27.06.2025
Anton Kovalishyn – one of the most experienced communicators in the energy market with 25 years of experience – will talk about B2B communications and effective networking as part of the Energy Club educational course “COMMUNICATIONS AND INTERACTION IN ENERGY: STRATEGIES FOR PR, MARKETING, GR AND LOBBYING IN UKRAINE”.
The participation of Anton Kovalishin, who has devoted 17 years to the energy sector (DTEK, DTEK ESCO, D.Solutions, JSC “EKU”), and today supports investment and energy projects of Raiffeisen Bank, significantly strengthens the expert and practical component of the course.
In an exclusive interview with Energy Club, Anton Kovalishin shared his thoughts on why direct communication through building new connections is the most effective way to create partnerships with business and government, how an interesting and useful acquaintance can accelerate the achievement of the goal by X times and what to do in order to use time more effectively and not go to “empty” events.
– Mr. Anton, please tell us about yourself and your experience in more detail.
– I have been I work in communications. I started as a journalist in various business publications. I had to work a lot with experts, collect information and comments from people I barely knew, who later became friends. 17 years of my experience is dedicated to communications in the energy sector, including 14 years at DTEK, DTEK ESCO and YASNO, as well as at JSC “EKU”. I have now been working at Raiffeisen Bank for 2 years. I am responsible for B2B communications with corporate business, including on ESG topics, the agricultural sector, and of course energy. So, the energy topic is close to my heart.
– As part of the Energy Club training course “Communications and Interaction in the Energy Sector: Strategies for PR, Marketing, GR and Lobbying in Ukraine”, you will talk about B2B communications, as well as effective networking. Are these your original developments? On what basis are they based?
– In my work, it turned out that direct communication is one of the best tools, when certain messages are transmitted directly from person to person, without mass communication tools. This is a good way for a sustainable partnership for many years, as well as interesting projects.
Last year, I attended more than 100 events where I accompanied speakers or where Raiffeisen Bank acted as a sponsor. I created my own Telegram channel “Event Corridor”, where I talk about upcoming business events. I also teach people networking – personally or in my classes. I also give lectures to communicators on B2B communications: in my experience there were many interesting cases related to communication support for the launch of large energy projects, concluding important multi-million dollar agreements, competition for business clients after the unbundling of energy companies in 2019, as well as after the gas market reform.
During my work at Rife, I have accumulated a lot of interesting experience in communication support for projects with the largest clients, as well as with international financial institutions.
– Why is this important today? What problems does it help solve?
– Direct communication through building new connections is a more effective way to create partnerships with business and government, built on trust and openness, and most importantly – speed of communication. Here, there is an important component of personal relationships, matching values, generating new ideas during acquaintance and in the process of development. Networking is the neural connection of the economy, and business events are the fuel for the recovery of the Ukrainian economy.
When attending events, people often do not realize that the solution to their problems or tasks is standing next to them, drinking coffee. An interesting and useful acquaintance can accelerate the achievement of a goal by X times. Recently, I introduced two people who were standing next to each other in suits and did not know that the next day they would start discussing an energy deal worth half a billion hryvnias.
At the same time, people who attend business events to attract clients or create new partnerships do not always use this tool effectively. But direct communication skills can and should be developed in order to use time more effectively, not to go to “empty” events.
– Will the course from Club have practical cases, links to useful information, additional materials?
– I will try to share the most effective tools, proven by my own experience, as much as possible.
– Who will be useful for the information you share – for local governments, businesses, heads of enterprises? How can the acquired knowledge be applied in the energy sector?
– Practice shows that even public figures, politicians,
Business owners and managers need advice and training on how to effectively build new relationships, quickly reach the right people, move to a new level, quickly, in a couple of minutes, find common ground and interests on business issues. I will teach you how to overcome the distance from a stranger to a soulmate in 5 minutes. And then the feeling that “fate brought us together” will accompany you during all subsequent events and acquaintances.
This training will also be useful for energy business communicators, commercial directors, marketers, lobbyists, lawyers.
Therefore, students of the courses «COMMUNICATIONS AND INTERACTION IN ENERGY: STRATEGIES FOR PR, MARKETING, GR AND LOBBYING IN UKRAINE» have a unique opportunity to obtain theoretical knowledge and practical cases from Anton Kovalishyn on two key topics:
Energy Club educational project is a direct response to the transformational challenges facing the energy sector of Ukraine: from infrastructure restoration and integration into EU markets to the transition to sustainable development. In these conditions, the role of effective communications — PR, marketing, GR and lobbying — becomes key to managing reputation, strengthening stakeholder trust and achieving business goals. This course, developed by Energy Club, is aimed specifically at PR, marketing, GR and lobbying professionals working in energy companies. Its goal is to increase professional competence and provide tools for effective work in the dynamic energy sector of Ukraine, which is undergoing a stage of fundamental transformation.
As a result of the training, participants will be able to:
Course format: Online (Zoom, Softboks platforms). Duration: 12 weeks, with an intensity of 1–2 online sessions per week.
