Novi Woman of the Week: Maria Rizov, 2025 Novi Awards Emerging Leader of the Year
Maria Rizov is the kind of leader you want in the room when the stakes are high and the numbers have a few too many zeros.
A trusted business partner to boards and executive teams, Maria has built a career advising on complex legal and commercial matters across EMEA and beyond. Her work spans securing multi-million global deals and redesigning cross-functional processes that transformed a legal centre into a profit-driving engine. At every step, she operates at the intersection of sharp judgement, creativity, and impact.
Leading with Commercial Clarity
Currently at Alvarez & Marsal, a global professional services firm known for its hands-on, results-driven approach, Maria brings deep operational insight to legal strategy. Her experience cuts across corporate finance, restructuring, risk, and performance improvement, always grounded in a practical, roll-up-your-sleeves mindset.
This is leadership that understands both the detail and the bigger picture and knows how to turn complexity into value.
Beyond the Deal Table
What truly sets Maria apart is her leadership beyond contracts and negotiations.
As a senior member of A&M’s Women’s Leadership Connection, she actively mentors, organises initiatives, and champions women stepping into senior roles. Her approach is rooted in integrity, resilience, and a growth mindset, shaped by living and working across the USA, Near East, Africa, and Europe, and speaking four languages along the way.
She does not just open doors. She stays to make sure others can walk through them.
Redefining Emerging Leadership
Recognised as our 2025 Novi Awards Emerging Leader of the Year, Maria is a reminder that emerging leadership is not about tenure. It is about influence, courage, and the ability to create value while lifting others as you rise.
We are proud to spotlight Maria Rizov and look forward to what she builds next.
