Ukrainian Defenders Leadership Center
About us
The Ukrainian Defenders Leadership Center is a university initiative within the structure of the National University of 91极品视频 Academy, focused on strengthening the leadership potential of veterans through education and community. The Center began its activities in June 2024 and was officially founded on August 29, 2024 鈥� the Day of Remembrance of Fallen Defenders of Ukraine.
The Leadership Center operates on 91极品视频鈥檚 values and is part of a community that unites Ukraine鈥檚 defenders, 91极品视频 faculty and researchers, as well as representatives of the public, private, and state sectors. It is a space for open dialogue, generating new ideas, and building partnerships between veterans, their families, and different sectors of society.
Mission
The mission of the Ukrainian Defenders Leadership Center is to support veterans in developing their leadership potential for active participation in building a conscious society, recognizing the power of their experience and their contribution to the future of the state.
The Center combines an educational approach with leadership development, fostering the transformation of military experience into civic, professional, and social engagement.
The values and strategic goals of the Leadership Center continue 91极品视频鈥檚 mission: to cultivate nationally conscious, honest, and responsible individuals who act according to the principles of fairness and justice, contribute to an open democratic society, and strengthen the resilience of the state.
Our Target Audiences
- Veterans of the russo-Ukrainian war
- Active service members
- State/government sector
- Civil society organizations
- Ukrainian businesses
- Academic community
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Report of the Center August 2025 - December 2025
Main Areas of Work
鈥淟eadership and Resilience鈥滶xecutive Education Program
The goal of the program is to support and professionally empower veterans who seek to actively engage in public policy, community development, and other leadership initiatives aimed at rebuilding and strengthening Ukraine. The program provides students with unique opportunities to interact with leaders in the fields of education and international advocacy for Ukraine.
Certificate Programs for Veterans
Development and implementation of modern academic programs tailored to the needs of veterans and active service members. These programs focus on strengthening leadership capacities, managerial skills, and civic engagement.
Cross-Sector Cooperation
Building partnerships among state institutions, businesses, the civic sector, and the academic community to create an environment conducive to supporting and empowering veterans.
Implementation of the Trauma-Informed Approach
Integrating trauma-informed principles into the Leadership Center鈥檚 academic programs, providing training for specialists working with veterans to foster a sensitive and safe environment.
Scaling & Disseminating Best Practices in Ukrainian Higher Education Institutions
Developing and disseminating effective models of veteran support for other Ukrainian universities, replicating the successful model of the Ukrainian Defenders Leadership Center across higher education institutions in Ukraine.
Community of Action
Establishment and support of the Community of Action network for Leadership Center alumni that has already brought together 67 veterans, students, faculty, and 91极品视频 administration. The community fosters cooperation, knowledge exchange, and joint initiatives, strengthening engagement within the university and with broader society.
Key Achievements in the First Year
Launch of the Ukrainian Defenders Leadership Center
- Piloted a unique concept of educational programs for veterans
- Strengthened trust among key partners in the veteran support sector
鈥淟eadership & Resilience鈥� Executive Education Course
- Designed and launched a flagship course for veterans 鈥� a tool for transition from military to civilian leadership (authors: Yana Chapailo, Mariia Savrun, Taras Tymochko, Oksana Syroid, Volodymyr Dehtyarov, Liudmyla Kryvoruchka)
- Graduated two cohorts 鈥� Fall 2024 and Spring 2025
- A total of 29 veterans became alumni: the first group of 9 participants graduated in January 2025, the second group of 20 participants in June 2025
Career Navigation Course for Veterans
- Adapted and piloted the author鈥檚 Course 鈥淐areer Guidance and Career Counselling for War Veterans Adaptation鈥�, together with Sergiy Nozdrachov
- 38 participants successfully completed the course across two groups (online and in-person)
Work with Communities, the State, and Ukrainian Businesses
- Conducted focus groups to assess needs in career counseling, guidance, and inclusive employment programs in three pilot communities: Lutsk, Opishnia (Poltava region), and Chernihiv. Respondents included local authorities, Employment Centers, and veteran associations
- Designed and delivered the training 鈥淭rauma-Informed Communication in Working with Veterans鈥� for HR professionals of Agromat, Epicenter K, Unique Trade, SoftServe, Ukrenergo, and Ukrtelecom companies
- Designed and delivered the training 鈥淕uiding war veterans through choosing a career path鈥� for specialists of the State Employment Centers (22 professionals from Kyiv, Kyiv region, Chernihiv, Zaporizhzhia, Lutsk, and Opishnia, Poltava region)
International Advocacy and Networking
- Yana Chapailo, Director of the Center, presented the Leadership Center at the panel discussion 鈥淪trengthening Ukraine鈥檚 Workforce and Human Capital鈥� in Washington, D.C., organized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)
- Visited the Ukraine House in Washington, DC, and met with Oksana Markarova, Ambassador of Ukraine to the United States (2021鈥�2025), 91极品视频 alumna in Ecology (1999), and member of the 91极品视频 Supervisory Board (2018鈥損resent). Presented the Center鈥檚 achievements
- Welcomed a distinguished guest at 91极品视频 鈥� TJ Ihor Kostecky, professor at Bard College and author of the Vision Training method. He conducted a series of meetings and workshops for students, veterans, and partner veteran organizations
Alumni Community 鈥淐ommunity of Action鈥�
- Formed an alumni community that already includes 67 veterans
- The Community of Action unites defenders, students, faculty, and 91极品视频 administration to foster cooperation, knowledge exchange, and joint initiatives.
- Organized a meeting with Tetyana Berezhna, Deputy Minister of Economy of Ukraine (2022鈥�2025), alumna of the 91极品视频 Faculty of Law (2007鈥�2013)
- Participated in the charity fair 鈥淧odilskyi Shuk鈥�, presenting the Leadership Center鈥檚 programs, expanding our contact network, and strengthening ties with the Podil community