Ukraine Foundation (Switzerland)‘s website is now live. Check it out at https://ukrainefoundation.ch to keep up with our upcoming activities and programs!

Ukraine Foundation and Professional Government Association of Ukraine Hosts Yana Liubymova

Ukraine Foundation and PGA are thrilled to announce that they will host Yana Liubymova for a policy briefing and discussion on the challenges faced by internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Ukraine.

The event will take place this Thursday 10 April at 18.00 at the Ritz-Carlton Geneva. Joining the broader Ukrainian delegation, our keynote speaker will engage in a Q&A session with the audience following her remarks.

Yana Liubymova is a member of the international advisory group of the Office of the Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General on Solutions to Internal Displacement. She is a member of the Board of Displaced International (DI) and an internally displaced leader in Ukraine. She is also a member of the Expert Council of the International Renaissance Foundation, a Resilience Consultant for UNICEF, and a member of the Association of Government Professionals. These major roles build on her extensive expertise and experience in social and humanitarian policy formulation and implementation gained through her work with both international organizations and Ukrainian government institutions.
She has served as the Deputy Head of the Secretariat of the Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights of Ukraine and as an Adviser to the Head of the Luhansk Regional Military Administration. Currently, she leads the Council on Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) under the Luhansk Regional Civil-Military Administration. Despite having been displaced twice in Ukraine, Yana Liubymova has refused to leave her beautiful homeland, staying back to serve internally displaced communities.
She holds a Master of Law from the East Ukrainian National University and a Master of Engineering and Pedagogy from the Ukrainian Engineering and Pedagogical Academy. She speaks English, Russian, and Ukrainian.

This event is organized in association with the Professional Government Association of Ukraine. Prior registration is required via email at events@ukrainefoundation.org or by phone at +41 22 355 0201.

We are proud to welcome Dr. Mariya Heletiy as Ukraine Foundation’s Non-Resident Senior Fellow for Peace Processes and Conflict Resolution.

Dr. Heletiy is a Ukrainian political scientist and international relations expert with a specialization in conflict resolution, democratic governance, and civil society development. With over 20 years of experience across academic, governmental, and nonprofit sectors, she has dedicated her career to promoting peace, strengthening democratic institutions, and supporting Ukraine’s post-conflict recovery and international integration.

She currently resides in Berlin, Germany, where she continues her work in international diplomacy and policy advocacy.

Dr. Heletiy most recently served as Deputy Chief of Party for the USAID Ukraine Civil Society Sectoral Support Activity, a five-year initiative led by a consortium of Ukrainian civil society organizations including Ednannia, CEDEM (Center for Democracy and Rule of Law), and UCIPR (Ukrainian Center for Independent Political Research). In this role, she focused on strengthening the legal framework, sustainability, and institutional resilience of Ukrainian CSOs during wartime and beyond.

Previously, she managed political process and elections programs for USAID Ukraine, advancing transparent electoral reform and inclusive democratic participation. She also led security and policy projects at the Open Ukraine Foundation, promoting Euro-Atlantic cooperation and fostering regional leadership in foreign policy.

Earlier in her career, Dr. Heletiy founded and directed the European Information and Research Center at the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, now part of the Parliament’s Research Service. There, she played a key role in enhancing EU-Ukraine legislative cooperation and policy research.

Dr. Heletiy holds a Ph.D. and Master’s degree in International Relations from academic institutions in Ukraine, with a doctoral focus on post-Yugoslav conflict resolution and peace-building. She also completed research fellowships at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University and the University of California, Berkeley, expanding her expertise in international conflict analysis and comparative peace processes.

Her recent publications include “Peace Formula and Lessons Learned from the Balkans and Nagorno-Karabakh” in Ukraine Analytica, and an op-ed in St. Antony’s International Review reflecting on historical insights relevant to Ukraine’s current war and peace efforts.

Dr. Heletiy serves on the Advisory Board of the International Diplomacy Initiative and collaborates with international networks focused on democratic resilience, civil society empowerment, and post-war reconstruction in Ukraine and Eastern Europe.

She is fluent in Ukrainian, English, and Serbian.

We look forward to working with Dr. Heletiy and benefiting from her unique expertise!

More at https://ukrainefoundation.ch/en/about-us/our-fellowship-team/dr-mariya-heletiy-non-resident-senior-fellow-peace-processes-and-conflict-resolution/

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Ukraine Foundation’s Director for Cultural Diplomacy, Alex Luna, Takes Somnia Disaster – A Chernobyl-Fukushima Cultural Bridge Across European Parliaments

On the anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster, a unique art and documentary exhibition titled Somnia Disaster was solemnly opened beneath the glass dome of the Verkhovna Rada, the Parliament of Ukraine. The exhibition became one of the central commemorative events of the year, serving as a powerful reminder of the consequences of human error and the responsibility we bear for the future.

The exhibition coincided with a regular session of Parliament.

Somnia Disaster combines art, photography, film, and modern audio installations in both Ukrainian and German. Currently, only the photographic segment -created by renowned Ukrainian photo artist Vladyslav Krasnoshchek, a representative of the Kharkiv School of Photography- is on display in the Verkhovna Rada.

The exhibition features photographs taken at iconic locations within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. It was initiated by two individuals born around the time of the tragedy: opera singer Alex Luna and Ukrainian supermodel Snizhana Onopko.

Alex Luna, who conceived the project in 2021, sought to highlight the fragility of life and the importance of remembrance. “He probably had an artist’s premonition,” says Tetiana Tsyba, MP and head of the subcommittee on the protection of the rights of children affected by military aggression. “The relevance of this topic has not diminished; rather, it has taken on new resonance.”

The exhibition has remained open to the public at the Verkhovna Rada for a week.

On June 18, the Parliament of the Republic of Bulgaria will begin hosting the exhibition.

Ukraine Foundation will further support Somnia Disaster as it travels across various European parliaments this year.

Below Somnia Disaster making the headlines on ICTV evening news. Read more media articles at https://ukrainefoundation.ch

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In less than two months since our journey began, our team at #UkraineFoundation has already been active on the ground—welcoming our guest in Geneva, leading a remarkable cultural diplomacy event at Kyiv’s Rada, engaging in important conversations in Washington, participating in meaningful dialogue in Paris, attending close sessions in Berlin and exploring the latest investment support mechanisms in Milan. In the weeks ahead, we’re set to reach new milestones in Sofia, Brussels, Prague, and beyond. Heartfelt thanks to our team for its outstanding work, inspiring passion, and steadfast commitment. We look forward to welcoming you to some of our upcoming activities and programs as we work toward a brighter future for Ukraine! 🇺🇦

We are excited to share that William Dixon is joining Ukraine Foundation as Senior Fellow for Technology and Cybersecurity Affairs.

William Dixon is an Associate Fellow of the Royal United Service Institute specializing in cyber and international security issues.

William Dixon started his career in the UK Intelligence Community. He was an operational and strategic lead for a range of national security and cyber programmes for Her Majesty’s Government Communications Headquarters. This included major experience working on a number of high-profile international cybercrime investigations.

After leaving Government he was the Head of Future Networks and Technology at the World Economic Forum. He was also an executive at Barclays where he served as the Global Head of Intelligence.

He is the author and contributor to a number of publications and has a Master’s degree from King’s College London's War Studies Department in Intelligence and International Security.

Ukraine Foundation is thrilled to welcome William to our team. We look forward to advancing our Innovation Program with the benefit of his considerable experience and insights!

Listen to his latest BBC interview on the Foundation’s website: https://ukrainefoundation.ch/en/about-us/our-fellowship-team/william-dixon-senior-fellow-technology-and-cybersecurity-affairs/

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We are pleased to announce that our General Secretary, Yevghen Shulgha, will take part in the 2025 Europe Liberty Forum, hosted by Atlas Network in Brussels on May 22-23. This major gathering brings together economists, policymakers, and leaders committed to advancing economic freedom, individual liberty, and open markets across Europe.

Yevghen Shulgha will share key insights from Ukraine’s Price of the State project, an initiative aimed at making economic policy accessible to everyday citizens. He will emphasize the core challenge that even many policymakers struggle to understand basic economic concepts. His proposed rule is simple: always explain economics as if your audience were “a grandma from a village,” avoiding jargon, abstract statistics, and complex logic.

He will present several successful communication tools from the project: visual aids like the Price of the State Calculator and Sankey charts, relatable analogies such as the “$1,500 sandwich” to explain trade, and interactive tools like the Customs Meter Game. These approaches work because they simplify, visualize, and humanize abstract data—translating macroeconomic indicators into real-life impact, such as days of labor or years of development lost. By using surprise, humor, and intuitive comparisons, economic literacy can become not only achievable, but engaging for all.

At a time when Europe confronts new economic and geopolitical pressures, his perspective will contribute vital ideas on how to foster growth, innovation, and freedom in challenging environments. His intervention promises to enrich the Forum’s conversations about building a freer and more prosperous future for all.

More at https://ukrainefoundation.ch/en/about-us/our-general-secretary/

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We are delighted to share that Michael Granger is joining Ukraine Foundation as our Vice President for Innovation.

Michael Granger is a Co-Founder, President, and CEO of the Third Millennium Partners. He comes to this position with a 30-year background working in Fortune 100 corporations, managing venture capital/private equity funds, and as an entrepreneur. He performed a principal role in venture capital/private equity funds with an aggregate of over $500 million in assets under management.
He was the Program Director for the Massachusetts MBDA. Business Center, serving the New England Region.

As a venture capital investor at Cigna Venture Capital, Inc., and Xerox Venture Capital, he served as co-lead investor and invested in several high technology companies in Silicon Valley, the Boston area, and Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.

He founded Ark Direct Capital Fund, L.P., one of the earliest venture capital firms to raise institutional capital to invest in minority and women businesses. He actively developed portfolio companies, provided strategic advice, and connected them to his vast network of contacts and resources.

In addition to these experiences, he has worked internationally in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean in business development, foreign investments, and renewable energy, acquiring expertise in developing utility-scale solar power plants and doing business in emerging economies.

Michael Granger has been a private equity investments expert for programs at Harvard Business School, Dartmouth College, the U.S. Commerce Department, the Small Business Association, the National Black M.B.A. Association, the Alliance of Business Leaders and Entrepreneurs and the American Association of Entrepreneurs.

He is a member of the Board of Directors of the American Association of Entrepreneurs, the American Youth Soccer Organization (A.Y.S.O.) as well as of several of Ark’s portfolio companies. Michael Granger also served on a White House Panel of Business Leaders convened by the President’s Chief Economic Advisors.

His publications include: ‘Case Study on Hospital Management Companies’; an editorial piece in The Wall Street Journal on Capital Gains Tax Reduction; and a Study on Venture Capital Opportunities in the Telecommunication Industry (Tuck Today Magazine).

Michael Granger earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and an M.B.A. from the Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth College. He honorably served four years of active duty in the United States Marine Corps.

More at https://ukrainefoundation.ch/en/about-us/our-vice-president-innovation-program/

Ukraine Foundation is thrilled to welcome Michael to our team. We look forward to leveraging his significant experience to take our Innovation Program to the next level and to have a meaningful impact! We will make a number of announcements about some groundbreaking initiatives in this field shortly.

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To end the week on a lighter and prouder note, we’re thrilled to share a moment that filled all of us at Ukraine Foundation with immense pride. Our Director of Cultural Affairs, Alex Luna, delivered a powerful a cappella performance of “Ukraine’s Glory Has Not Perished,” the national anthem, leading the entire stadium in unison during today’s Final of the Ukrainian Football Cup!

#AlexLuna
#UkrainianCup
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Thrilled to invite you to our Expresso briefing organized by the Professional Government Association of Ukraine and Ukraine Foundation, featuring William Dixon, a senior researcher in technology and cybersecurity, this Thursday 12 June at 18.00 Kyiv time.

William Dixon is Ukraine Foundation’s Vice President, Strategic Initiatives, and our Senior Fellow, Technology and Cybersecurity. He is an Associate Fellow of the Royal United Service Institute (RUSI), the world’s oldest independent defense and security think tank, dedicated to research and analysis of military, security, and geopolitical issues, specializing in cyber and international security issues.

William Dixon started his career in the UK Intelligence Community, where he was an operational and strategic lead for a range of national security and cyber programs for Her Majesty’s Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ). This included major experience working on a number of high-profile international cybercrime investigations.

After leaving Government he was the Head of Future Networks and Technology at the World Economic Forum. He was also an executive at Barclays where he was the Global Head of Intelligence.

He is the author and contributor to a number of publications and holds a Master’s degree from King’s College London’s War Studies Department in Intelligence and International Security.

The exchange will be moderated by Dr. Anna Mysyshyn, a global expert in AI ethics, cybersecurity, and digital governance, with over a decade of experience at the intersection of emerging technologies and public policy. As the founder of the Institute of Innovative Governance, a pioneering organization in this space, she has spearheaded the development of five digital tools that empower governments to enhance transparency, security, and the responsible implementation of artificial intelligence.

Her expertise has been sought by leading international institutions, including the United Nations, UNDP, FCDO, U.S. Department of State, and the German Marshall Fund, where she has played a key role in shaping global regulatory frameworks and cybersecurity strategies. A recognized thought leader and policy advisor, Dr. Mysyshyn has delivered lectures in over 20 countries, providing governments and stakeholders with strategic insights on AI regulation, defense, and the ethical governance of emerging technologies.

Dr. Mysyshyn holds a PhD in Law and three LL.M. degrees from top-tier Russell Group universities, equipping her with a deep understanding of legal frameworks and global policy development. She is widely respected for her ability to translate complex technical and legal issues into actionable policy solutions that promote innovation while safeguarding public trust.

If you are interested in joining this conversation online, please contact me by private message.

More at: https://ukrainefoundation.ch/en/about-us/our-fellowship-team/william-dixon-senior-fellow-technology-and-cybersecurity-affairs/

Ukraine Foundation and the Professional Government Association of Ukraine’s Espresso Speaker Series Hosts Dr. Mariya Heletiy, on June 26 at 5pm CET

Our Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Peace Processes and Conflict Resolution, Dr. Mariya Heletiy will discuss her latest research “Lessons Learned from the Balkans and Nagorno-Karabakh” published in Ukraine Analytica, and in Oxford University’s St. Antony’s International Review, where she explores historical lessons applicable to Ukraine’s current war and peace efforts.

You will find her full biography on our website. Please feel free to reach out would you like to attend.

Looking Ahead: Our next Espresso Conversation on July 10 will feature Ukraine Foundation’s Distinguished Senior Fellow, Eastern European Affairs and Economics, Professor Theocharis N. Grigoriadis, who will discuss “how Ukraine can regain a competitive edge on the global grain market.”

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Ahead of our conversation with Mariya tomorrow, I am delighted to share this link where you can watch her most recent media appearances on Ukrainian and international media directly from our website:

https://ukrainefoundation.ch/en/2025/06/24/tvp-world-uatv-national-public-broadcasting-suspline-freedom-tv-kyiv24-news-watch-dr-mariya-heletiys-latest-media-appearances/

For those preferring long read, I'm sharing Mariya’s latest article about the Balkans Model and Conditions for Peace in Ukraine for the Irregular Warfare Initiative of Princeton University’s Empirical Studies of Conflict Project, the Modern War Institute at West Point. The article focuses on the irregular warfare nature of the Russia-Ukraine war and the Balkan experience, which can be used for its resolution. The peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia and Putin's declaration of a brief “Easter truce” (broken by Russia), echoing Russia’s repeated violations of the 2019 ceasefire agreement, highlighted its broader challenge to Europe and the post–World War II international order.
These recent ceasefire violations underscore a critical lesson: in today’s conflicts, where the lines between conventional and irregular warfare are blurred, durable peace cannot be achieved through formal negotiations and traditional diplomacy alone. The Russia-Ukraine war is not just a conventional military conflict, but a struggle playing out across diplomatic, informational, economic, humanitarian and military dimensions.
The Balkan conflicts demonstrate how irregular warfare dynamics—including the use of irregular tactics, economic pressure, and information campaigns to subdue aggressors—can be integrated into a broader, multi-front strategy. Although negotiations are a common feature of peace processes, they often result in the unintended consequence of halting hostilities only to allow parties to regroup or codify the results of military victories for future generations to challenge. In conflicts characterized by irregular warfare, traditional approaches (such as ceasefires) may be insufficient, as they fail to address the underlying asymmetries, ideological drivers, and non-state actors that continue to fuel instability beyond formal cessations of conflict.

https://irregularwarfare.org/articles/the-balkans-model-and-conditions-for-peace-in-ukraine/

We are excited to announce the launch of our fully formed Policy and Research Fellowship Team — a powerhouse of expertise bringing together 18 outstanding individuals: 2 Distinguished Senior Fellows, 5 Senior Fellows, 2 Special Fellows, 4 Fellows, and 5 Associate Fellows. This marks a major milestone in building one of the most dynamic and impactful policy research communities focused on Ukraine today.

Our Fellows hail from the world’s most prestigious universities — Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, King’s College, Berkeley, Dartmouth, Harvard, and Princeton — and bring a wealth of experience from the front lines of government, international financial institutions, diplomacy, defence, intelligence, think tanks, and academia. Their research and commentary have been featured on CNN, Fox News, and the BBC, and have appeared in the Kyiv Post, Foreign Affairs, The National Interest, the European Economic Review, and the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists. Together, they form a brain trust capable of shaping the next generation of policy solutions.

In the coming days, we will roll out a series of groundbreaking research programs and policy initiatives tackling some of the most pressing geopolitical challenges and critical geographies.

We will also unveil strategic appointments to our Board of Directors, International Advisory Board, and Scientific Committee — a world-class assembly of leaders with unparalleled executive experience, sector expertise, and unique geopolitical insight. Their profiles will be shared throughout the summer as we gear up to be fully mission-ready by mid-September.

The stage is set. The team is in place. And the work begins now.

#UkraineFoundation
#MissionReady
#PolicyLeadership
#GlobalExpertise
#UkraineInitiatives

https://ukrainefoundation.ch/en/