Behind the scenes series – Yaroslav Zhydyk
Hi Yaroslav! We are excited to hear your story — how did you start at Civitta and what made it the right fit for you?
Looking back on how my career began, it all started in the summer of 2017 at an NGO called Easy Business, thanks to a recommendation from a university friend. We had previously worked together on a case competition and they were impressed by our analytical skills, which opened the door to this exciting opportunity!
When I first started, I struggled to fully grasp the role and the organization’s goals. As time passed, I gained more clarity and began contributing meaningfully, particularly in regulatory reforms alongside Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy. In 2018, we joined Civitta – it was a pretty exciting shift that really shaped where I am today!
One standout moment was when we were invited to participate in Civitta’s international offsite meeting in Turkey after the merger. That experience made me realize the scale and international reach of the company I was now part of and it sparked an exciting sense of anticipation for the new opportunities and growth ahead!
It sounds like you’ve had a truly meaningful start to your journey at Civitta!
What do you find most rewarding about your work?
The most rewarding aspects of my work at Civitta have evolved over time. As a junior analyst, simply sending a slide deck without feedback felt like a big achievement! But as you grow into more senior roles, the sense of reward changes. The scale becomes bigger, and the impact of your work grows.
Another great thing about working at Civitta is the flexibility. We get to mix traditional consulting with meaningful projects, like training young people in underserved areas, which allows us to create impact beyond business consulting.
Looking back since 2020, our goals were ambitious, especially with the National Economic Strategy. Despite government shifts limiting some impact, the strategy remains a solid foundation. It was a worthwhile effort, and I value the freedom to pursue projects that truly resonate with me.
Civitta’s diverse project portfolio means you get to try different things and eventually focus on what fits you best. It’s incredibly fulfilling to be able to shape your career in this way!
While working on major projects like the National Economic Strategy 2023 and Odesa’s Recovery and Development Strategy, how do you stay motivated?
What keeps me motivated is knowing that meaningful change takes time. Not every project shows immediate results, but even small impacts lay the foundation for future growth and progress.
It’s challenging to navigate the political landscape, but I focus on the positive outcomes we achieved, however small. For me, it’s about taking pride in the effort and knowing that, somewhere along the way, that we made a difference, even if it wasn’t perfect.
That sure is an inspiring perspective!
Do you have any particular strategies or habits that keep you motivated?
A key habit for staying disciplined is my weekly planning. Each Sunday or Monday, I outline tasks by project for the week, which helps me stay focused and motivated as I check things off and track progress.
After the full-scale invasion in Ukraine, it took some time to regain a sense of stability, but from the latter half of 2022 onward, our project portfolio in Ukraine began to grow again. This growth brought more opportunities, and my team started expanding.
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You are currently working on building a regional development practice that collaborates with local municipalities.
What inspired this focus and what impact do you aim to achieve through these collaborations?
“What drives me in this work is seeing people who genuinely want to learn and improve their communities, take the knowledge we share and apply it in meaningful ways.”
Regional development is tangible — I see its impact firsthand when visiting communities and engaging with local authorities, NGOs and young people. Leading training sessions and watching local teams transform their skills into real projects is truly rewarding.
One recent project I’m particularly proud of took place in Kolomyia, a regional center with a population of 60,000. A group of young individuals, initially unfamiliar with civil society, came together to establish one of the community’s most active NGOs. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see how their efforts are now inspiring others to step up and shape the future of their community!
How would you describe your professional philosophy in one sentence?
How has it shaped your approach to consulting?
My professional philosophy is impact-oriented: I believe every project should create tangible value for people and solve real problems. Whenever I start a project, I need to clearly understand how my actions will bring value to the beneficiaries and address their needs. If I have a clear plan of how my work will make a difference, I can dedicate myself fully, breaking it down into weekly steps that lead to the final result.
On the other hand, if I can’t see how a project will deliver value, it becomes difficult to stay motivated. That’s why I always strive to ensure my work is meaningful and has a clear, positive impact on the communities or individuals it serves.
What’s something about you that your colleagues might not know?
Honestly, I consider myself an open book – an extrovert who is empathetic and willing to share. Almost everything about me is well – known to my colleagues.
If there’s anything they don’t know, it’s likely because it’s something more personal that I prefer to keep private. But in general, I’m a very open person, and I think my colleagues know me pretty well!
Lastly, what’s your top advice for someone excited to join Civitta and what qualities will help them thrive?
Second, stay hungry to learn and grow! Embrace mistakes, actively seek feedback, and keep improving. Even the best work will have critics, but it’s all about learning, staying positive and giving your best — that’s the secret to lasting success!