In a time when war divides experiences, deepens social challenges, and triggers economic crises, Ukrainian businesses need a new kind of leadership — resilient, context-sensitive, and forward-looking. UCU Business School and the UCU Leadership Center invite you to the event «Leadership in Times of Trial: How Business Can Remain Whole, Resilient, and Responsible» on Wednesday, March 21 in Kyiv. Among the speakers: Gerard Seijts, Professor of Organizational Behavior at Ivey Business School, visiting lecturer at UCU Business School, and representatives of business associations.
This event is a public discussion with business community representatives and entrepreneurs who have undergone transformation through the experience of war. Together, we will explore:
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Resilience — the inner strength to lead even amid chaos;
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Purpose — a guiding vector during times of crisis;
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How war has reshaped social ties and trust;
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How personal and team losses become a source of deeper meaning and new practices;
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How business education fosters responsible leadership, not just skills;
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A vision for the future — what kind of country, business, and culture do we want to build?
Our Speakers:
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Gerard Seijts — Professor of Organizational Behavior at Ivey Business School, visiting lecturer at UCU Business School, award-winning researcher, innovator in education, and thought leader.
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Kateryna Glazkova — Executive Director of the Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs (SUP), member of the Public Oversight Council of the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine, and of the Coalition of Business Communities for the Modernization of Ukraine. Graduate of the Key Executive MBA 2023.
- Igor Liski – investor who has been attracting Ukrainian and international investments in various spheres of the domestic economy for over 20 years, co-founder of the analytical center “Ukrainian Institute of the Future”, and is a member of the group of co-investors of Promprylad.Renovation.
(The final list of speakers is to be confirmed.)
For those who want to dive deeper into leadership transformation, we invite you to join the two-day program «Leadership: A Management Transformation Intensive» with Gerard Seijts and Andriy Rozhdestvenskyi, starting on May 20 in Kyiv.
This is an intensive learning format designed for leaders who aim not only to understand but also to actively transform management practices by applying cutting-edge approaches through real case studies and hands-on sessions. Learn more and register at the link.
Who will benefit from this event:
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Leaders of teams, civic initiatives, local governments, political movements, and businesses;
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Those aspiring to lead during times of global transformation;
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People who seek not only to understand current challenges but also to find empirically grounded approaches to overcome them;
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Anyone leading organizations and companies today, looking for resilience and meaningful direction.
Simultaneous translation will be available at the event.
Date and Time: May 21 at 18:30 (registration begins)
Location: Kyiv, 22 Yaroslaviv Val St., Radisson Blu Hotel or online
Admission: Free upon confirmed registration
Optional donation: from 500 UAH to support Nikulyshyn’s fundraiser
Gerard Seijts is the author and co-author of four books: Leadership on Trial: A Manifesto for Leadership Development; Good Leaders Learn: Lessons from Lifetimes of Leadership; Developing Leadership Character; Leadership in Practice: Theory and Cases in Leadership Character.
UCU Business School is a values-driven institution committed to European approaches in business education. For over 15 years, it has been nurturing an open and responsible business community in Ukraine. Its dream is «Ukraine on the global business map» — because only strong companies with ethical principles and global thinking can strengthen Ukraine from within and build its brand worldwide. It’s about tomorrow’s business — about values, ethics, talent, and human development.
UCU Leadership Center is a joint initiative of the UCU Business School, the UCU Institute of Leadership and Management, and the UCU School of Public Management. It is implemented in partnership with the Ivey Business School Leadership Institute. The Center’s mission is to develop a new generation of leaders across business, public administration, the nonprofit sector, and the military through education, research, and collaboration with global institutions.
