To access the Ukrainian translation of this article, please click here.
As a global company built by Ukrainian founders and with a significant Ukraine-based team, the Russian invasion has deeply impacted the people of Astound Commerce—first and foremost those within Ukraine but also our teams in 25 other countries around the world. Accordingly, Astound has not only taken proactive and reactive measures to minimize risks to our Ukraine team’s safety and well-being, but we have also unequivocally condemned the unprovoked attack on Ukraine, halting all work with internal and external contractors and clients located in Belarus and Russia until the current situation is peacefully and permanently resolved.
Since late January, Astound’s Ukraine Business Continuity Planning (BCP) Leadership Team, based on the ground in Ukraine, has been offering relocation support as well as providing guidance and continuity regarding communications, connectivity, financial services, personal safety, and military duty to our Ukraine-based employees. The BCP Team has been continuously developing preventative measures and actionable response plans—all fully funded by Astound, including transportation and accommodations for team members and their families who relocate.
With the safety of our team members paramount, Astound maintains a tireless effort to assist in moving employees to safer locations as the conflict escalates. To date, the company has moved many employees from northern, eastern, southern, and central Ukraine to western Ukraine (Uzhhorod), and we have further relocated others to Slovakia, Bulgaria, Poland, and additional out-of-country locations. While voluntary relocation assistance has been available since January, Astound has more recently enacted a proactive push for temporary relocation outside Ukraine, a decision that prompted Astound Cofounder and Chief Solutions Officer Ilya Vinogradsky, Chief Financial Officer Tom Spellios, and Global Chief of Staff Roxanne Goldfinch to travel to Košice, Slovakia, to oversee the out-of-country relocation efforts being executed there.
Aside from offering crucial assistance to our Ukraine team members, Astound recognizes that the effects of war extend far beyond the conflict zone and those directly involved. Our priority lies with the well-being of every single one of our team members, and for that very reason, Astound is providing personal welfare resources to all its employees regardless of location, including counseling services through a confidential Employee Assistance Support line that is completely free of charge.
Moreover, to aid relief efforts, the company has created JustGiving pages for three vetted and trusted nonprofit organizations working on the front lines in Ukraine to provide critical humanitarian assistance.
We encourage anyone looking for a way to make an immediate impact in the lives of those affected by the war to donate to any or all of the charities listed. Every contribution makes a difference:
- International Medical Corps, responding to the conflict by expanding access to medical and mental health services for those living in affected communities. Click here to give today.
- Nova Ukraine, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing humanitarian aid to vulnerable groups and individuals in Ukraine. Click here to give today.
- Save the Children, dedicated to supporting and helping children caught in the middle of armed conflict by delivering essential humanitarian aid. Click here to give today.
We again thank our clients, partners, and colleagues across the globe for the overwhelming show of support for our brave Ukraine team members during this very difficult time. We know you share our hope that this conflict will end soon and that Ukraine can return to a peaceful state.