Shisel Stenger
As a Business Developer for Women’s Wealth and Next Gen at one of Germany’s largest private banks, she is helping redefine the future of wealth management. Over the past few years, she has helped attract hundreds of high-net-worth women as clients, challenging an industry where women have too often been treated as the “plus one.” Now, it’s their turn to take center stage.
In doing so, she has pioneered a new approach in the German market, establishing Bethmann HAL as the go-to private bank for wealthy women and female entrepreneurs in just a few years. Today, she is taking that ambition to a European level at ABN AMRO, working across markets to strengthen and scale the Women’s Wealth proposition.
Combining an entrepreneurial mindset with an international perspective, she thrives on challenging the status quo, building new businesses and turning bold ideas into measurable business impact.
1. What do you love most about the work you do today?
The freedom to turn ideas into something real. I love being an entrepreneur within a big organisation. Challenging the status quo, connecting people, and building things that didn’t exist before. Whether it’s developing new business opportunities, shaping the future of banking or bringing fresh perspectives, I love that no day is the same.
2. Was there a particular decision, turning point or experience that significantly shaped your career?
Probably the moment I stopped waiting for “permission”. When I started my career, I realised that you don’t need a fancy title or a big team to make an impact. Sometimes all you need is an idea, a good business case and the courage to put it on the table. That’s exactly how I started building our Women’s Wealth initiative my with team. What began as an idea has grown into an international growth opportunity.
3. What does New Work mean to you personally? Has the way you think about work changed over the years?
To me, it’s about trust, ownership and the freedom to make a difference. Being measured by the impact you create. Over the years, I’ve learned that great ideas rarely happen in perfectly scheduled meetings. They happen when people from different backgrounds / with different perspectives come together.
4. What does “Love What You Do” mean to you — especially during the more demanding or difficult phases of working life?
Loving what you do doesn’t mean loving every single Monday. There are tough days, difficult conversations and moments when things don’t go according to plan. For me, it’s about believing in what you’re building, even when the journey gets more challenging. And surrounding yourself with people who you can make things work together. Love what you do. But don’t forget to love the life you’re building outside of work, too.
5. What does a good work bag need to do for your real working life? And what do you usually carry with you?
My work bag needs to keep up with a dynamic working life. One moment I’m in a meeting, the next I’m heading to an event, catching a train or meeting someone for coffee. So it needs to look professional, fit my adventurous schedule life and make me look organised. Inside: My laptop, phone, headphones, a notebook full of ideas. And a pen because I like to write some things down physically. And, there’s probably a gym or running outfit somewhere in there, too for an active lunch break with colleagues.