Project Kesher Raises its Voice in Support of Women Entrepreneurs in Ukraine

At a recent U.S. Department of Commerce conference, Vlada Nedak, CEO of the Women’s Opportunity Fund of Ukraine, was a keynote speaker on initiatives to support Ukrainian women-led businesses. Vlada joined international leaders such as U.S. Ambassador Bridget A. Brink and Ukraine’s Ambassador Oksana Markarova, in discussing the opportunities and challenges facing Ukrainian women entrepreneurs looking to build economic stability amidst widespread male mobilization and migration.

Vlada highlighted that 74% of surveyed Ukrainian women entrepreneurs started their businesses in search of new opportunities, a reflection of the economic resilience driving women’s economic participation amid the ongoing war. She also expressed optimism that the insights shared by these entrepreneurs would shape future U.S.-Ukraine investment and grant projects, further strengthening Ukrainian women’s role in the economy.

The U.S. Department of Commerce will host ongoing virtual conferences dedicated to advancing women-led enterprises in Ukraine’s digital economy. Each session will tackle key topics for women entrepreneurs and feature firsthand accounts from Ukrainian women business leaders and key government officials. These conferences aim to pave the way for more inclusive and supportive trade frameworks that recognize the unique contributions of Ukraine’s women-led businesses. Vlada was recommended as a speaker by one of the entrepreneurs who received a travel grant under the JFNA grant.