Ilona received her first law degree with a specialization in International Law from the Institute of International Relations at Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv.
In 2007, she earned a Master’s degree from the National Academy for Public Administration under the President of Ukraine, specializing in Public Administration.
From 2004 to 2022, Ilona worked in the field of Ukraine’s foreign policy. Her professional background includes positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, the Office of the President of Ukraine, as well as overseas assignments at Ukrainian diplomatic missions. She served as a Consul at the Consulate General of Ukraine in Milan (Italy) and later in New York (USA), and holds the diplomatic rank of First Secretary, First Class.
Ilona is fluent in five languages: Ukrainian, Russian, English, Italian, and Spanish.