“The uncertain can be beautiful.”

Désirée Marie Holjevac has been responsible for the "Retail Branches" division of Erste Bank Oesterreich since February 2025. She started her career in 2004 in the corporate sector of Tiroler Sparkasse and held various positions there. While working, she studied "Economics & Management" at the Management Center Innsbruck and most recently was responsible for the Private Banking business area. The mother of two enjoys spending her free time traveling and doing sports.

Dear Désirée, where are you from? 

I come from the picturesque Innsbruck. I was born into an entrepreneurial family and learned early on that living diversity also means sometimes taking risks.

I grew up in various cultures and religions (atheist, Roman Catholic, and Muslim) and found my own path in this diversity, which led me to Buddhism - whose life and world views resonate with me.

How important is openness to you? 

Openness is incredibly important to me. Also, curiosity about other people, cultures, ways of life, and not having any reservations.

My dad came to Vienna from present-day Iran at the age of 18 after finishing high school. Without speaking the language, without friends or acquaintances. He was open to life, and this attitude shaped me early on. The unknown can hold many beautiful things for us.

What was your plan for life? 

When I was in my early twenties, my plan was completely different: I wanted to go to New York, build a career, and live without marriage and children.

But things turned out differently. After finishing high school, the Tyrolean Savings Bank approached me, and since then, I've been working at the bank. And in my personal life, things also turned out differently: I have been with my husband for 17 years, and our children are 9 and 13 years old.

Actively observing and tracking one's own development is one of the most exciting things in life. What I have learned is this: Everything you do always counts towards your own life. The good things, but also the not-so-good things.

And also this: Staying true to yourself is a great task.

You have just moved from Tyrol to Vienna. How does that feel? 

I have newly arrived in Vienna since the beginning of February, after twenty years at the Sparkasse, I am now new in the role of Head of Branch Sales. It is a big step that fills me with a lot of joy, but it also means a lot of responsibility, namely taking my family out of their environment in Tyrol into the unknown.

Accompanying people in their development motivates me. You see the full spectrum of life.

I am convinced that in 2025 it must be possible to live a life where being a mother, having a family and partnership, and having a career are no longer mutually exclusive.

Equal opportunity must be more than just a campaign slogan!

What especially motivates me in the new role is being able to accompany people in their development. That is a great task. You see the full spectrum of life.

What have you learned? 

Life is a continuous development. We evolve. We can rejoice in successes and grow from failures because we can learn from them.

A year ago, I completed training as a neuro-mental coach and wrote a word on a Post-it: "Mutausbruch" (courage outbreak). I believe we need more of these courage outbreaks.

I have learned: I am not alone. There are incredibly wonderful people around me - both in my personal and professional life. I don't have to be perfect, know everything, or be able to do everything. Rather, I am allowed to remain a learner throughout my life. This togetherness makes sustainable success possible.

How important is trust to you? 

Trust is incredibly important. This includes trusting in life, in other people, and above all, trusting in yourself and your own abilities. It also involves getting to know yourself and finding out what gives you energy, what takes energy, what feels good, and what doesn't.

It's essential to accept that life doesn't only hold beautiful things for you. Many things are not perfect and not controllable. You have to learn to accept that.

The greatest task is to always return to trust.

What inspires you? 

The connection with other people that helps me grow. I am interested in people with their stories and experiences that they bring. I learn from them. I want to grow from that.

I am also inspired by being able to contribute to financial education. 

How do you relax?

I try to turn down the flow of news and gain a different perspective. Listening to myself, becoming calmer, gaining distance from things - like climbing a mountain to see clearly from the top again. Peace and serenity are important, and also saying: "Let's look at things again tomorrow!"

Thank you, dear Désirée, for the interview!