The UCU Business School hosted its annual Alumni Leadership Day та Alumni Awards 2025 , bringing together graduates from various cohorts to exchange professional insights, strengthen community ties, and recognize leadership achievements across sectors. This year’s program focused on asymmetric thinking, talent challenges in Ukraine, managerial adaptation, and active peer networking. How did it all take place? What do «Madyar’s Birds» have to do with it? And who won the announced awards? Read more below.
The event began with a commemoration ceremony at the Field of Mars in Lviv to honor the fallen Defenders of Ukraine. The community gathered in prayer at the Field of Honor, where, among others, UCU Business School student Oleh Vorobiov is laid to rest. Participants also toured UCU’s newly revitalized main building on Svientsitskoho Street. During the event, the UCU Business School and UCU Leadership Center announced a fundraising initiative in support of the 93rd Separate Support Battalion.
Leadership Case Session: «Take-Off Point»
The program opened with a case session from the UCU Leadership Center, led by its Executive Director Andriy Rozhdestvenskyi. Participants explored the formation and operational model of the 414th Unmanned Systems Brigade «Madyar’s Birds». Robert «Madiar» Brovdi, who commands the Unmanned Systems Forces, demonstrated through the creation of his unit how the strategic principles of asymmetry, based on the model of Adrian Slywotzky, can be applied to warfare, leadership, and organizational culture.
«This case is not about drones, but about systematic thinking. It demonstrates how discipline, decision-making speed, internal culture, and leadership trust can transform limited resources into disproportionately strong outcomes,» noted Rozhdestvenskyi.
The analysis referenced the framework of Adrian Slywotzky’s book David Wins: The Discipline of Unmatched Victory, stressing that advantage arises not from sheer strength, but from the ability to think and act faster than others. For participants, the session became not just a learning exercise, but a mirror of real business terrain: how companies can remain effective by rethinking the significance of Scale, Failure, Speed, Frugality, Access, Algorithms, Magnetism, and Narrative in their work. And above all — how closely Ukrainian business and the Defence Forces are aligned in their management principles, and how they can learn from one another for greater impact.
Panel Discussion: The Modus Operandi of Ukrainian Business
The panel discussion «Modus Operandi of Ukrainian Business in 2025 and Beyond» was moderated by Sofia Opatska, Founding Dean and Chair of the Supervisory Board of the UCU Business School.
Panelists included: Oleh Chaharyn (PwC Lviv SDC), Hryhorii Zeleniuk (Darlisad), Nazar Bihun (NORDA Dynamics), Kateryna Hlazkova (CEO, Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs).
One of the questions posed: «What is it that keeps you awake at night today?»
Oleh Chaharyn answered:
«People — their safety, growth, and future — are the key value. If we lose people, there will be no business. These are the three key values of any company: people, people, and once again, people.»
Thus, the central theme of the discussion was human capital in Ukraine. Sofia Opatska added:
«If today we have around 200,000 school graduates, by 2030 we will have only 130,000. We are entering an era of talent scarcity. At the same time, Ukrainian offices of international companies often demonstrate the best results across global systems. This is a signal: our people are capable of achieving more with fewer resources…»
The discussion concluded with the idea that Ukrainian business — long accustomed to working in crisis management mode — is now forming its own leadership style: adaptive, pragmatic, and without illusions.
Alumni Awards 2025
The event concluded with the Alumni Awards 2025 ceremony, recognizing graduates whose professional achievements demonstrate leadership, innovation, and societal contribution. The newly formed UCU Business School Alumni Board also presented its current and upcoming community-driven initiatives.
«Leadership is the ability to influence the system around you. Our alumni demonstrate that such influence can be tangible and measurable,» stated Tetiana Novolodska, Head of the Alumni Association.
- «Business and Industry Breakthrough Award» – Pavlo Zaiats («Petslike»): 49.9% revenue growth and launch of franchise model.
- «Business Resilience Award» — Marianna Bilyk-Tomashek («Dental Front»): systematic support for the Armed Forces through dental identification initiatives.
- «Ukraine Global Brand Development Award» – Maksym Hladysh & Nazar Gembara («BotsCrew»): merger with CourtAvenue and international recognition of Ukrainian AI.
- «Strategic Impact in Security and Defence Award» – Viktoriia Yaremchuk & Volodymyr Nep’iuk («Farsight Vision»): technology solutions enhancing personnel safety.
- «Community & Social Impact Award» – Mariana Savka («The Old Lion Publishing House»): cultural projects fostering shared identity.
- «Marketing Excellence Award» – Marta Rohach («Monobank»): development of the B2B direction and professional community building.
- «Product & Service Innovation Award» – Anastasiia Khmeliovska («Zmina Agency, Anakonda»): brand development centered on body awareness and sustainability.
We congratulate the laureates and thank every alumnus who participated and continues to shape a community of leaders and trust at the UCU Business School. Thanks to everyone’s contributions, 80,625 UAH was raised to support the 93rd Separate Support Battalion.
