March 2025
Voices of #LiTWomen
Leaders in Tech
March is all about celebrating the incredible women shaping the future of tech and leadership! At Leaders in Tech, we believe in amplifying the voices of those who inspire, lead, and break barriers in the industry.
Through our Voices of #LiTWomen series, we’re shining a spotlight on the amazing women in our community—sharing their journeys, leadership wisdom, and the moments that defined their careers.
From the challenges that shaped them to the advice they’d give to future tech leaders, this series is a celebration of resilience, ambition, and impact. Stay tuned as we feature powerful stories throughout the month!
Simona Botez, Head of Customer Operations – a technology leader whose career journey blends curiosity, courage, and a deep sense of responsibility.
Simona shares why she considered a career in tech, and how a single hiring decision early in her leadership career helped her understand the true impact leaders have on people’s lives.
Read her full story and discover the leadership principles she swears by to shape the future of tech.
What inspired you to pursue a career in technology and leadership?
I think half I was led unintentionally into this direction, half was my logical mind and my background in mathematics that was one of my favorite subjects in school that led me here.
Can you share a defining moment or challenge in your career that shaped you as a leader?
Finding purpose. I think that from far away leadership looks all cool and glam, people respect you, expect direction from you, you feel important. Once you realize that leadership is so much less about you but more about the tremendous responsibility that you have and how you can influence other people lives through your decisions, the tone of voice you choose to have in a conversation, the attitude you present in face of difficult situations, then leadership is a decision in itself: you’re either up to it or not. The first time I realized this was when, as a first time manager, I recruited a person with 0 experience in the technical field and totally changed their course in life.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to grow into leadership roles in tech?
Stay curious. Don’t think you know it all. Admit when you don’t. Be vulnerable. Have tough conversations.
What’s one piece of leadership wisdom you live by?
Authenticity at the core of leadership builds trust and a strong foundation towards evolution in business and life.
Andreea Hliban, Head of Salesforce Practice and Portfolio Delivery Lead – a leader that built her career at the intersection of technology and leadership. Initially drawn to solving complex problems, she discovered her true passion is empowering teams and fostering a culture of growth.
In this interview, Andreea shared the lessons she learned transitioning into leadership, the mindset that drives her success, and which are the key traits of aspiring tech leaders.
Read the full story to learn how impact scales through leadership, and more.
What inspired you to pursue a career in technology and leadership?
I was drawn to technology because of its power to solve complex problems and drive innovation. Early in my career, I enjoyed building solutions that improve business processes and customer experiences.
As I gained experience, I realised that what excites me even more is leading and empowering teams as this allows me to scale my impact beyond individual contribution. What I find most rewarding is fostering a culture where people feel supported, challenged and inspired to grow.
Can you share a defining moment or challenge in your career that shaped you as a leader?
One defining moment in my career was when I transitioned from being an individual contributor to a leadership role. It was a challenging shift, moving from being full in control of my own work, to a role where success depended on understanding others, discovering their potential and trusting them to deliver.
Early on, I believed that being a leader meant having all the answers and personally driving every initiative to success. However, I realised that my biggest impact comes from creating opportunities for others to succeed, helping them unlock their potential. This journey taught me that the most rewarding part of leadership is seeing people flourish in ways they didn’t know they could.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to grow into leadership roles in tech?
My advice for anyone aspiring to grow into a leadership role in tech is to stay curious and take initiative.
Leadership isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about asking the right questions, and being open to different perspectives. At the same time, it’s also about taking ownership, stepping up when challenges arise, and showing that you’re willing to lead by example.
The combination of curiosity, initiative and accountability will naturally position you as someone others trust and want to follow.
What’s one piece of leadership wisdom you live by?
One piece of leadership wisdom I live by is: “Don’t show up to prove. Show up to improve.”
For me, every situation, whether it’s a success or a challenge, is an opportunity to learn, listen and grow, both personally and as a team.
This mindset helps me stay open to feedback, and sets the tone for a culture where it’s okay to fail fast, learn quickly, and support each other through the process.
Bianca Vinturache, Director of Shared Services Platform Operations – a leader whose journey into technology and leadership was fueled by curiosity and a passion for helping others grow.
From building global teams to driving innovation, Bianca believes true leadership is about trust, continuous learning, and fostering inclusive collaboration.
Read the full story to learn about Bianca’s guiding principles as a technology leader who sees the strength in combining different competencies in the team.
What inspired you to pursue a career in technology and leadership?
I explored several career paths during University years, and tech world was the only one I resonated with. Leadership came in as a natural milestone in my journey, as I was always passionate about helping people around me and contribute to their growth.
Can you share a defining moment or challenge in your career that shaped you as a leader?
If I were to pick just one, I think it is mainly the moment where I was trusted and empowered to build an organization across multiple continents and a vision for a growing team, not necessarily in the most popular back in those days applications line.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to grow into leadership roles in tech?
Always keep the curiosity light on, always embrace learnings from everyone surrounding you and stay close and up to date with technology and what’s happening on the ground, no matter the Leadership scale you are on.
What’s one piece of leadership wisdom you live by?
My personal philosophy is that we can drive success and impact by an inclusive mindset joining complementary competencies for a bigger purpose.
Alexandra Popa, Senior Delivery Manager at Deloitte – a leader driven by a passion for problem-solving and innovation, she shares defining career moments that reinforced the power of trust and communication in leadership.
In Alexandra’s view, emphasising collaboration, resilience and taking ownership are some of the key traits that a leader must show to bring the team to success.
Read the full interview to learn her advice for aspiring tech leaders and the principles that guide her in her everyday life.
What inspired you to pursue a career in technology and leadership?
I’ve always been drawn to problem-solving and innovation, which naturally led me to a career in technology. The fast-paced, ever-evolving nature of the industry excites me because it constantly presents new challenges and opportunities to learn.
Can you share a defining moment or challenge in your career that shaped you as a leader?
One defining moment in my career was when I took on the challenge of leading a team through a high-stakes project with tight deadlines and shifting priorities. At the time, the team was under pressure, morale was low, and collaboration between stakeholders was strained.
Instead of focusing solely on execution, I prioritised building trust – facilitating open communication, aligning expectations, and ensuring my team felt supported.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to grow into leadership roles in tech?
My advice will be to prioritise collaboration and communication, lead with empathy and resilience, and most importantly, take ownership of opportunities – whether leading a project, mentoring others, or driving change. Leadership isn’t a title; it’s a mindset.
What’s one piece of leadership wisdom you live by?
Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.
Cristina Niculescu, Managing Director and Founder – a tech leader whose passion for problem-solving and mentoring has shaped both her career and leadership style.
With an analytical mind and a deep commitment to supporting her teams, Cristina shares her journey from discovering her love for technology to embracing the responsibility that comes with leadership.
Read the full interview to learn her advice for aspiring leaders and the wisdom that continues to guide her path to shaping the future.
What inspired you to pursue a career in technology and leadership?
I’ve always been drawn to mathematics and algorithms, as I have an analytical mind and a natural inclination for structure and problem-solving – making technology a perfect fit for me. At the same time, I discovered during the years that I enjoy working with people, building strong teams, and mentoring young professionals to help them unlock their potential. Leadership allows me to combine my technical expertise with my passion for guiding and empowering others.
Can you share a defining moment or challenge in your career that shaped you as a leader?
One defining moment in my career was receiving direct feedback from my team members many years ago, where they shared that I was a good team leader and that they felt supported and happy working with me. That moment made me realize that as a manager, you’re always in the spotlight, and people look to you for guidance and direction. It was a turning point for me, and I became even more committed to improving my people management skills and working on myself to become a better leader for my teams.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to grow into leadership roles in tech?
My advice is to learn as much as possible from those around you—colleagues, managers, and mentors. Find a role model, seek guidance, and always take initiative. Be a voice in your community, stay persistent, and don’t get discouraged by challenges. If you’re a woman in tech, know that success is absolutely possible – I’ve seen so many incredible women thrive in leadership roles. Keep pushing forward, and go for it!
What’s one piece of leadership wisdom you live by?
I always like this quote: “If you want something new, you have to stop doing something old.” – Peter Drucker. It defines me so well 🙂
Veronica Ruxanda, Head of Development Romania Portal Products – a leader who draws strength from her own journey in technology. From leading critical regional projects to shaping sustainable solutions for her teams, Veronica shares the lessons she’s learned along the way.
Her advice for aspiring leaders is clear: develop technical expertise, foster soft skills, and always stay true to your values.
Dive into Veronica’s story and discover what leadership with heart truly means in shaping the future of tech.
What inspired you to pursue a career in technology and leadership?
My mom inspired me to pursue a career in engineering, technology and leadership. She was a forestry office engineer and leader for many years in our hometown. She always believed in me and encouraged me to look for the opportunity in every situation. She acts continuously as my biggest supporter.
Can you share a defining moment or challenge in your career that shaped you as a leader?
One of the moments that shaped me as a leader was during the time while I was living in Germany. I was in charge of the Domain Development platform that needed to be scaled as the new Top-Level Domains entered the industry. The project was a critical one and the flagship of the company. That moment helped me to learn creating sustainable and solid platforms that are the foundation of what we have now, staying calm and assess the critical project, communicate transparently downwards and upwards, collaborate on solutions, support my teams and create an environment where they could easily deliver, learn and reflect once the crisis is resolved, identify lessons learned and implement changes to prevent similar issues in the future.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to grow into leadership roles in tech?
1. Develop technical expertise: Keep up with the latest trends and advancements in technology. Continuous learning is crucial.
2. Cultivate Soft Skills like communication and emotional experience
3. Seek mentorship and networking connect: with experienced leaders who can provide guidance and support. Build a network: engage with peers in the industry like Leaders in Tech.
4. Create opportunities and volunteer for challenging projects and products and leadership roles. Learn from mistakes: View setbacks as learning opportunities and reflect.
5. Foster a continuous and lifelong learning mindset. Be open to feedback and always look for ways to improve yourself and your team.
6. Build an understanding of the business side of technology and learn to think strategically and align your technical expertise with business goals.
7. Be a role model for your team and the organization: demonstrate integrity and ethical behavior in all your actions.
What’s one piece of leadership wisdom you live by?
Leading with the heart is my driver.
Who has been a mentor or role model for you, and what’s the best lesson they’ve taught you?
One first manager, the General Manager of our company, Wolfgang Gunne, was my first mentor and a leadership model. One of the best lessons he taught me was to stay authentic and to be true to my values in any situation I will be in over time.
Cristina Duta, Senior Director DevOps & Intelligent Automation – a leader that was driven not just by a love for technology but by a desire to make an impact on people’s lives. Through her experiences, Cristina reflects on the importance of both technology and people in driving successful transformations. From learning that leadership is about people, not just processes, to embracing the power of vulnerability, Cristina’s story offers invaluable lessons for aspiring leaders in tech.
Reflect as Cristina discusses the mindset shift that shaped her leadership approach, the key pieces of wisdom she lives by, and how embracing community and trust can elevate success in shaping the future of tech.
What inspired you to pursue a career in technology and leadership?
I didn’t set out to work in tech. I set out to solve problems, to fix what was broken, to make things more efficient, to create something better than what existed before. Technology just happened to be the most powerful tool to do that.
But here’s the truth: tech alone isn’t enough. The best ideas, the most advanced solutions, they don’t work unless people believe in them. That’s where leadership comes in. I saw great initiatives fail not because the tech wasn’t good enough, but because people weren’t ready for the change.
I stepped into leadership because I didn’t just want to build things. I wanted to bring people along, shift mindsets, and challenge the status quo. The real magic happens at the intersection of technology and trust – and that’s what drives me every day.
Can you share a defining moment or challenge in your career that shaped you as a leader?
There was a moment, a painful one, when I realized that being right isn’t enough. I was leading a major automation initiative, bringing in automation software that would save time, reduce errors, and free people from repetitive work. But instead of excitement, I faced resistance, fear, and frustration.
People weren’t pushing back because they didn’t understand the tech. They were pushing back because they thought it was replacing them. That was my wake-up call. I had spent so much time proving the technology’s value, but I hadn’t spent enough time proving their value in the transformation.
I had to step back and change everything. Not just how I communicated, but how I led. I started listening more, involving people sooner, making them part of the change rather than subject to it. The shift was incredible. Adoption skyrocketed, and the same people who once resisted became champions of the change.
That experience shaped everything I do as a leader today. Technology doesn’t drive transformation, people do. And if you don’t bring them on the journey, you’ll never get to where you want to go.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to grow into leadership roles in tech?
Leadership isn’t a title, it’s a mindset. The best leaders I know didn’t wait for someone to hand them an opportunity. They took ownership, solved problems, and made an impact before anyone called them a leader.
Tech moves fast. If you want to lead in this space, you need to:
- Stay curious – the best leaders aren’t the ones with all the answers, but they’re the ones asking the best questions.
- Get comfortable with being uncomfortable – growth happens when you push beyond what’s easy.
- Lead with people, not just processes – technology changes daily, but what really makes or breaks success is how well you connect, influence, and inspire others.
- Find your community – leadership is not a solo journey. Surround yourself with people who challenge and support you. Learn from those ahead of you and lift up those coming behind you. The right network will push you further than you ever imagined.
Want to grow into leadership? Start leading today: wherever you are, with whatever you have.
What’s one piece of leadership wisdom you live by?
Lead with purpose, empower with trust.
The strongest leaders don’t micromanage. They don’t dictate. They set a vision, clear the obstacles, and then get out of the way.
I’ve learned that people thrive when they feel trusted, valued, and capable. You don’t need to have all the answers, you need to create a space where the best answers can emerge.
At the end of the day, leadership isn’t about control. It’s about creating an environment where people can do the best work of their lives.
Who has been a mentor or role model for you, and what’s the best lesson they’ve taught you?
I’ve learned some of the most powerful lessons from mentors, colleagues, teams, even mistakes, each shaping how I lead today:
- “Your career is a marathon, not a sprint.” Early on, I thought success meant moving fast, getting promotions, leading bigger projects, constantly pushing. But a mentor once told me, “Sustainable impact comes from playing the long game.” That shifted my mindset. Leadership isn’t about burning out to prove yourself. It’s about making strategic moves, building strong relationships, and staying adaptable.
- “You don’t need to have all the answers—just the right questions.” The best leaders aren’t the ones with all the solutions, they’re the ones who create space for others to find them. I learned that my role isn’t to be the smartest in the room, but it’s to bring out the best in others.
- “What got you here won’t get you there.” This one hit me hard. The skills that make you great at your job aren’t always the ones that make you a great leader. I had to learn to step back, trust my team, and focus on vision, influence, and strategy, rather than just execution.
- “If you want to go far, go together.” My biggest wins have never been solo efforts. The strongest leaders build communities, empower others, and surround themselves with people who challenge and inspire them. Success isn’t about how much you achieve, it’s about how many people you bring along with you.
Andreea Ionita, CEE Digital and Innovation Director at CRH, is a leader who believes that technology alone isn’t enough: it’s about the people who bring it to life.
From driving major digital transformations to championing cultural change, Andreea shares the key moments and lessons that shaped her leadership journey. Her story is a powerful reminder that successful innovation starts with trust, communication, and a shared vision.
Read the full interview and discover Andreea’s insights on leadership, adaptability, and the mindset needed to shape the future.
What inspired you to pursue a career in technology and leadership?
I’ve always been fascinated by how technology constantly pushes the boundaries of what’s possible. It has the power to transform industries, solve complex problems, and reshape how we live and work. What excites me most is its ability to turn ideas into reality—whether it’s using AI to optimize operations, digital tools to enhance customer experiences, or data to drive smarter decisions.
As for leadership, I believe technology alone isn’t enough—it’s about people. The most exciting part of my role is driving a cultural shift, helping teams embrace digital as a mindset rather than just a tool.
Can you share a defining moment or challenge in your career that shaped you as a leader?
One defining moment in my career was leading a major digital transformation project where the challenge wasn’t just the technology—it was the mindset shift.
We had a great strategy, the right tools, and a clear vision, but resistance to change was stronger than expected. People were comfortable with existing ways of working, and digital felt like a disruption rather than an opportunity. That’s when I realized that successful transformation isn’t just about technology; it’s about people. I had to shift my approach—listening more, addressing concerns, and making digital feel like an enabler rather than a mandate.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to grow into leadership roles in tech?
My advice would be threefold: stay curious, be adaptable, and focus on people.
First, technology evolves rapidly, so continuous learning is key. The best leaders in tech are not just experts in today’s trends but are always looking ahead to what’s next. Stay curious about new innovations, experiment, and don’t be afraid to challenge the status quo.
Second, adaptability is crucial. Digital transformation isn’t just about implementing new tools—it’s about navigating change, overcoming resistance, and finding solutions in uncertain situations. The ability to pivot and learn from failures is what separates good leaders from great ones.
Finally, leadership isn’t just about tech—it’s about people. The most successful digital initiatives happen when teams are engaged, empowered, and aligned around a shared vision. Focus on communication, build trust, and bring others along on the journey.
What’s one piece of leadership wisdom you live by?
If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.
Who has been a mentor or role model for you, and what’s the best lesson they’ve taught you?
My dad! One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned from him is to lead by example. He demonstrates this through his actions, showing me the importance of integrity, responsibility, and commitment.
