For someone as aptly named as Stephanie Hurry, speed has always defined her journey – from competing in ultramarathons to quickly ascending the ranks in her banking career. Yet, it wasn’t until a running injury forced her to pause that she stopped to reflect on what she wanted to do with the next step of her life, leading her to pursue an MBA at IMD.
Hurry specifically chose IMD for its strong focus on leadership – a crucial factor in her decision to pivot away from a 12-year career in banking, where she held prominent roles at South African institutions such as Absa CIB/Barclays Capital and Nedbank. IMD appealed to her not only because of its reputation but also due to its deep industry connections and dedication to developing authentic leadership skills for the real world.
“I was hoping that the IMD experience would give me the opportunity to actively reflect on what I wanted, both professionally and personally. One thing they emphasize a lot at IMD is self-leadership, where you have to work on understanding yourself better in order not to inflict your issues on other people without being aware of it,” she said.
“Reflecting on our values was encouraged and formed part of several exercises. In managing conflicts and difficult interpersonal situations, I tried to be guided by values, which for me means being as authentic as possible in caring not only about the person but the best outcome for the performance of the team.”
It’s a principle she now applies daily as Head of Business Development and Partnerships at Boerse Stuttgart Digital, overseeing a team that provides digital asset solutions to banks, brokers, and financial institutions. Hurry joined the company after spending more than three and a half years at Crypto Finance, where she was promoted to Head of Client Services after being at the company for under a year.
Looking back, Hurry credits the invaluable feedback from her classmates as central to her leadership growth. “In terms of defining experiences, I think that some of the feedback that I received from my classmates was very, very helpful,” she said. “It made me question how I see myself versus how other people see me and in terms of my leadership style, to be less involved in the process and to trust others more.”
“I definitely didn’t anticipate where I would be,” she reflected on her move into blockchain and crypto. “That was something that came out of the MBA. It opened my view on what potential opportunities could be. Being from South Africa, I had been exposed to the sectors of the economy that were historically strong such as mining, finance, and property and I hadn’t thought much about opportunities in the technology space. Having classmates that had very different experiences and perspectives was inspiring for me in that respect.”
Looking ahead, Hurry – who was awarded the Nestlé Scholarship for Women – emphasizes the increasing need for empathetic, inclusive leadership. “Scholarships make it possible for a broader group to aspire to be potential future leaders,” she said. “It is not only about changing the outcomes for individuals, but it can positively change the world we live in. With the trend towards nationalism and fragmentation, having leaders with more diverse backgrounds, experiences, and characteristics is a real benefit.”
Reflecting on how she sees leadership evolving, Hurry believes actively listening to those who have more expertise is key to navigating rapid changes. “Self-awareness and the ability to communicate, as well as receive and process feedback, are vital. Decision-making in the face of uncertainty, being guided by principles, and knowing when to step out of the way for others are important qualities.”
As a leader in her field, Hurry aims to be part of the change regarding the visibility of high-profile women. “I have been very lucky enough to have had a couple of great female bosses and role models who have helped me see that it’s possible to be different and successful,” she said.
What will help bring more women into the field is ensuring that they have stability and support in their private lives to take risks professionally. “Making it equally attractive to hire women as men is also important, by normalizing that men can also play bigger roles at home, for example by taking longer paternity leave,” she noted.
“Having role models in finance and crypto – feeling like you are not alone, and there is a supportive base of other women – is important,” she continued. “Some initiatives to support women, such as Women in Web3, are also doing a great job at building inclusive communities in the crypto space.”
Sharing her advice to others about breaking into her industry, Hurry said talking to many people about their experiences and advice was helpful; however, being selective about what you take on board is important, especially when people say that things are not possible.
“Don’t be afraid to take a chance on something new,” she said. “It often works out – even if it’s not always in the way you expect.”
