Ideas Day in Dnipro 2025: open dialogues, new meanings, leader interaction
On June 12, 2025, the Ideas Day took place in Dnipro. This event brought together leading experts, business leaders, and public representatives to exchange ideas and discuss key contemporary challenges. The Aspen Institute Kyiv and Yehor Grebennykov organized it in partnership with the “Inspira” business club and the “Menorah” cultural and business centre.
“We are creating an environment where leaders from different regions can share experiences and compare local challenges with the national context. Through such dialogues, new ideas are born — ideas that can grow into long-term changes in communities, institutions, and society at large,” emphasized Yuliya Tychkivska, Executive Director of the Aspen Institute Kyiv.
Ideas Days have already been held in different cities of Ukraine for the third year in a row. They became a continuation of the large-scale Festival of Ideas in Odesa. The organizers changed the format due to security restrictions.
“We are united not only by the desire to share experiences but also by the willingness to implement the ideas developed. After all, change begins with open interaction — and that is exactly what we seek to nurture,” says Yehor Grebennykov, co-owner of the TIS port, co-founder of Impact Hub Odesa and the Green Theatre (Odesa).
Throughout the day, participants participated in two panel discussions on the impact of artificial intelligence on modern life and leadership in times of uncertainty.
Speakers of the panel discussion “Living with AI: how artificial intelligence is changing us and our worlds” shared experiences on how technology is transforming education, business, creativity, and everyday life. The discussion featured:
- Hanna Mikulytska, Managing Director of SAP Ukraine
- Olga Navrotska, writer, director, AI artist
- Oleksandr Krakovetskyi, CEO of DevRain, CTO of DonorUA, PhD
- Sergii Martynchuk, General Director of Cisco
Moderator: Denis Poltavets, Director of Program Development at the Aspen Institute Kyiv
The panel discussion “Leadership in times of uncertainty” became a space to discuss leadership strategies, resilience, and team effectiveness during periods of crisis. Participants included:
- Kateryna Osadcha, 1+1 TV host, founder of the charitable organization “Kateryna Osadcha Foundation”
- Artem Romaniukov, Deputy Minister for Strategic Industries of Ukraine
- Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, Chairman of the Board of JSC “Ukrzaliznytsia”
- Mykola Kabluka, lighting designer, founder of Expolight
Moderator: Ruslan Shostak, co-owner of the retail chains EVA and VARUS, President of TERWIN
After the panel discussion, Mykola Kabluka presented the light installation “Heart of Ukraine” to the Ideas Days participants. During a blitz panel with Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, participants asked the head of JSC “Ukrzaliznytsia” questions about the company’s development.
The Aspen Institute Kyiv will continue to create a space where dialogue gives birth to ideas, and ideas become concrete actions—because real change begins where people hear one another, and act.
We sincerely thank our partners for making the event happen! And to the participants, for a fruitful exchange of ideas and active engagement!
Co-organizers of the Ideas Days — 2025: the Aspen Institute Kyiv and Yehor Grebennykov. Event partners in Dnipro: “Inspira” business club, “Menorah” cultural and business centre, and Nemcova Flowers and Decor. Media partners: Espreso, Rubryka, Starlight Media. Creative partner: Havas Village Ukraine
We also thank everyone who supported the event: Vitalii Bereznitskii, Dmytro Bilinskyy, Mykola Demchenko, Serhii Dulepov, Maksym Dyadyk, Nadiia Kryzhanovska, Volodymyr Lempert, Borys Markov, Pavel Ovchynnikov, Hennadii Opryshko, Irina Palko, Oleksandr Pertsovskyi, Dmitry Poluektov, Evgen Rublevskyi, Oleksii Savchuk, Oleksii Skorokhod, Oleg Taranenko, Vladyslav Shtipelman, Alina Shcherbyna.
