Last week, interns of Piraeus Bank Ukraine took part in a meeting with Yannis Kyriakopoulos, Chairman of the Management Board, as part of the Bank’s ongoing talent development initiatives.

What was initially planned as a formal briefing evolved into an open and engaging discussion on leadership, decision-making, and professional growth. Mr. Kyriakopoulos shared practical insights into how leadership works in real life — from balancing responsibility and ambition to making complex decisions in a banking environment operating under the extraordinary conditions of wartime.

During the conversation, he spoke candidly about the choices and trade-offs that shape a career, emphasizing that meaningful development often requires stepping beyond one’s comfort zone. One message resonated particularly strongly with the interns:

“Leadership is about embracing difficult challenges, not seeking comfort.”

The discussion encouraged participants to reflect more deeply on what it means to grow within a real business environment, leaving them better informed, more curious, and motivated to take ownership of their professional paths.

Meetings like this are a key element of Piraeus Bank Ukraine’s approach to building its future talent pipeline. By giving interns direct access to senior leadership, the Bank aims to foster a deeper understanding of strategy, responsibility, and long-term thinking — helping develop the next generation of professionals who will contribute to the Bank’s continued growth and resilience.