Article by Elina Salian, a VSFS intern with the U.S. Department of State, currently studying Economics at George Washington University
From June 10-13, 2024, the Academy of Women Entrepreneurs (AWE) hosted the AWE4Ukraine Summit, organized by the U.S. Embassy in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Coordinated by the U.S. Government and its partner, CEED Slovenia, the Summit allowed Ukrainian women business owners currently living around Europe to further their professional expertise, extensive networks, and a sense of community.
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AWE alumni attending the Welcome Reception of the AWE4Ukraine Summit in the City Hotel, Ljubljana
AWE focuses on empowering women-led businesses globally and providing them with the knowledge and resources they may need to succeed. The AWE4Ukraine Summit extended this mission to incorporate Ukrainian entrepreneurs who find themselves as refugees following Russia’s war of aggression.
Attendees engaged in keynote presentations, networking and community-building discussions, and peer-to-peer sharing sessions. The Summit supported business development tactics with an overarching goal of supporting Ukrainian refugees around Europe and revitalizing Ukraine’s economy through empowering women’s entrepreneurship.
The Summit sought to strengthen the entrepreneurial spirit by having the attendees learn, inspire, share, and connect with each other. The AWE4Ukraine Summit signified that these women business owners are not only capable entrepreneurs equipped with knowledge from the AWE program, but they are also changemakers in the economic reconstruction of Ukraine. The Summit also demonstrated the U.S. commitment to global economic security and prosperity. By promoting economic empowerment among these alumni, the Summit aligns with broader policy goals of stabilizing and revitalizing Ukraine’s economy through inclusive growth and support for women-led businesses.
Some of the women participated in the AWE program in Ukraine but were forced to relocate to neighboring countries due to Russia’s invasion. Esma Abdurakhmanova, a Ukrainian chemist currently living as a refugee in Poland, founded an eco-friendly skincare brand called Holy Tree. Named with the life, stability, and connection that trees symbolize in mind, the product was inspired by her desire to create a natural beard balm for her partner. Drawing from her family’s beekeeping business and her advanced studies and background in chemistry, she developed a product that combines her natural, high-quality ingredients with her expertise.
For Esma, the AWE4Ukraine Summit changed her mindset on how she approaches leadership. She noted that being surrounded by like-minded Ukrainian women with similar experiences “reaffirmed the strength of community and reinforced the importance of mutual support and shared goals.” She also cited the overwhelming support that the women offered each other as a stand out of the Summit.
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Esma Abdurakhmanova (9th from the left) holding her award for Breakthrough Women Entrepreneur for her product, Holy Tree
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Esma Abdurakhmanova (left) holding her award for Breakthrough Women Entrepreneur for her product, Holy Tree
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Esma Abdurakhmanova (left) holding her award for Breakthrough Women Entrepreneur for her product, Holy Tree
Olena Vales, another AWE alumna currently based in Slovenia, was inspired by the program to start her business, L-way Studio. Her studio aims to teach kids English using interactive and innovative activities, such as engaging in dancing lessons, listening to fairy tales, and playing with one another. After attending the Summit, Olena recognized how women all have unique ideas yet similar experiences, and together, that creates a community for them to network with and support each other.
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Olena Vales posing at the Welcome Reception of the AWE4Ukraine Summit
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Olena Vales (right) connecting and networking with Summit attendees
As the women continue to build and scale their companies, the Summit underscored the importance of supporting women-led businesses to drive economic recovery in Ukraine. Esma sees Holy Tree contributing to the future of Ukraine by employing Ukrainians living in Poland and at home. Lena similarly plans to expand her business and work with Ukrainian kids and adults in the future. She also encourages any women considering the program to join: “It will change your life, your mindset, you will have a very supportive community of women around you.”
