Irinia is Co-founder of Global Synergy Group. She developed her passion for people, learning, and leadership while growing up in Russia and Ukraine, before becoming a professional facilitator in the USA. Irina is also a co-founder and team member at HueLife. Irina earned her Doctorate of Education in the field of Organization Development from the University of St. Thomas, where her research focus was on leadership in collaborative, non-hierarchical environments.

Co-founder of Global Synergy Group, former City Manager, Writer, Navy Veteran, and Organization Development Consultant. Richard is also a co-founder and team member at HueLife, where he delivers dynamic workshops and strategic planning sessions. Richard has helped hundreds of organizations to develop and implement strategy, including national, regional, and local governments in the USA and Eastern Europe.

A coffee enthusiast and a founding member of Global Synergy Group, Natalia grew up by the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov where she fell in love with seafood, volunteering, and the writings of George Orwell. Through her career, Natalia has supported hundreds of emerging leaders from Eastern Europe, Central and Southeast Asia, and the Caucasus via various U.S. government-funded initiatives. She holds two master’s degrees from two different parts of the world and is trilingual in Ukrainian, Russian, and English.

Former City Manager and owner of an Executive Search firm for 22 years, Jim has a master’s degree in Public Administration. Jim has served as a board member for the Metropolitan Council and as an Interim City Manager and Director for several organizations. Currently he is an Executive Coach/Strategic Advisor with Skyehill Coaching. Jim was one of the original exchange program participants to Boryspil, Ukraine in May 2011 and served as the Global Synergy Group Board Chair from 2012 until 2020.

An executive leader with more than 35 years of managing world-class private and public companies. Since leaving the corporate world in 2014, Tom has been focused on building an Organizational Development consulting business and working for nonprofit organizations. Tom also lectures at Harvard Business School, University of Minnesota, University of St. Thomas, and Ukrainian Catholic University. Tom’s real passion is working with young future leaders and helping them understand how they can play a role in the future of their country.

An entrepreneur for over 16 years, Jason led NexGen Associates to focus on providing innovative web-based tools for nonprofit and community-based organizations. He has served on the City Council and as Mayor for the City of Hopkins. Joining the board of Global Synergy Group in 2014, he was motivated to combine his community skills and technical knowledge to help share Global Synergy Group's vision with community leaders and youth leaders around the world.

A life-long learner with a passion for teaching, Karla holds a master’s degree in Human Development and a bachelor’s degree in School and Community Health Education. Karla is the owner of Hill & Company, a business focused on facilitating, presenting, and training on ways to communicate and work together effectively. A board member since 2014, Karla was inspired after volunteering in the summer of 2014 with the second Youth Leadership Engagement and Development exchange visit with Ukraine.

A life-long resident of Hopkins, MN, Eugene is a board member of First Minnetonka Bank and a member of many other Hopkins organizations. Thirty eight years ago he opened a local business that is still thriving today. Eugene has been serving the community of Hopkins for over 30 years, which has included being on the park board, planning and zoning board, and being a member of the Hopkins City Council. Within that time Eugene was the Mayor for 16 years.

Currently serving as City Manager of Bloomington, MN, Jamie has previously served as Chief Administrative Officer in the cities of Brooklyn Park and Rosemount. He is a graduate of St. Cloud State University with a bachelor’s degree in History and Political Science. He also holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from Hamline University. Jamie visited Ukraine as part of Global Synergy Group’s delegation to the Open Youth Forum in July 2016 and is currently serving as Global Synergy Group’s Board Chair.