GIWPS Honors Former Ambassador of Ukraine with a Trailblazer Award

October 2, 2025

GIWPS

Diplomatic colleagues and friends gathered at Georgetown University to salute the leadership and legacy of Oksana Markarova, who served as Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States from February 2021 to August 2025.

With decades of expertise in finance, she had already distinguished herself as Ukraine’s Minister of Finance, where she introduced innovative reforms that elevated the country’s international financial standing. When she was appointed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Ambassador Markarova intended to focus on American business investment in Ukraine, trade, and other economic issues.

Less than a year later, however, Russia mounted an unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and Ambassador Markarova became a wartime diplomat. Her tenure was historic and vital. She was described as the resolute public face of her country’s struggle and resilience, and proved to be the most effective Ambassador of Ukraine to the US since Ukraine declared its independence.

“Ambassador Markarova worked around the clock advocating for Ukraine before government officials, in Congress, the White House, and other agencies. She worked closely with her fellow diplomats and was a constant, articulate, and informed voice in the media. She reminded us that although Ukraine was on the frontlines, this was about the democratic future for all of us,” said GIWPS Executive Director Ambassador Melanne Verveer.

Ambassador Markarova was presented with a Trailblazer Award by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security (GIWPS) at the event for her commitment to her country, her defense of democracy, and her unwavering resilience in the face of immense challenges.

“It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve as my country’s ambassador,” said Ambassador Markkarova. “We would not be where we are without the support of the US, and we still need it today more than ever, but I’m definitely thanking every nation—the friends that we have here around this table—and many more because this war is against all of us and we have to win this war together.”

The gathering brought Ambassadors from the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, the EU, France, Greece, Iceland, Japan, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, and Taiwan together with staff from the US State Department, the Embassy of Ukraine, students from Georgetown University’s Ukrainian Society, and several former US Ambassadors to Ukraine—all friends of Ambassador Markarova.

Ambassador Kristjan Prikk of Estonia and Ambassador Shigeo Yamada of Japan gave moving remarks, mentioning Ambassador Markarova’s strength and dedication.

“Your persistent, endless positive energy and your attitude when going through even the most difficult circumstances is something that has really inspired me and has helped me to be a better diplomat in this town,” said Ambassador Prikk.

Students from Georgetown University’s Ukraine Society presented Ambassador Markarova with sunflowers—Ukraine’s national flower—and a framed collage highlighting moments they spent with Ambassador Markarova over the last four years.

The event was hosted by GIWPS with support from McLarty Associates and Mastercard—both enterprises that have been longtime allies of Ukraine.

Geoffrey Pyatt, Senior Managing Director of McLarty Associates, former US Ambassador to Ukraine, and a longtime friend of Ambassador Markarova, also shared heartfelt words of admiration.

“I was shocked and amazed to discover how pervasive Oksana was,” he said. “Three Sunday news shows every weekend, every conference, every opportunity to tell Ukraine’s story, an incredibly broad and bipartisan network on Capitol Hill, respected by Republicans and Democrats alike, which you can’t say for a lot of people in Washington these days, sadly. It really was a magnificent performance.”

The program concluded with a well-deserved standing ovation.

“I feel like this is a room not just full of ambassadors and government officials and former government officials, but it’s a room full of true friends that will stay friends for life,” said Ambassador Markarova.