In addition to serving as global head of communications and marketing for Russian investment firm VTB Capital, Olga Podoinitsyna is a member of the company’s board—a level of seniority achieved by relatively few public relations professionals in more developed markets.

Responsible for the development and implementation of VTB Capital’s communications and marketing strategy, and for communications across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and the USA, Podoinitsyna has overseen the company’s transition from a new market player to an established name in the global investment banking community.

A critical part of this has been the launch and continued success of the company’s media relations, including the Russia Calling! Investment Forum, now in its fifth year and attended by 1,800 guests, including more than 360 international and Russian investors, as well as heads of major Russian companies and representatives from government and key economic ministries. The Forum has served to not only position VTB Capital on the global stage, but also build connections and promote dialogue between Russia and the international business community.

“Olga has shown herself to be an inspirational and successful leader,” says Yuri Soloviev, first deputy president and chairman of VTB Bank management board, and chairman of the board of directors of VTB Capital. “She builds excellent working relations based on trust, with both her business partners and her staff. Olga stands out because of the mature and balanced approach she takes when tackling any problems; her amazing capacity for work; and the first-class results she achieves.”

VTB Capital has also been named Russia’s most transparent investment company in each of the past three years, a priority for Podoinitsyna, who says: “A transparent communications policy is one of our top priorities…. VTB Capital’s active participation in the global dialogue is important for raising awareness of investment opportunities in Russia among the international economic community.”

Alexei Yakovitsky, Global CEO at VTB Capital, adds: “The SABRE Awards are one of the most prestigious awards in the public relations sector. We are delighted that Olga’s outstanding work in positioning VTB Capital and promoting Russian investment opportunities has received this valuable recognition from the industry.”

Prior to joining VTB Capital in April 2008, Podoinitsyna worked at Deutsche Bank (Moscow) for eight years, where she was head of PR, communications and marketing and a member of Deutsche Bank's executive committee for Russia and the CIS. From 1995 to 2000, she worked as a consultant at PriceWaterhouse, Burson Marsteller and the Centre for Capital Market Development Foundation, a World Bank project.

And between 2006 and 2008, Olga was chair of the marketing committee of the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia. 

The EMEA SABRE Awards dinner takes place on 20 May at the Roundhouse in London.