Hikmet Ersek

Early Life and Education

Hikmet Ersek is a seasoned global business leader, celebrated for his extensive experience and contributions to the financial services and payments industry. His academic journey began at the Vienna University of Economics and Business, where he earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a focus on Business Administration and Management.

Career Beginnings

Ersek's professional life is marked by a rich tapestry of roles and achievements. He began shaping his career at Mastercard in the mid-1980s as a Business Development Manager, honing his skills in building merchant and card issuing services alongside financial institutions in Austria. His next step was at GE Capital, where he took on the role of Business Development Manager from 1995 to 1999. Here, he was instrumental in mergers and acquisitions, developing new products, and implementing Six Sigma and Lean Management techniques. His exemplary performance saw him rise to the position of National Executive at GE by 1996, where he represented GE-Corporation in Austria and Slovenia.

Western Union Tenure

In 1999, Ersek joined Western Union, where he would spend the next two decades of his career. Initially, he served as a Senior Executive based in Vienna, spearheading the company's global expansion to over 200 countries. His diligence and visionary leadership culminated in his appointment as the Chief Executive Officer in 2010, a role he held until the end of 2021. As CEO, Ersek led and transformed Western Union into one of the world’s most global companies, setting benchmarks in cross-border financial transaction services.

Post-Western Union Ventures

Post-Western Union, Ersek's career continued to flourish. In May 2022, he took on the role of Global Business Leader at Ersek PLC, offering global consulting services and investing in startups. Overlapping this, he served as a Board Member at Erste Group, contributing to the Supervisory Board and various committees until October 2023. His notable board roles extended further, as he became a Board Member at Voya Financial and waterdrop® in early 2023, further diversifying his leadership impact across health, wealth, investment, and consumer goods sectors.

Public Service and Diplomacy

Additionally, Ersek embodies a spirit of public service and diplomacy as the Honorary Consul at the Austrian Consulate in Denver since 2015, representing Austria in several US states.

Key Competencies and Skills

Ersek’s career is decorated with key competencies in international development and sales, electronic payment processing, and business development. His skills in cross-cultural communication, multilingualism, and diplomacy have been instrumental in his leadership of multicultural teams throughout his career. His expertise underpinning regulatory affairs and his contributions to both corporate and public domains mark him as a distinguished leader with a legacy of global impact.