Maria Zhartovska

CEO

I was born in Zaporizhzhia and later moved to Kyiv, where I spent about 15 years covering Ukrainian politics. I was a journalist at Focus, Novoe Vremya, Ukrainska Pravda, Forbes, and Babel and was a finalist in the Honour of the Profession and PRESSzvanie journalism awards.

For nearly a year after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, I stayed in Kyiv, continuing my work. Eventually, I found myself in Canada—a country I had never planned to move to but one I am endlessly grateful for.

I completed post-graduate studies in Project Management and Storytelling at the University of Toronto, and Content Marketing at York University. While searching for a job in Canada, I was approached by an investor from Ukraine who believed in me and my vision. I co-founded the Yellow Blue Business Platform, where I’ve built a team of incredibly talented Ukrainians who inspire me daily by achieving what may seem impossible.

My goal is to help the world better understand Ukrainians, support the growth of Ukrainian businesses abroad, and ensure we all keep moving forward together.

Publications of the author

Assouline releases a book on Ukrainian naive art, exploring works discovered in attics and brought to international acclaim. Its story is told by curator Lidia Lykhach
The Ukrainian brand GUNIA Project and international publishing house Assouline have announced Naïve My Love: Ukrainian Art of the 20th Century, a new title presenting ...
Niya Nickel spent years looking for a way to help her daughter with epilepsy and found one. Now she is changing the treatment rules for this disease in Ukraine. Her story
At 28, Kyiv native Niya Nickel gave birth to her daughter Eva, who has a rare genetic mutation known as J amuar syndrome . Because of it, the girl lives with severe epilepsy,...
Russia is destroying Ukrainian businesses — they need your support. We update this list every Monday
Russian missiles and drones regularly target Ukrainian businesses, striking factories, warehouses, retail locations, and logistics hubs. Companies are losing critical...
Over the summer, Russia destroyed roughly 15 million Ukrainian books. Publishing houses that need your support (Updated)
In the summer of 2026, Russia targeted the Ukrainian book industry in three major strikes—burning down one of Ukraine’s largest book markets at Kyiv's Pochaina district,...
Artist Daria Alyoshkina introduced Ukrainian vytynankas to the world. She died suddenly at 44. A year ago, YB spoke with her. We are publishing this interview in memory of Daria
On August 15, 2026, artist Daria Alyoshkina died in Ukraine. She was remembered around the world as one of the most prominent masters of vytynanka. It is a traditional form...
“My audience comes for the recipes but stays for the stories.” How chef and columnist Olia Hercules is introducing Ukrainian cuisine to the United Kingdom
Olia Hercules is a Ukrainian chef. She is 42 years old and has lived in London for more than 20 years. Olia is the author of six cookbooks and writes about food for BBC ...
Alexandra Alissa Novitchkova built an academic career in Ukraine, left it for human rights advocacy, and now teaches in Canada. In her own words
Scientist and human rights activist Alexandra Alissa Novitchkova is 46 years old. She graduated from the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (KMA) and pursued postgraduate studies. In 2005,...
Galyna Solovei studied in South Korea, contributed to education reform in Ukraine, and taught in Kyiv, Amsterdam, and Madrid. Here is how she managed to do it
Galyna Solovei is 47 years old. She studied philosophy, took part in reforming Ukraine’s education system, trained in international development policy in South Korea, and...