Nika Aksjonova
Team Manager in Sanctions Screening
Nika’s Career Story: It’s All About the Journey
Sometimes your career path is very clear, and you know exactly what the next step will be. Other times, it’s unpredictable and shaped by opportunities that arise. Nika’s journey is a combination of both, and, like yoga practices she enjoys, it’s about balance and being present in the moment, while keeping the future in mind.
How did your journey start at SEB?
My journey started in 2011 in the Sub Custody department. There was a process we needed to implement, so I went to Denmark for a couple of months to learn the ins and outs of it. The experience was great, and since then, I’ve changed several positions, including HR operations, Payment Services, KYC, and now I’m part of the Sanctions Screening team. I can’t say I planned all my steps ahead here; some roles came as opportunities or new challenges, and I simply took them.
The more I learned about the role of each department in daily processes, the more curious I became. It’s like pieces of a puzzle that, when put together, make the bigger picture clearer. Having worked here for over a decade, many people I’ve met along the way are still here, and I’m glad to see them grow, thrive, and take on new challenges. I truly feel like I’m part of the community I helped to build.
What does long-term thinking and sustainability mean to you personally?
For me, it’s about thinking several steps ahead and ensuring that what I do today will bring value in the future.
Imagine an empty garden, where you can plant whatever you wish. You plant trees to provide shade on hot summer days. You plant berries so your child can enjoy them. You might not see the results in the first months or even years, but eventually, by taking care of what you’ve planted, you nurture it into becoming what you envisioned.
Do you see sustainability as part of your everyday work?
Sustainability has a broad meaning, but in general, I think it’s about caring in action. Caring about the environment by implementing paperless solutions or drinking coffee from ceramic cups instead of plastic or paper. Caring about people by creating a workplace culture where everyone wants to be present and participate. And caring about creating services that support our clients’ sustainability commitments and goals.
Work in Business Services is very dynamic – you must ensure daily processes are running smoothly, fix issues that arise, and keep the big picture and strategic goals in mind. The balance between these actions is crucial. If you focus only on today, you’ll miss the chance to improve and develop for tomorrow. If you only focus on the future, you risk compromising service quality.
For me, sustainability in everyday work means considering all factors and ensuring we commit to and act on both short and long-term goals.
Is SEB’s focus on sustainability different from other companies in the financial industry?
We are a company with almost 170 years of heritage. We can’t compare ourselves to small companies or startups – they’re more flexible and, at the same time, have much less at risk than we do. We must evaluate many factors before making any changes that might impact our clients. But what we are committed to improving constantly are our ways of working and making small, positive changes every day.
We question why things are done in a certain way, and if there’s room for improvement or change, we go for it. As we say in Business Services – challenge the status quo. This behaviour is something we also look for and nurture in our employees because you learn more from a positive example than from instructions or manuals.
Where there are many committed people and your personal values align with the company’s values, the development process never stops.
What is something that is on the horizon that you think will be impactful in the world of finance or sustainability?
I think it’s not only about modern technologies but also about people realizing how things in the world are interconnected. For example, how health impacts not only the quality of your life but also the economy. How your financial decisions, big or small, impact the world, the environment, and others. Our decisions and actions today impact the future, whether we like it or not. And even if it sometimes feels like a small step or decision, if you see future benefit in it, you should take it.
If you’re consistent and have a vision of how you want your future to look, it doesn’t matter how long it takes to get there; you will enjoy both the process and the results.
I do yoga to reconnect with myself and restore my energy levels, and I see a connection here too. When you start doing it, you’re very focused on simple things, like how not to fall. But the further you go, the more confident and carefree you feel, and it no longer feels like exercise but more like meditation and time with yourself. It’s about enjoying the process and understanding that each movement benefits you. The better you are, the closer you are to a better world.
