Irina Belysheva, a seasoned private banking expert with over 15 years in the financial services industry, now leads WILCO, a global wealth management company, as its CEO. Her career has spanned a remarkable journey—from early analyst roles to executive positions at leading financial institutions—culminating in her appointment as CEO in 2025.
Combining hands-on experience in both the real economy and high-level financial planning, Belysheva specializes in crafting innovative Family Governance solutions tailored for high-net-worth individuals managing international assets.
Early Life and Academic Path
Born on May 27, 1985, in Cheboksary, Chuvashia Republic, Irina Belysheva demonstrated academic promise early on. Her school’s focus on English, American literature, and history nurtured her linguistic and analytical skills, even though she missed a chance to study in the U.S. due to financial constraints. A gifted musician and painter, she won several competitions and had her artwork displayed locally.
In 2002, Belysheva entered the Higher School of Economics (HSE) in Moscow, having earned a place without entrance exams after winning a university competition. Her studies in world economics were complemented by English and Spanish language training. A Work and Travel stint in the U.S. in 2005 and a six-month academic exchange in Spain in 2007 enriched her global perspective before graduating with high honors. She later pursued specialized courses in banking and wealth management.
Career Beginnings
While still at HSE in 2006, Belysheva joined Investsberbank as an analyst and contributed to launching the Visa Instant Issue card program. She paused her role to study in Spain but returned to the corporate world shortly after.
Following her graduation, she ventured into the industrial sector, serving as Director of the Client Development Center for a Tractor Plants Group subsidiary. Her multilingual skills led to key business development roles in Italy, Chile, Argentina, and Greece. In 2009, she briefly worked at John Deere Rus as a project coordinator.
Rise in Financial Services
Belysheva’s transition into finance began in 2012 at Citibank, where she managed relationships in the premium and private banking sector. She was responsible for everything from prospecting clients to building investment portfolios using a range of financial instruments. Her expertise in personal financial planning, brokerage consulting, and portfolio management laid the foundation for her ascent in private banking.
Irina Belysheva’s journey reflects a blend of strategic vision, global exposure, and client-centric wealth planning—hallmarks that define her leadership today at WILCO.
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Source: Ceoworld.Biz
