What would you choose: a well-defined career path at an established institution, or the uncertainty of joining an ambitious business where you could help shape its future?

For Evie Vanezi, EMEA CEO at Jefferies, that decision became one of the defining moments of her career.

With a background in risk management, Evie had opportunities to join larger banks in traditional roles. Instead, she chose Jefferies, attracted by its entrepreneurial culture, flat hierarchy and potential for growth. That decision would eventually take her from risk management to leading the firm across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

In our conversation, Evie shares how that choice shaped her career, what it takes to build a business across diverse markets, and why strong leaders create opportunities for others.

Evie's early career was shaped by the global financial crisis, which taught her to stay calm under pressure, challenge assumptions and make thoughtful decisions in uncertain environments.

But one of the most important risks she took was personal.

When the opportunity to join Jefferies emerged, she had offers from larger institutions with more established career paths. Jefferies offered something different: an entrepreneurial environment where individuals could make a meaningful impact.

During recruitment, Evie recalls meeting almost everyone in a single afternoon. That accessibility, combined with the firm's ambition, left a lasting impression. She chose the opportunity to help build something rather than follow a conventional route.

For aspiring investment banking leaders, the lesson is clear. Career decisions should not always be based on institutional prestige or the certainty of promotion. Sometimes the greatest opportunities come from joining a business where there is room to contribute, grow and take on unexpected responsibilities.

Today, Evie leads across one of investment banking's most commercially and culturally diverse regions.

One example is Jefferies' expansion in the Middle East. Rather than approaching the region as a short-term opportunity, Evie describes a strategy built around three priorities: committing locally, developing the full product offering and hiring outstanding regional talent.

Jefferies initially established an equity sales presence before expanding into investment banking, research, fixed income and asset management. The objective is an integrated platform supporting sovereign wealth funds, institutions and corporate clients.

The distinction matters for investment bankers. Winning mandates is important, but building a sustainable franchise requires understanding the market, committing resources and establishing long-term relationships.

Evie's approach demonstrates how leadership evolves from delivering results within an existing platform to helping determine where that platform goes next.

Leading across EMEA requires more than technical credentials. Different markets operate within different regulatory environments, political landscapes and business cultures.

Evie believes success requires versatility and adaptability. A banker advising a founder-owned business may need a different approach from someone working with a large institution. Understanding those differences, anticipating regulatory challenges and bringing the right capabilities together creates competitive advantage.

For VPs and Directors transitioning toward origination, this presents an opportunity.

Technical expertise gets you into the conversation. Understanding the client's broader environment, decision-making process and long-term ambitions helps you become a strategic advisor.

As Evie explains, don't simply execute the task. Understand the client, the story and the decisions your work is supporting.

One of Evie's most practical pieces of advice is particularly relevant to bankers approaching the transition from VP or Director to MD.

Don't assume people know what you want. Evie encourages professionals to advocate for themselves, ask for opportunities and pursue stretch assignments.

People cannot support ambitions they don't know about.

In an industry where many talented professionals assume excellent execution will naturally lead to advancement, this is an important distinction. Doing great work is essential, but careers also require intention.

If you want client exposure, ask for it. If you want leadership experience, volunteer for additional responsibilities. If you aspire to a broader role, communicate that ambition.

Evie particularly encourages young women in finance not to wait until they feel completely ready. Your perspective matters, even when you are the youngest person in the room or come from a different background. Opportunity often begins with raising your hand.

As Evie's responsibilities have expanded, so has her appreciation of what creates genuine trust. Her leadership philosophy centers on bringing people together around a shared purpose and empowering them to contribute.

But empowerment requires more than delegation. People need to feel comfortable speaking openly, escalating problems early and acknowledging mistakes. Leaders must provide honest feedback and demonstrate genuine investment in their people's development.

Evie recognizes that empathy becomes increasingly important as leadership responsibilities grow. When you become responsible for larger teams, listening is no longer simply a personal quality. It becomes an essential leadership capability.

That combination of accountability, trust and empowerment is particularly relevant in investment banking, where pressure can discourage people from challenging decisions.

The strongest teams are those where individuals feel trusted enough to contribute their best judgment.

Evie's career has also influenced how she supports the next generation.

Through initiatives such as the Jefferies Women's Initiative Network and Leadership Journey conversations, she has helped create opportunities for employees to connect, share experiences and learn from colleagues outside their immediate teams.

These initiatives extend beyond networking. They help individuals develop confidence, find sponsors, understand career paths and build relationships across the organization.

Evie believes those connections become increasingly valuable as careers progress. Peers become future collaborators, advocates and leaders.

But advancement also brings responsibility. Those who progress should help others rise with them. For investment banking leaders, success should not be measured solely by individual achievement, but also by the opportunities created for others.

Despite the pressure of investment banking, Evie consistently emphasizes patience and perspective.

One of the best pieces of advice she received was to choose her battles carefully. Not every disagreement deserves equal attention, and not every opportunity needs to be pursued immediately.

Timing, judgment and the ability to focus on what matters become increasingly valuable over a long career. Evie also draws inspiration from Ithaka, the poem by C. P. Cavafy, which has stayed with her since her school years. Its message about the journey reflects her philosophy toward professional growth.

Titles and destinations matter, but they are not the whole story. The experiences, relationships and challenges accumulated along the way ultimately shape the leader you become.

Evie Vanezi's journey from risk management to EMEA CEO at Jefferies demonstrates that leadership careers are rarely built by following a perfectly defined route.

Her decision to join an entrepreneurial institution opened opportunities she could not have predicted. Her willingness to learn, adapt and take on challenges helped her grow with the business.

Perhaps the most important lesson is how her perspective has evolved from building her own career to creating the conditions for others to succeed.

For aspiring investment banking leaders, don't just wait for opportunities. Make your ambitions visible, take thoughtful risks, build relationships beyond your immediate role and develop the people around you.

The strongest careers create lasting value not only for individuals, but for clients, colleagues and the organizations they help build.

Interested in hearing more from Evie? Check out the full audio or video interview below.