The second CHESNO Movement and University of Warwick Veterans Leadership Program has concluded in the UK
On September 11, a training program for Ukrainian veterans—both men and women—concluded in the United Kingdom as part of the CHESNO Movement’s Veteran Leadership Program, supported by the International Renaissance Foundation. Throughout the week, participants studied crisis leadership, strategic communications, and impact management so they could apply these tools in civic and political work in Ukraine.
The program ran from September 7 to 11 and combined classes on the Warwick Business School campus in Coventry with educational visits to London—including the British Parliament and the business school’s London office in The Shard skyscraper.
Participants explored public governance, learned about design thinking, mapped out career paths, and discussed veterans’ involvement in politics. The course was opened by Johnny Ball, a British Army veteran, Invictus Games medalist, and director of Mission Community.
The veterans also met with representatives from the 159th Regiment of the Royal Logistics Corps, Jaguar Land Rover, the British Parliament, and former Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer.
“The upcoming elections will inevitably bring veterans—both men and women—into politics. The quality of Ukrainian democracy will depend on the skills and values they bring with them. That is why we started working on this in advance and became one of the first organizations in Ukraine to develop a leadership pathway for veterans,” said Vita Dumanska, leader of the CHESNO Movement.
The competition for spots in this year’s program set a record for the project’s history: 347 veterans—both men and women—applied for 15 spots.
What the participants have to say
Andriy Pentsak, a veteran and coordinator of the Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund’s veteran program:
““I highly recommend the Veteran Leadership Program, created by the CHESNO Movement in collaboration with the University of Warwick Business School for Ukrainian veterans. In just a few days, we mastered a wide range of new management tools—from impact management to crisis leadership and strategic communications.”
Dmytro Zhluktenko, a military officer and analyst with the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Unmanned Systems Forces, highlighted the supportive environment created by the program:
“This program brings veterans together in a safe space. There are people nearby with whom you can always have a meaningful discussion. This provides psychological relief for all of us. At the same time, we gain practical knowledge and new ideas so that we can return to our communities and bring about positive change there.”
Oleksandr Arohets, a National Guard servicemember and communications and fundraising specialist for the “Lubart” Brigade of the “Azov” Corps, discusses the political dimension of the program:
“The CHESNO Movement’s Veteran Leadership Program helps veterans find fulfillment in politics. Here, they don’t say that politics is dirty and not worth getting involved in. On the contrary—veterans are encouraged to participate and are given tools they can use to develop and rebuild our country.”
Veteran and entrepreneur Anton Itkin says:
“This is truly a top-notch program: excellent instructors, practical lectures, and knowledge you can put to use. But I especially want to highlight the community that’s forming here. It motivates and inspires you to keep moving forward.”
Oksana Kolyada, a veteran, a reserve colonel in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, former Minister of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, and chair of the Coalition of Veterans’ Spaces of Ukraine, noted:
“The program was designed to a very high standard and was comprehensive. We gained new leadership tools, particularly in design thinking and involving people in decision-making. But the most important thing is the people and the community that forms as a result of such programs.”
The initiative was named one of the top 25 projects of the International Renaissance Foundation for 2025. Harvard University consulted with the Vorik Business School team regarding similar initiatives, and Yale University is developing its own program inspired by this model.
Previously, the CHESNO Movement also reported that its joint Veterans Leadership Program—a collaboration between the CHESNO Movement, the University of Warwick, and Warwick Business School—was shortlisted for the THE Awards 2026 in the “International Collaboration of the Year” category. The Times Higher Education Awards annually recognize the best achievements and innovations in higher education in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Source: CHESNO
