As part of the “Year of the Community of Veteran-Friendly Businesses” event, Aurora’s Chief Veterans Officer Mykhailo Onufer joined the session “Dignified Opportunities as a Fundamental Advantage,” which focused on practical tools for supporting veterans in business.

During the discussion, he shared his personal journey from military service to the role of Chief Veterans Officer and spoke about how the company is building a systematic veterans policy. The conversation went beyond individual initiatives, highlighting the development of a полноцен CVO function — with clearly defined responsibilities, structured processes, and long-term objectives.

Mykhailo Onufer outlined how this role evolved: from the first steps and drafting internal policies to implementing recruitment, return-to-work, and retraining processes for service members. Special attention was given to creating inclusive workspaces and conducting educational initiatives within teams to foster a culture of mutual respect and understanding of veterans’ experiences.

The discussion also addressed the structure of responsibility and support for veterans across different regions of Ukraine and abroad. Personal stories from employees demonstrated that having a CVO is not a formality or symbolic gesture. It is a strategic role that enables businesses to transform gratitude into systemic opportunities and build trust within their teams.

Participation in such discussions is not only about sharing experience but also about jointly shaping a business practice where veteran support becomes part of the operating model — not an initiative that exists outside core processes.