We believe people affected by crisis are worthy of dignity, empathy, and the right to choose.

Mission Statement

The Humanitarian Innovation Group aims to revolutionize how the world handles humanitarian crises by leading, assessing, documenting, and sharing innovative solutions that empower people affected by the crisis to take back control of their lives. We collaborate with international partners and communities in crisis to provide emergency relief, create stability, and build lasting developmental change.

Meet the Team

  • Krzysztof Szczęsny

    PRESIDENT

    Since transforming an exposition hall into a Ukrainian refugee center in early 2022, Krzysztof has become a global leader in modern humanitarian aid.

    Formerly a restaurant entrepreneur and producer of high-profile events, Krzysztof transformed a Global Exposition center in Warsaw, Poland into one of the largest humanitarian aid centers in all of Europe. His coordination, fundraising, and problem-solving efforts have since helped over 65,000 Ukrainian refugees.

    Together with American partners, Krzysztof cofounded the Humanitarian Innovation Group (formerly Americans for Ukraine) to raise support and awareness for the refugee crisis. Now, HIG is modernizing humanitarian aid through entrepreneurship and resettlement programs in Poland, education centers in Ukraine, and global relocation programs.

  • Emily Schroen

    CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

    Emily Schroen is a nonprofit development specialist with a focus on humanitarian aid, education, and international relations. She is committed to designing innovative solutions and sharing stories to improve human lives.

    Since earning her Bachelor’s degree in international relations and psychology with a minor in Spanish, Emily has worked in clinical mental health, refugee resettlement, and nonprofit programming. In her previous role, she coordinated over 65 international affairs and law events for university students in Washington D.C.

    Emily is also a published journalist, and her work has been featured in the Diplomat, Real Clear World, and the International Affairs Forum.

  • Robert Szczęsny

    DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION AND UKRAINE PROGRAMS

    Robert Szczęsny is a trained educator and anthropologist with over 20 years of experience in international student programming. In his early career, Robert coordinated economic and civic projects for young leaders from former soviet republics such as Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova. He has since run training programs for teachers in over 20 countries and speaks 6 languages fluently.

    Robert has worked in Ukraine for over two decades and established the first national science center in Kyiv with the Junior Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. He was also the principal consultant and exhibition designer for the first math museum in Ukraine (the 3rd in Europe and 5th in the world.) To this day, he is running programs for refugees in Poland and coordinating wartime educational tools for Ukrainian teachers.

  • Olha Kucherepa

    PROJECT COORDINATOR

    Olha Kucherepa has volunteered with Ukrainian refugees since the first days of the Russian invasion and helped coordinate one of the largest refugee centers in Warsaw, Poland. As a Ukrainian refugee herself, she works tirelessly to help others find joy and hope in difficult times.

    Olha received a master's degree in human resources management and has since created her own business. The resulting economic and psychological knowledge helps her solve problems that arise in the process of helping people in difficult life situations.