Ukrainian Veterans Leadership Program (UVLP)

The Ukrainian Veterans Leadership Program (UVLP) is the first international leadership program created by the Victor Pinchuk Foundation for Ukrainian veterans, aimed at developing leadership potential through access to world-class educational practices. The program is a key element of the Foundation’s long-term strategy for leadership development in Ukraine. UVLP is a vital addition to the Victor Pinchuk Foundation’s leadership ecosystem.

On August 20, 2026, the Victor Pinchuk Foundation and Yale University’s Jackson School of Global Affairs signed a five-year collaboration agreement to expand the Ukrainian Veterans Leadership Program. The agreement, which runs through June 2031, will support 11 cohorts of the program, with two cohorts held annually. More than 200 Ukrainian veterans will have the opportunity to participate in the program at Yale University over the course of the collaboration. The program combines lectures, practical sessions and interactive discussions with Yale faculty and leading experts.

The learning experience combines lectures, practical sessions and interactive discussions with leading Yale scholars and practitioners. Participants deepen their knowledge of leadership, strategic thinking and decision-making, communication, ethics, international affairs and global challenges.

The first cohort of 15 Ukrainian veterans completed the program in the United States in late April and early May 2026.

Participants in the first cohort:

●       Khrystyna Boichuk, officer of a separate artillery brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine;

●       Serhii Volosovets, veteran of the 3rd Svoboda Battalion, 4th Rubizh Rapid Response Brigade, 2nd Khartiia Corps, National Guard of Ukraine;

●       Mykola Hradnov-Savytskyi, veteran of the 12th Brigade, 1st Azov Corps, National Guard of Ukraine;

●       Yurii Zhyliak, veteran; Head of the Veterans Corps (a project of the Third Army Corps) in Zhytomyr Oblast;

●       Bohdan Klimiuk, veteran; Head of the Veterans Department of the Patronage Service of the Third Army Corps;

●       Yan Klishaiev, veteran of the 3rd Assault Brigade; Head of the Veterans Corps (a project of the Third Army Corps);

●       Kateryna Lutsyk, veteran of the 7th Rapid Response Corps of the Air Assault Forces, Armed Forces of Ukraine; Director of the NGO Veterans’ Space of Khmelnytskyi City Council;

●       Oleksandr Pivtoratskyi, veteran of the National Guard of Ukraine; Head of the NGO DniproChest;

●       Yulian Pylypei, Marine company commander; defender of Mariupol; former prisoner of war;

●       Arsen Riaboshapko, serviceman of the Medical Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine; veteran of the 7th Rapid Response Corps of the Air Assault Forces, Armed Forces of Ukraine;

●       Denys Skaleukh, veteran of the 7th Rapid Response Corps of the Air Assault Forces, Armed Forces of Ukraine; Head of the Veterans Policy Department of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration;

●       Hlib Stryzhko, veteran and marine; Director of Veterans Affairs at Starlight Media;

●       Oleksandr Falshtynskyi, Head of Medical Service of the 7th Rapid Response Corps of the Air Assault Forces, Armed Forces of Ukraine;

●       Dmytro Finashin, veteran of the National Guard of Ukraine; Advisor to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine on veterans policy; Hero of Ukraine;

●       Yehor Firsov, Deputy Commander of the 21st Unmanned Systems Regiment Kraken of the 3rd Army Corps.

Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs is a professional school offering interdisciplinary academic programs that prepare students for global leadership and service. Its graduate programs include the Master of Public Policy and the Master of Advanced Study in Global Affairs, along with a number of joint-degree and undergraduate offerings.

Yale University, founded in 1701, is committed to improving the world today and for future generations through outstanding research, scholarship, education, and practice.

Website of the Program