Speakers
Confirmed speakers on U.S.-Ukraine Business Forum, organized by U.S.-Ukraine Business Council, co-hosted by the Atlantic Council within the framework of Ukrainian Week 2025 (February 3–8)
Denys Sienik
Deputy Chief of Mission for the Embassy of Ukraine in the US
Mr. Denys Sienik is a career diplomat. He joined Foreign Ministry in 2007 (US and Canada Desk). In January 2009 he was posted to Ukraine’s Embassy in Canada (political section) where he served until December 2012. In 2015 Mr Sienik became Chief of Staff to Ukraine’s First Deputy Foreign Minister in 2015. In 2016-2020 he worked at the Embassy of Ukraine in the UK (political section). After return to Ukraine in June 2020, he was appointed as Chief of Staff to Ukraine’s First Deputy Foreign Minister where he served until December 2022. Mr Sienik arrived in DC in January 2023 in a capacity of Chief of Staff to the Ambassador. He has served as Deputy Ambassador of Ukraine in the US since August 2023. Mr Sienik holds M.A. in Foreign Policy from Kyiv International University.
John E. Herbst
Senior Director, the Atlantic Council, Eurasia Center, former US Ambassador to Ukraine
Senior Director of the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center and retired U.S. diplomat with 31 years of service in the U.S. Department of State, retiring as a career minister. He served as U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine (2003–2006), where he worked to strengthen U.S.-Ukraine relations, support a fair presidential election, and help prevent violence during the Orange Revolution.
Prior to that, he was U.S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan (2000–2003), playing a key role in establishing a U.S. base for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and advocating for human rights reforms. Throughout his career, he has been a strong voice on Eurasian affairs and U.S. foreign policy in the region.
Irina Paliashvili
President & CEO, U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC)
Dr. Irina Paliashvili began her private practice by co-founding one of the first private law firms in Ukraine and expanded by founding the Washington-based Ukrainian Legal Group, where she serves as the Managing Partner.
She graduated with highest honors from the Kyiv State University School of International Law and earned a Ph.D. in International Law from the same school.
She also holds an LL.M. in International and Comparative Law from George Washington University. She is licensed to practice Ukrainian law as a Special Legal Consultant in the District of Columbia and is a member of the Kyiv Bar.
In addition to general corporate and transactional expertise, Irina has special experience in commercial dispute resolution and mediation and is a member of the Energy Community Dispute and Negotiation Centre’s Panel of Mediators in Vienna. She has extensive experience in providing independent expert witness reports and testimony on the matters of Ukrainian law in international arbitrations and in the US, UK, the Netherlands, Cypriot and Swedish courts proceedings.
Irina serves as the Chair of the Legal Committee of the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council, a member of the International Advisory Board, Vienna International Arbitral Centre (VIAC) and a member of the Advisory Board of Best Lawyers®. In her capacity as the International Rule of Law Officer of the International Bar Association’s Rule of Law Forum, Irina is actively engaged in the issues of Accountability and Justice, as well as defending and restoring global rule of law.
Pavlo Unguryan
Ukrainian Week principal organizer, former Member of the Ukrainian Parliament
Ukrainian political and evangelical leader, who served as a Member of the Ukrainian Parliament until 2019. He was appointed to the Order of Merit of the ІІІ degree in 2017.
In 2002 Unguryan earned a law degree from the National University "Odesa Law Academy". Then he headed the office for strategic planning at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources of Ukraine.
In 2006 he was elected as a member of Odesa City Council where he served until 2008. In 2008 Unguryan was elected as the Member of Parliament of Ukraine and served until 2012. In executive power, Unguryan worked as Deputy Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources Department of Ukraine in 2014. In the same year, he was elected as a Member of Parliament. Since 2015 he was a member of the Ukrainian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.
Vlad Skots
CEO, USKO Express Inc. & Founder, Co-Chair, Ukrainian American House
Vlad Skots is a Ukrainian-American entrepreneur and the founder of USKO, a global logistics company with operations in the U.S., Mexico, Poland, and Ukraine. After immigrating to the U.S. at 22 with $1,000 and no English, he began as a truck driver and grew USKO into a leader in logistics, known for its efficiency and innovation.
He is also the founder of Motion, a technology company specializing in Transportation Management Systems (TMS), insurance solutions, and advanced software designed to optimize fleet management, ensure compliance, and streamline logistics operations.
As the founder and co-chair of the Ukrainian American House, he is committed to strengthening U.S.-Ukraine relations and spearheading humanitarian initiatives to support those in need. Vlad’s journey reflects resilience, innovation, and a focus on impactful solutions across industries and communities.
Dell Loy Hansen
Founder, Wasatch Group; Founder, Hansen Ukrainian Mission
Dell Loy Hansen is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Wasatch Group and is responsible for the overall management of its enterprises and affiliates. He first visited Ukraine in May of 2022 and started working on identifying the essential needs of people affected by the war. He has been committed to restoring Ukraine and bringing dignity back to Ukrainians who have seen the horror of the genocide war.
Dr. Dave Brat
Former U.S. Congressman, Virginia
David Brat (Republican Party) was a member of the U.S. House, representing Virginia's 7th Congressional District. He assumed office on November 4, 2014. He left office on January 3, 2019.
Brat (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the U.S. House to represent Virginia's 7th Congressional District. He lost in the general election on November 6, 2018.
He was first elected in 2014 after defeating then-House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in the Republican primary.
Brat earned his bachelor's degree in business from Hope College. He also attended Princeton Seminary. He worked as a volunteer in Walter Stosch's office from 2005 to 2012. He has served on the Governor’s Board of Economists since he was appointed in 2006.
Brat is an economics professor at Randolph-Macon College.
Serhii Sukhomlyn
Head, the Agency for the Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine
Ukrainian politician, Former Mayor of Zhytomyr, member of the Main Council of the Proposition party. In 2008, together with his city council colleagues Hennadiy Zubko and Oleksandr Rabinovych, he founded the public organization Our Home Zhytomyr. In October 2009, together with Zubko and Rabinovich, he left the United Center party.
In 2010, Sukhomlyn was elected to the Zhytomyr Regional Council from the Front for Change. In the parliamentary elections of 2012, he was on the list of "Batkivshchyna", but was not elected. He was part of the Euromaidan. From March 2014 to November 2015, he was the First Deputy Mayor of Zhytomyr. In 2015, Sukhomlyn won the election of the mayor of Zhytomyr as a member of the Petro Poroshenko Bloc party. He took office on 15 November.
In 2016, he graduated from the University of the State Fiscal Service of Ukraine with a degree in Finance and Credit.
Vladyslav Rashkovan
Alternate Executive Director, IMF (Board member)
Leader of the large scale transformation projects, senior financial executive with 20+ years’ global experience in strategic finance (international organizations, central banking, international commercial banking). Proven track records in making things happen, managing large groups of people (2500+ HC), overseeing 500+ mln usd international budgets & generating 100+ mln usd revenues/synergies per annum.
In course of my career I’ve been focusing on strategic management (complex transformation & change management, digital transformation, strategy & business development), being engaged in different cross country and cross cultural projects and managing teams.
Discovering and sharing of new knowledge/insights via putting together & leading excellent people, BIG DATA, fintech and innovation visual tools really inspires me.
Specialties: Large Transformation, CFO, Strategy, Managing turnaround projects, M&A, strategic management, fintech, big data.
Sergii Naumov
Chairman of the Management Board, Oschadbank
His total employment record in the banking accounts for 30 years. Before joining Oschadbank as a CEO in 2020, he has served as the chair of the management boards in the following international banks in Ukraine: URSIBBANK BNP Paribas Group, Pravex bank (Intesa Sanpaolo) and Piraeus banks.
Lev Holubec
Partner, PwC Consulting Solutions
Lev Holubec is a Consulting Partner on the Global Senior Leadership Team of PwC’s Deals business. He is co-leader of PwC's Rebuild Ukraine Global Task Force which aims to bring the best of the firm's capabilities to contribute to the rebuild and evolution of next generation Ukraine.
His focus includes building and operationalizing the most effective private sector alliances to accelerate an efficient rebuild, helping investors understand and navigate the reconstruction landscape, and assist clients on operating in Ukraine.
Oleksandr Vainer
Co-owner, Agrosem LLC
Oleksandr Vainer is the co-founder of Agrosem LLC, one of the top five agricultural distribution companies in Ukraine and the largest John Deere dealer in the country. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Kyiv, Agrosem also represents global brands such as Yara, Corteva, Lindsay, and KWS. Oleksandr holds a Master's degree in Economics and has held leadership positions, including Vice President at Inesco Group (Ukraine) and CFO at Green Hills Market (Moldova) before establishing Agrosem.
In addition to Agrosem, he has co-founded several successful ventures, including El Gaucho, an agricultural enterprise in Ternopil Oblast, Ukraine; Most Logistic Terminal, a logistics hub in Mostyska-Drugy, L’viv Oblast, Ukraine; UP Trading, a trading company in Warsaw, Poland; and LeciForce, a processing plant for food and pharma ingredients in Lublin, Poland.
Originally from Ukraine and currently based in Baltimore, MD, Oleksandr manages his international enterprises while raising three children with his wife.
Mykhailo Bno-Airiian
Director for Government Relations of MHP PrJSC
Mykhailo Bno-Airiian is a Ukrainian manager, diplomat, and expert in energy and international relations. He has extensive experience working in both the public sector and international organizations, which has allowed him to develop a strategic vision for the country's development amid modern challenges.
Currently, Mykhailo Bno-Airiian is the Global Director for Government Relations at MHP, where he is actively involved in promoting Ukrainian agricultural products in international markets. He is also the chairman of the Committee on European Integration at the Federation of Employers of Ukraine, where he focuses on facilitating the adaptation of Ukrainian businesses to European market requirements, supporting EU integration reforms, and deepening cooperation between Ukraine and the EU in the fields of economy, energy, and regulatory policy.
Anatoliy Amelin
Co-founder, Ukrainian Institute for the Future
Expert in strategic and crisis management, investment banking, and public administration. Founder of Altani Capital, one of Ukraine’s leading investment companies, with experience in over 30 M&A transactions across industries including steel, engineering, banking, and financial services.
From 2010 to 2015, served in the National Commission on Securities and Stock Market, leading reforms to eliminate corruption, modernize securities infrastructure, and align corporate legislation with European standards. Currently, a managing partner in a new investment company, focusing on energy projects, economic research, and state institutional reforms, including social security, pensions, and Ukraine’s long-term economic strategy.
Nadiia Petruchenko
Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer, SPP Development Ukraine Group of Companies
SPP Development Ukraine is a leading company in Ukraine’s Renewable Energy and Energy Infrastructure sector. Under Nadiia’s leadership, the company has built over 150 MW of renewable energy assets, regional substations, and high-voltage lines while also restoring critical energy infrastructure in Eastern Ukraine between 2019 and 2024. In response to russia’s destruction of Ukraine’s energy system, SPP Development Ukraine expanded to provide Autonomous and Backup Power Systems for businesses and households. The company currently has about 1 GW Pipeline of Solar Power Plants, Wind Power Plants, and Energy Storage Systems and is recognized by the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine as a critically important enterprise ensuring energy resilience.
Sergii Voitsekhovskyi
Board Member, BGV Group Management
Sergii Voitsekhovskyi has 20 years of experience in managerial roles, including at ATB, the largest retail company in Ukraine. In 2018, Sergii joined Gennadii Butkevych’s BGV Group Management investment group, where he is responsible for implementing the company’s strategic initiatives and attracting domestic and international investment for targeted projects. Today, BGV Group Management develops businesses and projects in mining, energy, infrastructure, retail and development sectors. In particular, the company has invested more than $100 million in Ukrainian mining projects over the past 10 years, which will potentially make Ukraine a world leader in certain types of raw materials.
Dana Linnet
CEO, "The Summit Group DC"
President and CEO of The Summit Group DC, an independent advisory firm established in 2020 providing clients in Defense, Aerospace, Energy and Advanced Technologies with their growth strategies, Foreign Military Sales support, export controls, national security due diligence and problem solving. Prior to her current role, she served as a Career U.S. Diplomat specializing in political and military affairs, a Fortune 100 aerospace Executive at Lockheed Martin, and Silicon Valley Global VP. Dana was twice named to Pineapple Empire’s “Top 100 in Aerospace and Aviation” list and was awarded the Republic Of Estonia National Guard Service Medal Honor First Class #269 (with permission of the Dept of State!) She has been working with Ukraine officially and unofficially since 1995.
Charlie Dean
Vice President of International Business Development, AeroVironment
Charlie Dean has 42 years’ combined experience in the US military and the US defense industry. Joining AeroVironment in 2021, Charlie is focused today on expanding international business for the company.
Prior to joining the defense industry in 2005, Charlie completed a successful 22-year career in the U.S. Army as an Infantry officer and an acquisition professional focused on Infantry weapons. Charlie participated in close combat actions in Afghanistan and Iraq, plus other US Army missions around the world. Amongst other accomplishments while serving in the US military, Charlie qualified as an Army Master Parachutist and Ranger.
Charlie earned a Bachelor of Science degree from West Point in Aeronautical Engineering, a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from MIT, and graduated from Phillips Academy (Andover).
Artem Petrenko
President, Strategy at Sigma Software Group
Artem Petrenko is responsible for the business strategy of Sigma Software Group, leading the company’s growth across Europe & UK, the Middle East, and Africa. With 20 years in IT, he combines deep technical expertise with strategic business acumen to drive success. Artem holds master’s degrees in AI and data science from universities in Ukraine and France and is a graduate of the Executive MBA program at the Stockholm School of Economics.