During the month, from March 24 to April 24, an open popular vote was held on the "Elite of Ukraine" platform - part of a large rating "100 Most Famous Event Organizers of Southern Ukraine".
This rating was created to recognize those who, even in the most difficult times, create, inspire, unite, and move Odessa forward — through music, theater performances, festivals, forums, charitable initiatives, and educational events.
Voting is now closed. And we are pleased to present the twenty leaders - those who were supported by thousands of users. The full list of winners can be found at on the website of the National Rating Platform.
These people represent completely different areas of the industry — from concert production to spiritual practices. But they are all united by their influence, dedication, and concern for their city.
1. Yulia Fedorova (Yuslin)
Category: Charity and social projects
Yulia heads the charity foundation "Trymai" - one of the key humanitarian projects in southern Ukraine. Her activities go beyond standard aid: she creates sustainable support initiatives for the most vulnerable. In addition, Yulia is the founder of the event agency "7:40", which organizes bright, meaningful events with a social focus, such as the already traditional holidays for displaced people in Mark Twain (Gorky) Park
2. Yuriy Utsehovskyi
Category: Charity and social projects
Managing the Odessa Parks Communal Enterprise, Yuriy transforms urban recreation areas into real spaces of interaction — with cultural, social, and charitable events. His team implements events that not only entertain, but also unite the community around important topics.
3. Boris Barsky
Category: Theaters and classical culture
A living legend of Odessa, Boris Barsky is not only an actor and director, but also an inspiration who has been leading the Masks Theater for many years. His contribution to the development of the city's cultural landscape is invaluable, and his humor and creative approach leave a deep mark on the audience.
4. Natalia Lebedeva
Category: Business events and conferences
As an experienced business coach, psychologist with 25 years of experience, associate professor at the university, and organizer of hundreds of events, including the "First National Congress of Coaches" and the international festival "Anima", Natalia helps professionals develop, reveal leadership qualities, and build effective teams. Her events are not just training, but also a powerful space for personal growth and strengthening the business community.
5. Maksym Haykovsky
Category: Business events and conferences
The founder of the MBC business club, Maksym created a platform for uniting entrepreneurs and disseminating business ideas. His forums are held not only in Ukraine, but also internationally - this is a confirmation of the high level of organization and trust from the business environment.
6. Igor Belyakov
Category: Educational events
He heads the Odessa Zoo, one of the oldest and most beloved institutions in the city. But under his leadership, the zoo has become not only a place for walks, but also a center for environmental education, where lectures, educational programs, and interactive events for children and adults are held. Igor Belyakov actively involves the community in conversations about nature, responsibility, and sustainable development.
7. Andriy Bortov
Category: Educational events
The founder of the "School of Scientific Wonders", Andriy has turned science for children into a real adventure. His projects are not dry theory, but live shows, experiments, master classes that make complex things exciting. His work helps shape a new generation of researchers - with curiosity, imagination and a love of knowledge.
8. Vladislav Efremov
Category: Art projects and contemporary art festivals
The initiator of the Step to Peace festival, Vladyslav uses art as a tool for dialogue, unification, and mutual understanding. His events always have a deep social meaning and often combine visual art, music, and active civic engagement. Vladyslav creates platforms for culture as action, not just contemplation.
9. Iryna Zagranichna
Category: Weddings, family and children's celebrations
As the head of IZ Agency, Iryna has been creating events that stay with her clients for a lifetime for many years. Her weddings, birthdays, and family celebrations are marked by attention to detail, sincerity, and deep understanding of the client. She doesn't just organize holidays—she makes dreams come true.
10. Nikita Permyakov
Category: Charity and social projects
A psychologist and coordinator of the "Mental Health Alliance", Mykyta has dedicated himself to psychological support of communities. His work is of particular importance in conditions of war and stress. Thanks to his initiatives, events aimed at emotional recovery, reducing anxiety, and developing a culture of mental health are held in Odessa.
11. Alexey Botvinov
Category: Theaters and classical culture
One of the most famous Ukrainian pianists and People's Artist of Ukraine, Oleksiy Botvinov is the founder of the International Music Festival "Odessa Classics". Thanks to him, Odesa appeared on the map of Europe as a center of high music - the festival events annually bring together the best world performers. Even in times of war, the festival lives on - including outside the country - and carries the cultural voice of Ukraine to Europe.
12. Olena Shramko
Category: Theaters and classical culture
Director and Artistic Director of the Odessa Regional Academic Drama Theater, Olena combines management and artistic vision. She preserves the classical heritage of the theater, while simultaneously opening up new directions, engaging a modern audience, and supporting the development of a young theater school.
13. Natalia Deliyeva
Category: Art projects and contemporary art festivals
The president of a charitable theater foundation and an active participant in the city's cultural life, Natalia supports local artists, develops inclusive art, and knows how to create an event that combines joy, depth, and social meaning. Her projects are always an emotion and a space for dialogue.
14. Gennady Solodov
Category: Concerts and production centers
A producer with extensive experience in creating vibrant shows, holiday performances, and musical events. His creative style is a combination of theatricality, visual beauty, and a family atmosphere, making his events unforgettable for audiences of all generations.
15. Lyudmila Nechaeva
Category: Concerts and production centers
Head of the PA Production agency and the Pale-Art concert agency. Lyudmila implements large-scale cultural events - from musicals to author's concerts. She combines producer clarity with a love of art, creating events that leave an emotional mark.
16. Alena Onofriychuk
Category: Spiritual and wellness events
Founder of the Sulav physical and spiritual rehabilitation center, Alyona creates places of strength where people can find inner balance, recover from stress, and start anew on their own path. Her retreats, practices, marathons, and events are about care, awareness, and health on all levels: physical, emotional, and spiritual.
17. Iryna Psakhis
Category: Women's communities and forums
Iryna runs the company "Synslab" and is the initiator of events for women seeking development, inspiration and support. She creates safe platforms for growth - without competition, with respect for each person's personal journey. Her conferences and meetings are a synergy of female strength, experience and professionalism.
18. Natalia Terekhova
Category: Charity and social projects
A coordinator of a number of important social initiatives, including "Good Samaritan", Natalia unites resources, people, and goals around projects that work for the benefit of the community. Under her leadership, humanitarian programs, support campaigns, and volunteer activities are implemented that change the lives of specific people every day.
19. Nelya Shpylyova
Category: Business events and conferences
Her path is an example of growth from local events to the organizer of large-scale forums. She deeply understands the audience, cares about the quality of content and is always at the center of professional communities. Her projects are spaces for development, inspiration and new opportunities.
20. Ian Shapiro
Category: Business events and conferences
Founder of U-Nation, a platform that connects innovators, entrepreneurs, and dreamers. Jan develops innovative conference formats where technology, creativity, and business come together in a single synergy. His events are always about breakthroughs, out-of-the-box thinking, and hands-on experience.
Big Summer Forum in Odessa
This online voting was the second stage on the way to creating a full-fledged professional event community. In the summer, a closed forum of event industry leaders will be held in Odessa, which will bring together event organizers, producers, cultural managers, representatives of business, education, media, and public initiatives.
This will be a space for sharing experiences, analyzing the challenges facing the industry, discussing future trends, and forming a shared vision for the development of the event industry in the region.
The forum program includes speeches by leading experts, open panel discussions, special thematic sections, informal meetings, presentations of new projects, as well as formatted networking sessions.
The event will culminate with an award ceremony for the ranking winners. This will not just honor the winners, but also recognize the contribution of each of them to the development of Odessa as a cultural, business, and social center.
The forum will be the first large-scale gathering of this level in wartime conditions and will have the ambition to establish a new tradition of professional interaction in the field of events.
