In a world where resilience often defines leadership, few stories capture the power of determination quite like that of Valeriia Akatova. Born in January 1993 in Ukraine, Valeriia Akatova has emerged as a key figure in post-war reconstruction efforts. She serves as COO and Board Member of Foundation Ukraine, where she leads teams focused on sourcing, negotiations, public relations, and construction projects aimed at rebuilding critical infrastructure and real estate. She also acts as a mentor at Foundation Incubator, guiding young tech founders with her deep expertise in marketing, business, design, and social media.
This exclusive interview explores her remarkable journey. From dreaming of European experiences to fleeing the first bombs in Kyiv, adapting as a refugee in Gascony, France, and ultimately joining forces to create meaningful change back home, Valeriia Akatova embodies the spirit of innovation and community rebuilding that drives Foundation. Her story highlights how personal adversity can fuel larger visions for Ukraine’s future through smart investments in infrastructure, education, and youth-led businesses.
Valeriia Akatova shares her journey from one of the first Ukrainian refugees in Gascony, France, to co-founder driving reconstruction and innovation.
Valeriia, thank you for joining us today. Many people are curious about your background. Can you tell us about your early life in Ukraine and what shaped your dreams?
Valeriia Akatova
I was born in January 1993 in Ukraine, and growing up there gave me a strong foundation in resilience and creativity. Even as a young girl, I felt a deep curiosity about the world beyond our borders. I dreamed of living in Europe not because I lacked love for my native Ukraine, but because I wanted to learn from other cultures. I believed that by experiencing different ways of doing business, innovation, and daily life, I could bring fresh ideas back home. This curiosity stayed with me through the years. I worked in several industries before the war, gaining practical experience that later proved invaluable. Although I had explored various fields, my heart was always in entrepreneurship, where I could create something meaningful.
That curiosity clearly played a big role later in your life. What happened when the war began in 2022? Were you in Kyiv at the time?
Valeriia Akatova
Yes, I was in Kyiv when the war started. The sound of the first Russian bombs landing near my neighbors woke me up in the middle of the night. In those terrifying moments, everything changed instantly. I woke my young daughter, gathered the most important essentials, filled the car, and took my little sister and a friend with us. We drove through Poland and Germany before heading down to the south of France. A distant uncle there arranged for us to stay with his family while we figured out our next steps. It was a chaotic and emotional escape, but we felt grateful to be safe.
You became one of the very first Ukrainian refugees to arrive in Gascony, in the south of France. How did the local community respond, and what were those early days like?
Valeriia Akatova
We were among the very first Ukrainian refugees to reach the Gers department in Gascony. After our exhausting journey from Kyiv under bombardments, we arrived exhausted in L’Isle-Jourdain at 3 a.m. in early March 2022, together with four other women and my seven-year-old daughter Emilie. A distant relative who lived locally met us in Budapest and drove us the rest of the way. The local community and authorities responded with remarkable speed and compassion. They accompanied us to the prefecture so we could file what became the very first temporary protection dossiers in the department. As reported in La Dépêche on March 12, 2022, the feeling many of us shared was captured perfectly when one of the people helping us said that our bodies were in France, but our souls had remained in Ukraine. Those early days were a powerful mix of immense relief at finally being safe and a deep emotional weight because our hearts and thoughts stayed with family, friends, and the homeland we had left behind. We were tired, our eyes red from worry and lack of sleep, yet we began to smile again thanks to the kindness around us. We received immediate help with food and clothing from the Croix-Rouge in Auch. Later we moved to the temporary chalets at the Château du Haget in Montesquiou, where conditions were simple and quite isolated in the park of the château. The rural setting was very quiet compared to Kyiv, mobility was limited, and the nights could feel cold, but the solidarity of the local people was heartwarming. They quickly organized support programs, and the prefecture worked fast to help arriving families. As detailed in La Dépêche on April 1, 2022, it was not quite “the life of the castle” - we lived in simple accommodations in a very rural setting. A caring local family eventually opened their guest house to us for a full year rent-free, and a factory in the area gave me a job in packaging so I could support my family. My daughter started school in the village and adapted with astonishing speed despite the language barrier. These acts of humanity from complete strangers helped us rebuild our lives step by step in those difficult early months.
Your daughter faced a huge adjustment too, moving from speaking Russian and Ukrainian to attending school in a small French village without knowing the language. How did she adapt so quickly?
Valeriia Akatova
Children are incredibly resilient. My daughter went from not knowing a word of French to finishing the school year at the top of her class in just a matter of weeks. She assimilated and adapted with remarkable speed. Watching her thrive gave me strength during those difficult months. It reminded me that with the right support and environment, people can overcome enormous challenges. This personal experience later influenced my work with Foundation Incubator, where we focus on nurturing young talent no matter their postcode or background.
At that point, you had lost your business, friends, and much of your family network, some still in Ukraine and others scattered across different countries. How did you process that loss and decide to rebuild your life in France?
Valeriia Akatova
It was heartbreaking. I realized this might be my new reality for the long term. As an entrepreneur at heart, I refused to stay idle. I began studying to update my knowledge in marketing, finance, and business. I explored many projects, but none felt quite right until I met Richard Ohebshalom and learned about his vision for investing in Ukraine’s infrastructure and real estate. The initiatives aligned perfectly with what I believed in: helping youth, driving business innovation, advancing education, and supporting Ukraine as a whole. That connection felt like coming home to a purpose. Richard and Damien formally invited me to join as a founder and partner early on, and I shifted my focus entirely to this mission.
Today you serve as COO and Board Member at Foundation Ukraine. What does your role involve on a daily basis, and why is this work so important for the country’s future?
Valeriia Akatova
As COO, I build and lead teams responsible for sourcing opportunities, handling negotiations, managing public relations, and overseeing construction projects. Foundation Ukraine focuses on disciplined reconstruction and real estate investment. We acquire and reposition assets to create long-term value while contributing to Ukraine’s recovery. This is not just about buildings; it is about creating jobs, fostering economic stability, and showing the world that Ukraine is open for smart, responsible investment. Every project we complete brings tangible hope and progress.
You also mentor young genius tech founders at Foundation Incubator. How does your background influence the guidance you provide there?
Valeriia Akatova
My expertise in marketing, business, design, and social media helps the participants turn brilliant ideas into real companies. Foundation Incubator is not a typical mentoring program. It pairs proven operators like me with the top one percent of young tech founders worldwide. We provide structure, execution support, and lifelong partnership. Having lived through displacement and reinvention myself, I emphasize practical resilience, cultural adaptability, and the importance of creating businesses that solve real problems. Talent truly has no postcode, and potential deserves every chance to succeed.
Looking back, what lessons from your refugee experience in France have shaped your approach to entrepreneurship and leadership today?
Valeriia Akatova
The biggest lesson is that adaptability and community matter more than any single plan. Standing in that factory for eight hours a day taught me humility and the value of hard work. Watching my daughter thrive in a new language and culture showed me how quickly people can grow when given support. These experiences fuel my belief that Foundation’s work must combine infrastructure development with human-centered innovation. We are not just rebuilding buildings; we are rebuilding lives and opportunities.
Many Ukrainians and entrepreneurs worldwide face similar uncertainties. What advice would you give to someone starting over after a major disruption?
Valeriia Akatova
Stay curious, just as I did when I dreamed of Europe. Keep learning, update your skills, and look for projects that truly align with your values. Do not be afraid to pivot when something feels right. Surround yourself with people who share your vision. And remember, every challenge contains seeds of new possibilities. Foundation Ukraine and Foundation Incubator exist precisely to turn those possibilities into reality for the next generation.
Finally, Valeriia, how do you see the future of Ukraine through the lens of Foundation’s work?
Valeriia Akatova
I see a Ukraine that is stronger, more innovative, and fully integrated with global opportunities. By focusing on real estate, infrastructure, education, and youth talent, we are laying foundations that will last for decades. The war forced many of us to leave, but it also brought us closer together in purpose. With the right investments and mentorship, Ukraine’s young founders will create companies that not only survive but thrive on the world stage. I am honored to play a small part in that future.
Valeriia Akatova’s journey from the bombs in Kyiv to leadership roles at Foundation Ukraine and Foundation Incubator offers powerful proof that determination, curiosity, and community can overcome even the hardest obstacles. Her story inspires anyone facing change, whether as an entrepreneur, a parent, or someone passionate about Ukraine’s reconstruction. Through Foundation’s initiatives, she continues to bridge cultures, drive innovation, and build a brighter tomorrow.
