What does it take to build a global company while your country is at war?
Host Lisa Anna Palmer interviews Rostyslav Vovk about his remarkable journey from warehouse worker to CEO of Kormotech, a top-50 global pet food manufacturer, offering powerful leadership lessons for anyone facing seemingly insurmountable challenges.
When Russian bombs began falling on Ukraine at 5 AM on February 24, 2022, Rostyslav and his team of Kormotech executives didn't flee – by 9 AM, they gathered at the office and made a plan on how to protect their people, secure their employees' pay, feed abandoned pets and chart a path forward.
This moment exemplifies the leadership philosophy that has guided Kormotech from a small family business to an enterprise exceeding $160 million USD, operating in 50 markets with over 1,500 employees (at the time of recording).
The heart of Rostyslav's and his team's approach? People and pets come first, always. With 75% of top managers having been with the company for over 20 years, Kormotech operates like a family, where employees progress from entry-level positions to executive roles. This people-centred strategy extends beyond the business – Kormotech continued to pay full salaries to some 65 team members serving in Ukraine's armed forces. At the same time, they launched the "Save the Pets of Ukraine" initiative, which aligned with their mission and the company's DNA, to raise over $5 million USD for abandoned animals roaming the streets in the aftermath of the Russian invasion.
In this episode, Rostyslav shares his leadership journey – from warehouse worker and DJ to CEO – and how he and his team are managing to grow the company despite a full-scale Russian invasion. He also prioritizes time with his family amidst all this.
Whether you're leading through a crisis or building something extraordinary, this podcast offers invaluable insights from someone who's done both simultaneously.
Want to learn more about leaders who put people first?
Subscribe to Light your Leadership Talks for weekly conversations with exceptional leaders like Rostyslav.
Learn more about Kormotech: HERE
Connect with Rostyslav Vovk: HERE
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Subscribe to Light Your Leadership Inc.: HERE
Connect with Coach Lisa Anna Palmer via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisaannapalmer/
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