We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kateryna Odarchenko a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kateryna, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Undoubtedly, in our business — political consulting, government relations, and communications — it’s impossible to succeed without a clear understanding of values and guiding principles. We don’t just represent clients or organize elections in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, or here in the United States. We see our mission as contributing to the development of the industry as a whole.

For example, we actively support the training of young professionals, promote specialized research and analytics, and drive projects that shape strategic thinking. One of our most successful and impactful initiatives is IGAPA.net, a unique platform that brings together experts from over 16 countries. This platform not only enhances the professional growth of each participant but also strengthens the collective ambition to foster democracies and create sustainable solutions in the political and communications fields.

I firmly believe that this kind of experience can be applied across many industries because platforms like these enable all participants to grow professionally while exchanging valuable insights and best practices. It’s a key tool that helps individuals and organizations improve and empowers the industry to evolve in the right direction.

Kateryna, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Kateryna Odarchenko, a political strategist, author, and influencer with a deep passion for advancing democratic values and governance worldwide. My journey into this industry began with a commitment to building democratic institutions and enhancing public engagement in politics. Over the years, this has evolved into a career that spans political strategy, campaign management, advocacy, and communication.

I’m a partner at SIC Group USA LLC and the founder of the Institute for Democracy and Development PolitA. Through these platforms, my team and I provide a wide range of services, including election campaign management, advocacy strategy, crisis communication, and public affairs consulting. We specialize in crafting tailored solutions for political figures, organizations, and businesses, helping them navigate complex political landscapes and achieve measurable success.

One of the things that sets us apart is our international reach and the ability to adapt strategies across diverse cultures and governance systems. Over the past decade, I’ve led over 30 election victories across the U.S., Eastern Europe, and Central Asia, while managing more than 50 anti-crisis campaigns and 100 PR and reputation-building projects. Our work not only achieves results for clients but also contributes to the larger mission of strengthening democratic systems globally.

I’m particularly proud of IGAPA.net, a groundbreaking platform that unites specialists from over 16 countries. It’s a hub for collaboration, skill development, and sharing best practices in political strategy, governance, and communication. Projects like this are a testament to our belief that collective growth fosters stronger democracies and better outcomes for all stakeholders.

Additionally, I’ve authored The Game of Elections, which provides actionable insights into campaign management and political communication, and developed over 30 university-level courses on democracy building and electoral oversight.

My public engagement also extends to thought leadership, with contributions to global think tanks like the Atlantic Council and CEPA, and commentary featured in leading media outlets such as The Washington Post, ABC News, and USA Today, reaching an audience of over 150 million people.

To me, success isn’t just about winning campaigns; it’s about leaving a lasting impact on governance and empowering others in the field. My work focuses on equipping leaders with the tools to advocate effectively, communicate authentically, and build trust in their institutions.

For anyone interested in collaboration or learning more, I encourage you to explore my work through our annual forums, publications, or social platforms. I believe that building democratic resilience requires collective effort, and I’m proud to contribute to that mission every day.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

The most challenging aspect of our business has been scaling it. Political consulting, especially election campaign management, is inherently a seasonal business. It generates significant revenue during election periods, but once those are over, our team typically shifts to related fields such as government relations, communications, and reputation management.

The first major pivot we had to make was figuring out how to scale our operations. Initially, we focused on elections in Ukraine, Bulgaria, and Moldova. Then we expanded to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, applying the same services to new markets. From there, we scaled further to other countries in Eastern Europe and the European Union, eventually leveraging that experience to enter the U.S. market.

One of the key lessons during this pivot was understanding that you can’t be afraid of new challenges or unfamiliar markets. Often, practices developed in smaller or emerging markets can be surprisingly progressive and even more effective than those in larger, more established markets, which can sometimes be slower to innovate. Recognizing this gave us the confidence to adapt our approaches and prove their value on a global scale.

The ability to pivot and scale wasn’t just about replicating services—it was about adapting to the unique political, cultural, and regulatory nuances of each market. It required a combination of resilience, creativity, and the willingness to continuously innovate, which ultimately allowed us to build a truly international practice.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

In our consulting business, we’ve built our social media audience around three core pillars.

First, expert positioning. This involves offering insightful commentary on elections and political processes, demonstrating our deep understanding of the field. By consistently sharing analysis and thought leadership, we establish credibility and attract professionals who value expertise.

Second, high-quality educational content. We create resources tailored for other communication specialists, such as guides, case studies, or industry best practices. This not only builds trust with our audience but also fosters a sense of community among professionals looking to refine their skills.

Third, personal and motivational content. As business leaders, sharing personal stories, lessons learned, and motivational insights helps humanize our brand. This content resonates with both aspiring professionals and clients, creating stronger emotional connections and engagement.

By combining these three types of content, we’ve managed to showcase our competence while also attracting new readers and clients.

For those starting out, my advice is:

1. Define your niche and stick to it. Focus on a specific area where you can consistently provide value.
2. Balance professionalism with authenticity. While expertise matters, don’t shy away from sharing your personal journey or challenges.
3. Engage with your audience. Social media isn’t a one-way street. Respond to comments, participate in discussions, and build relationships.
4. Consistency is key. Build a regular posting schedule to keep your audience engaged and growing over time.

Remember, it’s not just about numbers—it’s about building a meaningful connection with your audience that aligns with your goals and values.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Sic-group.us
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/kodarchenko
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/katerina.odarchenko
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/katerynaodarchenko
• Twitter: https://x.com/katerynaodarche
• Youtube: https://youtu.be/I7vDDf-UJSs