Stephanie von Friedeburg Former COO and Sr. VP, International Finance Corporation
Stephanie von Friedeburg is a C-Level executive, global investment banking leader and business strategist recognized for successful investments and returns across multiple sectors and asset classes. She is a respected partner and trusted advisor to a global network of senior decision makers in governments, public and private corporations, and non-governmental entities. She has strong change management expertise and substantial board level experience. Stephanie’s extensive knowledge of global affairs and emerging markets informs her assessment of investment opportunities in fluid economic environments.
In 2022, Stephanie completed a markedly successful 30-year career with the WBG. As IFC COO, she oversaw global investment and advisory operations across 100+ country offices and a US$1 billion annual operating budget with 2,200+ staff. Stephanie led commercial and investment banking, venture capital, and private equity services for clients in emerging markets worldwide, generating more than US$30 billion in new business annually.
During her career at the WBG, Stephanie led IFC’s global telecom, media and disruptive technology business. She generated a portfolio of US$3+ billion in 100+ companies across 40 developing countries, including mobile, digital infrastructure, and fintech. The 30+ structured mezzanine and equity transactions yielded one of IFC’s most profitable portfolios with an IRR of 20+%. Stephanie started her career leading the country-based team driving the Russian Mass Privatization Program, working closely with Russian Federal Ministry on the world’s first, large privatization auctions. She then managed IFC’s advisory services and first sizable investments in the manufacturing and services sectors in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union.
In recognition of her work, Stephanie was named to Yahoo’s 2021 HERoes 100 List for driving change and increasing gender diversity in the workplace and CIO Magazine’s CIO 100 Award for Outstanding Business Technology Leadership in 2015 and 2017. She currently shares her expertise as a member of the CSIS Commission on the Reconstruction of Ukraine and the Global Business Advisory Board for the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University. Previously, Stephanie served as Board Member and Alternate Chair of the IFC Asset Management Company. She also served on the Ukrainian National Investment Council, Advisory Board of BOX.ORG, CIO Advisory Board of Greylock Partners, and as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Bank-Fund Staff Federal Credit Union.
Stephanie earned a BS from the Edmund Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University, an MA from the Joseph H. Lauder Institute and an MBA from the Wharton School both at the University of Pennsylvania. She and her husband have three children and live in the greater Washington, DC area.