Fields, Bridges and Stars: Ukrainian Leadership Academy Launches Third Cohort for Community and Business Leaders

The Ukrainian Leadership Academy (ULA) has launched the third cohort of Fields, Bridges and Stars, a four-month leadership development program. It brings together entrepreneurs, company leaders, local government representatives, and heads of educational, social, cultural and defence institutions. Participants will strengthen their leadership skills and work on ideas for developing their communities and regions.

The Mnozhyna Foundation supports the program through its Capability Program, including competitive scholarships for local government leaders and heads of educational, social and defence institutions.

The four-month program consists of four modules held in different cities across Ukraine. It combines the Ukrainian Leadership Academy’s leadership development methodology with case studies of Ukrainian changemakers, past and present, and an exploration of the histories and character of cities, communities and regions. Its guiding text is Andrii Zelinsky’s book Semenovi Zori (Semen’s Stars), which explores personal reflection, meaning and responsibility to one’s community and country.

The first module, How to Sow the Fields?, focused on entrepreneurship, vision and strategy. Participants worked on a vision for the future of their companies and organisations, discussed the development of their regions and the country, and considered how to turn strategic plans into concrete action. They also explored the role business can play in regional development.

At the opening, Oleksandr Starodubtsev, Head of the Capability Program at the Mnozhyna Foundation, welcomed the new cohort and wished participants courage in their learning, depth in their search for answers, and the resolve to put what they learn into practice..

Andrii Zelinsky led the first lecture, The Ontology of Agency, on making deliberate choices, taking responsibility for one’s decisions and acting on them. Valerii Pekar’s lecture, Scenarios for the Future: War, Victory and Recovery, explored possible paths for Ukraine after victory and the decisions that can shape that future.

The program continues in other Ukrainian cities. The next module, Building Bridges, on partnerships, trust and collaboration, is scheduled to take place in Poltava on 22–24 October. Lighting the Stars, focused on people, teams and talent, will follow in Vinnytsia on 12–14 November. The final module, Facing the Darkness, will explore resilience and leadership in times of crisis in Lviv on 3–5 December.