The Hungarian Economic Association (MKT) has elected Éva Hegedüs as its new president, marking a historic milestone as she becomes the first woman to hold this position in the organization’s 132-year history. The election, held at Corvinus University of Budapest, underscores the enduring connection between Hungary’s premier economic institution and the professional organizations that drive national economic policy discussions.
A Historic Election at Corvinus University
On May 22, 2026, delegates gathered at Corvinus University of Budapest for the election general assembly that would determine the future leadership of Hungary’s most prominent professional association for economists. The venue choice was fitting—both the incoming president and her predecessor share deep roots with this institution.
Éva Hegedüs, who graduated from the Budapest University of Economics in 1979 (now Corvinus University), will officially assume the presidency on June 1, 2026. She succeeds Gyula Pleschinger, who led the organization for nine years and was himself a graduate of one of Corvinus University’s predecessor institutions. In recognition of his contributions, delegates elected Pleschinger as honorary president for life.
The assembly also brought additional Corvinus representation into MKT leadership. Zsolt Darvas, a researcher at the Brussels-based Bruegel Institute and senior research fellow at Corvinus, was elected as a new member of the association’s presidency. Gábor Miklós Nagy, previously head of the MKT secretariat, became the new Secretary General.
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The Significance of Éva Hegedüs’s Appointment
Breaking a 132-year gender barrier carries symbolic weight that extends beyond the Hungarian Economic Association. In a field where women have historically been underrepresented in top leadership positions, Hegedüs’s election signals evolving dynamics within Hungary’s economic establishment.
However, her appointment is notable not merely for its historical significance but for the substantial professional credentials she brings to the role. Hegedüs currently serves as Chairperson and CEO of GRÁNIT Bank Plc, a position she has held since May 2010. Her career trajectory demonstrates the diverse paths available to economics graduates—from public administration to private sector leadership.
A Career Spanning Public and Private Sectors
Hegedüs’s professional journey began in public administration, where she worked from 1981 to 2002, serving multiple terms as deputy state secretary. This government experience provided her with firsthand knowledge of economic policymaking at the highest levels.
Her transition to the banking sector included prominent roles at several major Hungarian financial institutions. From 1997 to 2000, she served as Deputy CEO of Földhitel- és Jelzálogbank. She then moved to OTP Bank Plc, where she was Deputy CEO from 2002 to 2006 and simultaneously chaired the Board of OTP Lakástakarékpénztár Zrt. Between 2006 and 2010, she led BG Magyarország Ingatlanfinanszírozási Zrt. and BG Magyarország Lízing Zrt. as Chairperson and CEO.
This combination of public sector experience and private sector leadership provides Hegedüs with a comprehensive understanding of Hungary’s economic landscape—knowledge that will inform her stewardship of the Hungarian Economic Association.
The Hungarian Economic Association’s Current Position
Outgoing president Gyula Pleschinger’s report to the assembly highlighted the organization’s recent growth and adaptation. Under his leadership, MKT expanded by adding six new sections, strengthening its position as what Pleschinger described as “probably the most active professional civil organisation in Hungary.”
The association’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated institutional resilience. Rather than curtailing activities during lockdowns, MKT embraced digitalization, emerging stronger from the crisis. Professional events, including the annual itinerant conferences of economists, are now routinely available via live streaming and archived on YouTube, expanding the organization’s reach beyond physical gathering spaces.
By the Numbers: MKT’s Scale and Reach
Understanding the Hungarian Economic Association’s scope helps contextualize the significance of its leadership transitions. The organization, which celebrated its 132nd anniversary on May 27, 2026, operates with impressive structural depth:
- Approximately 3,000 members across Hungary
- 30 specialized sections covering various economic disciplines
- 16 county organizations ensuring regional representation
- 80 to 100 professional conferences held annually
This scale makes MKT a critical forum for economic discourse in Hungary, influencing how professionals, academics, and policymakers engage with pressing economic questions.
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Hegedüs’s Vision for the Hungarian Economic Association
In her address to the assembly, the newly elected president articulated a clear vision for MKT’s future direction. Her approach centers on maintaining what she identified as the association’s core strengths: “open and honest dialogue, meaningful professional debate, impartiality and independence.” These elements, she emphasized, form the foundation of MKT’s credibility.
Hegedüs has identified several strategic priorities that will shape her presidency. These reflect both immediate economic challenges facing Hungary and longer-term structural considerations that require sustained professional attention.
Addressing Pressing Economic Challenges
The new president outlined a robust agenda of issues where MKT should contribute professional analysis and recommendations. These include:
Euro Introduction: Hungary’s potential adoption of the euro remains a complex economic question requiring thorough professional examination. MKT’s role in facilitating evidence-based discussion on this topic will be significant.
Innovation Capacity: Strengthening the innovation capacity of the Hungarian economy is essential for long-term competitiveness. The association can provide platforms for sharing research and best practices in this area.
Artificial Intelligence: The spread of AI technologies presents both opportunities and challenges for economic structures. Professional organizations like MKT must help practitioners and policymakers understand these dynamics.
Demographic Trends: Hungary’s demographic challenges have profound economic implications that require sustained analytical attention and policy discussion.
Engaging the Next Generation of Economists
Hegedüs identified winning over young people as a “strategic issue” for MKT’s future vitality. This recognition reflects a challenge facing many professional associations globally: how to maintain relevance and membership continuity as generational shifts occur.
Her proposed solution includes launching a mentoring programme specifically designed for students and early-career professionals. This initiative would connect emerging economists with established practitioners, creating knowledge transfer channels and building professional networks that benefit both mentees and mentors.
For students currently studying economics at institutions like Corvinus University, such programs offer valuable opportunities to bridge academic learning with practical professional development. The mentoring initiative represents a concrete mechanism through which MKT can demonstrate its value to younger generations.
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Expanding Regional Collaboration
Beyond youth engagement, Hegedüs’s vision includes strengthening MKT’s regional footprint. The association plans to deepen cooperation with its regional organizations, local chambers of commerce, and regional chapters of the National Association of Entrepreneurs and Employers.
This regional focus acknowledges that economic conditions, challenges, and opportunities vary significantly across Hungary. By strengthening local partnerships, MKT can ensure that its professional discussions and policy recommendations reflect the diverse realities of Hungary’s economic geography.
For professionals working outside Budapest, enhanced regional engagement means greater access to MKT’s resources, events, and professional networks. This decentralization of activity could help the association identify and elevate economic perspectives that might otherwise remain underrepresented in national discussions.
Recognition and Professional Standing
Éva Hegedüs’s election to lead MKT follows decades of professional recognition. Her awards demonstrate the esteem in which she is held across Hungarian and international business communities:
- MasterCard Banker of the Year (2015)
- Award for the Hungarian Economy (2017)
- Manager of the Year (2020)
- Forbes Hungary’s Most Influential Businesswoman (2019-2025, seven consecutive years)
- EY Entrepreneur of the Year (2024)
She has also held significant positions in banking sector governance, serving on the board of the Hungarian Banking Association since 2013 and as Vice-President of the Banking Association for Central and Eastern Europe (BACEE) since 2025. Her prior service as Secretary General of the Hungarian Economic Association since 2014 provided her with intimate knowledge of the organization’s operations before assuming its presidency.
Corvinus University’s Continuing Influence on Hungarian Economics
The election results highlight Corvinus University’s sustained influence on Hungary’s economic leadership. With both the outgoing and incoming MKT presidents, as well as a newly elected presidency member, holding Corvinus affiliations, the university’s role in shaping economic discourse extends well beyond classroom education.
This pattern reflects broader trends in how educational institutions contribute to national professional ecosystems. Graduates carry institutional networks, analytical frameworks, and professional relationships into their careers, creating feedback loops that benefit both their alma mater and the organizations they serve.
For prospective students considering economics education in Hungary, these connections represent tangible professional advantages. The opportunity to study at an institution whose alumni lead major professional associations and financial institutions provides access to networks and opportunities that extend far beyond graduation.
Corvinus University’s international accreditations—including AACSB, AMBA, and EFMD—further enhance the value of these connections, positioning graduates to engage with both domestic and international economic communities.
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Looking Ahead: What This Leadership Transition Means
Leadership transitions in major professional organizations inevitably prompt questions about direction and priorities. Based on Hegedüs’s stated objectives and the assembly’s decisions, several themes emerge that will likely characterize MKT’s evolution under her presidency.
First, the emphasis on visibility suggests that MKT will seek to amplify its voice in public economic discussions. In an era of fragmented media and competing expert opinions, professional associations must actively work to ensure their contributions reach relevant audiences.
Second, the focus on specific policy challenges—euro adoption, innovation, AI, demographics—indicates that MKT intends to provide substantive analytical contributions rather than limiting itself to general professional development. This approach positions the association as a resource for policymakers seeking evidence-based input.
Third, the attention to youth engagement and regional collaboration reflects an organizational awareness that sustainability requires both generational renewal and geographic breadth. Associations that remain concentrated in a single demographic or geographic cohort risk losing relevance over time.
Conclusion
Éva Hegedüs’s election as president of the Hungarian Economic Association represents both a historic milestone and a practical leadership transition. Her extensive experience across public administration and private banking, combined with years of service within MKT itself, positions her to advance the organization’s mission during a period of significant economic change.
For students, early-career professionals, and established practitioners in Hungary’s economic sector, MKT’s evolving programs—particularly the planned mentoring initiative—offer opportunities for professional development and network building. The association’s ongoing digitalization efforts also mean that geographic location need not limit participation in its professional discourse.
As Hungary navigates complex economic questions in the coming years, the role of professional organizations like the Hungarian Economic Association in facilitating informed discussion will only grow in importance. With Corvinus University alumni continuing to shape this discourse from positions of leadership, the connection between economic education and professional practice remains as vital as ever.
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