Ukrainian war heroes develop leadership skills at Warwick Business School

A former Ukrainian prisoner of war, Maria Chekh, was among 15 Ukrainian veterans who recently participated in a groundbreaking leadership programme at Warwick Business School.

The programme is designed to equip the veterans to help lead their nation’s post-war recovery and democratic development.

Maria’s journey is one of immense resilience. After the fall of Mariupol in 2022, she was held captive by Russian forces and first taken to the notorious Olenivka camp in occupied Donetsk, and then taken to other Russian prisons.

During her time in captivity, she was deprived of food, water and sleep, tortured with electric shocks, and beaten. Maria emerged from this ordeal with a deep commitment to help fellow service members rebuild their lives.

Preparing a new generation of leaders

This commitment led her to create a non-profit organisation focused on veteran rehabilitation. Maria has already started taking veterans on cultural and sports tours abroad through her organisation, aiming to “inspire them and reboot them”.

Her work is based on a profound personal brief: “In my experience, people who had more positive experiences before war and captivity were better able to handle stress. I believe that this can restore them further.”

At WBS, Maria was keen to develop the leadership skills needed to expand these rehabilitation programmes for wounded veterans and their families.

The Veterans Leadership Programme, a five-day intensive course, is a direct investment in Ukraine’s future, preparing a new generation of leaders for public service. The curriculum is a collaboration between WBS, the Ukrainian civil society organisation CHESNO, and former Warwick Visiting Fellow Vita Dumanska.

Dr Dumanska is CHESNO’s Chief Executive.

"Ukraine's veterans are not only defenders of our freedom, they are the future architects of our democracy," she said.

"They carry unmatched public trust, and with the right tools and international partnerships, they can turn their frontline resilience into leadership that rebuilds institutions and anchors Ukraine firmly in the democratic world."

A new chapter for Ukraine’s war veterans

The programme’s curriculum blended academic rigour with real-world insight, featuring strategic leadership and veteran reintegration sessions with leading businesses.

Bo Kelestyn, Associate Professor at WBS and co-director of the programme, expressed the school’s commitment to this learning.

"We are honoured to welcome these inspiring individuals to Warwick,” she said.

“Their commitment to public service and democratic values resonates deeply with our mission to foster inclusive and innovative leadership. Through design thinking and collaborative learning, we hope to equip participants with the tools to drive meaningful change in their communities and beyond."

The veterans are expected to use their new skills gained on the programme to advocate for inclusive policies, build professional networks, and contribute to a growing community of veteran leaders dedicated to public service in Ukraine.