The Investment Banking Leaders Podcast

What does it take to create one of the most successful investment banking boutiques in Central & Eastern Europe, and develop an entirely new buyer universe along the way?
In this episode, Gábor Szendrői, Co-founder and Co-managing partner at Concorde MB Partners - IMAP Hungary, shares how he established a market-leading advisory firm through long-term thinking, entrepreneurial leadership, and innovative deal origination.
After a decade at McKinsey and an early career in investment banking, he returned to Hungary to launch a boutiqueand pioneer an innovative Management Buy-In (MBI) model.
We explore:
• Why building relationships, not just closing deals, is the foundation of successful origination.
• How the Management Buy-In (MBI) model creates an entirely new buyer universe.
• Why investment bankers should think long-term when building their careers and businesses.
• How changing buyer behaviour reshaped the mid-market M&A landscape across Central & Eastern Europe.
He also shares powerful insights on:
• Transitioning from execution to origination and developing a sustainable deal pipeline.
• Building a network of thousands of executives through consistent, long-term relationship building.
• Creating a differentiated brand through thought leadership, publications, and client engagement.
• Why psychology, trust, and human relationships remain at the heart of successful dealmaking, even in the age of AI.
Including lessons on entrepreneurship, leadership, business development, networking, and building a sustainable competitive advantage in investment banking.
If you're an investment banker, M&A advisor, private equity professional, entrepreneur, or aspiring leader looking to strengthen your origination skills and accelerate your career, this conversation is packed with practical insights from one of Europe's most innovative boutique investment banking leaders.
Investment Banking Leaders Club: https://ibleadersclub.com/
Host: Peter Nieberg (https://www.linkedin.com/in/peternieberg/)
Guest: Gábor Szendrői (https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabor-szendroi-a74157/)
Sponsor: Altrum (https://www.altrum.com/)
Note: Concorde MB Partners – IMAP Hungary (https://www.imap.com/en)

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.

What can a career spanning healthcare, public health, andinvestment banking teach us about becoming a trusted advisor and leader?
In this episode, Michael Meyers, Vice Chairman, Head of M&A and Strategic Advisory Services at H.C. Wainwright & Co., LLC, shares lessons from a remarkable career spanning healthcare operation, public health, the buy side, equity research, and investment banking.
From studying neurobiology and considering medical school to shaping healthcare investment banking businesses acrossmultiple firms, this conversation explores what it truly takes to build credibility, earn trust, and develop into a long-term leader in investment banking.
We explore:
• Why understanding the pressures facing clients is essential to becoming a great advisor
• The transition from execution to origination, and why so many bankers struggle with it
• How exposure to clients early in your career accelerates leadership development
• The importance of listening more and speaking with greater intention
• Why mentorship is one of the most powerful accelerators of career growth
Michael also shares powerful insights on:
• Building long-term client relationships based on trust and consistency
• Developing empathy by understanding business challenges from multiple perspectives
• The role humility plays in successful healthcare and life sciences banking
• How junior bankers can prepare themselves for origination responsibilities
• Why showing up with differentiated ideas is critical to winning business
Including lessons from working inside a hospital system, advising life sciences companies through complex strategicdecisions, building healthcare investment banking franchises, and mentoring the next generation of banking leaders.
If you want to become a more effective relationship builder, strengthen your leadership skills, and learn how to evolve from a strong executor into a trusted advisor, this conversation offers invaluable lessons from one of healthcare investment banking's most experienced leaders.
Investment Banking Leaders Club: https://ibleadersclub.com/
Host: Peter Nieberg (  /https://www.linkedin.com/in/peternieberg/)
Guest: Michael Meyers (  / https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelmeyers1/ )
Sponsor: Altrum (https://www.altrum.com/)

Why do so many top producers struggle when they step into leadership roles, and what actually separates the bankers who compound their careers over decades from those who plateau?
In this episode, Larry Wieseneck, Head of Corporate & Investment Banking, TD Securities, shares lessons from a remarkable career spanning Salomon Brothers, Lehman Brothers, Barclays, Cowen, and now one of the most exciting growth stories in global banking.
From convertible bonds and capital markets to strategy, leadership, and firm-building, this conversation explores what it truly takes to evolve from elite execution into enduring leadership.
We explore:
Why communication and storytelling matter more than raw intelligence
The transition from producer to manager, and why so many bankers fail at it
How convertible bonds became the ultimate training ground for future banking leaders
Why great organisations deliberately develop leadership talent
The difference between management and true leadership
Larry also shares powerful insights on:
Building careers that compound over decades
Leading through integrations, crises, and transformation
The importance of EQ, empathy, and understanding client context
Why young bankers must own their own growth and development
Including behind-the-scenes lessons from the Lehman-Barclays integration, scaling global capital markets businesses, and helping build one of North America’s fastest-growing investment banking platforms.
If you want to move beyond execution, strengthen your leadership skills, and build a long-term career in investment banking, this conversation offers invaluable lessons from the very top of the industry.
Investment Banking Leaders Club: https://ibleadersclub.com/
Host: Peter Nieberg (https://www.linkedin.com/in/peternieberg/)
Guest: Larry Wieseneck (https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrywieseneck/ )
Sponsor: Altrum (https://www.altrum.com/)
Viewpoint: A TD Securities Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/viewpoint-a-td-securities-podcast/id1613987499

Why do so many investment bankers misunderstand origination, and what actually drives long-term success in M&A?
In this episode, Jason Murgio, CEO of M&A Services Inc., shares what it really takes to build a differentiated investment banking career, from starting in private equity and entrepreneurial ventures to leading a niche advisory firm through the financial crisis and beyond.
We explore:
The mindset shift from execution to relationship-driven origination
Why understanding the “why” behind a business matter more than the numbers
How long-term thinking and patience create proprietary deal flow

Jason also shares powerful lessons on:
Origination and relationship building
Hiring operators vs. traditional bankers
Leading through uncertainty and market cycles
Including why great leaders hire operators over traditional bankers, empower teams to think independently, and build firms that consistently punch above their weight.
If you want to move beyond execution and build a lasting career based on trust, judgment, and relationships, this episode is a must-listen.

Investment Banking Leaders Club: https://ibleadersclub.com/
Host: Peter Nieberg (https://www.linkedin.com/in/peternieberg/)
Guest: Jason Murgio (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-murgio-5aa915b/)
Sponsor: Altrum (https://www.altrum.com/)