Marjan Riggi

Managing Partner at Stage Wing Advisory

Speaker

Marjan Riggi is a highly respected leader and advisor in the field of global aviation and aerospace financing. With over thirty years of experience and expertise in credit analysis and fixed income research she has become a trusted figure in the global aviation industry. During her career in financial services, Marjan has fostered a deep network of global relationships within the aerospace industry who often engage her for her knowledge of current financing markets in aviation, transportation and finance companies. In mid 2023, Marjan established “Stage Wing Advisory”, a consultancy firm that provides comprehensive advisory services on all aspects of aviation financing including debt and equity raise, debt restructuring and investor engagements.

Until mid-2023, Marjan held the position of Senior Managing Director at Kroll Bond Ratings, where she led the Global Transportation and Specialty Finance teams for eleven years. During her tenure, she successfully managed the rating teams for aviation, shipping, rail, fleet, and other hard assets, as well as non-bank commercial finance companies and banks. Marjan's accomplishments include pioneering the ratings of aviation and aerospace companies at a large rating agency. She played a crucial role in the success and leadership of the agency for these areas, utilizing a combination of corporate and structured finance techniques as well as recognition of new market opportunities. In addition, Marjan initiated the ratings of banks, Business Development Companies (BDC), and commercial finance sectors at KBRA, which has established the company as a leader in those industries.

Known for her business development acumen, Marjan has a proven track record of identifying and capitalizing on opportunities in underserved areas and those with growth potential. Among the successful businesses she built at KBRA, the initiation of aviation ratings led to KBRA becoming a global leader in all forms of aviation and aerospace debt, particularly in ABS, aircraft leasing, airline financings, as well as private debt and hybrid equity ratings for various aviation assets. Under Marjan's leadership, KBRA's portfolio of aviation ratings grew from zero to over 250, solidifying the company's position as a top player in aircraft ABS, private debt, and hybrid equity debt globally.

Marjan's extensive network of industry contacts, combined with her in-depth knowledge of capital market products, and investor preferences, have made her a sought-after speaker on global aviation trends, risks, and opportunities. She has published numerous reports on aviation, BDCs, and rating techniques, further establishing her as a thought leader in these field.

Prior to joining KBRA, Marjan held senior positions at Moody's Investors, and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, as a senior analyst responsible for banks, diversified financials, and structured finance. She has a master's degree in political economy and international finance from the School of International Affairs at Columbia University and a BA from University of Kansas in Linguistics.