Our Team
National Executive for 2019-2022
President - Max Kowalchuk
Vice President - Liza Zienchuk
Secretary/Communications Director - Larysa Kuchta
Treasurer - Ilya Osachuk
Past President - Tanya Buciora
National Advisors:
(1) Michelle Kowalchuk
(2) Dennis Kuchta
Chaplain: Fr. Taras Udod
Youth Coordinator: TBD
Click here to view the Executive Member roles.
About Us
Max Kowalchuk
President
Hometown: Winnipeg, MB
University: Canadian Mennonite University
Field of Study: International Development
Max is currently studying International Development at the Canadian Mennonite University in Winnipeg. He has been a member of Holy Trinity Ukrainian Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral in Winnipeg his entire life and has always been an active participant in the parish as an altar boy and member of the Cathedral Choir. Max has been involved with CYMK for 15 years and has held positions at all levels, Junior, Senior, and on the Manitoba Regional Executive. What Max loves about CYMK-UOY is that it creates a community of youth across the country who share the same faith and culture. He is looking forward to starting off the 2019-22 term right, and hopefully together with the National Executive and Ukrainian Orthodox youth community, will be able to make CYMK an even more awesome organization!
Liza Zienchuk
Vice President
Hometown: Toronto, ON
University: Wilfrid Laurier University
Field of Study: Business and Math
Liza is an Honours Bachelor of Business Administration and Honours Bachelor of Arts in Financial Math graduate. She graduated in June 2019 and is currently looking for a permanent position where she can learn and grow in her field. Liza loves her community and cannot wait to continue strengthening ties between CYMK and UCC.
Larysa Kuchta
Secretary/ Communications Director
Hometown: Edmonton, AB
University: MacEwan University
Field of Study: Registered Nurse, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Larysa completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree, and is a Registered Nurse working with Alberta Health Services. She has been actively involved growing up in CYMK at her parish, having held various positions on the St. John’s Junior and Senior local executives, and has been Vice President and President, along with recently becoming the Past-President, on the Alberta Provincial CYMK Executive. Larysa has always been passionate about incorporating her Ukrainian Orthodox faith and culture into CYMK events and is thankful for the wonderful connections she has made through CYMK. She also loves watching the younger CYMKivtsi grow and develop into leaders within the church and organization. Along with her school and CYMK commitments, Larysa is a member of the Ukrainian Shumka Dancers, and enjoys sharing her Ukrainian culture, and love for dance with many different audiences. She is grateful to be a part of the National CYMK Executive and is excited to work with this wonderful team over the three-year term!
Ilya Osachuk
Treasurer
Hometown: Winnipeg, MB
University: University of Manitoba
Field of Study: Marcel A. Desautels Faculty of Music
Ilya has been a member of CYMK in Winnipeg from 2006-present and has served in many executive roles in his own local including past vice-president and past treasurer. He participates in many Ukrainian cultural events in Winnipeg and the surrounding area, namely by performing in the Ukrainian band 'BUDMO.' Ilya is currently completing his Bachelor of Jazz Performance Degree in Double Bass at the University of Manitoba's Marcel A. Desautels Faculty of Music. During his tenure on CYMK's National Executive, he hopes to make the organization more approachable, and to encourage more young people to learn about their Ukrainian heritage and culture by joining CYMK.
Tanya Buciora
Past-President
Hometown: Toronto, ON
University: University of Guelph Graduate School
Field of Study: Criminal Justice and Political Science
Tanya is a University of Toronto alumna with a Specialist in Criminology incorporating Sociology, and also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Digital Technology degree. Currently, Tanya is completing her Master's degree in Criminal Justice and Political Science at the University of Guelph, and is working with their Political Science and Criminology Professors as a Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant. She has also completed an internship at one of Canada's Female Federal Prisons. She is a dancer with the Barvinok Ukrainian Dance School and was a member of the Ukrainian Students Association at the University of Toronto. Tanya also had the opportunity to travel on the UOCC Eastern Eparchy Mission Trip to Ukraine visiting orphanages. Tanya has experience as the former President and Secretary for Long-Branch Senior CYMK in Toronto. As Past-President for National CYMK, she hopes to continue her work assisting CYMK to strengthen and grow into a larger family, and is excited to continue working with the Ukrainian Orthodox youth within Canada.
