Bringing ideas together: From European public affairs to financial governance 

Ieva Staniulyte, Senior Corporate Governance Officer at EMMI

After working in the European Parliament and public affairs, Ieva Staniulyte found a natural path towards governance. Today, as Senior Corporate Governance Officer at EMMI, she helps support the frameworks, processes and discussions that shape the organisation’s governance framework. 

At first glance, European public affairs and financial governance may seem like very different worlds. For Ieva Staniulyte, however, both are built around the same objective: helping institutions navigate complexity, balance competing interests and make informed decisions. 

From her early experiences in the European Parliament to her current role at EMMI, governance has been a consistent thread throughout her professional journey. 

Understanding how decisions are made 

Before joining EMMI, Ieva spent fifteen years working in European public affairs and within the European Parliament environment. 

Looking back, she sees clear similarities between those experiences and her current responsibilities. 

“Both environments involve balancing diverse perspectives, navigating complex regulatory frameworks and supporting decision-making processes,” she explains. 

Working closely with policymakers, stakeholders and institutional processes gave her a first-hand understanding of how decisions are prepared, discussed and ultimately made. It also reinforced the importance of transparency, accountability and constructive dialogue. These principles continue to guide her work today. 

Governance in practice 

Governance is often associated with structures, policies and formal procedures. Yet for Ieva, its purpose is ultimately practical. 

“Governance is about creating the conditions for sound decision-making,” she says. 

This means ensuring that the right discussions take place, that responsibilities are clear and that decisions are supported by robust processes and reliable information. 

In her role at EMMI, governance spans a wide range of topics, from Board and committee activities to regulatory developments, conflicts of interest and organisational policies. 

While much of this work takes place behind the scenes, it helps ensure that key decisions are taken within a clear and consistent framework. 

An environment that keeps evolving 

One of the aspects Ieva values most about working at EMMI is its international character. 

Bringing together colleagues, stakeholders and experts from different countries and professional backgrounds, creates an environment where perspectives are continuously exchanged and challenged. 

“No two days are the same,” she says. “The work is intellectually stimulating and continuously evolving.” 

This dynamic environment is also one of the reasons she enjoys governance. As markets, regulations and organisations evolve, governance frameworks must adapt alongside them. 

For Ieva, this constant evolution makes the role both challenging and rewarding. 

Staying curious 

Throughout her career, learning has remained a powerful source of motivation. 

Whether working in European public affairs or financial governance, she has always been interested in understanding how decisions are shaped and how different actors contribute to a common objective. 

“Every challenge is an opportunity to learn,” she says. “The more you understand different perspectives, the better equipped you are to support effective governance.” 

Her journey from the European Parliament to financial governance illustrates how governance extends beyond any single sector or profession. While organisations may differ, the need for sound decision-making, accountability and constructive dialogue