As we approach the third month of Russia’s ruthless attacks, citizens of Ukraine have continued to suffer unimaginable challenges. One of the many concerns that Ukrainians have had is financial, and how to maintain a livelihood during this tragic situation. Architects and designers, many of whom are regular users of Archinect, with work we’ve featured over the years, have been without work and income. If you’re a design firm that’s currently hiring, you’re in a position to help!

A new initiative called Hire Ukrainian Designers has been formed to connect struggling Ukrainian architects and designers with American firms for remote and freelance work. The group has been actively collecting applications from Ukrainian designers, verifying skillsets, availability, and English proficiency, and connecting them with US-based AEC firms. They are even providing hiring, IT, and accounting logistical consultation for the participating employers. 

The initiative has been inspired and built upon the work spearheaded by SWA Group’s Houston office which has matched over forty individuals with US-based firms since March. Hire Ukrainian Designers was started by Alina Nazmeeva and John Wagner, MIT and Harvard Graduates based in Boston, and Angelina Stelmakh, a Ukrainian architect displaced to Romania. The initiative is entirely volunteer-driven. Their team reports that they have already made direct contact with 269 Ukrainian candidates, vetting about 100 for necessary skills, English proficiency, and availability.

Get Involved

The Architectural League will be hosting an online information session with the initiative’s organizers, firm principals and Ukrainian designers who have already created successful working relationships through this initiative. The presenters will guide participants through an overview of each step of the hiring process, with time reserved for an audience Q&A at the end of the program. The event will be taking place May 13, 2022 at 12pm EST - RSVP here. 

The presenters will include:

Kinder Baumgardner, managing principal, SWA Group
Hannah Kulvanovska - Ukrainian Hire, SWA Group
Alina Nazmeeva, co-initiator of Hire Ukrainian Designers
Alina Plyusnina - Project Manager & Team Lead, SWA Group
Angelina Stelmakh, co-initiator of Hire Ukrainian Designers
Doug Suisman, principal, Suisman Urban Design
John Wagner, co-initiator of Hire Ukrainian Designers

Archinect is working with Hire Ukrainian Designers to help facilitate these connections by offering free job ads for firms offering positions exclusively for Ukrainian architects and designers. We’re also hoping to connect more Ukrainian job-seekers with the initiative and make more firms aware of this unique opportunity to help our colleagues in Ukraine AND fill the much-needed roles that all firms are struggling to fill these days. If you are a firm looking to bring on Ukrainian talent or a Ukrainian designer needing employment, please visit Hire Ukrainian Designers’ website for more information or reach out to us at Archinect for assistance.