout is real. In the beginning, I thought I had to sacrifice everything for my work — sleep, social life, even my health. But I learned the hard way that if you don’t take care of yourself, you won’t be able to take care of your mission. Resting, setting boundaries, and maintaining balance is necessary if you want to keep going for the long run.
If you could tell other young people one thing about why they should consider making a positive impact on our environment or society, like you, what would you tell them?
No one deserves to experience war. And yet, while we may not be able to stop it alone, we all have something that at least one other person doesn’t have. You might think it’s small or unimportant, but even the simplest act of support, a kind word, or a resource you share can change another person’s life.
Even if you believe your contribution won’t matter, it does. My life tells me that sometimes another person doesn’t need grand gestures but only your presence. Sometimes, simply being there, listening, and showing that they are not alone is the most powerful thing you can give.
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 🙂
Mila Kunis. She is not only one of the most famous Ukrainians in the world but she has shown her commitment to Ukraine by raising money for the war. Her contribution for recovery and future leadership in Ukraine is inspiring. While we’re united by our mission to save and help heal Ukraine, I really admire her dedication and she also has more resources than I do.
How can our readers follow you online?
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/tetiana-tanya-kotelnykova-79a76b221
Website: https://bravegeneration.org/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/brave.generation.ua/
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
Young Change Makers: Why and How Tetiana Kotelnykova of Brave Generation Is Helping To Change Our… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.