War: From Ukrainian MBAs, Harrowing Stories & Vows Of Support For A Homeland Under Attack

Julia Nechaieva
Julia Nechaieva

Julia Nechaieva, in yellow jacket, a former Haas School of Business MBA, protested alongside several hundred fellow Ukrainians on February 24 outside the San Francisco City Hall. Photo courtesy of Julia Nechaieva

While much of North America and the West woke up February 24 to work emails or class assignments, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians living abroad awoke to messages from family and friends in their home country who were huddled in bomb shelters or basements, listening to air raid sirens, trying to stay safe amid sudden war.

On Friday, as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine entered its second day, Poets&Quants reached out to dozens of current and former Ukrainian business school students, many now working around the world. We wanted to hear their reactions, fears, and hopes, as well as what it’s like to watch from afar during an unprecedented attack on their native land.

Most importantly, what could their friends, colleagues, and fellow MBAs do to stand with them?

HOW TO HELP

Most of those who responded urged onlookers to pay attention, show support via social media or by reaching out directly, and advocate for stronger support from their own governments. Several also offered links to verified support organizations working in Ukraine to aid children, families, and others impacted by the war.

“How can you help Ukraine?” asks Oleksiy Rachok, an INSEAD MBA from the class of 2010. “My answer is at least three-fold: (1) Donate money to support Ukrainian military and self-defense forces as they need supplies, medicine and weapons. (2) convince your governments and political parties to take a HARD line against Putin’s regime. And (3) keep supporting Ukraine and Ukrainians in social media and real life. We cannot afford losing interest for this war, even as it will become less intense. Glory to Ukraine and Ukrainians!”

You can find a list of Ukrainian nonprofits helping with relief efforts here. The National Bank of Ukraine has also opened a special account to raise money for Ukraine’s Armed Forces, and you can donate here. On Facebook, a fundraiser titled “MBAs Donate to Ukraine” had raised about $30,000 toward a $50,000 goal by Tuesday (March 1) thanks to donations by 340 people. It is organized by Sergey Krasovski, an MBA candidate at Dartmouth Tuck.

Below, you find the responses of more than a dozen Ukrainian MBAs who responded to our inquiry. They are presented in their own words, edited for length and clarity.

Valentine Zadorin
UC-Berkeley Haas School of Business
Technology Investment Banking at Barclays Investment Bank

Valentine Zadorin