Angelina Usanova, Miss Universe Ukraine 2023 and Miss Eco International 2024, is transitioning from pageantry into full-time advocacy with the launch of a new U.S.-based charitable foundation focused on environmental sustainability and social impact.
Born in Ukraine and educated across Europe, Usanova is now establishing long-term programs that reflect both her personal background and her recent global outreach. The foundation, currently being registered in the United States, will consolidate the philanthropic work she continued and expanded during her tenure as Miss Eco International, which included projects in the U.S., Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
“The goal is to create something lasting and operational,” says Usanova. “We’re building programs that support children in difficult life situations – whether through access to musical education, environmental literacy, psychological or medical support.”
Usanova emphasizes that the foundation’s work will focus on two interconnected pillars: supporting young talent and promoting ecological responsibility. “Our theory of change is simple: you cannot talk about the future of the planet without including the next generation in the conversation.”
Over the past year, she has carried out more than 40 public service initiatives across four continents.
In California, she led a storytelling and arts-based workshop for children in Oceanside, using her book My Home to introduce sustainability concepts in a playful, age-appropriate format.
In Hawaii, she helped organize a beach cleanup in Olowalu, Maui, partnering with the Surfrider Foundation in the wake of devastating wildfires. While in Honolulu, she visited Shriners Children’s Hospital to spend time with young patients and deliver thoughtful gifts.
Her work extended to supporting the most vulnerable through material aid as well. In Los Angeles, she provided donations to both a food bank and an animal shelter, reinforcing her holistic approach to service. She also participated in the Clinton Global Initiative in New York, where she addressed the environmental consequences of the war in Ukraine – a subject she continues to raise in international forums.
One of Usanova’s most visible commitments has been her campaign against plastic pollution, a cause she made central during her year as Miss Eco International. While in Egypt, she organized and participated in a series of cleanups along the Nile River and led workshops for schoolchildren, focusing on alternatives to plastic and the broader ethics of environmental stewardship. Her advocacy continues with the development of a plastic-free women’s sportswear line made of biodegradable fabrics. She has repeatedly emphasized the urgent need for reform in the fashion and beauty industries. “Plastic waste, especially microplastics, is a systemic threat to human health and biodiversity,” she explains. “The fashion industry has a major role to play.”
During her year as Miss Eco International, Usanova visited 25 countries and 47 cities, traveling more than 180,000 kilometers. She climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, spoke at global summits, and supported humanitarian relief efforts in war zones – always emphasizing the role of young people in shaping the future.
Music also plays a vital part in Usanova’s vision. A classically trained musician, she is launching Humankind Fest, a mobile platform designed to provide children from underserved communities with opportunities to perform, express themselves, and build confidence through music.
The initiative aligns with her foundation’s broader commitment to unlocking children's creative potential. “My own path was shaped by music. I want to make sure children with talent but no access don’t fall through the cracks,” she says.
Looking ahead, Usanova plans to expand environmental education programs in schools, offer grants to musically gifted youth, and continue aiding communities recovering from natural disasters and conflict. Her approach blends advocacy, art, and action – with a sharp focus on long-term impact.
Asked what she hopes policymakers and donors take away from her work, Usanova is direct: “Policy matters. Funding matters. But most of all, consistent, on-the-ground work matters. That’s where real change begins.”
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