site.btaYana Djoneva Appointed Chief Operating Officer of European Stability Mechanism

The European Stability Mechanism (ESM) has appointed Bulgarian Yana Djoneva as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and a member of the Board of Directors, with her tenure beginning on March 1, 2025, ESM announced on its website on Thursday.

ESM is a permanent fund established to safeguard financial stability in the eurozone. It has been operational since 2012, following the debt crisis of the early 2010s, and provides financial assistance to eurozone countries facing economic distress. All eurozone member states participate in the fund, represented by their finance ministers. ESM’s subscribed capital currently stands at EUR 708 billion.

As COO, Djoneva will oversee the Business Strategy and Project Management Department, as well as the Information Technology and Facilities Management Department. The Human Resources and Organization Department, previously under the COO’s jurisdiction, will now report directly to the Managing Director.

Djoneva joined ESM shortly after its inception and played a key role in shaping its internal operations in line with best practices, the institution stated. With over 12 years of experience at ESM, including her tenure as Deputy Head of Corporate Governance and Internal Policies, she has developed expertise in policy, management, risk, audit, and business continuity. ESM highlighted her strategic thinking and effectiveness in daily operations.

"Yana [Djoneva] brings valuable experience from ESM, making her a strong addition to the board. I am eager to collaborate with her and the other board members to drive our organization’s success," said ESM Managing Director Pierre Gramegna.

Before joining ESM, Djoneva worked at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and in the private sector. She holds a law degree from Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski, an MBA from the London Business School, and a master’s in European law from the University of Lorraine.