CFO and HR director United Liner Agency Ltd (liner agency of «Ocean Network Express (ONE)» in Ukraine) Member of Odesa Business Club
Participant of Odesa Women’s Business Chamber of Ukraine

The story of an invincible business woman who works for the development of the economy and helps the Armed Forces of Ukraine. OLENA RADCHENKO shares how, together with the team, she was able to continue container transportation in modern military realities. About the role of woman in business and her own views on the life of a strong Ukrainian woman, read on.

– Hello, Olena! You are a brilliant business woman, an expert in finance and ship agency, you work in a large container shipping company. What challenges were faced in the work after the start of a full-scale invasion?
– Hello! Our company, like the whole state, began to experience a very difficult period. We were all confused, desperate and looking for the right solutions. Some of our employees with children went to safe places abroad. But the work of the agency, the transportation of goods in containers, the maintenance of ships in ports is a continuous and responsible process. On the first day of a full-scale war, all the ports of Big Odesa were closed, and on the way to Ukraine and in the ports we had a lot of containers. Therefore, responsibility to customers, as well as functional and financial obligations to the principal, «Ocean Network Express», which ranks 6th in the world in terms of container transportation capacity, and the understanding that we are part of a large process, required urgent decisions and firm collected behavior. Thanks to a powerful team, colleagues, many of whom worked even remotely, from abroad, respected and reliable partners and customers of our line, the resistant banking system, we recovered and managed as soon as possible. We kept in constant touch with our regional headquarter in London. Received clear, balanced, professional instructions on the continuity of business in emergency conditions, also we felt their support, which was also inspiring. Together with our colleagues – agents from the European offices of Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey – we were looking for alternative ways to transport goods through European ports, and then agreed with customers on further actions and delivery to the final destination. I know that many of our customers received their goods and immediately transferred to the army – this is food, household goods, clothes. All united to stand. Today I can say with confidence that I am grateful to the fate that we have cooperated with highly professional, responsible and at the same time responsive and sincere people.

– How is it possible to continue activities in difficult military conditions?
– Our office in Odesa was destroyed by a missile strike in June 2023. This was a new challenge. But we rallied, collected the surviving documents and equipment from the destroyed business center, found a new office and continue our activities. Yes, logistics is now very complicated and requires additional knowledge and skills. Difficulties are added by constant shelling, air alarms, now there are also restrictions on the transportation of grain, a blockade on the border with Poland. But everything that does not kill us makes us only stronger! We keep working. Our team consists of very intelligent and dedicated professionals with many years of experience. And in cooperation with reliable, proven customers, many of whom we have been cooperating with for more than 10 years, I am sure that we will not stop and, conversely, will only move forward.

– You are also a member of Odesa Business Club and a participant of Odesa Women’s Business Chamber of Ukraine. Tell us about this experience?
– At the beginning of last year, I gladly joined the public organization «Odesa Women’s Business Chamber of Ukraine.» This is a very useful and enjoyable experience. We represent completely different businesses, exchange views on the development of areas of entrepreneurship, how we can help each other, help, support. Together we participate in charity events and forums. Last summer, we attended the U-Nation Women Forum of Unbroken Women of Ukraine, held in Odesa. It was nice to feel and accept from male speakers the sup

port of gender equality between businessmen and business women. After all, women in business, especially now, in terms of war, are a very powerful driving force.
In October 2023, I joined the Odesa Business Club. This is an association of owners and top managers from different industries and spheres of activity of the business community of Odesa. The Club reacts, openly discusses and seeks solutions to urgent problems of Ukrainian business, sincerely and persistently joins international projects and events that contribute to the restoration and further strengthening of the Ukrainian economy, as well as volunteer and charitable initiatives.

I respect and honor that each member of the Club is a relaible figure in business and in the life of Odesa and Ukraine, and together it is an community of like-minded people who cohesively implement everything that brings the Victory of Ukraine closer.

– How did the war affect your life? Share personal transformations.
– February 24 in my life is a day of double tragedy. On this day, 9 years ago, my father passed away – my friend, mentor, inspirer. I miss his advices, but at the same time I am very grateful to my parents for everything they taught me and brought me up.

As for the war, I think no one was ready for such a scale of destruction, a huge number of victims. However, tears, despair, horror and hatred eventually grew into indestructibility and steadfastness. Personally I and my colleagues who remained in Ukraine in the first days of the war joined the volunteer movement of Odesa and the Chornomorsk. We helped people with medicines, household items, clothes. Packed things and medicines for further seding to the front. And now we support the collection of charitable foundations and volunteers who provide our defenders with everything that saves the lives of our soldiers and destroys the enemy.

– On the one hand, you are a business woman with a steel character, and on the other – a gentle and caring woman! Where are you looking for strength and inspiration?
– My field of activity requires clear and accurate decisions. Working with finances, ship documentation, and most importantly – with people, does not allow mistakes and errors. As a top manager, I take care of the company’s financial stability, budgeting, reporting to principals and founders. But I clearly understand that any financial success is the result of the joint work of an entire team of specialists, so I think very important and I put great attention to keep a good and kind emotional climate in the company. Unfortunately, in war time, we are not able to hold joint events, but we are in close constant contact online.

We solve urgent working issues, as well as support and encourage each other during air alarms and shelling. In general, I believe that every person in my life is not accidental. Therefore, I sincerely give a piece of myself and my warmth to those with whom fate unites me.

I fill up emotionally when I am together with my loved ones. With my husband, we live and work together for almost 30 years, raised two wonderful sons, and now we have a beautiful daughter-in-law and granddaughter (who is already 1.5 years old). I really miss that I can not often hug them warmly, but we communicate daily by video call.
We have pets: cat, 3 dogs. I walk my dogs in any weather. Another nice inspiration opportunity of mine – I love the sea . This is my powerbank at all. I try, wherever I am, to find at least once a week 10-15 minutes to look at the waves, listen to their whispers.
I believe that God does not send such challenges that a person cannot cope with. I am glad that in our city there are churches that have passed to the Orthodox Church .of Ukraine From time to time I come to pray, light a candle, put my thoughts in order. It also helps a lot.

– How did you become a successful person? What is the key?
– Since childhood, I knew 90% that I would be into the maritime business, because this is our family profession. Grandfather and grandmother, father and mother, later me – all graduates of the Odesa National Maritime University. My family always supported me with the good advices. This inspired further achievements.

I also believe that it is important to treat your business with love, work tirelessly and develop yourself. By the way, now I am studying at the Kyiv-Mohyla Business School, I have already passed two program studies, the third is next in line.

– How do you see Ukraine after the Victory? How can you support Ukrainians now?
– I firmly believe in our Victory. I am very proud of our Armed Forces and I pray for everyone who risks their lives on the frontline to stop evil. I also respect and appreciate those who are here, on other fronts – economic, financial, industrial, agricultural. Ukrainian business must be alive, work, pay taxes and fill the budget. Ukraine is unique and diverse, and our people deserve to live in a strong, prosperous, happy, peaceful country. I hopeful it will so.
Even after the darkest night, a bright dawn comes. May spring give everyone the strength to recover and be resilient. No matter what, we cannot despair! On the contrary, we need to notice the beauty around us and move only forward – like flowers in the spring reaching for the sun.

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