Replace on a Sonoma County finance exec’s reduction efforts for his native Ukraine
Final month, whereas Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made his first go to on U.S. soil since Russia invaded his nation on Feb. 24, native Andriy Lesyshyn’s thoughts was again at work in Santa Rosa at Change Financial institution.
However a part of his coronary heart lies in his native Ukraine.
On March 22, the financial institution belief officer made headlines within the Enterprise Journal. Earlier this 12 months, he labored in a warehouse in Warsaw, Poland, for a month, loading and delivery humanitarian support packages to his residence nation.
Lesyshyn labored alongside his brother, Vasyl Lesyshyn, by means of an effort referred to as “Assist Ukraine Middle,” which was organized by means of help from the Ministry of Well being of Ukraine and the Ministry of Reintegration of the Quickly Occupied Territories of Ukraine. The hub is situated about 50 miles from the nation’s western border with Ukraine.
His brother stays in Warsaw, whereas Andriy’s 25-year-old niece was compelled to sleep within the rest room for per week throughout drone strikes in Kviv.
“Ever since I got here again, I’ve had this responsible feeling” the banker stated.
Lesyshyn tries to stability that survivor’s guilt and concern about his household and fellow residents with hope.
“The Ukrainian folks give me optimism they may make it,” he stated, including “battlefield successes” as proof goodness has an opportunity to prevail.
However this time this 12 months, there may be added fret for the Ukrainian folks.
“They’re with out energy, with out warmth. It’s superb how stoic they’re. What worries me is what (Vladimir) Putin has in thoughts,” he stated, referencing the Russian president.
As an alternative of dwelling on attainable unfavorable outcomes, Lesyshyn has chosen to be proactive within the final half 12 months.
He communicates with others in Europe on the Telegram app, which serves as a computerized messenger service on-line.
The Cloverdale man additionally sends donations when he’s capable of varied charitable organizations. These embrace one spawned from a reference to a British man, Stuart Adamson, working to rescue animals within the area for a particular, tactical group referred to as Breaking the Chains.
Would you wish to return?
Lesyshyn forged doubt on a return due to he’s uncertain he could be as profitable at adapting to war-torn situations because the Ukrainians.
“It’s extra helpful to ship support,” he defined.
Susan Wooden covers regulation, hashish, manufacturing, tech, power, transportation, agriculture in addition to banking and finance. For 27 years, Susan has labored for quite a lot of publications together with the North County Occasions, Tahoe Day by day Tribune and Lake Tahoe Information. Attain Wooden at 530-545-8662 or susan.wooden@busjrnl.com.