By Alva Ree
In a time when many entrepreneurs focus on one niche, Elena Systrenska has taken a different path, building interconnected businesses across logistics, HR, consulting, and community development. With more than 20 years of experience and nearly four years in the United States, her story is one of resilience, strategic thinking, and constant expansion. We spoke with Elena about growth, leadership, and what it really takes to build across borders.
Elena, your journey didn’t start in the U.S., but it’s clearly evolving here. What did this transition mean for you?
It was a turning point. I didn’t come to the U.S. with a plan to start from zero; I came with experience. Of course, the environment was different, the rules were different, but the principles of business don’t change. You still need structure, clarity, and discipline. For me, it wasn’t about starting over; it was about building on a new level.
You work across several industries, including logistics, HR, and consulting. Why not focus on just one?
Because real business doesn’t exist in isolation. Logistics, people, systems, they are all connected. If you move goods but don’t have the right team, it doesn’t scale. If you hire people but don’t have operational structure, it doesn’t work. I’ve always seen business as an ecosystem, not a single direction.
Let’s talk about logistics. What makes your approach different?
For many, logistics is just delivery. For me, it’s strategy. It’s about timing, risk management, and understanding global processes. We work with multimodal transportation, sea, air, rail, road, and cover routes between the U.S., Europe, Ukraine, China. But the key is not the route. The key is predictability. Clients want to know that their business won’t stop because something went wrong in the chain.
And your HR direction, how does it fit into this ecosystem?
It’s actually one of the most important parts. You can’t build a strong company without the right people. My HR business focuses on recruitment, team development, and internal systems. I’ve worked with many companies that didn’t have a problem with demand; they had a problem with structure. Once you fix that, everything changes.
You also work closely with business communities. What role does that play in your work?
A very big role. Business can be a very isolating process, especially when you move to another country. That’s why we created America Svoi, a community for Ukrainian entrepreneurs in the U.S. Today, it brings together more than 500 people. It’s not just networking. It’s support, partnerships, real connections.
Why was it important for you to build that community?
Because I understand what it means to rebuild your life. When you are in a new country, you need people who understand your context, your challenges, your mindset. Community gives you speed. Alone, you move slower. Together, you grow faster.
You also focus a lot on supporting women. Why is that important to you?
Because women often go through multiple layers of change at the same time, relocation, family, career, emotional challenges. I’ve seen it, and I’ve lived parts of it. Creating spaces where women can talk, connect, and find direction is very important to me. It’s not only about business, it’s about strength.
What would you say defines your leadership style?
Responsibility. I don’t believe in поверхностный подход. If you build something, you need to understand it deeply. I’m involved in operations, in strategy, in people. At the same time, I believe in growth, not staying in one place, not repeating the same model forever.
You are now expanding into AI and real estate. Why these directions?
Because they represent the future and stability. AI is about new opportunities and efficiency. Real estate is about long-term value. For me, it’s important to combine innovation with structure. One gives you growth, the other gives you stability.
What drives you today?
Movement. I don’t like standing still. Growth, development, new projects, that’s what gives me energy. But also impact. I want to build not only businesses, but systems that help other people grow.
And if you had to define your philosophy in one sentence?
Don’t wait for opportunities, build them.
