Business brunch “BUSINESS. RESPONSIBILITY. REVIVAL.”: when those who create the future meet

On July 30, at the restaurant Veranda on the River a landmark event took place – the business brunch “BUSINESS. RESPONSIBILITY. REVIVAL”, organized by the business publication “PERSHYI BIZNESOVYI BIZ”. The event brought together entrepreneurs, executives, opinion leaders and experts who not only run businesses under wartime conditions every day but also take part in the social, economic and strategic processes of Ukraine's reconstruction.

The brunch focused on:

• Effective team management in times of turbulence
• Legal security of business in conditions of uncertainty
• Development of domestic production and local brands
• Innovation in product design as a tool for reducing risks
• Women's leadership, the synergy of career, balance and motherhood
• The role of veterans in rebuilding the country and shaping leadership practices

Speakers of the event:

Artem Honcharenko – head of the Veterans Institute “Architecture of Resilience”, representative of the charitable foundation “Reconstruction and Development of Ukraine”, author of the mobile hospitals project and Ruslan Papenko – a veteran, coordinator of the civil-military cooperation area of the Veterans Institute – “Veterans as a pillar of unity, security and recovery of Ukraine”

Key points from the speech by Artem Honcharenko and Ruslan Papenko:

“The return of veterans to civilian life is not only a social mission but also a shared responsibility of business and the state. Employers must create conditions for adaptation, training and rehabilitation, because every job for a veteran is a step toward a strong economy and a conscious society.”

Tetiana Avramenko, CEO of Veranda on the River – “How to grow, nurture and retain a team in wartime”

Key points from the speech by Tetiana Avramenko:

“War has transformed the very understanding of managing people – today a team needs not only efficient work organization but, above all, emotional support, stability and safety. Our task as leaders is to give people confidence in tomorrow, to be a pillar of support. Respect and responsibility cannot be imposed – they are shaped by a culture of mutual dignity. And only then does a team work with motivation, initiative and devotion to a common cause.”

  Liliia Oliinyk, businesswoman, founder of the ilive trademark – “Not balance but synergy: how style, business and motherhood shape holistic leadership”

Key points from the speech by Liliia Oliinyk:

“Holistic leadership is not about dividing time between business and family but about harmoniously combining them. Not balance but synergy – when one sphere strengthens the other. Style and beauty are not trivialities but important components of a woman's self-perception and effectiveness. Because a woman who feels harmonious is capable of creating strong brands, beautiful products and warm families”

Olha Romanova and Hanna Andrushchenko, AB InBev Efes Ukraine – “Legal challenges in conditions of uncertainty”

Key points from the speech by Olha Romanova and Hanna Andrushchenko:

A lawyer is not only about laws but about trust, support and anti-crisis stability.
In today's conditions of instability, the legal department is a pillar that works proactively: it analyzes changes, adapts the business to new realities, trains teams and takes part in shaping the regulatory framework.

Key approaches:

• monitoring changes in legislation and informing the business in good time;
• legal support in crisis situations – from claims to court cases;
• participation in GR activities to improve the regulatory environment;
• training teams in plain legal language for better integration into business processes.

Advice to lawyers:
– Take care of yourself. A well-rested lawyer means a quality solution.
– Explain simply, stay close to the team, and support not only with the law but also with humanity.

Message: A lawyer in a company is not an isolated function but a partner, a friend and a bearer of calm in turbulent times.

Olena Kolchenohova, Octava Capital – “How to legally formalize the protection of personal data”

Key points from the speech by Olena Kolchenohova, Head of Compliance at Octava Capital:

Personal data protection is not only a legal obligation but also an ethical responsibility of business.
Since 2018, with the introduction of the GDPR, data protection has become a critical issue: it entails reputational and financial risks, and Ukraine is already moving in this direction.

The main risks for companies are ignorance of the requirements and the absence of a data protection culture within the team.
That is why it is important not only to introduce technical and legal measures but also to train staff: who is responsible for what, how to process data correctly, and how to avoid leaks.

Compliance is not bureaucracy but a competitive advantage.
It is about trust, security and compliance with European standards. If a company wants to scale, it must speak the language of transparency and responsibility.

Denys Solyankov, Head of Product Design — “High-quality product design as a safeguard against risks”

Theses from the speech by Denys Solyankov:

Good design is when you do not notice the design but still achieve the result.
It is not about form but about accessibility, clarity and risk minimization.

Design = responsibility.
A simple interface is not aesthetics but protection against mistakes. If a user stumbled because the product failed to convey the necessary information, that is the responsibility of design.

The main mistakes companies make when creating digital products:

1. They do not know their user — they do not research needs and do not test hypotheses.

2. They underestimate design — yet it is design that either eliminates risks or creates new ones.

Olena Kreknina, AXOR Industry — “Building what is Ukrainian: challenges, services, markets, joint projects”

Key points from the speech by Olena Kreknina, AXOR Industry: The secret of AXOR's success worldwide lies in flexibility and service. We adapt our products to the local needs of each market without losing our Ukrainian manufacturing identity.

AXOR means 400 jobs, 8 million sets of hardware every year and 40% of output exported. This is not only taxes and support for the economy but also real participation in rebuilding the country — our hardware literally becomes part of new Ukrainian windows.

A particular source of pride is the company's readiness to hire veterans and help them adapt. It is precisely this kind of social responsibility that defines the strength of Ukrainian business today.

Viktoriia Lisnycha, President of the Sviatynia Berehynia Foundation — “Cultural diplomacy and the role of women in it”

Key points from the speech by Viktoriia Lisnycha: Cultural diplomacy is not about soft power; it is about the foundation of identity. In wartime, culture becomes a weapon: it shapes the image of a nation, restores dignity and carries the truth to the world.

Ukrainians are perfectionists capable of creating beauty out of nothing. That is why our business and our initiatives must be the best. Because it is not only about business but about the face of the nation.

“If we are not supporting culture, then what are we fighting for?” Churchill reminds us. The revival of Ukraine will come not only through the economy but also through the restoration of historical memory, language and creativity. Culture is the heart of our resistance and the source of future victory.

Viktoriia Andriienko, Head of Communications of the UKRPROMINVEST-AGRO holding — “Developing the institution of reputation in Ukraine”

Key points from the speech by Viktoriia Andriienko:  Reputation begins with responsibility. Without it, neither trust nor sustainable development is possible — and these are the foundation of any company, person or country.

Among the key challenges for Ukrainian business is the information war. In the face of hostile fakes and attempts at discrediting, business must be proactive in its communication: ensure transparency and reliability and be ready to defend its reputation. At Ukrprominvest Agro, reputation is not a slogan but a strategy of shared responsibility. We work with a wide range of social groups — communities, farmers, landowners who lease land to us — and build honest, long-term partnerships with them on the principle of win-win.

A strong reputation is the result of consistent, humane and transparent work. And it must become the systemic foundation for the development of all Ukrainian business.

Words from the organizers:

Viktoriia Shteinberh, co-founder of Pershyi Biznesovyi: “Today is not just a meeting of like-minded people. It is an example of how, even in the darkest times — to the roar of air-raid sirens, under the pressure of challenges — business continues to live, to develop and to take responsibility for the country's future. We are convinced that it is business that takes on a social function today, supporting communities and defenders, that will become the driving force of Ukraine's revival.”

Yurii Atanov, co-founder of Pershyi Biznesovyi: “This event is a space for those who not only talk about responsibility but embody it every day. We do not just talk about recovery — we plan it, implement it and create it together.”

Guests were treated not only to speeches but also to gifts from the partners: Yves Rocher Ukraine, Ranok publishing corporation, AXOR Industry, SEMA HATS, LH Group

The musical highlight was the performance by MARTIUS — a Ukrainian singer, songwriter and participant of the show “Holos Krainy”.

The event was hosted by Maria Skyba, a journalist and author of social projects at the TV channel “My – Ukraina”.

Event partners: Yves Rocher Ukraine, Veranda on the River, Mer de Glace, Morshynska, law firm Turii and Partners,  AB InBev Efes Ukraine,  AXOR Industry, Octava Capital, SEMA HATS, LH Group.

Media partners: 33 Kanal, Dilovyi PRO, FM-TV, Pershyi Biznesovyi, business outlet Mind,  Delo.ua, TV channel Priamyi,  Dilova Stolytsia,  Komentari,  TrueUA, Cabinet Boss, Postfaktum, FEMIDA.UA, Infovision. Studio of my Dreams, GLORY Magazine, STAR BROTHERS, BUT.IN.UA.

The business brunch “BUSINESS. RESPONSIBILITY. REVIVAL.” is an example of how a new economic culture is born: through dialogue, responsibility and action.

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