About Us
WHO WE ARE
Cactus and Tryzub volunteer initiative was founded in March 2022 in response to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
OUR MISSION
Our team is dedicated to supporting Ukraine in this difficult time in any way possible. Our main goal is to ensure that the military and humanitarian aid the United States provides does not diminish over time. We focus our efforts on local (and occasionally national) advocacy and activism. Our team also seeks out speaking engagements, explores fundraising opportunities, and helps build up and bridge the Ukrainian community of Arizona. We take pride in promoting Ukrainian culture, history, traditions and language.
OUR PURPOSE
Everything our team does is centred around keeping the spotlight on the brutal war in Ukraine. Collaborative work, community building and networking are at the heart of our activity. Our mission and focus are subject to change and may evolve with the needs of our community and current events.
OUR TASK FORCES
Activism. Advocacy. Fundraising. Community.
WHOM WE SERVE
Communities and residents of Arizona who care about Ukraine, its people and its unconditional victory.
Meet the team
We are a team of local volunteers working on various Ukraine support initiatives. If you are interested in joining our ranks and becoming a part of Cactus and Tryzub in a supportive role, please contact us. We look forward to connecting with you.
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Irene Amrine
Founder
Cactus and Tryzub is my passion project. I started this site to accompany initiatives which support the growing Ukrainian-American community of the greater Phoenix area. Ternopil, Ukraine, was my home until I turned 14. My family immigrated to the US in 1997 as refugees. Members of my family, in one way or another, fought in anti-Russian resistance for generations. To this day and from abroad, I continue my family's legacy in support of Ukraine and our people's fight for freedom.
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Oli Nevinska
Co-founder, Director of
Strategic Initiatives
Oli is the one of the most passionate and dedicated people you will ever meet. Also from Ternopil, Oli has poured her heart and soul into Ukraine support initiatives.
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Olya Johnson
Director of Public
Outreach and Engagement
I joined Cactus and Tryzub shortly after this war started, because I could not be passive about this tragedy, I had to do something. Since then, I have met so many wonderful, smart people passionate about Ukraine, Ukrainians, and this injustice. The first half of my life I spent in the town of my birth, Kropyvnytsky, Ukraine. For the second half, I have called Phoenix, Arizona, my home. This is where I bought my first home and started my family, including where my children were born. I often think that if they had been born back in Ukraine, their happy childhood would have been brutally taken away, and my heart bleeds every time. My Motherland will win. However, there is a long road ahead. Even after Ukraine’s victory, there will be a lengthy rebuilding process. I want to be a part of helping Ukraine be victorious and its reconstruction, to make it beautiful again. I do this for my children and for all others that do not have a childhood anymore. When I am not working with Cactus and Tryzub volunteers, I work in finance, with a focus on leadership development and training.
Katrina Schaffner
Activist
Hon. Orest Jejna
Activist
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Khrystyna Shkudor
Activist
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Anna Ivashchenko
Activist