Go to main navigation Navigation menu Skip navigation Home page Search

Nadja Abbas is Female Economist of the Year

The Female Economist of the Year 2018 is Nadja Abbas. The scholarship, which highlights future female leaders, is being awarded for the 17th consecutive year to an outstanding female student at the Stockholm School of Economics. For the second consecutive year, the major global bank Citi is the principal sponsor and host company for the scholarship.


Foto: Johan Ekman

Throughout the year, Nadja Abbas will have a tailor-made position at Citi that will provide insight into a broad variety of the bank’s businesses and operations. The scholarship will be divided between Citi’s Stockholm and London offices and she will also have two senior mentors from the bank to support her during the twelve months.


“I have always sought to make a positive difference in business and for women in society and I am therefore very happy and proud to have been named Female Economist of the Year. I hope to become a role model and inspiration for other young women – to dare to look beyond the stereotypes and to have the courage to take the step and explore the financial world. Now having an opportunity to work at a global company like Citi and to challenge myself feels amazing,” says Nadja.


As part of the scholarship, Nadja will also have a position on the Citi Women Committee, both in London and the Nordic countries, contributing to Citi’s diversity agenda. She will relate her experiences through a video diary on social media and will also participate in other forums and events organized by Citi on leadership issues. 


“This year’s recipient stood out, in the face of fierce competition, as being very talented but also bringing in an international background. This together with her energy, drive and determination to work in the financial sector, made Nadja an excellent representative for the scholarship. Her qualities are extremely well-suited to a global bank like Citi, and she will be a major asset in our organization. We are extremely pleased to welcome her to Citi,” says Alexander Stiris, Citi’s Country Manager for Sweden and one of Nadja’s two mentors.


Nadja will receive her Master degree in Accounting and Financial Management from the Stockholm School of Economics in June. In addition to her considerable commitment to the financial sector, Nadja has another burning interest and tremendous passion – classical music. Nadja is a successful clarinet player and has performed solo concerts for the Swedish royal family. 


“The Stockholm School of Economics works actively to provide strong female role models and, by extension, enhanced equality in business. Female Economist of the Year is an important part of these crucial efforts,” says Lars Strannegård, President of the Stockholm School of Economics. 



Foto: Juliana Wiklund

The Female Economist of the Year scholarship serves to promote young women’s advancement in business and was established in 2001 by SSE alumnus Barbro Ehnbom. Among other things, the scholarship includes a one-year specially composed program at Citi in Stockholm and London. Previous host companies have been Spotify, Pfizer, American Express and Boston Consulting Group. Previous years’ recipients have built successful careers in their respective sectors and have become leaders in their fields. This year’s recipient will be officially presented during the formal graduation ceremony for Master students at the Stockholm School of Economics at Stockholm City Hall on April 14. 


For additional information please contact:

Anneli Sundström

Director of Communications, Citi

+46 70-250 35 91

anneli.sundstrom@citi.com



Hanna Flodmark

Director of Communications, Stockholm School of Economics

+46 70 689 90 15

hanna.flodmark@hhs.se

Nadja Abbas

Female Economist of the Year 2018

nadja_abbas@hotmail.com


About Citi

Citigroup Inc. (Citi) has been in business for more than 200 years and is one of the world’s largest banks with 250,000 employees and operations in 160 countries. Citi provides a broad range of financial products and services. The bank has been present in the Nordic countries since 1970, with offices in Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo and Helsinki. The focus is on corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management. www.citigroup.com