Since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion, Ukraine has required not only military and economic support but also a powerful voice on the international stage. In the United States, advocacy-plays a decisive role in maintaining political attention toward Ukraine, making critical decisions, and countering Russian influence. Lyubov Maniuk talks about her journey in advocacy, key initiatives, and the role of the Ukrainian community in this process.
Tell us about your path: what field did you work in before moving to the USA, and what do you do now? How did you come to advocacy work in your new country?
Before moving to the USA, I worked as a lawyer in Kyiv, developing a career in one of the most important strategic sectors – energy. For 18 years, I worked at the intersection of law, public policy, and business, consulting high-ranking officials, leading industry companies, and actively participating in shaping the regulatory framework of the fuel and energy sector. My contributions to the development of Ukraine’s energy sector were recognized twice by the relevant Ministry.
However, 2022, like for all Ukrainians, changed everything. With the start of the full-scale invasion, I had to evacuate to the USA, where my brother lived. The move was a challenge for me, but it also opened new opportunities. I began working at his creative agency, Explore Films, which led me to a new passion – producing commercial and documentary videos.
In 2023, I completed a producer’s course at the New York Film Academy and founded my own production company, Humani Films: https://humanifilms.com/
Realizing the importance of spreading the truth about the war, my team and I began creating content that helps convey the Ukrainian agenda to American audiences. Advocacy became a natural continuation of this work.
Additionally, to improve my advocacy skills and better understand the legal processes in the USA, in the summer of 2024, I enrolled in the American Law Program at the Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology. This program offers the opportunity to study the US legal system from within, analyze key aspects of advocacy, and gain a practical understanding of how laws work in American society. This is an important step in my professional development, which I hope will help me more effectively defend the interests of Ukrainians in the USA.
How does advocacy work in the USA, what are its key areas, and what role does it play in supporting Ukraine?
Advocacy in the USA is an important tool for influencing political processes. It includes various approaches from lobbying on Capitol Hill to public initiatives and informational campaigns.
Key areas of advocacy include:
- Lobbying and direct interaction with the government – meetings with congress members, senators, administration representatives, preparing legislative initiatives.
- Media influence and public diplomacy – publications in major media, cultural and social campaigns.
- Mass actions and public activism – protests, rallies, petitions, flash mobs.
- Fundraising and charity – raising funds for humanitarian projects, etc.
Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the role of advocacy work has increased many times over. The Ukrainian diaspora and international organizations constantly work to ensure that the issue of Ukraine remains at the forefront of American politicians’ minds. It is these efforts that determine the level of support for Ukraine in both the short-term and long-term perspectives.
In which areas of advocacy are you most involved, and what initiatives have been most effective?
My team at Humani Films and I started small – we participated in rallies in South Florida and created videos of such events to spread them on social media. At these events, I heard about the challenges faced by newly arrived Ukrainians – legal issues, health insurance, finding housing, employment, and more.
This inspired me to create the YouTube podcast «REC VISIT USA» to help Ukrainians adapt to the new realities. The main mission of the podcast is to spread knowledge and experience from certified specialists, licensed professionals, and successful Ukrainian-American businesspeople in the USA, while also promoting the self-sufficient Ukrainian community in America.
YouTube podcast REC VISIT USA:
https://www.youtube.com/@rec_visit/
This is not just practical help but also a way to strengthen the Ukrainian community in the USA.
Later, we began actively collaborating with nonprofit organizations in South Florida, such as the Ukrainian Association of Florida, Florida for Ukraine, and Svitanok in Miami, which unite Ukrainians in Florida, organize important events to support Ukraine, and advocate on Capitol Hill. We get involved in their initiatives and highlight their activities because this too is part of advocacy – engaging more people and forming the Ukrainian agenda in the USA.
For me, a key breakthrough in advocating for Ukraine was my participation in the spring and fall Ukraine Action Summit 2024, organized by the American Coalition for Ukraine (which was founded by a group of American nonprofit organizations united to coordinate advocacy efforts in support of Ukraine in the USA). It was an opportunity to meet and speak with members of Congress and explain to them why supporting Ukraine is critically important.
It was an honor for me to advocate for Ukraine at both Summits, and for my team at Humani Films, to film such important events in the USA and create official video materials for the Coalition and American media.
Inspired by this volunteer energy, we created the video «Diaspora Voices in War,» which won the Best Social Video Award at the international Star Independent Film Festival held in Miami.
This shows how important stories and visual content are in today’s fight for global attention toward Ukraine, which is also a form of advocacy for Ukraine.
How can Ukrainians, particularly those who recently moved to the USA due to the war, join advocacy efforts for Ukraine?
In my opinion, the main ways include the following:
1. Contacting members of the U.S. Congress
Every Ukrainian in the USA, regardless of which state they live in or how long they’ve been there, can reach out to their elected representatives.
This can be done via:
- Letters and emails – these should be brief, clear, and include a personal story or reasons why supporting Ukraine is critically important. Like this: ujoin.co/campaigns/3568/actions/public?actionid=4856
- Phone calls – staff in the congress members’ offices register calls, and a mass of calls can influence a politician’s stance.
- Personal meetings and participation in public hearings – many legislators hold open meetings with constituents where one can remind them of the importance of supporting Ukraine.
- Participation in advocacy events organized by organizations such as the American Coalition for Ukraine.
The next Ukraine Action Summit will be held from April 6-9, 2025, in Washington, D.C. The advantage of such an event is that it’s a mass advocacy effort for Ukraine (usually about 500 delegates participate), and before it begins, experienced professionals conduct workshops to prepare for meetings with high-level officials.
2. Participation in protests, marches, and rallies
Legal peaceful assemblies are an effective way to influence public opinion and media. Regular actions in support of Ukraine take place in many cities across the USA. It is important not only to attend personally but also to invite American friends and share information on social media.
3. Working with American media
Ukrainians can send letters to major media outlets, give comments, write articles, and share personal stories. American journalists are interested in real testimonies from war witnesses, so it is important to use this resource to convey the truth.
4. Sharing information on social media
Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn – these are important platforms for promoting the Ukrainian narrative. Follow pages that cover events in Ukraine, share verified information, and encourage American followers to contact their lawmakers.
5. Collaboration with local communities
Ukrainians can organize cultural events, lectures, film screenings, photo exhibitions to tell Americans about Ukraine. Interest in our culture has increased, and this should be used to strengthen support at the local level.
6. Volunteering with nonprofit organizations in the USA that support Ukraine, and much more
Right now, amidst the turbulent political landscape in the USA, active participation by Ukrainians in these processes directly impacts decisions on Capitol Hill and the level of support for Ukraine.
Ukrainians in the USA are a powerful force that can influence the future of their homeland.
The key is not to remain silent, not to wait, but to take action!
Miami, Florida
