COVE and the Canadian Global Affairs Institute (CGAI) are proud to announce Olena Kryzhanivska as the inaugural COVE Defence Innovation Fellow, a 12-month program designed to strengthen Canada’s expertise in dual-use and defence innovation ecosystem through research, innovation, and commercialization.
“By spotlighting innovation at the nexus of technology and national security, this fellowship will help Canada strengthen its defence ecosystem, support domestic industry, and protect national sovereignty,” said David Perry, President of CGAI.
Olena will lead thought leadership research focused on commercialization for Canada’s defence and dual-use technology sector that will provide actionable insights for industry, government, and national security. Her work will support Canadian companies to identify opportunities, advance the commercialization of technologies, and inform strategic decisions that strengthen national sovereignty.
“I am thrilled to contribute to Canada’s defence innovation landscape and explore how technology can drive security and resilience,” said Olena Kryzhanivska.
Olena brings extensive defence expertise, combining policy analysis, political reporting, and defence technology research. She is the author of Ukraine’s Arms Monitor, a weekly newsletter analyzing defence tech trends in Ukraine and Russia, and has published in the Kyiv Independent, Kyiv Post, NATO Association of Canada, and The Journal of Conventional Weapons Destruction.
Her career spans senior roles across international organizations:
- Senior Editor, NATO Association of Canada – researching international affairs, mentoring interns, and organizing diplomatic podcasts.
- Analyst, Countertrade and Offset, London – analyzing defence industry trends and policy changes.
- Political Affairs Intern, United Nations, New York – researching weapons diversion in Ukraine and presenting findings to UN regional centers.
- Immigration Officer, Norwegian Embassy, Türkiye – preparing political analyses and weekly reports on the Black Sea and South Caucasus regions.
She also serves on the advisory committee for the Small Arms Survey project, has appeared as a podcast guest on defence innovations in the Russian-Ukrainian war, and is multilingual in English, Ukrainian, Russian, Turkish, and Spanish. Olena holds a Ph.D. in Political and Social Sciences from the Gazi University in Türkiye.
“Olena’s deep expertise in global defence systems, combined with her insight into emerging technological innovations, makes her the perfect inaugural fellow to drive Canada’s defence innovation agenda,” said Melanie Nadeau, Chief Executive Officer of COVE.
The COVE Defence Innovation Fellowship reflects a unique partnership between COVE and CGAI, committed to fostering thought leadership, actionable research, and innovation in Canada’s defence and dual-use technology sector.