Can freedom be taught? Can the energy of people who have spent decades building businesses, teams, and their own paths be passed on?

These were the questions that brought together 220 MTI Group executives on June 12 at Leadership Conference 2026 “The Energy of a Free Human”.

This year, the conference became more than a platform for discussing business cases and management practices. It evolved into a space for an open conversation about choice, responsibility, strength of character, and the future we create every day through our decisions.

The event took place in the hangar of the National university «Kyiv aviation institute» (KAI, formerly NAU) — a place where the history of Ukrainian engineering meets dreams of the future. Symbolically, it was here that participants discussed the human ability to overcome limitations, take risks, create something new, and remain true to themselves.

From KAI to MTI: A Story of Entrepreneurial Freedom

The conference opened with an informal conversation with the founders of MTI Group:

• Volodymyr Tsoi, President of MTI Group
• Serhii Bashlakov, Vice President of MTI Group
• Borys Belianskyi, CEO of MTI hi-tech distribution

The discussion was moderated by Peter Chernyshov, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Kyiv Aviation Institute (KAI) and ProTec, and Independent Member of the Advisory Board of Pharmastore.

In a candid dialogue, participants heard stories from the days when the future entrepreneurs were students at the Kyiv Aviation Institute, as well as accounts of their first business experiments, difficult decisions, mistakes, crises, and the principles that ultimately helped them build one of Ukraine’s largest business groups.

The conversation once again reminded everyone that great companies do not begin with resources — they begin with people willing to take responsibility for their own choices.

In the photo, from left to right: Borys Belianskyi, Serhii Bashlakov, Volodymyr Tsoi, Petro Chernyshov.

Leadership as Action

Throughout the day, leaders from MTI Group businesses shared their stories of transformation, growth, and development.

Behind every story stood not only business results, but also the courage to make decisions in uncertainty, the willingness to evolve alongside the market, and the ability to maintain the trust of their teams even during the most challenging periods.

Mykhailo Vatakh, CEO of Protoria, spoke about how to identify the one strategic choice that will shape a company’s development for years to come among dozens of opportunities. He emphasized that outstanding results come not from the number of projects pursued, but from focus and consistency.

Mykhailo Vatakh, “From Many Opportunities to One Strategic Choice”

Serhii Yakovliev, Commercial Director of MTI hi-tech distribution, explained how to preserve room for initiative within a large organization without losing the energy of people eager to create something new. He highlighted the importance of building a system where every employee’s idea is seen as an opportunity to improve, innovate, or transform an inefficient business process.

Serhii Yakovliev, “Between Stability and Risk: How Not to Kill Initiative in a Large System and Preserve the Energy of Free People”

Anton Bokyi, Marketing Director of INTERTOP Ukraine, presented the company’s latest projects, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the courage to innovate, staying open to change, and turning challenges into opportunities for growth.

Anton Bokyi, “Accustomed Only to Constant Change: The Freedom to Create. The Focus to Grow”

Denys Ovdiienko, CEO of Amadeo, spoke about freedom of choice, the power of a brand, and why true value begins with authenticity. Through the services a business offers, companies can create a unique customer experience — from providing more convenient purchasing channels to offering unique jewelry with personalized engraving.

Denys Ovdiienko, ”The Energy of the Freedom to Be Yourself”

Yehor Shevchuk, CEO of Denka Logistics, shared insights into adapting warehouse logistics and internal processes to new realities. Real-time analytics, digitalization, greater process transparency, and strong team support enable businesses not only to respond quickly, but also to stay ahead of change.

Yehor Shevchuk, “Responding Rapidly to Change and Challenges”

Businesses often seek greater freedom, yet in practice strive for control and predictability. Dmytro Trinko, Head of Business Development at Octopus Cyber Services, explained that in cybersecurity the optimal approach is “controlled chaos.” Freedom generates new solutions, while systems make it possible to turn those solutions into trusted services.

Dmytro Trinko, “Freedom Without Chaos: How Octopus Cyber Services Grows While Preserving Its Core”

The discussions once again confirmed that leadership today is not a position. It is a daily choice to act, take responsibility, and create the future even when there are no ready-made answers.

 

People in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

A separate conference session focused on artificial intelligence:

• Moderator: Yevhen Sarantsov, lecturer at kmbs and founder of Reactor.ua
• Andrii Lytvynenko, Director of Octopus Cyber Services
• Ganna Mikulytska, Managing Director of SAP Ukraine
• Dmytro Shymkiv, Board Member of Kyivstar (NASDAQ: KYIV), Helsi, and Tabletki.ua, and Director of Strategic Initiatives at AeroDrone

The speakers discussed how AI is already transforming business, professions, and management approaches. Yet the central theme was not the technology itself, but the role of people in a world where the pace of change accelerates every day.

Participants reflected on responsibility, ethics, critical thinking, and the need to preserve humanity even as more and more processes become automated.

After all, algorithms do not determine the future. The future is determined by the people who decide how those algorithms will be used.

In the photo, from left to right: Dmytro Shymkiv, Ganna Mikulytska, Andrii Lytvynenko, Yevhen Sarantsov.

Artificial Intelligence and Business

Participants also heard a keynote from visionary leader Tetiana Lukyniuk, General Manager at Google, on the opportunities artificial intelligence creates for businesses and professionals across industries. Through practical examples and real-world tools, she demonstrated how AI is already helping people work faster, more effectively, and focus on the tasks where human contribution creates the greatest value.

Artificial intelligence is evolving faster than any technology before it. The world is changing at an unprecedented pace, and the ability to leverage these opportunities is gradually becoming the new norm for business.

On stage: Tetiana Lukyniuk.

The Energy of a Free Human

The conference theme emerged from a simple yet profoundly important idea: freedom is not the absence of limitations.

Freedom is the ability to remain yourself. To choose your own path. To take responsibility for your decisions. To stay focused on the future even in the most difficult times.

That is why the key ideas of Leadership Conference 2026 were the power of choice, the freedom to be yourself, and a focus on the future.

Toward the end of the conference, a thought was voiced that became a fitting conclusion to the entire day: companies create strategies, technologies open up opportunities, but it is people who determine what tomorrow will look like.

And as long as there are people willing to think, act, and take responsibility, the energy of a free individual will continue to move the world forward.

Throughout the day, participants engaged in discussions, shared experiences, explored new ideas, and found inspiration.

✈️ The evening concluded with an unforgettable performance by Zapal Band on the wing of an aircraft.

Performance by Zapal Band

We sincerely thank all speakers, participants, and teams who became part of Leadership Conference 2026.

See you again soon!