In a world of constant transformation, the concept of a linear career is becoming a relic. Nowadays, success is often not about climbing a single, well-defined ladder, but about navigating across industries, roles, and even professional identities.
I know this well. My professional journey began in communications and took me through e-government projects, nonprofits, corporations, and SMEs. I’ve been a PR specialist, a project manager, a digital transformation director, a COO in a financial company, and a board member. Even a radio host. And today, I find myself leading growth in one of the region’s most renowned enterprise software firms, TotalSoft.
From communications to the C-Suite
Early in my career, I worked in communication and public relations, helping different initiatives craft their messages and connect with their communities. These roles taught me the power of storytelling, stakeholder engagement, and strategic thinking.
Over time, I transitioned into increasingly complex roles: project management, software projects, change management initiatives, managing operations in SMEs, coordinating projects across multiple countries, and eventually holding a C-level role in the corporate world.
All of this was enriched by academic and continuous learning programs, including a PhD thesis at the intersection of Big Data & Communication and business management studies at Maastricht School of Management.
One of my most defining roles was as Chief Operating Officer at OTP Leasing, part of OTP Group, one of Europe’s largest financial groups. As COO, I merged operational rigor with customer insight, led large teams, and managed high-stakes strategic initiatives – including a major M&A project, where I served as lead project manager.
That experience deepened my understanding of organizational change, systems integration, leadership under pressure, and restructuring programs.
Entering tech not by accident but by design
The leap from finance to tech didn’t happen overnight. It was intentional – driven by a desire to work at the intersection of technology, strategy, and customer experience. I took time to reflect and engage in meaningful conversations to define my next step.
I sought a role that would combine my C-level experience, marcomm and digital skills, community work, and personal ambition.
Today, at TotalSoft, I lead growth for our Financial Services Division, working with teams that develop ERPs, web applications, and AI-powered chatbots.
This isn’t a departure from my past – it’s the next chapter, built on everything that came before.
Every past role, whether coordinating a digital transformation initiative or managing PR for a nonprofit, gave me tools I use every day in tech: strategic thinking, crisis communication, regulatory understanding, and cross-functional leadership – all vital in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment.
Enabling women to change the course of their career
The idea that successful careers must follow a straight line is not only outdated – it’s limiting.
Some of the most inspiring women I’ve met through my work as a board member with Global Women Tech Leaders (GWTL) began their professional lives in law, education, or marketing. Many, like me, entered tech not through a technical degree, but through lateral moves, reskilling, and relentless curiosity.
At GWTL, we spotlight these women – those who defy the myth of the “ideal” tech resume. We create spaces for connection, mentorship, and visibility. We believe tech needs more people who think differently, challenge assumptions, and bring a wide range of human experience into digital innovation.
This commitment to supporting nonlinear journeys led me to co-found Carierista.org with Ruxandra Popa.
A personal endeavor rooted in our own upbringing, Carierista.org is an NGO that helps women – especially those re-entering the workforce, such as single mothers or women from low/no income or disadvantaged areas – build the confidence and skills to pursue careers in tech and other modern industries.
Many of our participants come from backgrounds like retail, education, or caregiving. They often believe they’re starting from scratch. But through our free upskilling programs, coaching, and financial education, they come to see that their experience is not a disadvantage – it’s an asset.
Why tech needs women from every background
The digital economy is driven by innovation, and innovation thrives on diversity – of gender, thought, experience, and vision.
Women entering tech from other fields bring fresh perspectives and a deep understanding of user behavior, ethics, communication, and operational nuance.
At TotalSoft, my teams are a mix of designers, analysts, marketers, developers, and former financial experts. The magic happens not when we all think alike, but when we challenge one another’s assumptions.
This diversity of experience helps us build better products and serve a broader audience.
Experience has shown me that tech doesn’t just need more women – it needs more women who’ve lived in other worlds.
Strategies for women reinventing their careers
From my own story, and those I’ve mentored through GWTL and Carierista.org, a few key strategies emerge for women seeking to enter tech from a different background:
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Identify your transferable skills
From stakeholder management to data literacy, your existing skills may already be tech-relevant. -
Invest in lifelong learning
Short courses, bootcamps, and certifications in UX, product, Agile, or AI can quickly close the knowledge gap. -
Seek mentorship, sponsorship, and community
Find spaces where others are making similar transitions. It’s easier (and more fun) together. -
Test the waters
Side projects, digital volunteering, or cross-functional collaborations can help you experiment with new roles. -
Don’t wait for permission
Women often hesitate to apply unless they meet all the criteria. Don’t. Apply anyway, and learn on the job.
Reinvention is the future
We live in a world where skills age fast, but potential remains timeless.
From where I stand, reinvention is the new black. And it’s time we celebrate the women who embrace change, cross boundaries, and write career stories that make room for growth, purpose, and digital impact.
The path into tech doesn’t have to start in computer science. It can begin in communications, in NGOs, in boardrooms, or anywhere passion meets possibility.
