Family and personal passions have equally molded my path, especially the journey of motherhood, which reshaped my priorities and broadened my understanding of work-life balance. Being a mother taught me the importance of separating my identity from my work, helping me delegate and empower my team more effectively.

Finally, my lifelong passion for reading has enriched my understanding across disciplines, from philosophy and psychology to science and history. This curiosity fuels my personal growth and continuously shapes my worldview beyond the boundaries of business and literature.

How did your education at the University of Bucharest shape your personal and professional growth?

I was fortunate to study under a few outstanding professors who helped me hone my reasoning, reading, and writing skills, all of which became valuable assets in my career. Studying literature and languages proved invaluable, not only for developing a strong command over English but for providing a humanities-based perspective that has enriched my career in all ways.

Rather than following a traditional path in teaching or journalism, I transitioned across diverse sectors, from government to NGOs to the private sector, where this background gave me a unique approach to problem-solving and people management. My humanities background shaped my character, broadened my reasoning, and prepared me for leadership.

Unlike science or engineering programs that emphasize specific hardcore skills, a humanities background fosters a way of thinking that’s especially valuable in leadership roles and allowed me to connect with various environments and people on a deeper level. This foundation from the University of Bucharest continues to influence my approach to work, helping me adapt and excel across varied professional landscapes.

Take us through your professional journey and the key areas of expertise you've developed as a leader.

My professional journey has been shaped by nearly a decade of experience within governmental structures, focusing on EU affairs. This background has given me a solid understanding of EU policies, national legislation, and their impact on business. I’ve learned how EU funding works, enabling me to connect my clients' projects with the broader policies that influence funding decisions. As a business leader in consultancy, this insight is crucial in helping companies secure funding from both private and EU public sources. I look beyond the proposals to understand the underlying policy goals and expectations, which allows me to create applications that not only meet funding requirements but also align with the EU's strategic objectives. This approach leads to successful funding outcomes and ensures that the projects we design are practical and easy to implement.

In addition to project design and funding strategy, I emphasize the importance of maintaining ethical standards and boundaries in our professional dealings. While my background in government could be seen as an advantage, I have always separated these past connections from my current consultancy work. I believe in ‘hygiene’ of ethics, ensuring that our firm relies on the quality of our project designs rather than any external influences. This principle has sometimes led us to decline clients, but it has also fostered a reputation for integrity. We work with clients who prioritize sustainable, quality projects, and I’m proud of the relationships we build.

What inspired you to start Loop Operations, and what are its key areas of specialization?

My entrepreneurial journey began as a student when I founded and sold a magazine as a fully-fledged business. Initially, I started Loop Operations as a PR and communications firm to pursue my passion for effective communication. However, as I recognized the vast potential in European funding and noticed the difficulty companies faced in accessing it due to scattered information and limited public support, I evolved Loop Operations into a consultancy. Today, we help companies to secure funding and innovate to drive their growth and achieve their goals.

"I consider my clients' achievements to be my greatest accomplishments, that’s how we measure success"

As our mission evolved, we launched Ingenious Hub, an accelerator guiding entrepreneurs from ideation to growth, supporting over 250 start-ups and numerous social enterprises with a focus on sustainability. Since 2019, we’ve expanded into innovation management, creating initiatives like the Technology Enabled Construction Cluster, a 60-member ecosystem that promotes structured innovation. Today, Loop Operations specializes in funding consultancy, entrepreneurship development, social enterprise support, and innovation management, especially for SMEs.

As the founding partner of Loop Operations, what are your key roles and primary focus for driving company growth?

My focus lies in acquiring new projects and clients while carefully selecting those that align with our vision. I prioritize vertical growth, enhancing our quality, expertise, and the level of value we deliver. This approach allows us to cultivate a team of highly skilled, intelligent professionals and continually improve the complexity and quality of our consultancy. While I concentrate on growth and business development, my partner oversees daily operations, overseeing hands-on aspects to ensure smooth functionality.

What major challenges do you face in your role, and how do you overcome them?

I’ve faced numerous challenges, and one of the earliest significant challenges was a social enterprise we founded in 2015. This project, a community-centered gym offering affordable, premium facilities and an NGO event space, failed due to ineffective management. However, I continued to invest in it, which led to resource wastage and taught me a crucial lesson about minimizing emotional investment and making swift, rational decisions.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought its own set of obstacles. Just months after investing significantly in a co-working space, we were forced to close it down. However, rather than letting the setback immobilize us, we pivoted by launching a research initiative to assess SME survival strategies and public policy needs. This work gained significant traction, influencing government measures and enhancing our reputation, though it didn’t bring immediate financial returns.

Most recently, we faced a serious loss when a trusted employee's error cost us a €3 million project, marking our first financial loss and requiring us to pay suppliers from personal reserves. The experience was an “earthquake” moment. Through collective support from the team and trusted partners, we navigated this crisis without sacrificing our values or closing the business.

What are your biggest professional wins, and what is your success mantra?

I consider my clients' achievements to be my greatest accomplishments, that’s how we measure success. In consultancy, we serve our clients’ purposes, making their objectives our own. We have supported hundreds of startups through training, tools, and funding, and many of these businesses wouldn’t exist without our help, a fact we’re truly proud of. Another key accomplishment is the positive influence we’ve had on policy and funding conditions for SMEs, as well as our role in establishing social enterprises.

Personal recognition, media coverage, or wealth isn’t what defines my achievements. My goal was to live freely by my principles and set meaningful objectives for myself and my teams, and I’ve accomplished that. Financially, we have what we need to pursue our goals, despite last year's challenges. My personal freedom, guided by my principles is my greatest achievement. I am also very proud of my son, a bright and kind person with strong values, which is one of my most meaningful personal achievements. My success mantra is a blend of daily reading, prayer, planning, actively seeking and listening to feedback, and practicing gratitude.

A Business Leader You Admire

I admire Queen Elizabeth II for her resilience and skill in navigating a challenging position during a difficult time for the UK. She transformed the perception of the British monarchy, managing complex relationships with the parliament, government, and her family. Her ability to lead with grace through criticism and adversity in the 20th century inspires me greatly.