Leadership & Governance
Trusted leadership. Responsible stewardship. Shared accountability.
Board members are actively involved in providing the financial resources and counsel needed by our team in Ukraine. Board committees receive field reports, visit Ukraine to connect with our team, and personally advocate for financial support and other resources the ministries need on the ground.
This structure keeps ministry leadership close to the communities being served while providing donors with responsible oversight and organizational accountability.
UPF Governance
W. Joseph “Joe” Privott, PhD
Joe is the Founder and Board Chair of Ukraine Partnership Foundation. A retired President and CEO of Novus International, he brings extensive executive leadership experience to UPF’s governance and its long-term partnership with Ukrainian ministry leaders.
As Board Chair, Joe guides the Board’s responsibility for ministry oversight, donor stewardship, shared accountability, and support for the ministries.
Joe has consistently emphasized both confidence in Ukrainian leadership and UPF’s responsibility to use donor support prudently. In his public messages, he has described Slavik’s leadership as strategic, resolute, and rooted in a commitment to Christian leaders and healthy local churches.
Ukrainian Ministry Leadership
Yaroslav “Slavik” Pyzh, PhD
Slavik serves as President of Ukrainian Baptist Theological Seminary, the Institute for Leadership & Coaching, and WeCare Centers. He provides leadership for the education and ministries that prepare people to serve, care for communities, and strengthen local churches throughout Ukraine.
Before becoming president of UBTS in November 2013, Slavik served as the seminary’s Academic Dean. After earning his PhD from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Slavik returned to Ukraine to invest in the development of Christian leaders. Under his leadership, UBTS has expanded its academic departments and training programs and developed a new campus in Lviv.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion, Slavik and his team have extended the mission beyond theological education into humanitarian care, leadership development, trauma support, community outreach, and church planting. His leadership reflects a consistent conviction: Ukraine’s future will be transformed by Ukrainians who love God, love others, and live with integrity.
How We Work Together
Distinct roles support one shared purpose.
Strong partnership does not require every leader to perform the same function. It requires clarity, trust, shared values, and mutual accountability.
Ukrainian Leaders Direct the Education & Ministries
Local leaders drive ministry operations on the ground, using their firsthand experience and community insights to maximize impact.
The UPF Board Invests in the Mission
UPF’s Board of Directors provides financial oversight, organizational policy, and donor accountability. Members are also actively engaged with our leadership team in Ukraine, providing guidance and leadership counsel.
Shared Values Guide Decisions
Biblical faithfulness, missional service, and accountability shape the ministries and the partnership supporting them.
Leadership Remains in Relationship
UPF board members and Ukrainian ministry leaders communicate regularly about needs, priorities, progress, and long-term direction. This structure fosters shared accountability for effective operations and ministry.
UPF Board of Directors
The all-volunteer Board of Directors have a wealth of experience in business, finance, law, counseling, philanthropy, technology, organizational leadership, and ministry partnership.
No compensation is received by any member of the Board of Directors.
Russell Bloem
Retired Vice President, Calvin University
J. Cliff Eason
Vice Chair
Retired CEO, Southwestern Bell
Sandra Fields, LPC-MHSP
Founder and CEO, TheraTribe
Scott D. Jones
Treasurer
President, Arbor Investment Advisors
Jeffrey Klopfenstein
Vice Chair
Retired Executive Vice President, Novus International
Heather Larson
Founder, LiveGive
Walter Polowczak
Co-founder, Nebo Systems
W. Joseph Privott, PhD
Chair
Retired CEO, Novus International
Scott E. Reed
Retired Chief Financial Officer, BB&T
John Smith
Retired Vice President, Southwestern Bell
Andrew Yashchuk
Retired entrepreneur, tech investor
UPF Advocacy Board
Members of the all-volunteer Advocacy Board support and advance the mission and objectives of UPF by advocating for the needs of our ministries in Ukraine. We are deeply grateful for the expertise and influence they extend on our behalf.
No compensation is received by any member of the Advocacy Board.
Danny Akin
Retired President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
Bill Ball
Retired Executive Director, Slavic Gospel Association Canada
Ryan Bowman
Lead Pastor, Fellowship of Wildwood
Gary Chapman
Author of "The Five Love Languages", Retired Pastor
Larry Collett
Retired CEO, Cass Information Systems
Dave Ferguson
Co-founder, Community Christian Church, NewThing, and Exponential
Jason Gerdes
Lead Pastor, Revolution Church
J.D. Greear
Lead Pastor, The Summit Church
Drew Hill
Retired Senior Pastor, Memorial Baptist Church
Greg Holder
Lead Pastor, The Crossing Church
David Horner
Retired Senior Pastor, Providence Church
Alison Littauer
Former Director of Institutional Affairs, Gordon-Conwell Seminary
Bob Meisel
Global Outreach Pastor, Carmel Baptist Church
Alan Platt
Founder Doxa Deo / City Changers Movement
Scott Reed, Chairperson
Advocacy Board Chair
UPF Board of Directors; Retired CFO of BB&T
Matt Willis
Missions Pastor, Calvary Baptist Church
Noel Yeatts
President, World Help
A Trusted Perspective
Why Christian leaders stand behind this work.
Hear from members of UPF’s Advocacy Board about the leadership, integrity, and ministry impact they have witnessed through their relationship with UPF and its team in Ukraine.
Responsible Stewardship
Accountability is essential to the mission.
UPF’s responsibility extends far beyond raising support. We are committed to responsible financial stewardship, clear organizational oversight, and transparent reporting to our donors and partners.
UPF and WeCare Centers are independently audited.
Built on Trust
Support Ukrainian leaders through a responsible partnership.
UPF’s role is to stand behind the leaders serving in Ukraine—not to replace them.
Through clear governance, trusted relationships, and faithful stewardship, UPF helps individual donors, churches, and foundations invest in Ukrainian-led education and ministries that are equipping people, caring for communities, and strengthening local churches.