Maria Ivanova

Maria Ivanova was appointed as Citi Country Officer (CCO) for the United Arab Emirates in 2023, overseeing all Citi's businesses and operations across legal entities based in the UAE. She also serves as Senior Executive Officer for Citibank NA DIFC, Citibank NA ADGM and Citigroup Global Markets Limited, DIFC branch. In her role as Country Officer, Maria is charged with developing and implementing a comprehensive business strategy for Citi in the UAE while delivering holistic banking services and thought leadership to clients.

Ivanova holds a degree from Champlain College in the United States specializing in business administration and graduated from Yaroslavl State Technical University with a degree in mechanical engineering. She joined Citi in 1996 as a Corporate Banking Relationship Manager and has held various leadership roles including in Trade Finance and the Global Subsidiaries Group.

Career history

• Chief Operating Officer in Citi Russia (2017-2023)
• Citi Country Officer for Russia (prior to UAE appointment)
• Global Subsidiaries Group Unit Head for Russia and CIS
• Trade Finance Department Head
• Corporate Banking Relationship Manager (1996)

Ivanova's leadership focuses on managing risks effectively, enhancing Citi's reputation, and fostering talent development among team members, while she oversees corporate social responsibility initiatives through the Citi Foundation and leads local charity programs. She is the senior sponsor of Citi's Women Network in the UAE, advocating for gender equality and the empowerment of women in the workplace.

What Maria Ivanova could bring to her role as Citi Country Officer and Banking Head for the UAE: Ivanova's 30-year tenure at Citi—spanning corporate banking, trade finance, and executive leadership across major markets—positions her to drive strategic growth in one of Citi's four global Wealth Management hubs. Her proven track record of business strategy development and consistent financial delivery, combined with her deep experience managing operations across the MEA cluster's 29 markets, enables her to maximize the UAE's role as a regional hub while fostering inclusive leadership through her sponsorship of internal diversity initiatives.