FROM OUR PAST EVENTS

Celebrating outstanding entrepreneurs and industry leaders

PAST HONOREES & PARTICIPANTS

Maksim Chmerkovskiy

a Ukrainian-American Latin–ballroom dance champion, choreographer, and instructor. He is widely known as one of the professional dancers on the American television series Dancing with the Stars, on which he first appeared in season two.  In New Jersey, he is known as the founder of Dance With Me Studio, which has become one of the nationals leading social and competitive dance studios for adults in Fort Lee, and as a former resident of Fort Lee and Garfield.
Chmerkovskiy has also starred in the Broadway productions of dance shows Burn the Floor and Forever Tango and appeared on a number of hit television shows in the U.S. including a guest stint on “General Hospital” and the Netflix reboot “Fuller House.”

Chmerkovskiy’s professional choreography work includes three numbers in the world famous water-based stage production,Le Rêve, at the Wynn Las Vegas, the “Dancing with the Stars” 34-city tour, a national commercial for Propel water and he provided choreography for actress Zendaya’s music video for the song “Neverland” from Broadway’s Finding Neverland.

Donald Robert Sadoway

inventor/entrepreneur and emeritus professor at MIT.His accomplishments include the invention of the liquid metal battery for large-scale stationary storage and the invention of molten oxide electrolysis for carbon-free metals production. He is a co-founder of six companies: Ambri (liquid metal battery), Boston Metal (green steel), Avanti Battery, Pure Lithium, Lunar Resources, and Sadoway Labs. Online videos of his chemistry lectures hosted by MIT OpenCourseWare extend his impact on engineering education far beyond the lecture hall. Viewed almost 2½ million times, his TED talk is as much about inventing inventors as it is about inventing technology. In 2012 he was named by Time magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.

Semyon Dukach

entrepreneur and investor, and the Founder of One Way Ventures. Under Semyon’s leadership, One Way Ventures has invested over $100 million dollars in tech startups founded by immigrants, including many Ukrainians.

Prior to One Way Ventures, Semyon Dukach was the managing director of Techstars in Boston; the chairman of publicly traded Sharpspring, and the founder of Fast Engines.  He has also made more than 100 angel investments.

Currently, Semyon is actively helping Ukrainian families affected by the full-scale russian invasion. He has established the Cash For Refugees charitable foundation together with his wife Natasha Dukach, which has met with and financially supported over 15,000 Ukrainian refugee families.

Austin Zelan

CEO of Cashflowpreneur, Owner of Zelan Aviation. Austin Zelan is an American entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist helping people around the world create financial freedom. 

His main focus is on investments that create cashflow for his clients and allow them to live the life they deserve.

Austin Zelan combines the qualities of a classic businessman and a true investor. His companies Cashflowpreneur and Zelan Aviation provide an exceptional customer experience and are constantly seeking innovative ways to impact the world. Through his financial coaching courses, Austin’s goal is to help to create 1000 millionaires by 2027.

Andrian Shapiro

established a chain of rehabilitation centers and pharmacies throughout Massachusetts, which was sought out and acquired by CVS pharmacy, founded an ambulance company that served 911 contracts, and a chain of community based healthcare programs that served elderly and disabled in the state of Massachusetts.

Andrian Shapiro is a founding partner of LBC Partners. Over the course of his career with LBC, Mr. Shapiro has developed an extensive portfolio of real estate properties that currently supports commercial tenants such as CVS, Petco, iHop, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car and has over million square feet of Commercial and Residential space. LBC Boston became a dedicated developer in the City of Quincy, primary focused on the redevelopment of downtown Quincy.

Russell Levi

Co-Founder & President of Kraus USA, the 5th largest kitchen sinks brand in the United States and is considered a respected multinational plumbing company. As Kraus scaled to a company of global reach, Russell was committed to using its resources to fund philanthropic initiatives. Mr. Levi’s crowning achievement arrived at the end of 2020 when Kraus was acquired by the publicly traded, Fortune 500 home improvement powerhouse — MASCO. The career of Russell Levi is the story of a young boy that grew up in a country with limited opportunities, who through humble beginnings and an uncompromising tenacity to his vision of improving lives, climbed to the apex of the American Dream.

Mykola Udianskyi

is a well-known Ukrainian entrepreneur, IT and blockchain specialist. As reported by Forbes, Mykola is among the top 100 richest people in Ukraine in 2021. Founder of Bitcoin Ultimatum — the next-generation Bitcoin fork (Bitcoin 2.0), CEO of Prof-IT and the global marketing firm — PRMR, co-owner of Parlament Media Group holding, former owner of Coinsbit and LocalTrade cryptocurrency exchange (both sold by Mykola in 2019 and 2021 respectively), president of EHOLD group. Scientist & a philanthropist.

According to Hackernoon, Mykola Udianskyi is one of the top ten blockchain technology specialists among CIS entrepreneurs.

Rostyslav Kisil

founder at Meest Express– Founded in 1995, Meest-America, Inc, a subsidiary of Meest Corporation Inc which was founded in 1989, is providing logistics solutions to Eastern Europe, Central Asia, and the Caucasus. Over the years, Meest-America, Inc has grown into an industry leader by focusing on the goal of connecting customers in the United States with their families, friends, and businesses in Eastern Europe. This also includes e-commerce between those countries. Today, Meest-America has become a dominant force in package delivery with services to Ukraine, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. This specialized transportation and logistics services to those countries lead the way as the most recognized brand in North America.

Sergey Guzenko

Owner and CEO of WEZOM. Under the skilled leadership of Sergey Guzenko, WEZOM has emerged as a leading player in the software development industry. The company specializes in various sectors including Logistics, Oil & Gas, Supply Chain, Real Estate, and E-commerce. Over the course of 23 years, WEZOM has successfully delivered more than 3,500 projects for both medium-sized businesses and corporations, such as John Deere, Aptive, Cooper & Hunter, Toyota Material, and many others. Moreover, the company has garnered numerous professional awards and certifications, solidifying its reputation as a top-tier web development company in the United States, ranking among the top 138 firms.

Pavel Bosovik

Founder & CEO of 27North Inc. From a young age, he was fascinated by the automotive industry and dreamt of creating a vehicle that could conquer any terrain. Born and raised in Ukraine, Pavel immigrated to the United States to pursue his dreams. In 2017, he founded 27North Inc. – a custom vehicle manufacturer, providing durable and luxurious vehicles tailored to suit adventure seekers, leisurely travelers, and mobile lifestyle enthusiasts. Pavel values family and relationships above all else, and he believes in helping others succeed through mentorship and public speaking. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge and experience with others, and regularly speaks at industry events and conferences. Pavel believes that by empowering and supporting others, he can help drive positive change in the world. Pavel continues to pursue his passion for innovation and entrepreneurship, and is dedicated to creating a better future for his family, his clients, and the communities where he operates.

Denys Paniv

Ukrainian-born entrepreneur, co-founder and CEO of Alvil Trucking Inc –  a huge trucking company that specializes in transportation of refrigerated foods across the USA. Denys started working as a truck driver and developed his business on a large scale. Currently, the company operates more than 200 trucks, delivers cargo to 48 states and serves the largest retail chains and state-owned companies.

Mariya Solodar

Founder & CEO of TODOO.DIGITAL and More Show USA. Top 10 Forbes author | Inspirational speaker | Philanthropist

Mariya Solodar is a visionary entrepreneur and influential figure in the digital marketing world. As the Founder and CEO of TODOO.DIGITAL, an IT platform for online professions, and More Show USA, a children’s events agency, she has made a significant impact in both the business and entertainment industries.

With her expertise and passion for marketing, Mariya has inspired millions through her bestselling business books, captivating speeches, and innovative courses. Her commitment to continuous learning and staying ahead of the latest trends has positioned her as a sought-after speaker at international events.

Beyond her professional success, Mariya is dedicated to giving back to society. As a philanthropist, she has established charitable initiatives and utilizes her influence to make a positive difference in the lives of Ukrainians.

Mariya Solodar is a powerhouse of talent, charisma, and ambition, driving towards extraordinary achievements that shape the future of entrepreneurship and digital marketing.

Sergii Gerasymovych

CEO & Co-founder of EZ Blockchain, a technology company that is on a mission to solve global waste energy problems with the help of crypto mining. It provides innovation and independence in blockchain mining by building unique mobile data centers collocated at wasted energy sites such as oil fields with flared gas, underutilized substations, and low-capacity power plants. Sergii started a translation/localization consulting service company that catered to US businesses that wanted to go internationally when he was 20 years old.

Energy and technology have always been his passion, and he accomplished his dream of merging them both together by founding EZ Blockchain.

Sergii is an honoree of FORBES 30 UNDER 30 2021 list.

Julie Smolyansky

Julie Smolyansky became the youngest female CEO of a publicly held firm when she took over Lifeway Foods at the age of 27 in 2002. Since then, Julie has continued the company’s growth trajectory with creative product development and marketing to bring kefir, the company’s flagship product, into the U.S. mainstream. Under her leadership, the company has expanded distribution throughout the United States, Mexico, the UK, Ireland and France, as well as portions of Central and South America and the Caribbean. She has been named to Fortune Business ‘40 under 40,’ Fortune’s 55 Most Influential Women on Twitter, as one of the Best Instagrammers of the 40 Under 40 list, a 2020 Champion of Wellness by VeryWell and was recently named the winner of a Gold Stevie® Award in the Female Executive of the Year – Consumer category in the 18th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business.
Julie is a graduate with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She is an emeritus member of the United Nations Foundation Global Entrepreneurs Council and was part of the 2015 class of Young Global Leaders of the World Economic Forum. She has produced several documentaries, including “The Homestretch,” “Honor Diaries,” “The Hunting Ground” and most recently, “On the Record.” In 2013 Julie co‐founded a non‐profit, Test400k, an organization dedicated to advocating ending the backlog of 400,000 untested rape kits in the United States. She released her first book, The Kefir Cookbook: An Ancient Healing Superfood for Modern Life, Recipes from My Family Table and Around the World in March of 2018. She lives in Chicago and is the mother of two girls.

Victor Kostroub

a businessman, broadcaster and educator (Seattle, USA). In 1991 Victor Kostroub moved from Ukraine to America. Three years later he founded the company Fine Designs, started from the office in the basement, which today is a leader in its industry and is among the five thousand fastest growing companies in the USA. In 2010, he was recognized by Who’s Who as a Successful Leader. The company Fine Designs developed rapidly. If the state had 4 sports events a month, Fine design opened a branch there. So after 7 years there were already 7 representative offices of the company. The firm now serves about 100 events per week. They are the best in their field, working at the World Taekwondo Championships, the National Police and Firefighter Competitions, the USA Figure Skating Championships and many others. Two years ago, the company entered the top 5000 fastest growing US firms. Victor says now he can afford to work much less.

Alexander Gaukhman

DMD, principal Dentist and Owner of Venetian Dental and Siesta Dental – dental clinics that operate on an emergency basis and can urgently accept a patient at any time and day, and have their own laboratory where they create prostheses and crowns. He is a member of ADA, FDA, WCDA, SCDA, ICOI and graduated from Nova Southeastern University medical school in 2001. Dentistry Practitioner in Venice, FL, and has over 20 years of experience in the medical field.

Mykola Bahlaievsky

Founder of Prime Sales Inc – the best quality of cars for sale in Huntington Beach, California with the best prices for our vehicles, warranties, buy, trade-ins, and consignment! Prime Sales with a team of 17 has helped hundreds of auto buyers get the financing they deserve. Company that Specializes in financing customers with poor or no credit histories and focuses on helping you repair or rebuild your credit while putting you in a reliable, newer model vehicle. Prime Sales prides themselves on stocking an impressive inventory lineup of quality used cars, trucks, and SUVs that is sure to meet your needs.

Paul Klimovich

Ukranian-American businessman, realtor, and CEO of the company US Commercial Freight, Inc. – a well-established and respected trucking company located in Rochester, NY. Our trucking company’s dedication to excellence and accountability is responsible for millions of products like yours being delivered safely as well as on-time, every year. The family-owned company has been operating since 2008 and has approximately 150 trucks under its control.

Also, Pavlo has successfully been developing his activities in the field of real estate for 10 years with more than 400 clients most in Tennessee and NYC.

Nick Nagatkin

CEO and co-founder of the IT company Digis. He has been working in the IT field for more than 9 years and, together with his team, has done projects for well-known companies, including BlaBlaCar, HubSpot, Pwc and others.

He opened and developed a business with $500 since his student years, and now the company has more than 200 employees.

In 2022, entered the Forbes 30 under 30 list. In 2021, he took first place among the top 50 entrepreneurs of Odesa as the best IT employer in Ukraine among companies with 100 to 1,000 employees.

Paul Dyachuk

Founder of V Line Inc, a transportation company based in Syracuse, New York, but providing services in all 48 contiguous states. Specializing in trucking, transportation, logistics, and cross-docking.
In 2008, when the whole world was engulfed in a financial crisis, Paul took a risk and ventured into the trucking business. Over time, he not only managed to develop the business but also provided employment to a large team of over 200 people. V Line Inc now has offices in Chicago, Ontario, and a call center in Ukraine.
His company works with both individual orders and large businesses such as Amazon and FedEx, holding leading positions in the field of intermodal transportation.
One of the specialties of V Line Inc is complex logistics. Goods are delivered to any point in the United States.

Tim Bondarchuk

co-founder of PartnerTrade logistics company. He is an expert in international 3PL service for e-commerce sellers. Partner Trade is an experienced 3PL company that offers global logistics and fulfillment services for businesses of all sizes, work with different carriers and have a network of agents in locations around the world. Over the years, Partner Trade has grown to offer streamlined, end-to-end logistics services that serve Amazon sellers as well as those in the B2B sector. Some of shipping locations include Los Angeles, Toronto, New York, Hamburg, and Shenzhen. Worked with companies like: Discovery Map, Ugears Models, DHL Express Ukraine.

Yulia Petrus

Founder of PETs R US. After adopting a French Bulldog named Gucci, her parents poured her heart and soul for love to animals that led to creating a dream business: fashion-forward and high-quality clothing for dogs that are also cruelty-free. With a mission to end animal suffering, she gives back to the animal community by regularly visiting shelters and donating a portion of her profits and products to over ten rescue centers in America and Canada. Her brand is all about spreading love for both animals and people. She wants every dog owner to have access to quality and stylish items at an affordable price. For Yulia, success means knowing that she is creating a beneficial change in the world, enriching people’s lives, and improving their well-being.

Gennady Feller

FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF SAFE PARTNER INC.
Gennady Feller is an official member of the Forbes Business Council and the San Francisco Business Times Leadership Trust. He and his company have received multiple awards: the Outstanding Organization Award, Best Companies Award, Top 100 Tech Innovators & Influencers Award. He has an MA in Computer Science and, thanks to his pragmatism and analytical thinking, he has created a company that offers a full range of software services and plays a significant role on the American market. He believes that learning and education are important tools in life, and that you should do what you are the most passionate about, because it will bring inner satisfaction. As such, he lives by the philosophy that principles are more important than money.

Gela Gelashvili

Co-Founder of Direct Motor Lines, Inc. logistics company with emphasis on timeliness and efficiency, operating up to 200 trucks. Co-founder and owner of several successful businesses related to vehicles. TAMPA CAR SALES – IN-HOUSE FINANCING AVAILABLE FOR SELECT VEHICLES.

Also a YouTuber, his channel @MisterGelaG accelerated as a hobby for him, but it is still very informative for both businessmen and novice drivers.

TOP USA Awards has brought together accomplished entrepreneurs, founders and industry leaders from diverse backgrounds, recognizing achievement, innovation and professional impact.

Explore highlights from our past events and discover the people, partners and memorable moments that have shaped the TOP USA Awards legacy.

PAST SPONSORS & PARTNERS

HOSTS FROM OUR PAST EVENTS

Kateryna Osadcha

Kateryna Osadcha is an acclaimed television presenter, journalist and media personality with extensive experience in entertainment, fashion and celebrity media.

Known for her distinctive interviewing style and strong presence on television, she has hosted major entertainment programs, interviewed prominent public figures and built a highly recognizable career across broadcast and digital media.

Her work spans television, high-profile interviews, fashion and major cultural events.

Yuriy Gorbunov

Yuriy Gorbunov is an award-winning television host, producer and entertainment personality with decades of experience in television and live events.

He has hosted some of the region’s most successful entertainment formats, including major talent and dance shows, and has received multiple television awards throughout his career.

As a producer and presenter, he is known for his experience on stage, strong audience connection and work across television, entertainment and large-scale events.

Special Guests

of the event

Ivanna Sakhno

an accomplished actress, embarked on her Hollywood journey at 15 and has since garnered remarkable success and recognition in the industry.  Sakhno rose to prominence through her notable performances in films such as “Pacific Rim: Uprising” and “The Spy Who Dumped Me,” where she captivated audiences with her extraordinary talent and versatility alongside co-star Mila Kunis.  Most recently, Sakhno secured the role of the antagonist Shin Hati in the highly anticipated limited series “Ahsoka,” which serves as a spinoff from the popular series “The Mandalorian.” The series is set to premiere exclusively on Disney+ and will contribute to expanding the beloved Star Wars franchise on the streaming platform.  Furthermore, beyond her acting career, Ivanna Sakhno has been outspoken about the war in homeland since 2014 and actively serves as an ambassador for United 24 and the President Zelensky Fund, wholeheartedly supporting Ukraine in any way she can.

Melora Hardin

is well known for her portrayal of ‘Jan Levinson,’ Steve Carell’s rigid, former corporate boss and love interest, on the critically acclaimed NBC series “The Office.” Additionally, Hardin was Emmy nominated in 2016 for her recurring role of ‘Tammy Cashman’ on Amazon’s Golden Globe-winning comedy “Transparent.”  In 2021, she wrapped the fifth and final season of the Freeform series “The Bold Type” as well as competed in the 30 th Season of ABC’s long running “Dancing With The Stars” series making it to the Semi-Finals with her professional dance partner Artem Chigvintsev. She also recurs on the ABC series “A Million Little Things.” Hardin starred in back-to-back No. 1 weekend theatrical box office features as the adult female lead and love interest to Billy Ray Cyrus in “Hannah Montana: The Movie," as well as the film “17 Again” opposite Zac Efron.  Her other feature film box office successes include “Thank You for Smoking,” “Absolute Power” opposite Clint Eastwood and Gene Hackman and “27 Dresses” with Katherine Heigl.  In addition to acting, Hardin has been singing and dancing since childhood.  She has sung in films including Disney’s “The Rocketeer” and “Tower of Terror,” and has released three records of original songs. Hardin starred on Broadway as ‘Roxie Hart’ in Chicago in 2009.  She played the lead role of ‘Fantine’ in the sold-out Hollywood Bowl production of Les Miserables in 2008. Hardin made her directorial debut with the independent feature YOU, which was released in May 2009.  She directed Paula Cole’s music video for the 20 th anniversary of “Where Have All The Cowboys Gone” and in 2019, she directed an episode of “The Bold Type” that was nominated for a 2020 Women’s Image Award.  She most recently directed the upcoming documentary “Hunters Thunder,” which has been acquired by Revelations Entertainment and starred in the film “Love, Classified” for Hallmark Channel. Hardin will next be seen starring in the thriller feature “Clock” coming soon to HULU.

Natasha Henstridge

is a Hollywood star who rose to fame as Sil, the seductive alien-human hybrid in “Species” (1995), where she played the main character alongside Academy Award-winner Ben Kingsley. “Species” is regarded as one of the best sci-fi films of the 90s, known for its action-packed storyline and great cast. The film introduced the stunning Natasha, who is widely recognized as one of the most gorgeous and sexy actresses in Hollywood.

Notable Films: In “The Whole Nine Yards” (2000), she starred alongside Bruce Willis and Matthew Perry. She also appeared in “Ghosts of Mars” (2001) and other notable projects.

She recently completed the psychological thriller House of Abraham, opposite Lukas Hassel, who also penned the script.

Natasha has also starred in TV shows such as “Eli Stone” with Johnny Lee Miller and “Commander in Chief” with Gena Davis and Donald Sutherland

Philanthropy: She actively supports St Jude Children’s Hospital, and LGBTQ+ causes.

Chris Browning

is a highly talented actor known for his exceptional versatility across various genres, including drama, action, thriller, and western.

His extensive filmography is filled with notable credits, including standout performances in films such as “3:10 to Yuma” (2007), “Bright” (2017), “Cowboys & Aliens” (2011), “Book of Eli” (2010), and Shot Caller (2017). These roles have firmly established him as a memorable presence on the big screen.

Not limiting himself to film, Browning has also recurred in popular television shows like “Sons of Anarchy,” “Westworld,” “The 100,” and “Ray Donovan,” among others. He is currently recurring on Lincoln Lawyer and Bosch Legacy.

He played the lead role of Paul in Mark Chapman’s action thriller The First Circle, also starring Michael Madsen, and the villain Brett Clayton in Michael Jai White’s comedy western, The Outlaw Johnny Black, both in theaters later this year.

Kateryna Kukhar

a distinguished principal dancer from the National Opera of Ukraine, is renowned for her versatility, exceptional technique, and captivating performances. She holds prestigious titles such as People’s Artist of Ukraine and the Order of Princess Olga of the 3rd degree. In addition to her achievements in ballet, Kukhar has gained popularity as a judge on “Dancing with the Stars” and is cherished as a favorite ballerina at the National Theatre of Opera and Ballet.

During her remarkable ballet performance of “Giselle,” Kukhar had the privilege of hosting esteemed guests, including Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden, His Royal Highness Prince Carl Philip, Minister of Culture of Sweden Mrs. Janette Gustafsdotter, and representatives of the diplomatic corps. This recognition from royalty and distinguished individuals further highlights the impact and acclaim of Kukhar’s talent.

In line with her artistic pursuits, Kukhar is on a mission to renovate the Kiev State Choreographic College in Kiev and create a nurturing environment for talented dancers.

Andrey Chmut 

Sax player, composer and producer whom you will be able to meet in person at our welcome zone where he will play mesmerizing music.

Olga Samofalova

PR leader with over 13 years of experience, including five years in the US, with various high-end events, such as 100 years of Carol of the Bells in Carnegie Hall, Ukraine’s First Lady foundation launching in Metropolitan Opera, as well as with acclaimed figures and artists: Martin Scorsese, Vera Farmiga, Liev Schreiber, Maye Musk, The Chemical Brothers, LP among them. With exceptional media connections around the world.

Yuli Opalchuk

Co-founder and a CEO of Fine Designs Inc. For over three decades, Fine Designs has been servicing events all over the world, specializing in custom on-site event apparel.
The fast growing company was built on high integrity and thus is celebration 30 successful years this year, with its franchised offices nation and worldwide. His intrapreneurship skills began at age 10 and solidified itself as his business grew. Yuli leads a passionate lifestyle with his wife and their children. He loves to travel, highly enjoys art of gastronomy, and appreciate life, seeing it as Gods beautiful gift. He believes that being honest, true to yourself and your faith is the way to true happiness, success, and positive influence for young generation.

Daria Shevchenko

Daria has over 10 years of experience working in the fashion industry. After developing her international modeling career and working with the established fashion houses in European, Asian and American markets, Daria gradually shifted to acting. Following her graduation of Susan Batson acting school in New York City, Daria successfully participated in a few stage and film projects, one of which happened to be the renown “Sex and the City”. The creativity of young Ukrainian didn’t stop there and soon enough Daria created and exhibited her art collections in a various Art Galleries in Soho and Chelsea areas of the city. News about the war in her motherland inspired Daria to apply her tools and today she is a CEO of a B2B company, bringing Ukrainian fashion designers to the US market. Needless to say, Daria is being supportive of all the events, dedicated to growing awareness and collect aid for her fellow Ukrainians.

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