Emba Cristina Popa

Cristina Popa, EMBA has an extensive work experience starting in the field of retail lending and loan administration at HVB Bank in 2005. Cristina then moved on to work as a customer service and account officer at HVB Tiriac Bank in 2006, followed by roles as a monitoring officer and relationship manager for business customers at UniCredit Tiriac Bank from 2007 to 2010.

Cristina joined UniCredit Group in 2010, where they worked as an associate in global transaction banking before becoming a liquidity product manager for Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) as well as global transaction banking from 2013 to 2015. During their time at UniCredit Group, they also pursued an Executive MBA at WU Executive Academy from 2016 to 2018.

In 2015, Popa joined UniCredit Banka Slovenija d.d. as the head of global transaction banking, leading a team of 20+ and reporting to the board. Cristina was responsible for transforming and digitalizing product lines while ensuring compliance with banking regulations.

Cristina then worked at UniCredit Zweiniederlassung S.p.A as a vice president in cash management from 2019 to 2020, before returning to UniCredit Bank Austria AG in 2021. Cristina started as a cash management specialist and has now become the head of cash management products.

Cristina Popa, EMBA has a diverse education history. Cristina first attended the National College Vasile Alecsandri-High School from 1998 to 2002, where they obtained a degree in Mathematics & Physics. Cristina then went on to study at the Academy of Economic Studies Bucharest from 2002 to 2006, where they earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Economics.

In 2011, Cristina pursued a Master's degree in Risk Management from UniCredit Risk Academy/SDA Bocconi, completing their studies in 2012. Cristina further expanded their knowledge in the field of finance by obtaining a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in International Banking & Finance from Fachhochschule des BFI Wien between 2012 and 2014.

In 2016, they enrolled at WU Executive Academy, earning their Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Business Administration and Management, General in 2018. Additionally, in 2017, they briefly studied International Business at the University of Minnesota - Carlson School of Management.

Cristina Popa, EMBA's education journey reflects a strong focus on finance and management, with degrees in Economics, Risk Management, International Banking & Finance, and an Executive MBA.