“Society in Times of Challenges”: ELLE ACTIVE FORUM 2025 Took Place in Kyiv
On October 21, the eleventh ELLE ACTIVE FORUM — an annual event by ELLE Ukraine that brings together active, conscious, and engaged individuals — was held at UNIT.City. In times of challenges and change, the forum remains a space where meaning, support, and inspiration are born. The general media partner of the event was 1+1 media.
This year’s theme was “Society in Times of Challenges.” The focus was on rethinking values and searching for new meanings, brain hacking, artificial intelligence, and the role of women in shaping the future.
The event opened with a presentation titled “AI in Life and Career” by Dmytro Krasovskyi, AI Integration Lead at the marketing agency Netpeak.
A panel discussion on the topic “Rethinking Values and Sense-Making” featured Lilia Litkovska — designer, founder, and creative director of the Litkovska brand; Tetiana Yalovchak — the first Ukrainian record-holder to conquer Everest and the seven highest peaks of the seven continents; Ivan Tarn — serviceman of the special forces unit ARTAN; Roman “Dobriak” Kolesnyk — veteran of the 3rd Assault Brigade; and Nataliia Hurina — Deputy Chair of the Management Board of Raiffeisen Bank. The panel was moderated by Liudmyla Barbir, host of the morning show “Snidanok z 1+1” on 1+1 Ukraine.
Andrii Spodin, master brain trainer, neuro coach, founder of Inten Academy, and author of the “Extraordinarity Development Method,” together with Liudmyla Spodina — brain trainer, practical psychologist, PhD in Pedagogical Sciences, associate professor, and botanical watercolor artist — shared insights on how to train the brain for quick thinking, productivity, and emotional resilience.
One of the sessions was held in the format of an online interview. Sonia Zabuga, Editor-in-Chief of ELLE Ukraine, spoke with Elvira Paterson-Havrylova — entrepreneur and producer who creates world-class projects and inspires women globally. They discussed Ukrainian cinema in Hollywood, its prospects, and international recognition.
A real performance was delivered by Andrii Zdesenko, founder and CEO of the Biosphere Corporation, and Maryna Avdieieva, co-owner and Chair of the Supervisory Board of Arsenal Insurance. It was an open conversation between two charismatic entrepreneurs — about their paths in business, the power of personality, the challenges of leadership, and sources of inspiration.
The forum concluded with a Public Talk between ELLE Editor-in-Chief Sonia Zabuga and the “Grown-Up Girls” — Masha Yefrosynina and Olia Polyakova. They discussed the challenges modern women face, the search for balance, and restoring energy.
All proceeds from ticket sales were directed to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine, specifically for FPV drones for the 71st Jaeger Brigade of the Air Assault Forces.
