UNF Board of Directors 2025

Wasyl Saluchok:

Being actively involved in the Ukrainian Canadian community his entire life, Wasyl Saluchok understands the importance of supporting grass roots initiatives that encourage, nurture and build the Ukrainian Canadian identity of children and adults alike. Wasyl understands the vast contributions Ukrainians have made in the building of Canada, and insists a strong Ukrainian Canadian community is essential for a strong Canada.

For over 30 years Wasyl has held strategic planning and business development roles in Computer Services, Financial Services and Real Estate Development. As a dynamic Integrator, Wasyl’s enthusiasm and dedication to understand stakeholders’ needs, identify alternatives, remove operational complexity, and seek unique solutions are a valuable addition. And his background in Institutional Investing will help the UNF Foundation continue to be relevant in the educational and cultural lives of Ukrainian Canadians and the broader communities they live in.

Christine Cahute:

Meet Christine Cahute, or as she is better known… Binka Cahute

Binka is the current Secretary of the UNF Toronto Board and has served in this position for more than 5 terms.

Binka loves to write and so this position is well suited to her.

Binka started her UNF “career” at the young age of 5 when she attended Dorist at the hall on College and Spadina. Growing up in Dorist, she then became an active member of the Kalyna Dance Group and Girl’s Choir, and travelled with them throughout South America, Puerto Rico, as well as extensively throughout the US and Canada. Probably the most memorable event in her dancing career was dancing for Queen Elizabeth in Ottawa in celebration of her Silver Jubilee.

After taking a brief hiatus from Organization life, Binka returned as an OYK member and served not only as a Secretary on the OYK Toronto Board, but also as President.
During her time with OYK, Binka helped organize an Adult Ukrainian Dance Class, in which she coined the phrase: “Hopakcersize” a Dorist Program, Fashion Shows, Children’s Halloween Masquerades,

Since joining the UNF Toronto Board, Binka continues to sit on different Organizing Committees, most recently assisting with the Camp Sokil Golf Tournament.

With her (late/great)husband Ron Cahute, Binka organized yearly New Year’s Eve Dinner Dances for UNFToronto yearly – each year had a specialized theme and featured entertainment to suit. (Evening in Paris featured real-live Can-Can dancers) and a French menu including Foie Gras.

In her personal life, Binka is a mother to two boys: Slawko and Arian Borys and doting grandmother to 4 Grandchildren: Alex, Julia, Milana and Yana…

Binka has been an Insurance Broker for the past 42 years, having followed in her father’s footsteps (the late Slawko Kowal, who served as President of UNFToronto), and is currently working at Humberview Insurance Brokers Ltd.

Binka is well known for her love of Ukrainian Culture – especially her adored Ukrainian Vinky which she wears at every opportunity.

Olena Shyian:

My name is Olena Shyian, I was born in Boryspil, a town near Kyiv, Ukraine, in 1982. Growing up, I was always interested in drama, literature, and history, and knew that I wanted to become a teacher. From 1997-2001, I studied at the Kyiv Municipal Pedagogical College, and obtained my Bachelor of Education, Early Education. In 2003, I completed my Specialist Diploma from the National Pedagogical University in Kyiv, Ukraine. As a primary teacher, I specialized in English as an Additional Language, and English Language Arts.

In 2007, my husband was offered a job in Canada, and our family decided to immigrate across the world. My older daughter and I followed my husband to Regina, Saskatchewan, becoming our new home since then. One year after our immigration, 2008, I was first employed by Regina Catholic School Division, and I am proud to continue my 16th year as an educator here in Regina. From 2010-2013, I enrolled in the University of Regina, and obtained my Bachelor of Education, which I followed teaching Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten, Grade 1/2, and now, teaching Grade 1 at St. Gabriel Elementary School.

My husband and I are now proud parents to two beautiful daughters, my younger daughter is in grade seven, and my older daughter is enrolled in the University of Regina, Faculty of Education. Excluding the years of Covid/quarantine, I continue my 10th year of service as president of the Ukrainian National Federation- Regina Branch.

Vicki Karpiak:

Victoria (Vicki) Karpiak has been involved in UNF from an early age. She started in MYNO in Winnipeg , and to this day she serves on the executive of the UNF Ottawa-Gatineau Branch.

Vicki has served on the UNF 0-G executive as past President (2 terms) and the Paul Yuzyk Institute for Youth Leadership for the past decade. This is her second term as Director of the UNF Foundation in Toronto. In Kitchener-Waterloo, she was on the executive of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC). For 7 years she also was on the executive of the Ukrainian Professional and Business Club of Ottawa. As program director for Kaleidoscope, a Ukrainian Cable TV program in Kitchener-Waterloo, she interviewed individuals regarding Ukrainian history and culture. Currently she is a member of the Ukrainian Geneological Club in Ottawa. Additionally she serves as a juror for the “Distinguished Women of Ottawa Award.”

At the University of Manitoba, she was President of the Ukrainian Student’s Club, Alpha-Omega, part of the Ukrainian Student’s Club (SUSK) and she was a member of Obnova, the Ukrainian Catholic Student’s organization. SUSK had a Ukrainian choir and she sang in this choir. Under Vasyl Avramenko and Jerry Klun, she learned Ukrainian dance.

Her community interests engaged her in being on the executive of “Cure Blood Cancer”, she was past Director of the Young Progressive Conservatives of Ontario; past Director of the Encore Private Co-tenancy Association, past Director of the Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Association as well as the Ottawa Carleton Real Estate Board. Past involvement in our community includes being on the executive for the installation of the Taras Shevchenko Monument , as well as the “Victims of Communism” monument in Ottawa.

Vicki holds a BA Degree from the University of Manitoba as well as a Human Resources Management Diploma from St. Lawrence College in Kingston. She was employed in marketing and worked for three major corporations: IBM, Xerox of Canada and Bell Canada. Later she turned to real estate where she had a successful career earning the prestigious “Lifetime Achievement Award”. For Canada’s 150th Anniversary, where her Father, the late Senator Paul Yuzyk was recognised as a nation builder, she compiled a book called “Father of Multiculturalism.” In addition, she assisted in the OMNI film production of the “M” word and was acknowledged by Vahtang Kipiani, Ukrainian film director, in his recent film on her father.

Andrii Lytvynets:

Andrii Lytvynets was born in Ukraine on February, 22, 1979.
On May 2014 moved to the Canada (Montreal, Edmonton).
From November 2017 to present – member of UNF Edmonton branch.
From March 2019 to March 2022 – President of UNF, Edmonton branch.
From May 2018 to present – member of UCC Edmonton branch.
From August 2022 to present – member of UNF Foundation.
From June 7 to present – representative of Paul Yuzyk Institute UNF NE.

Andriy Prokopchuk:

Andriy Prokopchuk is a dedicated community leader and educator with deep roots in Saskatchewan. A graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, Andriy currently serves as the National Treasurer for the Ukrainian National Federation (UNF) of Canada and is an active member of the Saskatoon branch.

His leadership roles include serving as the former president of UNF Saskatoon and as treasurer for the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) Saskatchewan. Andriy also has extensive experience in political campaigns, having managed both provincial and civic election efforts.

Beyond his organizational commitments, Andriy is a high school teacher based in Outlook, Saskatchewan, where he actively contributes to local life as an announcer for the Outlook Ice Hawks and the Outlook Stock Car Race Track. A resident of rural Saskatchewan, Andriy also serves as a reservist in the Canadian Armed Forces, exemplifying his dedication to both his community and his country.