Ukrainian Institute of America Annual Gala

We are gathering to honor this year’s recipients of the UIA

Legacy Leadership Award
&
Friend of Ukraine Awards

UIA Legacy Leadership Award (presented posthumously)

Theodore (Ted) Dzus, Jr., grandson of William Dzus, the UIA’s visionary founder, continued in the family legacy of entrepreneurship and philanthropy. Ted was instrumental in successfully expanding the Dzus Fastener Company into the automotive and aerospace industries. He was a steadfast supporter of the Ukrainian Institute of America and a strong advocate for Ukrainian causes, including humanitarian war relief efforts.

UIA Friend of Ukraine Awards

Jason Birchard, the third-generation owner of iconic Veselka Restaurant, has established his place at the heart of our Ukrainian-American community and as a good neighbor in NYC’s “Ukrainian Village”. While managing the ever-expanding business, Jason actively supports our diaspora, providing meals, jobs and more. His initiatives have helped raise over $750K for charitable causes since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Yannick Nézet-Séguin, a musical leader of the highest caliber and one of the most  sought-after talents of his generation, is Music Director of the Orchestre Métropolitain (Montréal), the Metropolitan Opera, and the Philadelphia Orchestra, who has collaborated with top ensembles around the globe. A vocal advocate for Ukraine, Yannick was influential in having the Metropolitan Opera organization reconsider its ties with Russian artists after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Soon thereafter, he helped organize and performed in a concert at the Met Opera to support humanitarian war relief efforts in Ukraine.

A Magnificent Evening Awaits!

The evening begins at 6 PM with cocktails, setting the stage for a memorable night. After the cocktail reception, featuring a premium open bar, guests will enjoy a seated three-course dinner, during which the awards ceremony will take place. Starting at 10 PM, attendees can relax in our Late Night Lounge*, enjoying cocktails, lively conversation, and an assortment of sweets for a perfect post-dinner experience. Fabulous items will be available all night long at the Silent Auction, which closes at 11 PM.

*For those unable to join us for the entire evening, Late Night Lounge-only tickets are available for separate purchase.

Thank you to this year’s Gala Sponsors!

Trailblazers $25,000
The Chopivsky Family Foundation
Self Reliance (NY) Federal Credit Union

Pacesetters $10,000
Ellen and George Casey, Esq.
Areta Podhorodecki, MD and Zen Chernyk
Chmelnychynky Plast Kurin
Irene and Artur Hryhorowych, MD
Taisa Markus and Lionel Ivashkiv
Kathy Nalywajko

Benefactors $5,000
Lidia and Orest Bilous
Andrea and Roman Kochanowsky
Ruta Cholhan, MD and Petro Lenchur, MD

Patrons $2,500
Christine and Bo Bazylevsky
Carol Dzus
Marta and Ihor Fedoriw, OD
Myhailo Fulmes, MD
MAI Capital Management
Charles Podpirka
Marta Lopatynsky, MD and Ihor Zwarycz
Alexandra and Ihor Sawczuk, MD
Alice and Dan Swistel, MD

Donors $1,250
Andrei Harasymiak, Esq.
Lydia Zaininger