Yuliya Badritdinova has led McDonald’s Ukraine for more than seven years. In 2025, she ranked second among the 25 Best CEOs in Ukraine, according to Forbes Ukraine.
Under her leadership, the company remained resilient throughout the pandemic and the full-scale war and continues to scale its business, invest in Ukraine, support people, and strengthen its contribution to the country’s economic and social development. Over the past four years, the restaurant network has grown by more than 30%. The company has invested nearly UAH 5 billion in Ukraine and become the largest taxpayer in the industry, contributing more than UAH 8.5 billion in taxes.
Today, the company employs more than 12,000 people, developing future leaders for businesses, communities, and the country through a culture of hospitality, accountability, and service. Its workforce includes nearly 2,000 employees aged 16–17, 500 people with disabilities, and approximately 500 mobilized employees whose jobs the company continues to retain.
One of McDonald’s priorities is fostering a culture of accessibility. The company takes a systematic approach to improving the accessibility of its restaurants and services, creating an inclusive environment, and providing equal opportunities for development.
In 2016, “Ronald McDonald House Ukraine” Charities was established at Yuliya’s initiative. She currently chairs the charity’s Supervisory Board. Since 2022, McDonald’s in-restaurant fundraising campaigns have raised more than UAH 95 million to support Ukrainian families. One of the charity’s key projects today is the construction of Ukraine’s first Ronald McDonald House on the grounds of the Okhmatdyt National Children’s Specialized Hospital in Kyiv.
Yuliya has served on the Board of Directors of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine since 2019. In 2024, she joined Women on Boards Ukraine, where she supports the advancement of women’s leadership and gender equality in business.
Global business in Ukraine is no longer only about exports. It means companies that operate and manufacture here while having access to international capital, technology, partners, and global markets.
Despite the high risks, international companies continue to invest in Ukraine, while Ukrainian businesses are building new production facilities and entering foreign markets.
What is needed for more such companies to emerge and for Ukraine to become a place where global businesses not only sell, but also produce and grow? We will discuss this at KIEF 2026 during the panel discussion "Building a Global Business in Ukraine Right Now".