Our Team

Ivan Velentey — Founder of Socratico Speech & Debate Academy and Head of the Debate Program — is a globally renowned debate coach with 10+ years of teaching and competitive experience spanning Asia, Europe, and North America.

 

Throughout his debating career, Ivan has won, finaled, or earned Best Speaker awards at over 20 prestigious international tournaments, including Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, SOAS, Trinity, the European Universities Championships, and SIDO. His deep understanding of competitive debating and proven coaching methods have helped hundreds of students achieve their personal and competitive goals.

 

Ivan takes direct responsibility for each student’s growth, providing tailored guidance to ensure measurable progress. Under his mentorship, students have:

 

• Qualified for national World Schools Debate teams in the U.S., China, and Taiwan.

• Reached elimination rounds and secured titles at major international tournaments, such as NSDA US Nationals WS 2019, 8th Harvard CWSDI 2023, Cambridge Asia BP 2023–2024, Oxford China Rounds and Oxford Schools Finals 2025, Stanford Invitational 2022–2023, and Asia Seniors and Juniors Championships 2022–2025.

• Excelled in public speaking competitions including Re:Solved 2022–2024, WIDPSC 2025, and TOC 2024–2025.

 

With a proven track record of producing world-class debaters, Ivan’s mission is to inspire, challenge, and equip students with the skills and confidence to excel — both in competition and in life.

Reese Johnson — Co-Founder of Socratico Speech & Debate Academy and Head of the Public Speaking Program — is a world-renowned public speaking coach and 10-time U.S. National Champion & Finalist. With over seven years of coaching experience, Reese has developed a reputation for helping students find their voice, command the stage, and deliver speeches that inspire.

 

Over the course of her career, Reese has:

 

• Coached 11+ national champions across Harvard, NSDA, NEITOC, and major collegiate circuits.

• Prepared students for high-profile speeches delivered at the White House and other prestigious venues.

• Guided students toward academic success, including securing full-ride scholarships at top U.S. colleges.

 

Reese’s teaching style blends technical mastery with personal empowerment, ensuring every student leaves her program not only as a more compelling speaker but also as a more confident leader. She is committed to helping young speakers harness the power of words to influence, inspire, and create change.

Nataliia Vladyka — Co-Founder and Director of Marketing & Operations at Socratico Speech & Debate Academy — blends global marketing expertise, operational leadership, and a deep commitment to youth empowerment.

 

Before launching Socratico, Nataliia led the Girls in STEMM Program for the Women Empowerment Council in Shanghai and Beijing. The program encouraged girls to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine by connecting them directly with women leaders in global companies such as HPE, ExxonMobil, Merck, and Henkel. Students visited workplaces, toured labs, and engaged in mentorship sessions to gain first-hand insight into STEMM careers. Alongside this initiative, the WEC hosted conferences and collaborated with corporate partners to raise funds supporting the education of girls in rural China.

 

Nataliia also serves as Operations Manager at BlueForce Energy, a Canadian clean technology company, where she manages cross-departmental operations, builds partnerships, and advances sustainability initiatives, aligning her professional work with her dedication to creating a better future for the next generation.

 

At Socratico, Nataliia oversees all marketing, branding, and operational strategy, from social media and website development to parent engagement and program logistics. Drawing on her global experience and passion for social impact, she helps shape an academy that equips students with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to succeed in both academics and life.