Why Ukraine Matters

In conjunction with the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, please join us for an event with the former First Lady of Ukraine, Kateryna Yushchenko, who will share her unique story of growing up in the United States and later moving to Ukraine – and having her husband poisoned while running for President against a pro-Russia candidate. Drawing from her distinguished political and business experience, she will provide invaluable insights into working in both countries and discuss America’s role in supporting Ukraine, particularly during the transition to a new administration in D.C. This is a unique opportunity to hear her perspective on the challenges and opportunities shaping U.S.-Ukraine relations and engage in a meaningful conversation about global politics.

A child of Ukrainian WWII immigrants to Chicago, Kateryna Yushchenko came to Ukraine in 1991 to run the US-Ukraine Foundation, which she co-founded to support democratic and free market development in newly-independent Ukraine. Before moving to Ukraine, Kateryna held positions at the Joint Economic Committee of Congress, Department of Treasury, The White House, State Department, and Ukrainian National Information Service. Kateryna is Chairman of the Ukraine 3000 Foundation, which promotes citizen involvement in health, education and the arts, and has raised and distributed over $50 million in assistance throughout Ukraine. She taught Corporate Social Responsibility at the Ukrainian Banking University from 2014 to 2018, and is currently on the University’s Supervisory Board. She earned a BSFS (cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa) in International Economics from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Host or Publisher Perry World House