Anastasia Graham-Yooll Keynote Speaker

Anastasia Graham-Yooll is a London-based, Emmy Award-winning Ukrainian journalist, media strategist, and moderator with over two decades of experience reporting from conflict zones, covering international affairs, and advising on global diplomacy. Her career spans major networks including CNN International, Bloomberg TV, and Al Jazeera English, where she has combined geopolitical insight, frontline storytelling, and high-stakes communication expertise.

In 2022, Anastasia was part of the CNN team honored with an Emmy for Outstanding Breaking News Coverage of the war in Ukraine. Reporting during the earliest days of the Russian invasion, she played a pivotal role in shaping CNN’s real-time global coverage. Her work was widely recognized for its courage, editorial precision under pressure, and profound grasp of Eastern European geopolitics, as well as her ability to convey the human dimension of conflict with narrative integrity and urgency.

She is the founder of HGY Media Ltd, a boutique production and consultancy firm specialising in documentary storytelling, media strategy, and purpose-driven campaigns. Her work spans both corporate and non-profit sectors, with a focus on human rights, conflict communication, and freedom of expression.

A passionate advocate for global press freedom, Anastasia champions ethical storytelling in politically volatile environments. She leads a UK-based campaign promoting neurodiversity in the newsroom, pushing for more inclusive hiring and editorial practices across digital media. She is also a vocal proponent of improved mental health support for journalists, particularly those exposed to vicarious trauma while processing graphic or distressing content remotely. Her current creative project, On the Front/Side Lines, explores the psychological toll of modern conflict coverage in digital journalism.

Previously, as a media consultant for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Anastasia shaped communications strategies around sustainable agriculture and food security. She has moderated high-level panels on AgriTech, diplomacy, and innovation, bridging conversations between developed and emerging markets.

With expertise in conflict resolution, diplomacy, and editorial leadership, Anastasia brings a rare perspective at the intersection of frontline journalism, strategic narrative, and geopolitical analysis. She is a sought-after speaker, panellist, and moderator for global summits, policy forums, and academic institutions seeking to explore the evolving role of media in building societal resilience and shaping public discourse.