About The Foundation
Our mission is to build a relationship grounded in human dignity, shared responsibility, and hope between Boulder Colorado and Vinnytsia Ukraine.
Origins of the Sister City Partnership: A Bridge of Hope
The Boulder–Vinnytsia Sister City partnership grew out of a shared belief that even in the darkest moments human connection can create hope. At the center of this journey stands the Highland Institute for the Advancement of Humanity, a Boulder-based think tank that served as both catalyst and architect in bringing the two cities together.
What began as an act of compassion during wartime has gradually evolved into a lasting partnership grounded in shared values, collaboration, and a commitment to healing and renewal. The following milestones trace the path that led to the creation of this unique bridge between communities an ocean apart.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Boulder resident Dr. Gaea Logan and a USA based team she assembled began providing trauma response training to Ukrainian clinicians at Vinnytsia State Pedagogical University. Conducted by Zoom due to wartime conditions, these early efforts supported frontline professionals facing extraordinary trauma and laid the groundwork for deeper cooperation.
In June 2023, the Highland Institute hosted a global webcast featuring Dr. James Gordon on “Transforming Trauma in Ukraine.” Through this event, the Institute connected with Dr. Logan and recognized the profound potential of her work. The Institute began supporting and amplifying the program, planting the early seeds of what would become a Sister City partnership.
In October 2023, Boulder resident and Highland Institute Director Douglas Gardner traveled to Vinnytsia and met with Mayor Serhii Morhunov and other officials to explore the possibility of establishing a formal relationship with Boulder. Having served in Ukraine as the United Nations Resident Coordinator (2000–2004), Gardner saw clear opportunities for meaningful cooperation and long-term exchange.
Momentum continued to grow. In February 2025, Vinnytsia Deputy Mayor Vlad Skalsky visited Boulder strengthening personal connections and advancing the emerging partnership between the two cities.
The Highland Institute then helped establish the required 501(c)(3) foundation, mobilized community outreach, and guided the formal Sister City proposal through Boulder City Council where it received unanimous approval in November 2025.
A January 2026 visit to Vinnytsia by Sister City team member and Boulder resident Mike Brady deepened relationships with city leadership, the International Institute for Trauma Studies (IITS), Rotary partners, health and burn centers, universities, and other community collaborators — expanding the vision from concept to active collaboration.
The mayors of Boulder and Vinnytsia officially signed a Declaration in a public launch of the Sister City partnership during a formal ceremony via zoom on 22 April 2026 marking a historic moment in the relationship between the two cities.
The Boulder–Vinnytsia Sister City partnership is advancing projects in trauma healing, education, civic cooperation, and cultural exchange. What began as a response to crisis is growing into a living bridge of hope, connecting people, ideas, and shared purpose across continents.
The present Board of Directors of the Boulder Vinnytsia Sister City Foundation include:
Executive Director: Douglas Gardner
Director of Outreach: Gaea Logan
Secretary: Todd Minnis
Treasurer: Stewart Ward
Legal Counsel: Kubs Lalchandani
Member at Large: Steve Borne
Member at Large: Michael Brady