Defending Ukraine’s Democracy: Reconstruction and the Private Sector
Virtual Briefing Series
Wednesday, February 28, 2024 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM ET
As Ukraine enters the third year of war, the need for rebuilding is a crucial factor for the country’s long-term success. Facing over $150 billion worth of infrastructure damage, widespread internal displacement, and its energy output nearly halved, Ukraine relies heavily on international support- not only from governments and multinational organizations, but also from the private sector. While Ukraine is fighting a costly war, the opportunities for international actors to make a strong positive impact on Ukraine’s recovery and resilience are vast, yet important questions remain: When support for the war itself is unreliable in this crucial US presidential election year, what does that mean for reconstruction? What role does successful reconstruction play in the larger picture of defending democracy? How can the private sector be best utilized in this endeavor?
Join us on Wednesday, February 28th, from 12 PM to 1 PM ET, as we dive into the enormous and intricate task of rebuilding Ukraine. Explore the varied levels of international support and the unique challenges of reconstructing a nation still at war. Our distinguished speakers for this discussion include Michael Newson, Senior Program Coordinator for Migration and Sustainable Development at the International Organization for Migration in Kyiv; Tetyana Korotka, Deputy Business Ombudsman of the Business Ombudsman Council; and Eric Hontz, Director of the Center for International Private Enterprise’s Center for Accountable Investment.
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SPEAKERS:
Eric Hontz
Eric Hontz leads CIPE’s Center for Accountable Investment which uses the lens of Corrosive and Constructive Capital to examine the impact of investment on democratic and market institutions. The CAI’s work sits at the confluence of corporate governance, the rule of law, and the business and investment climate, with patterns of trade and investment worldwide. Hontz is active in developing the capacity of business organizations to advocate on behalf of member interests and helping these organizations to foster a culture of inclusive business growth. In prior roles, Hontz was an associate at a law firm and a vice president at an investment bank, where he reviewed complex alternative investment products. He is frequently featured in media as an expert on economic reform and policy in Ukraine and other former Soviet states.
Hontz holds Bachelor’s degrees in Russian and Political Science from the University of Montana, a JD/MBA from the University of Maryland, and is licensed to practice law in Maryland. Hontz also spent time studying at the Russian State University for Humanities, holds a certificate from the Institute Organization Management for nonprofit management from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and served in the Peace Corps in Severodonetsk, Lugansk Oblast, Ukraine. Hontz sits on the board of the University of Maryland School of Law Alumni Association and is an active volunteer in various roles in Baltimore’s civil society organizations.
Tetyana Korotka
Tetyana Korotka is the Deputy Business Ombudsman of the Business Ombudsman Council. She was selected by the BOC’s Supervisory Board and appointed by the Government of Ukraine in 2015. Ms. Korotka has over 20 years of experience working in governance and development across sectors, with a specific interest in inclusive growth and sustainable infrastructure development.
Before joining the Business Ombudsman Council, she worked as Deputy Chief of Party at the international Public-Private Partnership Development Program (2011-2015). Under her leadership, a multi-national team of experts helped the Government of Ukraine to create a legal basis for public investment management and sustainable infrastructure reform with private sector engagement. She initiated and led the PPP & Sustainable Infrastructure Expert Center at the American Chamber of Commerce.
Previously Tetyana has held various high management roles including Corporate Governance Director at PZU Insurance Group (2010-2011), Board member at ING Life (2008-2009), repeatedly advising in cooperation with the EU, the USA, Canada, Sweden and the World Bank to the Prime Minister’s Office on the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement & FTA, National Bank of Ukraine and other state financial regulators on financial sector development (2009-2010).
Also, she was a Director of Financial Services Policy and Euro-Atlantic integration of the State Non-Banking Regulatory Authority (2004-2008), responsible for financial sector reforms and harmonization of Ukrainian legislation in accordance with European law. She was a permanent member of the state high-level Negotiating Group Ukraine – WTO, Ukraine – World Bank and IMF, Ukraine – EU.
Tetyana began her career as the Head of the Economic Department (CFO) at the State Nuclear Regulatory Committee. She was responsible for budgeting, risk management, and supervision of three state-owned enterprises (SOEs), managed internal controls, and international donor communication for the EBRD Chornobyl Shelter Fund (CSF) with a budget of 1.6 billion EUR, and played a role in legislative amendments aimed at promoting sustainable development in the energy sector, nuclear power plant decommissioning, and radioactive waste management in compliance with IAEA and EU standards (1999 – 2004).
Widely recognized for her efforts in Ukraine’s governance reform process, Tetyana was awarded by the President of the Italian Republic and became a Knight of the Order of the Star of Italy (Cavaliere dell’Ordine Della Stella d’Italia) for her contribution to the G7 Group of Ambassadors for Reform (2020), as well as awarded by the Prime-Minister of Ukraine for contribution to financial services market development and successful WTO accession (2009).
Tetyana Korotka earned her bachelor’s degree in economics and master’s degree in finance from the Kyiv National Economic University. She holds a Ph.D. in Economics, and her education includes post-graduate education at the London School of Economics and Political Science, an MBA from the Steinbeis-Hochschule-Berlin (Institute of International Business Relations).
Michael Newson
Michael Newson is the Senior Programme Coordinator for the Migration & Sustainable Development (MSD) unit in IOM Ukraine. The MSD unit covers policy and programmes related to economic development and labour market engagement of IDPs and displaced businesses, diaspora engagement in economic recovery and development, and labour migration governance.
Previously, Michael worked as Senior Regional Specialist for Labour Mobility and Social Inclusion (LMI) for the South-Eastern Europe, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia Region with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) from 2017 to 2023. He was responsible for providing technical support, policy expertise, and capacity building to governments, IOM officials, and other relevant stakeholders throughout the region. Michael previously held the same position in the Middle East and North Africa Region working from the Regional Office in Cairo from 2012 to 2016.
He has also worked with IOM in Bogota and Mauritius, where his work focused on the development and implementation of labour migration programmes. From 2009 to 2011, Michael worked as Senior Policy Advisor in the Labour Market and Immigration Division for the Government of British Columbia, Canada, where he focused on policy issues relating to both temporary foreign workers and permanent economic immigration streams.
Michael holds a BA in Philosophy & English Literature from the University of British Columbia, an MA in Social & Political Philosophy from York University (Toronto), and an MBA from the Warwick Business School.
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