The President:
- Is responsible for achieving the organisation’s mission
- Provides leadership to the Board of Directors, who sets policy and to whom the National Coordinator is accountable
- Develops agendas for meetings with the Executive Directors
- Chairs meetings of the Board of Directors
- Recommends to the board which committees are to be established
- Seeks volunteers for committees and coordinates individual board member assignments
- Appoints the chairpersons of committees, in consultation with other board members
- Serves ex officio as a member of committees and attends their meetings when invited
- Ensures that board matters are handled properly, including committee functioning, recruitment of new board members, orientations, and meeting preparation
- Helps guide and mediate board actions with respect to organizational priorities and governance concerns
- Monitors financial planning and financial reports
- Evaluates the performance of the board members
- Annually evaluates the performance of the organisation in achieving its mission and objectives
- Speaks to the media and represents the organisation to the community
It is recommended that the President position be filled by a candidate with previous experience serving on the Ukrainian Canadian Students’ Union Board of Directors.
The President for 2025-26: Daria Furtak
Daria is a fourth-year Finance student at the University of Ottawa and previously served as the President of the uOttawa Ukrainian Students’ Club. She’s passionate about leadership, global affairs, and empowering youth through education and advocacy. With extensive experience in corporate relations, fundraising, public speaking, and event management, Daria has contributed to the growth of student organizations and helped launch initiatives with lasting value. In 2025, she participated in the UN HAA Global Peace Summit in Thailand and the NATO Field School in Europe. She’s excited to apply herself to SUSK and work with the team to strengthen national collaboration, support Ukrainian students across Canada, and build meaningful, action-driven initiatives that uplift our community.
Key Responsibilities: The President leads the Ukrainian Canadian Students’ Union (SUSK), oversees the Board of Directors, and represents the organization at the national level. This role is responsible for setting strategic direction, coordinating the team, and ensuring that SUSK fulfills its mission of serving and advocating for Ukrainian students across Canada.
Email: president@susk.ca