LiT#7
Wednesday, June 4 LiT#7 – Leading Together: The HR & Leadership Alliance Leaders in Tech Event closed! Join us for the 7th edition of Leaders in Tech, hosted by Adobe in Bucharest! This special evening will bring together local tech leaders and HR professionals to explore how effective collaboration between leadership and talent teams drives innovation, growth, and stronger teams. 🎤 Speakers: Ariadna Stamatopol – Senior Talent Acquisition Manager @ Adobe Mihaela Alsamadi – Senior HR Consultant @ Adobe Dragos Stoica – Country Manager @ Brillio Cris Radu – VP of Engineering @ Adobe 🗣️ Moderated by Ioan Posa, Co-Founder of Leaders in Tech. Expect an engaging panel discussion, open and candid conversations, and actionable insights on building high-performing organizations through aligned leadership and HR strategy. Event Details Start: 07:00 AM End: 10:00 PM Event Organizer Organizer: LiT – Leaders in Tech Email: contact@leaders-in-tech.com Location Adress: Adobe, U Center 2, Bucharest, Romania Website: www.leaders-in-tech.com
LiT in Cluj-Napoca
Tuesday, May 27 LiT in Cluj-Napoca – Shaping the opportunities in the region Leaders in Tech Event closed! We’re thrilled to announce the first ever Leaders in Tech event outside of Bucharest, and where better to start than Cluj-Napoca, one of Romania’s most dynamic tech hubs. 🎯 Event Theme: Shaping the Opportunities in the RegionJoin us for an evening of inspiration, insights, and honest conversations about the unique strengths and growth potential of the local tech ecosystem. From scaling teams to driving innovation, we’ll explore how regional leaders are shaping the future and how you can be part of it. 📍 Hosted by: Brillio – a proud Leaders in Tech 2025 partner 🌟 Speakers? Natalia Ciobanu – Climate Scientist @ Brillio Madalina Budeanu – Senior BI & Analytics Manager @ Brillio Bogdan Muresan – VP of Technology and Head of R&D Romania @ JWP Connatix Ioan Posa – CEO @ Gambit Group and Co-Founder @ Leaders in Tech Whether you’re a CTO, Engineering Manager, or simply passionate about building tech and community, this event will connect you with like-minded leaders ready to drive change and seize new opportunities. 🎫 Seats are limited — don’t miss out! Key Takeaways Last week marked a major milestone for the Leaders in Tech community – our first event outside of Bucharest, hosted in Cluj-Napoca in partnership with Brillio, our first official partner of 2025. With over 70 participants and an exceptional panel of speakers, we explored the topic “Shaping the Opportunities in the Region”, diving into what makes Cluj a standout tech hub, the lessons we can learn from it, and what’s next for innovation in Romania. Here are the highlights: What Makes Cluj Special? Cluj’s tech scene stands on three strong pillars:🔸 Academic excellence🔸 Mature entrepreneurship🔸 A growing leadership mindset This unique blend has created fertile ground for both talent and innovation. While many still associate Cluj — and Romania, more broadly — with outsourcing, the local ecosystem has proven it’s capable of so much more. As Bogdan pointed out, his career has spanned both product and service companies, and innovation happens in both, as long as there’s vision. 🧩 Communities thrive here — and with them, knowledge exchange and peer learning. Cluj is proof that community-led growth drives maturity. Lessons for the Rest of Romania Other regions like Timișoara and Iași are also evolving, but Cluj stands out for its ability to turn knowledge into innovation. A strong university system, active tech communities, and growing investor interest have created momentum. Challenges to Address Growth brings complexity.⚠️ Talent saturation is becoming a real challenge.⚠️ Rising costs are pushing Cluj closer to Western European benchmarks, making “cost-efficiency” less of a competitive advantage.⚠️ And although there’s a push toward innovation, the startup and product-building mindset is still growing. There’s a clear opportunity here for LiT and the broader tech ecosystem to step up — by supporting mentorship, product thinking, and long-term community engagement. Data and AI – Opportunity or Trap? As AI adoption grows, so does the temptation to “tick the box.”🚫 Processing data just for the sake of it can lead to misleading insights. As Natalia said, “Garbage in, garbage out.” 👉 To use AI meaningfully, we must start with real business problems and ask ourselves: What problem are we solving? What data do we need? Are we being intentional? It’s not about shiny tools — it’s about value and context. From Tech to Business Impact Several voices in the room emphasized a powerful truth:💬 “Tech is just a tool. The real challenge is understanding the business problem.” We need to shift from technical brilliance alone to product ownership, business understanding, and strategic thinking. And that shift must start early — with mentorship, exposure, and systems that support students and young professionals to think big, test their ideas, and build companies, not just code. Mindset Makes the Difference Finally, we touched on a much-needed cultural shift:🧠 Moving from complaining to solving🧠 From following to initiating🧠 From fear to courage Innovation begins with mindset. And while our history might not have always rewarded initiative, our future must. It’s our role as leaders to encourage, support, and ask the right questions — especially when it comes to Romania’s next generation of builders. Event Details Start: 07:00 PM End: 10:00 PM Event Organizer Organizer: LiT – Leaders in Tech Email: contact@leaders-in-tech.com Location Adress: Cluj Business Campus, Cluj-Napoca Website: www.leaders-in-tech.com
Finance & Tech in Romania
Wednesday, April 9 Finance & Tech in Romania Leaders in Tech Event closed! On April 9th, 2025, Leaders in Tech and Women in Tech joined forces to host an inspiring and insightful event in Bucharest, focused on one of the most dynamic intersections in today’s digital world: Finance and Technology. The event brought together leaders, founders, investors, and changemakers to explore Romania’s evolving role in shaping the future of fintech—locally and globally. 🇷🇴 From Support Teams to a Nation of Innovators Kicking off the day, Marion Hegarty spoke about the remarkable evolution of Romania’s tech landscape—from a destination for outsourcing and support roles to a breeding ground for leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurship. This transformation wasn’t just technical—it was deeply human, influencing mindsets and building a strong, collaborative ecosystem. 📊 The Power of Insight: EBRD Study Preview Alina Marchiş offered a sneak peek into an upcoming EBRD study, which aims to support decision-makers in IT with actionable insights. This research, to be made available free of charge, will serve as a valuable compass for Romania’s digital direction. 💬 Panel 1: Trends, Challenges & What’s Next in Fintech Panelists: Ana Maria Georgescu, Cosmin Ochisor, Horia Coman Moderated by seasoned professionals and founders, the first panel tackled the current trends, challenges, and future outlook of fintech in Romania: AI is evolving, not disrupting overnight, said Horia (Stripe), emphasizing that improvements will be steady and long-term. AI as an enabler is what excites investors, added Cosmin, highlighting its power to drive efficiency and education. Ana Maria raised key concerns about data privacy and noted the early-stage use of AI in automating unstructured data. Challenges and Risks Panelists spoke candidly about the regulatory complexity, talent costs, and the fragmentation of global payment systems, all of which hinder Romanian fintechs from scaling. Still, they agreed: having the right mindset is the most critical factor for growth. Startups: Think Global, Build Trust Advice for startups included staying globally aware, investing in talent, and focusing on trust-building. When asked what single factor could drive a leap forward, the panel agreed: understanding the market and customer needs is paramount. 🔥 Fireside Chat: Navigating Uncertainty with Sergiu & Marion In a heartfelt and honest conversation, Sergiu Negut shared his personal journey from leading in the corporate world to investing in innovation. His message was clear: “If you’re not earning or learning, it’s time to reassess.” He encouraged professionals to adopt a “portfolio life” mindset—blending learning, income, and purpose across multiple roles. For startups, he demystified the idea of constant innovation, highlighting the reality of ambiguity, limited resources, and the power of influence even outside the CEO seat. His reflections on Romania were both hopeful and grounded: the country’s most valuable resource is its people—ambitious, adaptable, and capable of global impact, if they continue to collaborate and learn. 🧭 Panel 2: Romania’s Value Proposition in Finance & Tech Panelists: Radu Postolache, Ana Florea, Roxana Vasile The second panel explored what sets Romania apart—and what still holds it back: Radu noted that while outsourcing built the foundation, future growth depends on developing business and domain expertise, not just technical skills. Ana emphasized confidence: Romanian professionals have the knowledge—they need to believe in their capabilities. Roxana called for continuous learning and adaptability, especially as AI shifts the industry from “writing code” to “understanding data.” Looking Ahead Romania must evolve from being seen as a provider to a partner. The country’s next leap lies in: Catching the AI wave Building cross-functional talent Taking advantage of the digital transformation and the remote work opportunities Deepening customer insight A powerful message resonated across the panels: soft skills, adaptability, and the ability to bridge IT with business will define the jobs of the future. 🌍 A Historic Opportunity As the event concluded, one message rang clear: Romania is at a pivotal point. The foundations are strong, the talent is here, and the global stage is within reach. But mindset, collaboration, and a bold, visionary approach will determine whether we rise as builders of a better digital future. At Leaders in Tech, we’re proud to be part of this journey. Event Details Start: 06:00 PM End: 10:00 PM Event Organizer Organizer: LiT – Leaders in Tech Email: contact@leaders-in-tech.com Location Adress: Linea – Closer to the Moon Website: www.leaders-in-tech.com
LiT#6 – One Year of Leaders in Tech
Thursday, March 20 LiT#6 – One Year of Leaders in Tech Leaders in Tech Event closed! Join us for the next LiT session, an anniversary one, where our founders will share their journey and will unfold the next strategic chapters of the community. Get ready to actively engage, learn alongside our panelists, and, as always, connect with fellow community members. Agenda: Welcome Panel Discussion Q&A LiT – what’s next for 2025 and beyond Networking Secure your spot now and join us to celebrate one year of LiT 🎉. Shape the future. Lead now. Summary On March 20, we came together for LiT#6, a special edition marking one year since we launched Leaders in Tech. This event was not just a celebration but also a moment of reflection, learning, and forward-thinking. In a panel discussion moderated by Veronica Ruxanda, our co-founders shared their perspectives on what went right, what didn’t, and why LiT continues to be their ‘sunny day’ – the source of energy that fuels their commitment. 🔥 Key Takeaways 🔹 50/50 – A Thriving BalanceA strong community grows through both fresh energy and the return of those who see its value. One year in, we’ve built an incredible mix of newcomers driving growth and returning members reinforcing our foundation. 🔹 Failures Are Part of the JourneyChallenges and setbacks are inevitable. What matters is how we respond, build resilience, and keep the team spirit strong – especially in a volunteer-driven community where life happens and priorities shift. 🔹 “Lead Now” – A Call to ActionLeadership isn’t just about shaping the future; it’s about making an impact today. Whether in business, tech, or community-building, stepping up and taking action in the present is what truly makes a difference. 🔹 Partnerships Built on Solid FoundationsWe’re grateful for the companies that believe in our mission and support our journey. Special thanks to 1&1 Internet Development, the first company to host us twice in just one year! 🔹 Reflection & Experimentation Drive ProgressThe past year has been a cycle of learning and testing, adapting and growing. We reflect to gain wisdom, experiment to innovate, and combine both to shape a future worth leading. 🔹 LiT Is About Leading with HeartBeyond leadership and tech, LiT is a story of kindness, shared vision, and collaboration. Our co-founders lift each other up, leverage each other’s strengths, and continuously push the community forward. ❓ Top Questions from the Audience 1️⃣ How can we make our voices heard by the government?2️⃣ What were the biggest challenges in building the community?3️⃣ Given that we overachieved our initial strategy, what’s next in our journey?4️⃣ What motivates the founders to keep pushing LiT forward?5️⃣ How can companies partner with LiT? As we step into our second year, one thing is clear: this community is just getting started. 🚀 A huge thank you to 1&1 Internet Development for making this event possible and to everyone who joined us for LiT#6 – your energy, questions, and support make all the difference! https://leaders-in-tech.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/edit-LiT-event-200325.mp4 Event Details Start: 06:30 PM End: 10:00 PM Event Organizer Organizer: LiT – Leaders in Tech Email: contact@leaders-in-tech.com Location Adress: 1&1 Internet Development, Sky Tower, Bucuresti Website: www.leaders-in-tech.com
LiT#5 – Leading Tech Organizations Through Transformation
Wednesday, November 20 LiT#5 – Leading Tech Organizations Through Transformation Leaders in Tech Event closed! Join us for the @Leaders in Tech final event of 2024: LiT#5 – Leading Tech Organizations Through Transformation! We’re closing out the year with an inspiring panel featuring insights from some of the industry’s top leaders on driving impactful change in tech. Our own @Bogdan Popescu, co-founder of @Leaders in Tech, will moderate the panel and is counting on you, our audience, to share your questions and add depth to the discussion! 🎙️ Panelists: @Andreea Ionita – Chief Digital & Technology Officer, Board Member @ E.ON @Cristina Duta – Director of Intelligent Automation @ AECOM @Tiberiu Anghel – Director Global Security & Fraud Centre of Excellence @ Booking Holdings 🌟 What to Expect: Explore real-world strategies for leading digital transformations, navigating technological and cultural shifts, and ensuring lasting impact. From balancing innovation with operational resilience to guiding teams through complex changes, this discussion will offer invaluable takeaways for tech leaders at every level. 💡 Who Should Attend: Current and aspiring tech leaders, change drivers, and all those looking to deepen their understanding of what it takes to lead through transformative times. Don’t miss this final opportunity of the year to connect, learn, and be inspired by leaders who are shaping the future of tech. Let’s wrap up 2024 with insights that will set the stage for an impactful 2025! Key Takeaways from LiT#5: Leading Tech Organizations Through Transformation Our recent LiT#5 event shed light on the complexities and opportunities of digital transformation, offering actionable insights for leaders navigating change. Here are the main takeaways: 1️⃣ What is Digital Transformation? Industry shifts drive change: The energy sector transitioned from legacy systems to modern solutions due to market liberalization and competition. Technologies like predictive maintenance, VR training, and drones now play a key role. It’s about people and strategy: Upskilling teams, aligning with business goals, and bringing clarity to objectives are foundational. Digital transformation thrives when people have the capabilities to execute. 2️⃣ Triggers for Transformation Transformation is normal—just another process of change. The key is normalizing it within the organization. It’s not just about when to change, but how you envision the transformation journey, including its emotional components. 3️⃣ Common Challenges Purpose and alignment: Understand the “why” before diving into transformation. Aligning initiatives with measurable outcomes is critical. Cultural inertia and fear: Resistance to change—whether from leaders fearing uncertainty or employees fearing irrelevance—can stall progress. Transparent communication and digital fluency training for leaders and employees help overcome this. 4️⃣ Overcoming Pitfalls Avoid “shiny object syndrome”: Don’t pursue technology for its hype. Establish strong business cases for adoption. Tailor transformation: Not every approach works for all industries. Agile, for example, requires preparation and mindset shifts, as seen in E.ON’s learnings. Know when to pivot: Recognize when to abandon projects that don’t deliver value. 5️⃣ Leadership in Transformation Middle management is pivotal: They need to translate vision into actionable steps and lead teams with both technological expertise and a growth mindset. Leadership style: Inclusive and hands-on leadership builds trust. Leaders should model behaviors, test tools, and actively participate in transformation efforts. HR’s role is essential: Design upskilling programs, create career paths post-transformation, and ensure employees see the long-term benefits. 6️⃣ Engaging Stakeholders Build relationships through inclusion, transparency, and shared accountability. Stakeholder analysis helps ensure communication resonates with those impacted. Critical decisions require collaboration between tech and business leaders for alignment on resources, risks, and outcomes. 7️⃣ The Future of Transformation Emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, and VR hold potential but require careful evaluation. Organizations need to foster an openness to innovation, including rapid prototyping and risk-mapped pilots, to identify viable solutions. 🚀 Final Takeaway Transformation is more than technology—it’s about empowering people, staying purpose-driven, and fostering adaptability. By focusing on these elements, organizations can navigate the complexities of change and emerge stronger. Event Details Start: 07:00 PM End: 09:30 PM Event Organizer Organizer: LiT – Leaders in Tech Email: contact@leaders-in-tech.com Location Adress: Booking Holdings HQ, U Center Website: www.leaders-in-tech.com
LiT Mentoring Program – Fall 2024 Edition
Fall 2024 Edition LiT Mentoring Leaders in Tech Event closed! The Leaders in Tech (LiT) Mentoring Program is designed to foster growth and development for both mentees and mentors within the IT&C sector in Bucharest, with a focus on leadership in the technology space. This program is an opportunity for leaders willing to learn from practical experience to access insights from seasoned professionals, overcome challenges, and expand their network, while mentors contribute to shaping the future of the industry. After a successful Proof of Concept in the summer called LiT Out of Hours, we’re ready to start the first edition of the LiT Mentoring Program. What mentees from LiT Out of Hours are saying: “I’ve been feeling the need for a mentor for a while now, and yesterday I had my first meeting with Bogdan Popescu from Leaders in Tech. He gave me awesome insights into my main struggles as a team lead, how to communicate better with the clients, and ways to keep the team motivated. Bogdan shared some of his own experiences and gave me practical tips for dealing with some common challenges. Can’t wait for our next meeting!” – Cristina Nicolae ”Never had a mentor before, so I didn’t know exactly what to expect. Of course, I had a full list of questions in my mind, but tried to have no expectations. Just let the conversation unfold naturally and try to learn as much as you can from someone that once was exactly in your shoes. What I’ve got: fresh perspectives, sometimes you get to a point where your mind is too fixated on the problem and you cannot see what lies right in front of your eyes great inspiration to level-up my career in engineering insights into how somebody else made it when he was in the same place that you are now. Principles always stay the same. No words to describe how valuable a mentor is at the right time. Thank you Leaders in Tech for selecting me for this mentorship program and huge thank you Ioan-Maxim Posa!” – Tiberiu Neagu “First Mentoring Session as a Mentee! I’m thrilled to share that I’ve just completed my first mentoring session as a mentee, and I only have Leaders in Tech to thank for the opportunity. 🔑 Key Insights: The Value of Guidance: Having someone to provide direction and share their experiences is invaluable. My mentor offered insights that I hadn’t considered before, and it was soothing to see that there are others out there in the big business world with whom you have a lot in common. Personal Growth: This session was a reminder that growth happens when you step outside of your comfort zone and when attention is focused on the input, not only the output. Homework: Working Backwards- can’t wait to read the book and design my professional journey based on these ideas. ✨ I’m incredibly grateful to Stefan Ionescu for his time and openness. This session has energized me, and I look forward to our next discussions.” – Ramona Dimache What’s in it for you as a mentee: Shortcut to Experience: Get direct access to the knowledge and experience of seasoned professionals. Structured Problem-Solving: Explaining challenges to a mentor helps clarify and structure your own thoughts, leading to better understanding and more effective solutions. New Perspectives: Gain fresh insights from diverse organizational cultures and approaches. Support System: Share challenges with others and realize you’re not alone, fostering confidence and problem-solving skills. Expanded Network: Build connections with other professionals and access potential introductions from your mentor’s network. Get ready to learn from: Adrian-Nicolae Radoi – Senior Manager, Cloud & Engineering @ Deloitte Alexandra Popa – Sr. Delivery Manager @ Deloitte Technology Bianca Palade – Account Director CEE @ Fintech OS Bianca Vinturache – Director of Shared Services Platform Operations @ Orange Bogdan Popescu – VP of Customer Engineering @ FintechOS Bülent Duagi 🇷🇴 – Strategy Adviser for CEOs in Tech Cristina Niculescu, PMP – Business Unit Manager @ R Systems Ioan-Maxim Posa – CEO & Co-founder @ GambIT Group Laurentiu Matei – CTO @ Bit Soft Mihail Serafim – Sr. Software Engineering Manager @ Microsoft Radu Apostoae – Technology Executive | Ex-VP Platforms & Technology @ eMAG Stefan Ionescu – VP Network & Services Shared Operations @ Orange Veronica Ruxanda – Head of Development Romania Portal Products @ 1&1 Internet Development ✨ Together, our mentors bring a wealth of experience that cover most facets of leading Tech organizations or specific Tech teams. 💡 Discover more details about the mentors here: https://padlet.com/leaders_in_tech/mentoring Program Timeline and Stages: Applications open (Oct 25th – Oct 31st): After the kick-off, we invite you to apply to become a mentee in the program and select your preferred mentors. Matchmaking (November 1st): Mentors will choose mentees based on motivation, challenges, and objectives. Mentoring Sessions (November-February): Mentors and mentees will organize their sessions at their own pace, with regular check-ins to assess progress. Wrap-Up Session (Early March): Both mentors and mentees will share their experiences and outcomes, with feedback contributing to the program’s continuous improvement. The next step? We’re incredibly grateful to all 60+ talented and passionate individuals who have enrolled in the Leaders in Tech Mentoring Program. Your enthusiasm for growth, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing truly embodies the spirit of our community. Due to limited seats, our team is in the process of selecting participants for this year’s cohort. If you applied, please stay tuned—we’ll be reaching out soon to those selected for the program. Thank you once again for your interest and commitment to advancing tech leadership. We’re excited to begin this journey together and look forward to sharing updates in the coming weeks! Event Details Start: November 2024 End: February 2024 Event Organizer Organizer: LiT – Leaders in Tech Email: contact@leaders-in-tech.com Location Adress: Hybrid – Bucharest, Romania / Online Website: www.leaders-in-tech.com