Bucharest University of Economic Studies graduate, Bucharest; PhD completed in Finance.
+ 18 years of experience in the capital market
“I believe in two key elements that contribute to success in any field: – passion and hard work. Similar to athletes, it’s 20% talent and the rest is hard work. I don’t believe in shortcuts, and luck is something you create through effort and action. In a predominantly male financial sector, partnership and collaboration are key to career success.”
With a solid background in economics and finance, Daniela Maior (Șerban) has charted her own path in the field of Investor Relations (IR), amassing over 18 years of experience in the Romanian capital market. Her role extends beyond technical expertise, as she has been instrumental in developing the IR community in Romania. As President and Co-Founder of ARIR (Romanian Investor Relations Association), Daniela has been the driving force behind the establishment of the only organization dedicated to promoting best practices in IR and corporate governance, a crucial initiative in Romania’s financial landscape. Founded in 2018, ARIR quickly became a central pillar in strengthening the local capital market, bringing forward innovative projects such as the VEKTOR by ARIR indicator, which evaluates issuer communication with investors.
“Every stage of my career has come with its own challenges and rewards. The founding and growth of ARIR, along with the international promotion of Romania and capital market professionals, represents a collective achievement of the community. We are still in the first decade, but we are already seeing the impact of our initiatives, such as the official recognition of the Investor Relations profession in the Romanian Occupational Classification.”
Daniela’s professional journey began as an assistant to an experienced broker, and within less than a year, she obtained the necessary accreditations to become a licensed broker, both on the BVB stock market and the derivatives market in Sibiu. At the same time, at the age of 19, she participated in an economics competition on The Money Channel, where she won the first five editions and was later invited to join the editorial team, covering stock market and financial-banking topics. All of this prepared her for her role at the Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB), a position she had dreamed of since high school, where she started as an Advisor to the General Manager. Over her seven years at BVB, she held various roles, culminating in the position of Head of the Public Relations and IR Department. Daniela was the first person appointed to manage investor relations at BVB after the company was listed in 2010, a position she gradually attained as the function developed internally and as she acquired new skills in investor interaction and understanding of stock exchange operations. She was actively involved in launching platforms such as the bvb.ro website and digital applications for investors, as well as in financial education campaigns and promoting the Romanian market to international investors.
“Investor Relations is not just about numbers, but about blending them with the company’s story and building a relationship of trust between the company and its investors. It is a dynamic profession where innovation, networking, and effective communication are essential.”
After her experience at the Bucharest Stock Exchange, Daniela Maior (Șerban) continued to expand her expertise in Investor Relations, gradually developing a specialized consulting firm, VERTIK, where she collaborates with pre-IPO companies and already listed companies, in partnership with another capital market professional, Daniela Aldescu. In this context, in 2023, she was selected by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to lead the first program to support companies in Investor Relations and improve liquidity, carried out for the first time in Romania. The project aimed to develop a customized IR strategy focused on enhancing liquidity for three selected listed companies. Additionally, they collaborate through the VERTIK for the Future Association, where they run various projects in the fields of entrepreneurial education for children, female leadership, and investments.
Daniela’s professional journey, highlighting the importance of continuous education and adaptability in a field where external pressures are constant. She advocates for the development of both technical and interpersonal skills, viewing Investor Relations as an essential blend of financial knowledge and communication abilities. Thus, the completion of her PhD in Finance at the Bucharest University of Economic Studies enhances her professional outlook, following her research on the key factors driving capital market development.
Completing a PhD in Finance represents a new stage in Daniela’s professional journey, who places significant emphasis on continuous education and adaptability in a field where external pressures are constant. She encourages the development of both technical and interpersonal skills, viewing Investor Relations (IR) as an essential mix of financial knowledge and communication abilities. Thus, completing the PhD in Finance at the Bucharest University of Economic Studies enhances her professional perspectives following the research on the determinants of capital market development.
“My greatest professional achievement is continuous learning. My path in Investor Relations has been unconventional, but that’s precisely what has allowed me to make a difference. Learning and transferring skills from various roles have shaped my personality. The biggest challenge remains harmoniously balancing the different roles of wife, mother, daughter, friend, alongside the numerous projects I’m involved in, where I aim to bring added value to those around me and contribute to making the world a better place for the living and development of future generations.”