"Embrace change, innovate fearlessly, lead with empathy."
Yuriy Boyechko is a founder and president of Hope For Ukraine Inc, an non profit that serve individuals and families of the poorest communities in the Ukraine.
After graduating from Regent University in 2005 with MA in Media Communication he has been involved in media and entertainment industry ever since.
In 2016 Hope For Ukraine was founded. His goal is to raise awareness for voices not heard in Ukraine especially children affected by HIV and AIDS.
Providing medical care for children with disabilities as well as food and clothing for families that live in extreme poverty is a lifetime commitment for Yuriy and his wife Tatyana.
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Table of Contents
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company.
Yuriy Boyechko: I am the founder and CEO of Hope for Ukraine, where I combine my leadership skills with a passion for creating a non-profit organization dedicated to positively impacting the lives of those affected by the Ukraine crisis.
We are committed to providing essential resources, vital support and services, and comprehensive programs that facilitate long-term growth. Hope For Ukraine is a four-star charity with Charity Navigator and Platinum Transparency Charity with Candid, while receiving vetted status from Global Giving.
Established in 2016, Hope for Ukraine is focused on providing humanitarian aid and support to individuals and communities facing the challenges of the war. In response to the Russian invasion in 2022, our efforts are directed towards addressing the urgent needs of those affected by the conflict by providing food, clothes, shelter, and medical support.
Founded with the purpose of amplifying unheard voices, Hope for Ukraine’s mission is to assist individuals and families from the most impoverished communities in Ukraine.
In the past year, what is the greatest business achievement you’d like to celebrate with your team? Please share the details of that success.
Yuriy Boyechko: Most recently, we announced that Hope for Ukraine is collaborating with The Gadfly Project while being supported by an in-kind software development grant to embark on a transformative journey to modernize humanitarian aid efforts in Ukraine.
Through our creation of an innovative web application, we are pioneering an innovative system for aid distribution.
This web application allows technology to expand outreach to those needing aid while ensuring effectiveness, transparency, and responsiveness.
Children of Ukraine are the biggest victims of this war. According to the latest estimates, there are 3.7 million persons internally displaced in Ukraine.
Most of them are women with their children. The psychological suffering of children living in war zones is impossible to put into words. Severe losses and destruction in their lives lead to high rates of depression and anxiety. Hope For Ukraine has launched an after-school arts and crafts program that is attended weekly by around 600 children of war.
This educational initiative is helping children forget about war for at least a brief period and heal deep emotional trauma caused by war.
To date, Hope for Ukraine has made significant contributions to those in need affected by the war:
- 82 million meals served.
- 825 individuals were rescued from the war zone.
- 52 hospitals/clinics provided with essential medical supplies.
- 1875 tons of humanitarian aid delivered.
- 1544 refugees sheltered.
- 600 children weekly attend after school programs.
Quiet quitting, The Great Resignation, are an ongoing trend causing many businesses to struggle to keep talent engaged and motivated. Most are leaving because of their boss or their company culture. 82% of people feel unheard, undervalued, and misunderstood in the workplace. In your experience, what keeps employees happy? And how are you adapting to the current shift we see?
Yuriy Boyechko: In our experience at Hope for Ukraine, we understand that maintaining a positive and supportive work environment is crucial for keeping employees happy and engaged.
Employee satisfaction is key to a sense of purpose and fulfillment in their work and to feeling valued and appreciated.
To address the ongoing trend of quiet quitting and the challenges it poses, we prioritize open communication and fostering a culture of respect and appreciation. We ensure that our team members feel heard, valued, and understood.
We ensure that we recognize their contributions and provide opportunities for growth and development. We understand the importance of work-life balance and offer support and resources to help our team members manage their responsibilities effectively while prioritizing their well-being.
Our commitment to transparency, accountability, and excellence extends to our mission of supporting those affected by the Ukraine crisis and creating a positive and fulfilling work environment for our employees.
By prioritizing their happiness and wellbeing, we believe we can continue to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve.
Online business keeps on surging higher than ever, B2B, B2C, online shopping, virtual meetings, remote work, Zoom medical consultations, what are your expectations for the year to come and how are you capitalizing on the tidal wave?
Yuriy Boyechko: Through our collaboration with the Gadfly project, in developing a web app, individuals on the ground can verify their need for aid and receive support from local NGO’s streamlining the verification process and ensuring the aid reaches those who need it most.
It provides a platform for NGOs to access information about aid deliveries, enabling them to pick up aid immediately after delivery and reducing administrative burdens.
The application provides notifications to users about upcoming aid distribution events in their area, allowing those needing aid to access it more easily and efficiently, while reducing wait times and ensuring a more positive experience for recipients.
Developed with a strong emphasis on technology, this web app transform how humanitarian aid is delivered on the ground in Ukraine. Like popular ridesharing and food delivery apps, the application will provide real-time notifications to users about upcoming aid distribution events in their area.
This will empower individuals needing access to aid more easily and efficiently, reducing wait times and ensuring a more humane experience for recipients.
Business is all about overcoming obstacles and creating opportunities for growth. What do you see as THE real challenge right now?
Yuriy Boyechko: The real challenge for Hope for Ukraine is to continue providing humanitarian aid and support to individuals and communities facing the challenges of the war nearly two years later.
The war is still ongoing, and many communities remain destroyed and not close to being rebuilt or reestablished. So many children and families are still displaced and suffer from PTSD and emotional/traumatic distress from the war.
Our goal is to continue providing the necessary aid, support, and resources necessary to those most affected by the conflict while trying to mitigate the refugee situation in neighboring countries and the U.S.
Years 2020-2023 threw a lot of curve balls into businesses on a global scale. Based on the experience gleaned in the past years, how can businesses thrive in 2024? What lessons have you learned and what advice would you share?
Yuriy Boyechko: Reflecting on the tumultuous years of 2020-2023, businesses have undoubtedly faced unprecedented challenges on a global scale. However, from adversity comes resilience and valuable lessons that can guide us towards success in 2024 and beyond.
At Hope for Ukraine, our experiences have taught us the importance of adaptability, innovation, empathy, and teamwork. We’ve learned that to maintain agility in the face of uncertainty, we must continuously evolve strategies to meet changing circumstances.
Flexibility and the ability to pivot swiftly is paramount in today’s volatile environment. Embracing new technologies, processes, and business models allows companies to stay ahead of the curve and seize opportunities even in challenging times.
By fostering a culture of innovation and creativity, businesses can thrive in an unpredictable future. As we navigate the uncertainties of 2024, my advice is to embrace change, innovate fearlessly, and lead with empathy.
By staying true to these principles, we can overcome any challenge and emerge even stronger, and more resilient.
What does “success” in 2024 mean to you? It could be on a personal or business level, please share your vision.
Yuriy Boyechko: Success for Hope for Ukraine would be to continue with our humanitarian aid and support efforts on behalf of the Ukrainian community.
Seeing our programs make an impact in the lives of those most affected by the war, whether it be through the after-school arts and crafts program or providing the necessary resources to frontline heroes, is the greatest achievement.
We hope to continue with our programs, projects, and events in the hopes of making a difference in these people’s lives.
We hope to amplify unheard voices, assist individuals and families from the most impoverished communities in Ukraine, and help mitigate the refugee situation to make a lasting impact.
Jerome Knyszewski, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Yuriy Boyechko for taking the time to do this interview and share his knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Yuriy Boyechko or his company, you can do it through his – Linkedin Page
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