Behind the scenes at the Dobrodiy Club team: an interview with recruiter Alyona

Alyona is 28 and hails from Zviahel, Zhytomyr region — the hometown of Lesya Ukrainka and Valerii Zaluzhnyi, a city of brave, sensitive, and creative people — just like her.

She has many hobbies, but photography holds a special place in her life. Back in her student days, she saved up from part-time jobs to fulfill her dream — buying her first DSLR camera. Since then, photography has become her way to preserve emotions and see the world from a new angle. Yet among all her passions, there’s one that surprises many — extreme sports.

“I love everything active and full of adrenaline! Once, I even jumped off a 56-meter bridge in Kamianets-Podilskyi,” she laughs.

The Road to Club Dobrodiyiv

Before joining the foundation, Alyona spent four years working as an HR Generalist at a cleaning company. That’s where she learned the ins and outs of recruitment, understood the inner workings of HR processes, and realized she wanted more than just hiring — she wanted to build communities of like-minded people.

“Something was missing in that job. I wanted to be part of something meaningful — where every action brings a real change for someone,” she shares.

From her very first interview, she knew Club Dobrodiyiv was her place:

“The energy here was immediately palpable. I’m constantly inspired by the people I work with — they support you, explain everything, help out, and still find time to laugh together over memes!”

Finding People Who Feel the Mission

Alyona’s job title may say “recruiter,” but what she truly does is find people who share the mission and spirit of the foundation.

“You can be a brilliant manager, but if there’s no sincerity — everyone will feel it. That’s why I pay attention to inner motivation.”

For her, it’s not just about matching skills to a position — it’s about understanding whether the person will become “one of us.”

“In some candidates, I look for warmth, empathy, and humanity. In others — strategic thinking, the ability to build processes, and focus on results. But above all, it’s about involvement — when someone truly cares about the mission, everything else falls into place.”

Over time, she realized that recruiting in a charitable foundation is about much more than just scheduling interviews.

“It’s like searching for superheroes — people who come not just to work, but to burn with what they do.”

Challenges and Triumphs During War

Recruitment in wartime comes with new realities. Many specialists have left the country or changed industries, competition for strong candidates has grown, and deadlines remain tight.

“I remember my first big challenge — finding a procurement specialist just a few months after I joined. It was tough, but after several interviews, we found the perfect person. When the team said, ‘How did you find her? She’s exactly our type!’ — that was my personal trophy. In moments like that, the team’s support means everything.”

Building a Culture of Growth and Care

Now Alyona aims to expand the HR direction — to build a culture where everyone feels their impact and sees how their work helps change the world.

“At Club Dobrodiyiv, I see huge potential. I want to be the person who doesn’t just recruit but helps people and the organization grow from within.”

A Dream Beyond Work

At the end of our conversation, Alyona shares her greatest wish:

“I want my teenage sister — and all children in Ukraine — to grow up without war. Without air raid sirens, explosions, or shelters. I want safety to be the normal background of life, not the exception.”

Do you want to create change together with us? Explore open positions on our website or fill out the application form — and maybe you’ll be the next to join the team shaping Ukraine’s future!