Stephen Benko

Managing Partner Egon Zehnder

Dr. Stephen E. Benko was born and raised in the United States, a son to a Hungarian father and Swiss mother. Advancing to a PhD degree in English language, he joined the public service at the US department of State and then the National Security Council in the Reagan and Bush administrations. Returning to his country of origins in 1990, he was the Director of the Citizens Democracy Corps of the Visegrád countries, and later, Consultant to the World Bank based in Budapest.

He joined Egon Zehnder International in 1999 and immediately was promoted to Office Manager of the newly independent Budapest office. As a senior member of the team, he brings an impressive track record in serving Hungarian clientele in all sectors, with emphasis those from the Financial Services (including Private Equity) and the Technology and Communications sectors. He is also a senior member of our Leadership Strategy Services Practice Group. He has also worked significantly throughout Central Europe, including Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, and Rumania. In 2006, Dr. Benko was elected a Partner of Egon Zehnder International.