Our Team
Iuliana Niga
Project Coordinator
Since joining PATRIR in 2022, Iuliana has been a dedicated advocate of our mission, focusing on supporting the Ukrainian response and providing critical assistance to refugees arriving in Romania. Her work centers on humanitarian aid and crisis response, ensuring that those impacted by conflict receive essential resources and compassionate support. Driven by a passion for humanitarian work that began in childhood and grew throughout her youth, Iuliana aligns deeply with PATRIR’s values of social inclusion and gender equality. She is committed to advancing our impact with dedication and compassion, working to bring hope and meaningful support to those in need.
Kseniia Shyriaieva
Project Coordinator - UA Child Education Hub
Kseniia Shyriaieva is the coordinator of the UA Child Education Hub, an educational project for Ukrainian children that she co-founded in July 2022 with fellow Ukrainian refugees after fleeing Ukraine with part of her family. A compassionate leader and dedicated project manager, she has helped organize impactful initiatives such as fundraising fairs and community events, working closely with her dedicated team, local and international organizations, City Hall, TIFF etc. Passionate about helping others, she loves finding creative solutions and building projects that bring meaningful benefits to people, fostering a strong and supportive community.
Alis Costescu
Project Manager
Alis Costescu is an activist and practitioner with extensive expertise in human rights, gender equality, and democracy, spanning policy development, research, and public awareness initiatives. During her MA and PhD studies at Babeș-Bolyai University, she engaged in both research and activism, focusing on the socio-economic inclusion of vulnerable groups and conducting seminars and workshops to raise awareness about racial and gender discrimination. With over 10 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, she has developed and led projects addressing institutionalized discrimination, active citizenship, democratic consolidation, political participation, collective memory, freedom of expression, and the rights and inclusion of migrants and refugees.
Cesar Moreira Martinho
Project Manager - Coordinator of Ukraine House Cluj
César has spent the last few years working in humanitarian efforts, gaining considerable experience in the Middle East and North Africa before arriving in Romania. This work has given him a clear understanding of the challenges communities face during crises and effective ways to provide support. Before joining PATRIR, César worked on numerous projects with local and international organizations to meet urgent humanitarian needs. His experiences in tough regions have not only broadened his perspective but also deepened his commitment to helping those affected by conflict and displacement. At PATRIR, César looks forward to continue using his knowledge and skills to improve and expand the organization’s programs. He believes that with innovative approaches and best practices from his career, he can help create effective solutions to empower vulnerable groups.
Kateryna Yerska
Public Relations and Communications Manager Ukraine House
Kateryna is responsible for external communications, specializing in crafting communication strategies and materials for implementation, developing social media campaigns, and creating content for various social media platforms. She engages with communities on public platforms. With extensive experience in traditional media and journalism, Kateryna adeptly interacts with the press, prepares press releases, and pitches stories. Her background includes roles in the public sector as a communications specialist and in commercial projects as a marketer, enabling her to comprehend tasks globally and identify common ground with various stakeholders. Over the past year, Kateryna has been a part of the PATRIR team, working on projects aimed at supporting and integrating Ukrainian refugees. She possesses a broad cultural perspective, having visited over 20 countries, and harbors a passion for European culture, aspiring to travel to every country in the world.
Laura Pistarini Teixeira Nunes
Project Manager
Laura joined PATRIR as a Project Manager and Peacebuilding Advisor and, over three years of dedicated work and advocacy for peace, has taken on the role of Director of Strategic Development. Her commitment to fostering peace is reflected in her impactful contributions, including her efforts in Ukraine in close partnership with PATRIR’s Department of Peace Operations. Laura is driven to shape and strengthen our vision and strategy for peace across Europe, particularly in these challenging and turbulent times.
Anna Denysenko
Psychosocial Support Officer
Anna brings over three years of experience as a psychiatrist and six years as a cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist, working under regular supervision with a wide range of clinical conditions. Currently serving as a Psychosocial Support Officer she combines her background in psychiatry with specialized psychotherapy skills to provide comprehensive mental health support. In addition, Anna is expanding her expertise through a master’s degree in psychology, deepening her knowledge and enhancing her approach to psychosocial care. Her commitment to mental health and ongoing professional development underscores her dedication to supporting those in need.
