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Help preserve lives and donate to provide non-lethal aid to Ukrainian armed services.
About us
Team DOKO, the acronym for Daughters of Knyahynya Olha, have been delivering strategic non-lethal aid to Ukraine’s most elite defenders since the beginning of the full scale genocidal invasion in February of 2022. Our historic figurehead, the ancient ruler Olha of Kyiv, was renowned for her brilliant military strategies and social innovations. Following in the footsteps of our ancestors and Olha, DOKO works to preserve Ukraine, its people, its heritage and its military.
The founders of DOKO are Daughters of Ukraine. We are first generation Ukrainian-Americans raised in the historic & cultural traditions of our predecessors. We share a deep, life long activism and commitment to preserving freedom and justice for the people of Ukraine and the world.
DOKO is a 501(c)3 charitable organization.
All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Mission
DOKO aims to accelerate Hope, Joy, Victory and Healing in Ukraine.
Solidarity seeds Hope. As representatives of a world beyond Ukraine’s borders, DOKO delivers a message of solidarity with the Ukrainian people in their fight for sovereignty and independence. We unequivocally stand with our counterparts in our motherland fighting for her freedom.
In high stress conditions, satisfaction of basic needs is abaseline for Joy. DOKO works tirelessly to fulfill targeted basic needs requests and solve challenges that enhance the health, efficacy and lives of Ukrainian soldiers. This aspect of our work is an expression of love and care that is foundational to joyful moments.
Critical equipment multiplies opportunities for Victory. DOKO works directly with Ukraine’s military leadership to identify strategic opportunities to support Special Operations with non-lethal aid. Investing in Ukraine’s most elite teams is an investment in her victory.
Storytelling is a research-based strategy for Healing trauma. DOKO’s unique approach to their broader work intentionally provides opportunities for soldiers to tell their stories in A safe, healing space. We are creating the mechanisms to connect soldiers to historians, and to accurately preserve their perspectives and lived histories.
History
DOKO members understand that the strategic priority for a peace in Ukraine is full investment in its military. Without that investment, Ukraine will cease to exist. Every branch of Special Forces in Ukraine has recognized our team for unrelenting and effective support. DOKO is responsible for funding, purchasing, collecting, shipping and hand-delivering over $150,000 in humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian military since 2022. We have shipped weekly and hand delivered high value items personally right into the hands of soldiers fighting in front line units. Michael Nigro’s award winning documentary, “Fragments of Ukraine” followed our co-founder as she delivered supplies to units along Ukraine’s 800 km front line in early 2023. We invite you to view the documentary video here and more photos of DOKO on the Testimonials page.
Founders
Xenia Cox
Xenia is a retired strategy and project management executive. During a distinguished career, she organized and managed systems level innovation and social venture projects for government and academic institutions. Our CEO leads team DOKO’s strategy work and we credit her with establishing our highly effective logistics chain that enables critical aid to reach remote front line units. Her research in the effects of systemic trauma on human development are at the core of Team DOKO’s vision.
Vera Lesenskyj
Vera, a former psychotherapist with a focus in personality assessment and art therapy, is a visionary founder of DOKO, bringing a deep understanding of human condition to our mission. As Director of Creative Operations, she implements innovative strategies through outreach and thoughtful storytelling processes. Cherishing strong ties to Ukrainian community & beloved family inspire her goal – enduring peace.
Maria Wolansky
Maria has dedicated her life to strengthening Ukrainian-American communities across four US states, traveling regularly to Ukraine and cultivating a vast, trusted network in the Ukrainian diaspora. An educator and retired Spanish teacher, Maria has successfully leveraged her international connections to pioneer trans-Atlantic educational initiatives. At DOKO, Maria leads Communications and Networks, utilizing her expertise to amplify the organization’s mission and foster impactful connections within the Ukrainian and global community.
Leadership
Pavlo Kryvonis
Pavlo is a highly experienced Information Technology Specialist, Avionics Engineer and Director of Technology for Daughters of Knyahynya Olha. A patriot and activist, Pavlo participated in the 2013-2014 Revolution of Dignity and Independence Square uprising, and served with Ukraine’s military in its war against Russian invaders. His lifelong passion for the design of remote contol systems and unmanned aerial vehicles are foundational to the expertise he brings to Team DOKO.
Current Fundraiser
DOKO is raising funds for a project that will increase survival rates during battlefield medical evacuations in Ukraine. Our beta run is in progress with two partners: SBU Alpha and the 73rd Special Naval Center. Help us purchase the specialty and logistics equipment needed to make these improved outcomes a reality and to save wounded Ukrainian soldiers lives.
Past Fundraiser
Previous aid provided:
- High quality wool socks
- Protective winter base layers
- Tactical gloves
- Backpacking stoves
- Instant coffee and cocoa packets
- Uniforms
- Weatherproof footwear
- Water filtration straws
- Hydration powder packets
- Communications equipment
- Protective helmets
- Life saving tourniquets
- Chest seals
- Mine detection equipment
- CASEVAC vehicles for medical evacuation of civilian
- and military casualties
DOKO Delivers to hot zones.
Our Work
Testimonials
Board of Trustees
VSEVOLOD PETRIV
Vsevolod recently retired from a career in Executive Managment of Information Systems at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University. His journey of dedication and service to Ukraine and Ukrainians culminates in current leadership roles as President of the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (Boston) and President of the Ukrainian-American Education Center. Vsevolod is a life-long member PLAST, the Ukrainian Scouting Organization. He recieved his BA from the University of Massachusetts in Boston.
ANN JASKIW
Ann is an entrepreneur and engineer. She founded and sold an enterprise software company in 2023. Previously, she was an engineering leader in healthcare technology. Ann began her career at Goldman Sachs and holds a degree in Computer Science and Economics from Brown University.
LEO WOLANSKY
Leo is an AI and Data professional with experience across the private, public, and non-profit sectors. He is currently Strategic Projects Lead at Scale.ai where he develops large-scale datasets to train large language models. Prior to Scale, Leo was Director of Product for The Rockefeller Foundation Health Initiative, where he funded and built products that leverage data to improve the world’s preparedness and response to infectious disease threats. There, he served as an advisor to non-profits, social enterprises, and multilateral organizations like the WHO. Leo is a graduate of The University of Pennsylvania.
PAUL SHMOTOLOKHA
A Co-Founder of New Use Energy, Paul Shmotolokha currently serves as Chairman and CEO of the company. He is a recognized specialist in international business and government relations in technology and telecommunications with over 30 years of executive leadership focusing on strategy, revenue growth, operations and marketing. Paul served as an officer for 13 years in the US Army Reserves and was nominated in 2019 by the President of the United States to serve as Vice-Chairman of the Export Import bank of the United States.
RICCARDO STOEKICHT
Riccardo has over 40 years of experience in the for-profit, non-profit, education, entrepreneurial, and consulting sectors, having lived and/or worked in Europe, South America and the United States. He is dedicated to the success of persons in their 3rd act of life. He is also expert in the area of operating excellence so that non-profit organizations can create streamlined processes and structure, and optimize their resources, allowing teams to focus on organizational missions. Riccardo is a graduate of Brown University and Northeastern University.
Advisory Board
TIM BROOKINGS
Tim has twenty-five years of experience in enterprise software engineering. He currently holds the position of Principal Architect for Microsoft Teams and has the distinction of previously having served in the coveted position of Distinguished Engineer. A perennial innovator and inventor with a long history of volunteerism and service, Tim dedicates his talent, skills and free time to the mission of DOKO and success of their military partners in Ukraine. Tim received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from North Dakota State University.
ANN JASKIW
Ann is an entrepreneur and engineer. She founded and sold an enterprise software company in 2023. Previously, she was an engineering leader in healthcare technology. Ann began her career at Goldman Sachs and holds a degree in Computer Science and Economics from Brown University.