Nata Shepeta

I’m Insight’s communications manager. I’ve been on the team for 2 years now — though it feels like a lifetime 🙂

What brought me to human rights work, and to Insight in particular, was a simple desire — as clichéd as that may sound. I wanted to do something useful. I used to work as a marketer; it was interesting, but there was no feeling of — wow, I’m part of something amazing! That’s the feeling I came here for. Spoiler — I found it.

What energizes me:
Talking to people — no doubt about it. We have a wonderful team. All those group chats with memes and the “everyone okay?” check-ins at 3 a.m. during a missile attack.

Freedom energizes me too. Parts of my work are creative, so freedom to act is vital. I love coming up with ideas, brainstorming, and then enjoying the results. When you see something take shape out of your ideas — sometimes you can even touch it — that’s what I really love, and it keeps me motivated.

Blitz interview:

What do you do when you’re not saving human rights?
I read (at least I try to, but let’s be honest — I’ve long been buying far more books than I can read). Not long ago I legalized this sacred ritual for myself and no longer let my inner critic spit venom trying to shame me. “Oh, why are you buying this book when you have 35 unread ones at home” — that doesn’t get to me anymore. So now I have a new favorite hobby — BUYING books. I recommend it to everyone.

One sentence about yourself that isn’t a job title:
I am a woman, a feminist, a Ukrainian.

Three words that describe you:
I imagine, I joke, I live.