Now considered as one of the most influential voices in financial journalism, Zanny initially began her career working for The Economist as their emerging markets correspondent back in the 1990s. Rising through the ranks from emerging market correspondent to economics editor in 1996, Zanny now holds the position of Editor in Chief of The Economist, a title which she is honoured to be the first woman in history to hold. Her time working for the newspaper has seen Zanny be influential in some of the papers key changes. Continually responsible for the ever-growing popularity of the newspaper, Zanny was notably able to increase online subscriptions by 20 per cent. Zanny has quickly proved that she is a natural leader, spearheading the industry as a woman in a historically male-dominated industry.
With more than 21 years of experience at the paper, Zanny has built extensive financial knowledge from macroeconomics to international finance and transitioning economies. She founded her career with a solid education in economics, attending Oxford University to study Philosophy, Politics and Economics. She later went on to complete a Masters Degree at the esteemed Harvard University, impressively one of the only Kennedy Scholars to have the scholarship renewed for a second year. Before joining The Economist in 1994, Zanny was appointed as Poland’s Minister of Finance’s advisor and then as an economist at the International Monetary Fund. At the International Monetary Fund Zanny worked to transition economies in Central and Eastern Europe as well as macroeconomics in Africa.
Zanny has become an incredibly influential figure in the world of economics and finance, with her revered expertise continually being sought by leading financial organisations worldwide. She has utilised her aptitude in finance and economics to author countless financial documents covering subjects from global finance and Latin American finance to the American economy, enlargement of the European Union and emerging economies. Zanny is also no stranger to the camera, having featured on a number of programmes such as Charlie Rose, Real Time with Bill Maher, PBS NewsHour, CNBC, NBC and the BBC World Service. Her commitment and prowess within her field have continually been rewarded, achieving the 2012 Gerald Loeb Award for Commentary and later the 2017 Gerald Loeb Award for Breaking News. Zanny was also recognised by Forbes in their Top 100 Powerful Women of 2018 list. Zanny has also contributed as a Trustee of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and she has also been a member of the Research Advisory Board of the Committee for Economic Development.
Zanny’s substantial impact upon her sector has earned her a respectable following as a motivational keynote. With her inspiring story of becoming the first female Editor in Chief of The Economist, Zanny is inspiring future generations of budding journalists and economists to thrive in a once male-dominated sector. With a plethora of detailed and engaging anecdotes, Zanny provides crucial insights for business across the country. Having previously delivered the 28th Annual Max Rosenn Lecture and spoken at the esteemed Princeton University, it is without a doubt that Zanny has an incredible stage presence and delivers an unmissable keynote speech.
