Thoughtful Thursdays: Rebuilding in the Midst of Conflict: Insights on Investing in Ukraine from UBN Network Co-Founder Mark McNamee

Breakfast Leadership Show

Mark recently moved to Kyiv and co-founded the Ukraine Business Network (UBN), a platform that provides research to industry leaders. The goal is to aid foreign investors operating in the country and ultimately contribute to the nation’s reconstruction.
Through panels, reports, and surveys, UBN gives businesses insight into their opportunities in Ukraine during times of war. It works with 4,000+ companies across sectors, including the World Bank Group, UN, Coca-Cola, Radisson, McDonald’s, and the Wall Street Journal.
An expert analyst on Ukraine and CIS countries, Mark has spent 15 years tracking the region's political, economic, social, and intelligence activities. He has also instructed at the U.S. Army’s Combating Terrorism Center, teaching counterterrorism courses to CIA and FBI agents.
He was previously the Managing Director of FrontierView (Europe), an advisory firm valued at $18M that gives 300+ multinationals market intelligence to help their businesses grow. He has been featured on Bloomberg, Harvard Business Review, Forbes, and the BBC.
On the podcast, Mark discusses
How do you start a company in a war zone without income or local knowledge?
Identifying the right critical skills and market niches for business success in Ukraine.
Challenges of workforce development in Ukraine and how to effectively deal with them.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-mcnamee-58950910/
https://ubn.news/ubn-network/
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Commonwealth-of-Independent-States
https://ctc.westpoint.edu/
https://frontierview.com/
https://updatefromkyiv.podbean.com/e/137-analysis-mark-mcnamee-on-ukraine-s-economic-opportunities-and-challenges/
https://www.potomac-group.com/podcast/episode-12-mark-mcnamee-on-the-ongoing-russian-war-on-ukraine

Summary Introduction to Mark and UBN Network @ 0:00

Mark introduced himself as the co-founder and owner of UBN (Ukraine Business News) Network, a company he started with his co-founder Andrew to help Western companies navigate the investment environment and understand the economic and geopolitical situation in Ukraine. Mark discussed his personal and academic background that led him to focus on this region, and his decision to move to Kyiv last October to be part of Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction efforts.

The Significance of Ukraine's Conflict @ 3:00

Michael and Mark discussed the importance of recognizing that the conflict in Ukraine is not just about the current war, but is part of a larger geopolitical struggle between Western democratic values and the "might makes right" mentality of Russia and other non-Western powers. They emphasized that Ukraine's fight is not just for its own sovereignty, but for upholding the international order and rules-based systems that the West believes are better for humanity.

The Human Toll and Resilience of Ukrainians @ 8:26

The conversation explored the immense human suffering and trauma experienced by Ukrainians due to the war, including the stories of families being separated, people fleeing their homes, and the psychological impact on the nation. However, they also highlighted the resilience and determination of the Ukrainian people to carry on with their daily lives and livelihoods despite the ongoing challenges.

Opportunities for Rebuilding and Recovery @ 19:44

Mark and Michael discussed the importance of the work that UBN Network is doing to help facilitate Ukraine's economic recovery and reconstruction, even as the war continues. They emphasized the need for the West to continue supporting Ukraine and providing resources to help the country rebuild, with the goal of eventually transitioning from a wartime to a peacetime economy.

Closing and Call to Action @ 21:11

In closing, Michael thanked Mark for his work and encouraged listeners to connect with Mark and UBN Network to learn more about the situation in Ukraine and how they can get involved in supporting the country's recovery efforts.