KYIV — APCO is expanding its European operations with the opening of a new office in Ukraine, led by global corporate and government relations specialist Sonya Soutus.

Soutus has led communications, public affairs, government relations, brand communications, M&A communications and corporate social responsibility strategies for multinational corporations in both in-house and agency roles.

She served as chief public affairs and communications officer for The Nature’s Bounty Company in New York, and spent 20 years with The Coca-Cola Company, latterly as SVP of public affairs and communications in North America.

Soutus – an American of Ukrainian descent – also worked as a director at Burson-Marsteller in Kyiv, where she led public education programs for USAID and helped establish the agency’s first commercial office in that country. She also served as the first press officer for the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Rome and Ukraine, and has worked as a director at Teneo.

The agency’s team in Kyiv will provide guidance to international investors and businesses looking to tap into sectors such as energy, technology, transportation, and agriculture, as well as supporting clients with government engagement, strategic communications and regulatory expertise as Ukraine’s EU membership progresses.

APCO CEO Brad Staples said: “Despite the challenging conditions brought on by the conflict, Ukraine has shown remarkable resilience and strong economic performance. Our clients across a variety of sectors are seeking better insights and more on the ground expertise to navigate Ukraine’s political landscape and growing business opportunities.

“We are also witnessing more demand from Ukrainian corporates to understand and engage with European markets and attract foreign investment.  The APCO team is building on extensive experience working in Ukraine and is capitalizing on that knowledge to meet clients’ needs.”

Soutus added: “We are excited about the opportunities that our new presence in Kyiv will bring. Our mission is to enable businesses to succeed in Ukraine by providing them with the insights and strategies they need to thrive in this dynamic market. APCO has an integrated offer of strategic services and a truly global presence which we know will provide significant added value to our clients.”