Andrew Rozhdestvensky – Recipient of the “Leader Character Award

The collaboration between the Center for Leadership of UCU and the Ian O. Ihnatowycz Institute for Leadership, Ivey Business School began at the very inception of the Center – with a personal acquaintance and mutual professional interest. Since then, the teams of both institutions have been united by a shared conviction: Character is the foundation of effective Leadership, regardless of the field, context, or challenges. 

Since 2016, faculty and researchers from Ivey Business School, the Center for Leadership of UCU, and the UCU Business School have jointly written case studies, conducted program modules in Lviv, Kyiv, Odesa, and even in Davos, and initiated research on Character and modern leadership challenges. Soon, this collaboration became a platform not only for joint projects but also for shared values: honesty, resilience, responsibility, and service – values that define true Leadership. 

In 2025, the Ian O. Ihnatowycz Institute for Leadership celebrates its 15th anniversary. The milestone conference, “The Leadership Imperative: Character for Thriving Organizations and Nations”, gathered in Toronto leaders from business, the public sector, civil society, and academia – all those actively seeking answers to the question: why Leadership based on Character is not just a desirable trait, but a critical necessity in a world experiencing uncertainty and turbulence. 

It was in this context that the Institute announced Andrew Rozhdestvensky, Executive Director of the Center for Leadership of UCU and lecturer at the UCU Business School, as the recipient of the “Leader Character Award” – an award given to leaders who demonstrate the power of Character through their lives. This is not merely a prestigious recognition; it signifies that the Ukrainian experience continues to be visible and inspiring to the world.

A Leader Who Holds the Compass Even When the Future Is Uncertain

Introducing our colleague, the Executive Director of the Ian O. Ihnatowycz Institute for Leadership, Dusya Vera, recalled his participation in the Ivey program:

“He never asked for special treatment and never used the war as an excuse. He came, did the work, supported others, and brought insights to discussions that are possible only for someone who must be a leader in truly extreme conditions”.

The partnership between the two institutions helped present the Ukrainian experience to the international audience – Leadership under pressure, where decisions are made not because everything is clear, but because responsibility outweighs the fear of mistakes. In his speech, Andrew emphasized precisely this:

“Responsibility precedes clarity. Ukrainian leaders move even when the situation is unclear. And it is this ability that saves lives”.

Leadership During War: When Character Faces Its Hardest Tests

In his own video message, Professor Gerard Seijts – co-author of the Leadership Character framework and a sincere friend of Ukraine – stressed that the full-scale invasion was a profound test for the Executive Director of the Center for Leadership of UCU: 

“He could have left. Yet, he stayed. He armed himself, joined the ranks of volunteers, transported humanitarian and military supplies. A scholar who took up arms for a higher purpose”,

the researcher shared.

At the same time, Andrew continued teaching, working with commanders and military units, conducting resilience, strategic thinking, and Leadership training. His research, documentaries, and podcasts became an important part of the broader conversation about the role of Character in shaping leaders during crises.

Why Is This Year’s Award So Special?

The “Leader Character Award” is more than just recognition of professional achievements. It acknowledges a leader’s ability to act under pressure, to be a source of stability for others, and to lead with dignity where others see only despair. 

It is also a symbol that the Ukrainian experience is significant, valuable, and needed by the world, and that the voice of Ukrainian leaders is now heard in the global conversation about the future of Leadership itself. 

In concluding his speech, the laureate expressed words that most accurately reflect the essence of this award:

“Over the past four years, we have learned a simple yet painfully honest truth: Character is the ability to act when there are no guarantees, no perfect options, and no time for long reflection”.

Equally important was Andrew’s recognition of the role others play in the path of every leader. For him, these were people without whom the mentioned achievements would have been impossible: longtime friends of the Ukrainian Catholic University, Ian O. Ihnatowycz and Marta Viter, the teams of the Center for Leadership of UCU, UCU Business School, and Ivey Business School, and most importantly – and above all, the Ukrainian Armed Forces, who make it possible to work, to teach, and to speak about the future.

“May God bless our military for giving us the chance to stand here, speak about the future, and continue building it”,

concluded the scholar.

Ultimately, Andrew Rozhdestvensky’s recognition became another step in strengthening collaboration between the Ian O. Ihnatowycz Institute for Leadership, Ivey Business School, and the Center for Leadership of UCU. A prime example of this is the invitation for our colleague to conduct a session in the “CommunityShift” program for nonprofit sector leaders in Canada – yet another platform for sharing critical experience in Leadership during times of uncertainty. 

And ahead lie new joint projects, research, and programs. Most importantly – a collective belief that Character matters, because it helps leaders make decisions that build trust, strengthen teams, and ensure our resilience even when the world itself is more fragile than ever.