AmCham Ukraine President Andy Hunder shares how he and his team have navigated the challenges of operating in a country under siege.

Three years ago, Western intelligence agencies predicted Kyiv would fall within 72 hours. The world braced for Ukraine’s collapse. Yet today, Kyiv stands, Ukraine stands, and business stands united with Ukraine, continuing to operate in the unlikeliest of circumstances. How?

Andy Hunder, president of AmCham Ukraine, boils it down to two main factors: people and technology. Those who believe in Ukraine and have worked together to sustain operations, he says, and members of AmCham Ukraine have played a pivotal role in keeping the country running.

“Before the invasion, we took precautions,” says Hunder. “We stocked up on paper maps and cash, anticipating a breakdown of systems. But technology, particularly cloud computing, proved to be a game-changer. Companies like Microsoft, Oracle, and Google swiftly moved data to the cloud. This was critical because, before the first missile strike, cyberattacks targeted banks in an attempt to collapse the financial system.”

Still, the human factor has been even more impressive. Ironically, war has a way of bringing out the best in people, Hunder notes. “As a leader, you make decisions that directly impact the lives of your team. Every morning for the past three years, my first thought has been, ‘Is my team safe?’”

Before the war began, AmCham Ukraine set up a tight-knit contingency group consisting of its HR director, communications director, vice president, events director, and Hunder himself. The team held multiple daily meetings, planning for various scenarios, from how to maintain communication if networks collapsed to how to ensure business continuity. In early February, before the full-scale invasion, the Chamber paid salaries in advance and adopted a “free-to-go” policy for employees. Out of 40 staff members, only one left.

Once the invasion began, daily check-ins with the team became crucial. Fortunately, employees retained network access, allowing everyone to conduct video calls. Seeing familiar faces was crucial, Hunder says. The visual connection provided reassurance in a time of fear and uncertainty.

“Everyone faced difficult decisions – whether to stay, relocate within Ukraine, or leave the country entirely,” he says. “One of our directors was seven months pregnant. Initially, she insisted on staying, but after discussions, she decided to leave for Budapest, where she gave birth to twins. She later returned and has since had a third child.”

For Ukrainian men, the situation was even more challenging. The borders closed, and many were conscripted. Today, 84% of AmCham Ukraine members have employees serving in the Armed Forces. Sadly, 32% have instances of employees killed – some as soldiers, others as civilians killed by missile strikes.

“One of our AmCham employees is currently serving in the military,” Hunder says. “We continue to pay his full salary, on top of his military pay, and we even pooled funds to buy him a second-hand Jeep for use on the front lines. This spirit of volunteerism and unity has been a defining feature of the war.”

A pivotal moment at the outset of the war came when the Ukrainian government chose to stay. Western allies offered evacuation, but President Volodymyr Zelenskyy famously responded, “I need ammo, not a ride.” That decision, Hunder said, changed everything. It instilled confidence that Ukraine would resist and that the country had a fighting chance.

“Since then, we’ve experienced waves of emotion – the shock of the first days, the struggle of the first month, the resilience of the first year, and now, in the third year, exhaustion,” he adds. “Three years is a long time. Every night, we go to bed with explosions in the sky, and every morning, we wake up to explosions on social media. The situation shifts constantly, and by the time this interview is published, things may have changed again.”

Leading with conscience

Maintaining a strong relationship with the United States has been critical to preserving Ukraine’s strategic advantage and ensuring its defense, Hunder notes. Another critical area has been public-private partnerships. Hunder stresses the importance of helping government leaders recognize that public-private partnerships offer mutual benefits.

Establishing trust with the government requires consistent dialogue across both formal and informal settings, coupled with a commitment to transparency and realistic expectation management. Success hinges not only on making commitments but on consistently meeting or surpassing them.

“Our role has been to share best practices – what works and what our members are doing, particularly the innovative approaches they’ve developed,” says Hunder. “Because of our relationship with the government and the realities of conscription, we work closely with officials to emphasize the importance of keeping businesses running.”

Many of AmCham Ukraine’s members have been designated as essential to the economy, allowing them to retain 50% of their male workforce and exempt those employees from military service. This designation places a heavy burden on general managers, who must make the difficult decision of which employees stay and which must leave.

“Imagine sitting across from two employees and having to decide which one stays with their family and which one goes to war,” Hunder says. “These are people’s lives.”

Every morning, leaders in Ukraine wake up and face difficult choices. “The guiding principle is always, ‘What is the right thing to do?’” Hunder says. “The goal is to make decisions that allow you to look yourself in the mirror tomorrow – and in two, five, or ten years – with a clear conscience. Seeing the bigger picture is essential.”

The Taiwan connection

Despite the many unthinkable challenges he’s faced, Hunder considers himself “very lucky – lucky to have the motivation, lucky to be able to travel. Travel is incredibly important, yet many of my colleagues don’t have that opportunity.”

In early March, Hunder traveled to Taipei to participate in events on the theme of resilience. The primary reason for his trip was to share the experiences of AmCham Ukraine and its members over the past three years. Remarkably, 85% of AmCham Ukraine members have continued full operations in Ukraine, despite the war.

“In Ukraine, we were thrown into the deep end and had to learn to swim immediately, making critical decisions in an instant,” he says. “In Taiwan, I see a much more structured approach to resilience and preparedness. And it’s not just about military concerns – the same strategies apply to natural disasters as well. Building resilience means being ready for any crisis, and that’s what matters most.”

Hunder says that through engagements with AmCham Taiwan, he’s been “truly impressed by the AmCham team in Taiwan and the sense of belonging that comes with being part of a larger network. Meeting the members has reinforced why we exist – to serve them.”

An eye-opener for Hunder was the domestic discussion on defense spending. “In Taiwan, some people ask whether 3% of GDP on defense is too much, but in Ukraine we are spending 36% of GDP on defense,” he says. “When war is existential – when it’s truly a matter of survival – spending on defense is not optional.”

Warfare has undergone a dramatic transformation with Russia’s war in Ukraine. While trench warfare reminiscent of World War I persists, it is now combined with AI-powered drone technology – drones operating in the air, on land, and at sea. Ukrainian-made drones have even forced the Russian Navy out of the Black Sea.

“Even NATO countries may not be fully prepared for the scale of drone warfare, as the nature of conflict has evolved so quickly,” says Hunder. “No other country has experienced what Ukraine has over the past few years. Last year alone, Ukraine produced two million drones, fundamentally transforming modern warfare. There are clear opportunities for collaboration – particularly with Taiwan, given its strengths in components and technology.”

The next wave of technology – already in testing and deployment – involves laser systems designed to neutralize drones. Hunder describes it as something out of science fiction, akin to Star Wars, yet it is the reality of modern warfare.

Another area ripe for collaboration is cybersecurity, a field in which both Taiwan and Ukraine have extensive experience. Hunder emphasizes the need for a proactive approach, noting that much of cybersecurity comes down to fundamental digital hygiene. Many breaches, experts warn, stem from simple lapses in security – weak passwords, unpatched software, or an employee clicking on a malicious link can all provide an entry point for an attack.

“At AmCham Ukraine, we experience around 20,000 cyberattack attempts per month,” he says. “That’s why it’s crucial to have strong national cybersecurity resilience, a dedicated cybersecurity manager in your organization, and a culture where everyone understands their role in maintaining security. Think before you click – because you never know what could be lurking behind an email or a link.”

Hunder has witnessed his fair share of real-world cyber threats firsthand. In one instance, a mobile network was taken down for several days due to an attack. Fortunately, a system known as national roaming allowed subscribers to automatically switch to another network, ensuring continued connectivity. While telecom operators compete in the market, they cooperate in times of crisis – recognizing that maintaining communication is paramount.

Since the invasion by Russia, the Chamber has established a range of HR support systems, including dedicated mental health programs. “Before the war, mental health was a taboo topic, especially among men,” Hunder says. “There was a mindset of being strong and not needing help. But now, the conversation has changed. We openly discuss mental health and we’re committed to providing support wherever possible. A key part of leadership is listening to our teams – understanding what they need and how we can help.”

The path forward

For much of the past few decades, Ukraine remained largely unknown to the world. Today, Ukraine is widely recognized – above all, for its resilience and bravery.

“We often talk about rare earth elements, but in today’s world, what feels truly rare and endangered is courage,” says Hunder. “In the face of immense adversity, these qualities have defined Ukraine.”

Now, the focus shifts to the future. The country is on a path toward a ceasefire, followed by demobilization. Currently, 1.2 million men and women serve in Ukraine’s armed forces. If a ceasefire is reached, approximately 700,000 could transition back to civilian life, while around 500,000 may remain in the military – though the final numbers are yet to be determined.

The challenge will be reintegrating these veterans into society, ensuring they have access to jobs, economic opportunities, and comprehensive support for themselves and their families. Many will return with disabilities, PTSD, and other long-term challenges, underscoring the need for a robust veteran reintegration program that addresses both physical and mental health, workforce transition, and social reintegration.

Ukraine is preparing for the largest national recovery effort in Europe since World War II. This reconstruction presents enormous opportunities for the private sector, says Hunder. “Our message is clear – Ukraine is open for business. Now is the time to bring in investment and seize the opportunities that lie ahead.”