Anna Gorbenko’s anti-corruption journey began in 1997 in Khmelnytskyi, where Ukraine held its first anti-corruption conference – an event that was revolutionary for its time. “It was incredible – students and politicians who could be called ‘creators of corruption’ gathered in the same space,” Anna recalls with a laugh. This event became a turning point in her life and shaped her professional path.
After university, her career began at the Ministry of Economy and continued at the Ukrainian Embassy in Greece. However, her real professional challenge came at the Financial Monitoring Service, where Anna spent 8 years, climbing all ranks in financial investigations, before moving to the newly established Anti-Corruption Bureau.
Between Public and Private Sectors
“The biggest internal conflict I encountered at NABU was that any institution eventually shifts into ‘business as usual’ mode,” Anna shares. In this mode, she explains, corrupt practices can coexist alongside people genuinely striving to reform the system.
Today, Anna works as the Chief Compliance Officer at OTP Bank, giving her a unique perspective on corruption manifestations in both public and private sectors. “In the private sector, especially in ‘old’ businesses with long histories, conflicts of interest are common – nepotism, hiring relatives. It’s seen as normal. Unfortunately, networking and providing favors to your inner circle seems to be human nature,” she explains.
Educating the New Generation of Anti-Corruption Fighters
Teaching at the “Anti-Corruption Studies” master’s program at ACREC holds a special place in Anna’s professional life. “It’s my favorite part of the work,” she admits. “We attract deeply principled people who are willing to work passionately for two years, often while maintaining their jobs. They’re truly the best of the best.“
According to Anna, training anti-corruption specialists for work in the regions is particularly crucial. “In Kyiv, you can blend into the crowd. In the regions, everyone knows everyone, making the work much more challenging due to personal involvement and more dangerous due to threats from the system resisting change,” she explains.
Looking to the Future
“You can work anywhere, but if you’re driven by the idea of fighting corruption – you can do it in any position, simply by doing your job right, even in everyday life,” Anna concludes. Her experience shows that fighting corruption isn’t just about high-profile exposures, but about the daily choice to live honestly, act consciously, and speak up.
Today, graduates of the “Anti-Corruption Studies” program hold senior positions in international and Ukrainian organizations, implementing changes and building a new, corruption-free Ukraine. This is largely thanks to instructors like Anna Gorbenko, who not only share knowledge but inspire through their personal experience.
Enrollment for next year’s “Anti-Corruption Studies” program will begin in spring 2025. Follow ACREC’s LinkedIn page to catch the program announcement!