From Risk Manager to CEO: The Leadership Lessons That Changed Everything

What does it take to rise from managing risk during the global financial crisis to leading one of the world's most dynamic investment banking platforms across EMEA?

In this episode, Evie Vanezi, CEO at Jefferies, shares the leadership lessons, career decisions, and mindset shifts that helped shape her journey from risk management to the C-suite.

From navigating financial crises and managing uncertainty to driving growth across Europe and the Middle East, Evie offers a masterclass in leadership, resilience, and building high-performing teams in a rapidly evolving financial landscape.

We explore:

• Why risk management is a strategic advantage, not just a control function

• The lessons the global financial crisis taught about leadership, resilience, and opportunity

• How public markets are evolving and what companies need to succeed in today's environment

• The key drivers behind renewed activity in European capital markets

• What it takes to build and scale an investment banking franchise across diverse regions and cultures

Evie also shares powerful insights on:

• Building trust across teams, clients, and cultures

• Why cultural intelligence is essential for success in EMEA

• Creating inclusive, high-performing environments through community and mentorship

• The importance of curiosity, adaptability, and life long learning

Including lessons on relationship-building, career development, inclusion, and the importance of enjoying the journey rather than focusing solely on the destination.

If you're an aspiring investment banker, business leader, or professional looking to strengthen your leadership skills, and accelerate your career growth, this conversation is packed with practical insights from one of the industry's most respected leaders.

Investment Banking Leaders Club: https://ibleadersclub.com/

Host: Peter Nieberg ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/peternieberg/ )

Guest: Evie Vanezi (https://www.linkedin.com/in/evie-vanezi-47a62a12/ )

Sponsor: Altrum (https://www.altrum.com/)

Note 1: This video was recorded pre the US-Israel-Iran war.

Note 2: Jefferies (https://www.jefferies.com/) is one of the world’s leading full-service investment banking and capital markets firms.