On August 24, Ukraine’s Independence Day was marked in Sacramento, California, with the International Forum “Freedom Means Business”, organized by Ukrainian American House, the Consulate General of Ukraine in San Francisco, and the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC).
The Forum took place at the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel and brought together U.S. and Ukrainian government leaders, international organizations, business executives, diplomats, media, and the Ukrainian-American community to discuss Ukraine’s economic recovery and the role of freedom as a foundation for business growth.
USUBC was represented by Nadiia Khomaziuk, Executive Director, who moderated the panel “California–Ukraine Business Connection: U.S. Private Sector Engagement in Dynamic Recovery.” The discussion highlighted how U.S. private sector engagement, together with Ukrainian businesses and humanitarian organizations, can accelerate Ukraine’s recovery. E.J. Rogers, President of California Materials, shared insights on critical minerals, responsible mining, and investment strategies. Vira Savchenko, CEO of BDO in Ukraine, focused on recent legislation updates, including the PPP law, and explained what they mean for investors. Dmytro Ovcharenko, Founder and CEO of Alcor, spoke about the resilience of Ukrainian IT companies and their role in driving innovation. Randi Thompson, President and CEO of Kidsave, emphasized the importance of humanitarian-business partnerships and presented the Miracle Center in the Carpathians as an example of how NGOs and private sector actors can reinforce each other in recovery efforts. Emily Desai, Chief Deputy Director at the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, also addressed the audience, underscoring the importance of strengthening business ties between California and Ukraine.
Other sessions of the Forum featured discussions on demining and freedom of speech, highlighting these areas as fundamental pillars for building a safe and prosperous Ukraine. The exchange underscored the strong ties between California and Ukraine and demonstrated the power of partnerships in shaping a dynamic, innovative, and collaborative recovery. USUBC extends sincere gratitude to the organizers, partners, and California-based companies for their steadfast support of Ukraine.