From Legal Counsel to Director of Mykolaiv Brewery: Oleksandr Balakhnov's Unexpected Career Path at AB InBev Efes Ukraine

There is a common belief that it is impossible to make a dramatic career change, especially in a clearly  structured business structure. Life itself breaks these preconceptions, and examples of unusual career stories only illustrate this.

17 years ago, Oleksandr Balakhnov joined AB InBev Efes Ukraine as a legal counsel in the Legal & Corporate Affairs department. In 13 years, he has grown to become the head of the legal department for non-profit functions. It is noteworthy that the company promotes not only professional but also leadership growth. AB InBev Efes Ukraine has a whole system of leadership development, and if an employee constantly surpasses himself, he can move to a higher level not only in his field of specialization, but even decide on a completely new professional path. And for five years now, Oleksandr has been the director of the AB InBev Efes Ukraine brewery in Mykolaiv.

In an interview for Mind, Oleksandr Balakhnov tells us about his unusual career story, how he found himself among the workshops of the Mykolaiv Brewery as an office worker, became the head of production, and began to master the art of brewing on his own experience. "I had to dive into the most unexpected details, master new terminology, and learn brewing technologies on the job," because, according to Balakhnov, all the challenges were primarily personal and professional challenges for him. 

In January 2020, Oleksandr and his family moved to Mykolaiv from the capital, dramatically changing not only his life but also, as time has shown, the development of the brewery. His formation as a director took place during the Covid, the transition to online work, then the war, shelling, relocation, returning to the city on the Southern Bug and restoring the damaged production. Restarting the brewery, setting up the brewing process, dealing with anxiety and taking care of employees-these four years of life in his new role were full of challenges and trials. But it was worth it, says Oleksandr.

"It is important for me to grow within the company, not just within my function. Perhaps the transition to a completely different direction was a bit risky. And I seriously weighed the possible consequences of my decision. However, I made a decision in favor of growth. And although the professional transformation from law to production was not easy for me, I have never regretted it. And now I feel fully realized at the brewery. And happy," he shares his story.

Read about the stunning story of a lawyer who became a brewer, moved from Kyiv to Mykolaiv and now runs a large Mykolaiv-based enterprise: https://mind.ua/openmind/20271311-z-yuristiv-u-brovari-yak-yuriskonsult-stav-direktorom-brovarni.