In a forward-thinking world where finance meets strategy and innovation, Marta Gelencser is leading the charge. With a career that bridges corporate finance, wealth management, and global investment strategies, Marta has established herself as a key player in investment banking, sustainable finance, and leadership development. Her influence extends far beyond boardrooms—she is a mentor, an advocate for women in business, and a thought leader shaping the future of finance.
How does she do it? By blending strategic vision with emotional intelligence, and by staying ahead of market trends. This feature takes an exclusive look at her professional journey, the financial landscape she navigates, and the lessons she shares with aspiring leaders.
A Career Defined by Global Leadership
Marta’s career began at Citigroup, where she spent 25 years moving through roles across Budapest, London, Tokyo, and Athens. Her ability to lead diverse teams and manage top-tier client relationships sharpened her problem-solving and crisis management skills. However, one of the most pivotal moments of her career was being an “intrapreneur”—building a market-leading securities market intelligence platform from scratch within Citigroup.
“I think the most pivotal moment was the privilege to be an “intrapreneur” at Citigroup. Imagine having the resources of a global bank but the creative freedom of a startup founder!” she reflects. This experience later became invaluable when she launched Kalahari Finance and joined US Capital Global.
Her international experience has deeply influenced her leadership style, making her a strong advocate for diversity, emotional intelligence, and cultural awareness in business.
The Changing Landscape of Global Finance
With decades of experience in investment banking and business management, Marta has seen financial landscapes shift dramatically. She observes that Europe takes a more conservative approach to investment, particularly in comparison to the more risk-tolerant markets in the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas.
One of the biggest changes in finance today is the rapid digitalization and integration of AI. Marta acknowledges both the opportunities and the challenges that come with this shift:
“Many are worried about job security and financial stability, struggling to see their roles evolve rather than disappear completely. AI is disrupting all industries whilst presenting enormous opportunities at the same time.”
The key challenge? Ensuring that the UK and Europe does not fall behind in global competitiveness and innovation.
She also emphasizes the increasing focus on sustainable finance, a field she is deeply passionate about. As investments in sustainability and clean energy continue to grow, Marta believes the next five years will be critical for securing financial backing for ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives.
Advice for Young Professionals in Finance
For those navigating careers in finance, Marta’s number one rule is simple but powerful “Network! Network! Network! But do it the right way.”
She stresses the importance of building genuine, long-term relationships, as opposed to transactional networking. Additionally, she advises young professionals to:
- Develop soft skills like emotional intelligence, resilience and adaptability.
- Find a mentor who offers honest feedback.
- Work hard, stay professional, and embrace continuous learning.
- Stay positive and authentic, use your empathy and common sense
Ask and offer support within friends and family “Drop the entitled attitude! Communicate effectively. Listen, absorb information, and learn from the people who are good at it”
“In my experience, females are excellent at making decisions, being loyal, resilient, and empathetic—qualities essential for business success.” Marta Gelencser
Women in Finance: Challenges and Progress
Despite increasing representation, women in finance still face barriers. Marta frequently finds herself as the only woman in the room, but she focuses on the opportunities rather than the obstacles.
She believes that women excel in decision-making, resilience, and leadership, and that companies must do more to create equal opportunities, mentorship programs, and fair pay structures. She also highlights the shocking statistic that only 2% of venture capital funding is awarded to female founders, calling for urgent action in bridging this gap.
A Vision for the Future
At US Capital Global, Marta is focused on expanding sustainable finance initiatives and making sophisticated financial services more accessible. She is particularly passionate about helping mid-size businesses secure the funding they need to scale globally. “What excites me most is that commercial success can go hand in hand with meaningful, social impact.” she said.
For Marta, leadership is about more than just strategy—it’s about building relationships, driving innovation, and creating a better financial ecosystem for future generations.
Final Thoughts: A Life Well-Led
Balancing career and personal fulfilment is no small feat, yet Marta believes that maintaining strong relationships and finding joy in the journey is key, as she mentioned:
“I recently heard the notion of ‘be happy for no reason.’ No matter what challenges we face, we always have something to be grateful for.”
Through her leadership, advocacy for women in finance, and dedication to innovation, Marta Gelencser is shaping the future of global finance—one relationship, investment, and strategic decision at a time.
