About Us - The Foundation for Democracy and Liberal Values
About Us
The Foundation for Democracy and Liberal Values is a 501(c)(3) US-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting the fight for freedom, democracy, and human rights across Eastern Europe. We empower individuals and organizations committed to creating lasting, positive change in their communities by advocating for essential values like freedom of expression, democracy, and peace.
Choosing Priorities
Strong and trusted institutions are essential for securing a better future. Even in exile, it is paramount to build and preserve them. FDLV is a grant-making organization committed to the principles of competitiveness and transparency. With a focus on supporting Russian-speaking content producers, we are at the forefront of creating transparent grant distribution mechanisms. Through our work, we hope to make a meaningful contribution to a more resilient media ecosystem — another vital institution facing challenging times and in need of preservation.
We encourage individuals and organizations who care about Russia’s future to support our efforts in any way possible, from sharing information about the initiative to donating and advocating for institution-building.
OUR TEAM
Tanya (Tetiana) Kotelnykova
President, Executive Director
Tanya (Tetiana) Kotelnykova is a master’s candidate in Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies at Yale University, with an M.A. in Human Rights from Columbia University and a B.A. in Law from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. As a Ukrainian twice impacted by Russia’s war, Ms. Kotelnykova has made it her mission to support Ukraine’s recovery and the rebuilding of its future.
Anna Cherednichenko
Board Member
Anna Cherednichenko is a linguist by training who began her career in the marketing department of the Russia-based publishing house «Avanta+» and as an assistant editor at «Слово/Slovo». After relocating to Germany in 2001, she worked extensively as a literary translator, journalist, and translator for Deutsche Welle. In 2014, Anna co-founded «In Situ Art Society e.V.», a non-profit organization supporting cultural projects. In 2018, she was appointed Executive Director of the Boris Nemtsov Foundation for Freedom.
Sarah Lillibridge
Board Member
Sarah Lillibridge studied Russian language and literature and she began her career in international grantmaking. Most recently, she has worked in outreach and education for the solid waste industry, working to increase sustainable resource management. She is now pursuing a Masters studying data analytics.
Zhanna Nemtsova
Director of Grants Management and Operations
Zhanna Nemtsova is the co-founder of the Boris Nemtsov Foundation for Freedom, as well as the co-director of the Boris Nemtsov Academic Center for the Study of Russia at the Faculty of Arts, Charles University. She has over nine years of experience in implementing projects in education, research, media, and human rights. Since 2018, Zhanna has been running the leading Russian-language Summer School of Journalism. Since 2023, she has also co-led the Master’s degree program "Russian Studies — Boris Nemtsov Educational Program," certified by Charles University in Prague.