Olena Volodymyrivna Zelenska[a][b] (née Kyiashko;[c] born 6 February 1978) is a Ukrainian screenwriter who is the current First Lady of Ukraine as the wife of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

[6][7] In 2000, she graduated from Kryvyi Rih Technical University, majoring in "Urban and Construction Management", receiving a specialist diploma.

[6] The social activities of the First Lady of Ukraine before the war had three main directions: the health of future generations, equal opportunities and cultural diplomacy.

[13] Olena Zelenska initiated such projects as the improvement of the school food system[14] and the development of the National Strategy for a safe school environment,[15] the fight against domestic and gender based violence, the barrier-free environment,[16] and the introduction of audio guides in Ukrainian museums around the world.

At the initiative of the First Lady, the National Barrier-Free Strategy—standards of equal opportunities for all population groups—was adopted, as well as the Action Plan for overcoming barriers—a road map for each department—was developed.

[18][19][20] On 13 January 2020, she became a member of the Development Council of the Mystetskyi Arsenal National Art and Culture Museum Complex.

[21] On 11 September 2020, at the initiative of the President's wife, Ukraine joined the Biarritz Partnership,[22] undertaking commitments in the areas of gender equality and the development of barrier-free public space.

A new full-fledged 4-week menu was presented, the modernization of food storage facilities began, and the behavioral communication campaign of UNICEF in Ukraine on healthy nutrition for children and parents was launched.

[24][25][26] As part of the initiative of the First Lady of Ukraine, more than 50 audio guides in the Ukrainian language have already been launched in the best cultural institutions in more than 30 countries.

[44] During the war, her efforts have focused on humanitarian aid, especially the evacuation of children with disabilities through Poland and the importing of incubators to hospitals in warzone areas.

[47] In the humanitarian sphere, Olena Zelenska takes care of sending orphans for a long-term stay abroad.

[48] 260,000 books in Ukrainian were printed for children who left their homes due to Russian aggression and found shelter in 20 countries.

USD 6.4 million was raised in total, allowing to purchase 84 ambulance vehicles for the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.

In September 2022, Zelenska was present as an invitee to Ursula von der Leyen's third State of the European Union address, where the EU Commission President rendered homage to her courage during the war in Ukraine.

[62] On 19 September 2022, Zelenska attended the state funeral in London of Queen Elizabeth II to pay her respects to the late monarch "on behalf of all Ukrainians".

[71] On 6 December 2022, the First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska received the Hillary Rodham Clinton Awards, presented annually by the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security for exceptional leadership in recognizing the exceptional leadership in promoting women’s rights and creating a more peaceful and secure world for all.