After Fleeing War, She Found a Career Along the Hudson

When Mariana Koterlyn fled the war in Ukraine for the United States last November, she could hardly imagine what the future held as she began to build her new life. After settling in Stamford, Connecticut’s growing Ukrainian community, she learned of a job opening at M&R’s Tarrytown House Estate on the Hudson in Tarrytown, New York.

Mariana, who worked as a hairdresser in Ukraine, joined the historic conference resort as a housekeeper in January. Her first challenge was improving her English and training on the job. She was fortunate to gain the help of Olga Savchuk, another Ukrainian expatriot who works for the property as its payroll and accounts payable manager and lived in the U.S. for 24 years.

“Mariana is eager to learn and has adjusted very well,” Olga said.

Mariana enjoys working at the Tarrytown House Estate. “Everyone has been very welcoming,” she said. “There are associates from countries all over the world here: Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, to name a few, and it’s a team.”

In late-September, Tarrytown House offered her—and she accepted—a position in the Food & Beverage department. She will help prepare and oversee morning and afternoon coffee breaks for groups meeting at the hotel.