Stephan Wolf

Stephan Wolf is the Chief Executive Officer of the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF), a position he has held since October 2014. His leadership has been pivotal in guiding GLEIF from its inception through a decade of growth and development, establishing it as a key player in the global financial landscape focused on the implementation and utilization of Legal Entity Identifiers (LEIs) .12

Professional Background

Wolf co-founded IS Innovative Software GmbH in 1989, serving as its managing director. He later became the spokesman for the executive board of IS.Teledata AG, which was eventually acquired by Interactive Data Corporation, where he served as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) .16 His extensive experience encompasses data operations and global implementation strategies, particularly in the financial technology sector .36

Contributions to GLEIF

Under his leadership, GLEIF has achieved significant milestones, including promoting the adoption of LEIs across various markets and enhancing their integration into regulatory frameworks such as Know Your Customer (KYC) processes and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) measures. Wolf has also spearheaded initiatives to introduce the digital or verifiable LEI (vLEI), which is expected to expand the utility of LEIs in areas like cross-border payments and international trade .24

Future Plans

Stephan Wolf has announced that he will step down from his role as CEO on June 24, 2024. He expressed confidence in the foundation's future and his commitment to the cause of LEIs will remain steadfast even after his departure .24 His successor, Alexandre Kech, will take over leadership to continue advancing GLEIF's mission .5

Education

Wolf holds a university degree in business administration from J.W. Goethe University in Frankfurt am Main, Germany .6

Overall, Stephan Wolf's tenure at GLEIF has been marked by strategic innovation and a strong focus on enhancing global financial transparency through effective legal entity identification.