19th November 2024, Brussels,
Today JA Europe’s Annual General Assembly endorsed the appointment of two new Members to its Board of Directors: Valerie Urbain, CEO of Euroclear and Siobhán McDonagh, Head of Group People & Culture of UniCredit.
Valerie Urbain, CEO of Euroclear
Valerie Urbain became Chief Executive Officer of the Euroclear group in May 2024 having previously served as Chief Business Officer and a member of the Euroclear group Management Committee. Before her position as CBO she was Chief Executive Officer at Euroclear Bank, with responsibility for Euroclear Bank’s Operations, Commercial, Client Service, Banking and Network Management divisions worldwide.
Between 2009 and year end 2014, Mrs. Urbain was the CEO of the three ESES Central Securities Depositories (CSDs), namely Euroclear Belgium, Euroclear France and Euroclear Nederland. Prior to this, she was Managing Director and head of the Human Resources division of the Euroclear Group from 2005 until 2009.
Earlier in her career, Mrs. Urbain held a number of positions in Product Management, Commercial and Network Management. Before joining Euroclear in 1992, Mrs. Urbain worked in the Investment Banking and Bond Sales departments of Banco Hispano Americano and in the Corporate Banking division of Continental Bank (both in Brussels).
Mrs. Urbain holds a degree in Commercial Engineering from the Solvay Business School (Belgium).
Valerie Urbain, CEO of Euroclear highlighted:
“It is with profound gratitude and immense pride that I accept the recent appointment to the JA Europe Board. This opportunity is not just a professional milestone but a deeply personal commitment to fostering educational excellence and entrepreneurial spirit across Europe.
Joining the JA Europe Board allows me to contribute to a vision of empowering young minds, nurturing leadership, and driving innovation.
JA Europe’s role in preparing the next generation is crucial. By providing students with real-world skills and experiences, we shape careers and build a brighter future for our communities and economies.
I look forward to collaborating with my esteemed colleagues on the Board to expand the reach and impact of JA Europe’s programs, ensuring every young person has the opportunity to realise their full potential.
I am honoured to be part of this remarkable organisation.”
Siobhán McDonagh, Head of Group People & Culture of UniCredit
Siobhán McDonagh is the Head of Group People & Culture at UniCredit, a position she has held since May 2022. In this role, she oversees the strategic direction and management of the bank’s human resources functions across its global operations.
Ms. McDonagh began her career in 1989 at Marks and Spencer PLC, where she held various roles as Human Resources Manager in different stores across the UK and Ireland over an eleven-year period. In 2000, she transitioned to the global law firm Linklaters LLP as Human Resources Manager for the Corporate Division. In 2005, she moved into the financial sector with Merrill Lynch, and later Bank of America Merrill Lynch, where she served as the Global Head of Human Resources for Corporate Banking and EMEA Investment Banking, as well as the Global Head of Human Resources for the Investment Banking Division. In 2011, Ms. McDonagh joined Credit Suisse as the Global Head of Human Resources for Finance, Operations, and IT, and Head of EMEA Human Resources. She then moved to UBS in 2014, initially as the Global Head of Investment Bank Human Resources. In 2016, she took on the additional role of Head of Human Resources UK, where she was responsible for leading global human resources strategies and engaging employees to make a difference in local communities.
Beyond her professional roles, Ms. McDonagh has been actively involved in philanthropic and educational initiatives. She has served as a Trustee for the UBS Optimus Foundation and as a Governor of The Bridge Academy.
Siobhán McDonagh, Head of Group People & Culture of UniCredit said: “I am very proud to become actively involved with Europe’s largest provider of education programs, focusing on essential opportunities for the next generation. Volunteering to work on the Board of Directors for JA Europe offers significant value both professionally and personally.”
With the addition of these accomplished leaders, JA Europe reaffirms its commitment to empowering young Europeans with skills for entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and work readiness. The JA Europe Board of Directors aims to inspire a new generation of leaders, driving sustainable development and innovation across the continent.
Laurence Morvan, Chair of JA Europe, said upon the appointments: “ We are delighted to welcome two new female leaders to the JA Europe Board of Directors. We look forward to leveraging the extensive experience of Valerie Urbain and Siobhán McDonagh and are grateful for their commitment to empowering the next generation of Europeans.”
Salvatore Nigro CEO of JA Europe commented: “We are in an exponential growth phase at JA Europe with over 6.5 mln youth learning experiences per year. The addition of Valerie Urbain and Siobhán McDonagh will continue supporting this trend while maintaining a great impact.”
Our sincere thanks go to our outgoing Board members, whose leadership and passion have propelled JA Europe forward:
- Kylie Ann Jimenez, Senior Vice President, Toyota Motor Europe
- Godelieve Rachel L. Mostrey, Former CEO, Euroclear
- Cornelius Johannes Maria Roks, Chief Audit Officer, Novartis
Their vision and hard work have not only strengthened our organization but have also inspired countless young people.
About JA Europe
JA Europe is the largest and leading organisation in Europe dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed. For over 100 years, JA Worldwide has delivered hands-on, experiential learning in entrepreneurship, work readiness and financial health. In the last school year, the JA Europe network in over 40 countries provided 6 million learning experiences for youth in online, in person and blended formats with the support of nearly 110,000 teachers and almost 90,000 business volunteers. In 2024, JA Worldwide was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, the third nomination in three years.
Press and media contact at JA Europe:
Minna Melleri, Chief of Advocacy and Growth, minna@jaeurope.org
