Olena received her Bachelor's degree in computer systems for management and automation from Donetsk National Technical University. A certified accounting manager (1С Accounting course) and a business analyst (IBM's "Introduction to Business Analytics" course).

Olena's professional background includes experience at marketing and finance departments in international companies, such as in instrument manufacturing for professional wood and wood materials processing (LEITZ) and in the area of developing global pharmaceutical markets ("Yuria-Pharm "corporation). She has experience in consulting and sales in the commercial sector. She used to work in an international development NGO, in partnership with USAID (USA), as a project operations manager. There, she was in charge of building and implementing operational and financial strategies in the USAID's program Democratic Governance East implemented in Ukraine by the "Chemonics International Inc." Company.

During her work in various companies, Olena engaged in projects developing critical elements of the operational and financial management system, such as building the business planning cycle and efficiency analysis.

At the Center for Urban History, she is responsible for financial planning, administration, and reporting for operational and project activities.