When offered her first managerial position, Mateja Papež hesitated. That’s when she received a piece of advice that would shape everything that followed:
“Take the opportunity. If it’s too demanding, you can always turn back — but don’t regret not trying.”
Now, Mateja leads the Compliance and Integrity Centre at NLB Banka Skopje — a role that defines both her expertise and her ethos. That early encouragement set the tone for a two-decade career in banking, built on values, precision, and principled leadership.
With a background in finance and certifications in business compliance (ICA), data protection (CIPP/E), and anti–money laundering, Mateja began her career in internal audit — “an excellent function for widening the horizons”, she says.
For years she worked in Slovenia, before relocating to North Macedonia to take on a leadership role in a different regulatory environment.
“It opened my eyes, and my heart. It reminded me what really matters, both professionally and personally. I haven’t regretted the decision for a moment.”
This move also meant a shift from technical knowledge to strategic leadership — from managing processes to shaping culture.
“Success used to mean mastering the rules. Today, it’s about creating an environment where integrity thrives, where people feel safe to speak up, and where compliance is embedded, not imposed.”
In finance, integrity isn’t a soft skill — it’s an operational risk. Research backs this up. IMF and ECB studies show banks with greater gender diversity on boards are more stable, with fewer conduct issues and stronger internal controls. According to McKinsey, companies with more women in leadership are 25% more likely to outperform financially. Yet women remain underrepresented, especially in regulatory and compliance leadership — despite consistently outperforming male peers on leadership traits like resilience, clarity, and results orientation.
That is why, at NLB, gender equality isn’t framed as a policy — it’s a principle integrated into leadership, talent development, and governance across the group.
“We foster inclusive leadership through equitable hiring, development, and by participating in initiatives like WOBA. More than half of our team and leadership are women — not by design, but because they earned it.”
About the Meet WOBA Members Series
Meet WOBA Members is a storytelling initiative by Women on Boards Adria. Through first-person reflections, we highlight the professional journeys, values, and voices of women in leadership across the region. Stay with us as we continue building visibility and connection across the WOBA network.
