Most people think legal expertise matters when things go wrong.
Maria Rizov has spent over two decades proving it matters most before they do.
As Senior Counsel EMEIR at Alvarez & Marsal, Maria sits at the heart of complex international business — advising on high-value deals, digital transformation, regulatory risk and cross-border operations across Europe, the US, Africa and the Middle East.
But what defines her is not the scale of the work.
It is the mindset she brings to it.
The impact of her career speaks for itself:
→ Over 20 years advising businesses on multimillion-dollar infrastructure, outsourcing and acquisition deals
→ Doubled the efficiency of a legal team while operating with reduced resources
→ Helped organisations avoid significant litigation costs through smarter systems and stronger agreements
→ Built a reputation as a trusted advisor across international markets and industries
→ Active leader within the Alvarez & Marsal Women’s Leadership Connection, mentoring and creating opportunities for women across the organisation
But what makes Maria truly stand out is not found in any deal sheet.
It is the way she leads the people around her.
Commercial Instinct. Human Leadership.
Maria does not see legal work as a barrier to business progress. She sees it as a driver of it.
Her career has taken her across borders, cultures and industries — and that breadth has shaped everything. She knows how to move through complexity without losing clarity. How to bring calm structure to high-pressure moments. How to help executive teams make confident decisions when the stakes are high and the path forward is anything but obvious.
She puts it simply: the best legal leadership happens long before conflict arrives.
That philosophy has made her one of the most trusted voices in the rooms where it matters most.
Quiet Confidence. Lasting Impact.
Maria is not trying to dominate. She is trying to build alignment, find solutions that hold and create environments where people around her can grow.
That balance — high performance and deeply human — is rare. And it is exactly what the Novi Emerging Leader of the Year award was created to recognise.
Maria Rizov represents a new generation of leadership in corporate law and business advisory. Globally minded. Commercially sharp. People-focused.
She is proving that true leadership is not just about expertise.
It is about what you do with it — and who you bring with you.
Maria’s recognition means even more to us this year. Alvarez & Marsal are not just celebrating with us — they are backing the mission. As a returning sponsor of the Novi Awards, their continued support helps us shine a light on the women who deserve to be seen. We are grateful. And we are proud to celebrate one of their own.
Hear Maria Speak in Person
Want to go deeper on how women can negotiate power and become truly indispensable at work?
Join us for an intimate Novi Members Dinner on 2nd June 2026 at The Ivy Tower Bridge, London, where Maria will share her insights on How Women Negotiate Power: Becoming Indispensable at Work.
This is a rare opportunity to spend an evening with one of the sharpest legal minds in global business — in one of London’s finest settings.
🔗 Secure your seat here — Novi Members Dinner with Maria Rizov.
✨ Know a woman who is quietly changing the game in her field? The 2026 Novi Awards nominations are open. Free to nominate. Takes 5 minutes. Could change her life.
🔗 nomination.thenoviawards.com
Nominations close 15th June. Don’t wait.
