Gennady Gazin
Gennady Gazin is a Ukrainian-born American, a business executive, and a philanthropist. He is the founder of the charitable foundation If Not Now Then When and a co-founder of Second Wind Club. Passionate about mountains and committed to supporting Ukraine, this project is a natural extension of his interests.
A former defense and telecom engineer – among other projects, he worked on the 3rd generation Stinger missile now used in defense of Ukraine — Gena discovered love for mountains late in his life and is now making up for lost time. Several recent near-death experiences, including one during a glacier climb, led him to focus on finding joy in helping others.
He is also an author and producer of the Second Wind Documentary.
Oleksandr Pedan
Oleksandr Pedan is a Ukrainian showman, TV host, and civic activist who, beyond television, actively develops social initiatives. He co-founded JuniorS, a movement promoting physical activity among children in Ukraine. In 2023 he joined the Second Wind project, which brings together veterans with prosthetics and athletes to face shared challenges. With a team of veterans using prosthetic limbs, Oleksandr summited Mount Kilimanjaro, proving that the power of spirit has no limits.
An experienced mountaineer, he has climbed Mont Blanc, Kazbek, Ararat, and other five-thousanders, and strongly believes in the healing power of the mountains. During the full-scale war, he began leading veterans with prosthetics on mountain expeditions, setting a record by reaching a Carpathian peak with seven of them.
When Hennadiy Gazin invited him to join the project, Oleksandr fully embraced the mission. With more than 25 years of experience in television, radio, and film, he became co-producer of the Second Wind documentary, helping select the film’s heroes, director, and cinematographer.After the Kilimanjaro climb, he and the team founded the Second Wind Foundation and Club, aiming to support the rehabilitation and social integration of wounded service members through physical activity. Oleksandr continues to take part in mountain expeditions, rafting programs, and climbing sessions, personally supporting veterans every step of the way.
Anna Vozna
Anna Vozna is the co-founder and director of the Second Wind UA charitable foundation and a volunteer since the first days of the war. A passionate mountain enthusiast with experience in high-altitude climbs, she believes that sports and new summits can transform lives.
The idea to co-create the Second Wind project came from Hennadiy Gazin, sparking a shared journey that grew into the founding of the foundation. This mission holds deep personal meaning for Anna: her brother fought as a volunteer in the Anti-Terrorist Operation, and after the full-scale invasion he returned to defend Ukraine, sustaining a serious injury in 2024.
Today, together with the team, Anna helps veterans with amputations find their “second wind”—returning to active life through sports, travel, and new challenges.
Oleksii Alekseienko
Oleksii Alekseienko is a co-founder of the Second Wind foundation, an experienced mountaineer, and a businessman with over 20 years of expeditions and long-distance travel. With a degree in sports education, he deeply understands how physical activity fosters both a healthy mind and body. As the CEO of Virastar, a company producing equipment for safe work at heights, and a partner at FRAM Equipment, a manufacturer of outdoor gear, he has firsthand knowledge of the needs of adventurers.
He played a key role in the Kilimanjaro expedition, supporting the team and managing equipment. Inspired by Hennadiy Gazin and Anna Vozna, Oleksii joined them in founding the Second Wind foundation and club. Today he organizes training programs and expeditions for veterans, builds partnerships, and nurtures a community that helps them discover new horizons through sport.
