Over the last 10 years, Cristina and Anca have led their teams to evolve from a local development centre into a key pillar of an international software group. In this interview, they speak about Romania’s evolution as a technology hub, their philosophy of leadership, and what it means to build a culture of trust and long-term collaboration.

Romania has developed into one of Europe’s most dynamic IT hubs. How do you experience this transformation on the ground?

Cristina: In the last ten years, Romania’s IT sector has grown rapidly, largely driven by international investors who opened technology centres and offshores here. That created tremendous opportunities for young professionals and motivated universities to adapt their curricula to the new demand. Today, many students choose IT as a career because they see real prospects – not just jobs, but entire career paths. The result is a highly skilled workforce and an increasingly sophisticated technology environment. It’s interesting to be part of this fast evolution and to see how Romania has positioned itself among Europe’s emerging digital locations.

What distinguishes the Romanian tech sector from other European markets?

Anca: Romania offers an impressive combination of strong education, adaptability and cost efficiency. From the beginning, companies were able to find excellent people here – well trained, multilingual, and motivated – at competitive labour costs. That’s one of the reasons why so many international firms chose Romania as a base. The government also supported the sector through fiscal incentives, especially for IT specialists, which attracted many foreign companies. But what really makes a difference today is the quality and reliability of the people. Our team is very solution-oriented, pragmatic and eager to learn.

How would you describe Profidata’s role within this new generation of Romanian technology companies?

Anca: Today, we are the group’s largest development centre outside Switzerland. We build and maintain core components of our products and support international client projects from Iași. That’s a big responsibility, but also a recognition of the high quality and reliability that our team delivers. What makes us proud is that many of our colleagues have been here since the very beginning – more than twenty years. That’s quite rare in the IT world and shows the strength of these relationships. That continuity creates trust, not only internally but also with our clients. 

What has changed most for you personally since you started working in this company?

Cristina: For me, it was the opportunity to grow beyond my initial role. I studied business analysis and informatics, and I always had a passion for the financial domain and related technology. When you work with the same people for so many years, you naturally develop strong bonds. You learn to see your company almost as part of yourself. What motivates me most is seeing our team succeed – and our clients satisfied. 

Anca: I graduated in finance, and my dream back then was to work in a bank, that seemed like the natural path. When I joined Profidata, I found the perfect environment to combine two worlds – finance and programming – in a meaningful way. Over time, my focus expanded beyond the technical side. I developed a strong interest in leadership and human resources, learning how to build teams, support people, and help them grow. Looking back, that mix of finance, technology and people has really become the foundation of my career.

How would you describe your collaboration with colleagues in other countries?

Cristina: It’s a two-way partnership. We benefit from their strategic vision and resources, and they benefit from our operational expertise and our ideas. Together we build products that meet the highest quality standards. Working with colleagues across different locations means sharing knowledge, respecting different perspectives, and growing together as one organisation. It’s a relationship based on mutual trust and shared goals.

What does leadership mean to you?

Cristina: Our job is to create an environment where people feel valued, respected and motivated. We want our colleagues to enjoy their work, to grow professionally and personally, and to trust each other. At the same time, we must ensure that our teams deliver the level of quality we are known for. It’s always a balance – between performance and empathy, between structure and flexibility.

Anca: We also try to maintain a healthy mix of experienced colleagues and young talent. The senior experts provide stability, knowledge and mentorship. They are the pillars of our teams. But we also invest in students and recent graduates, who bring new perspectives and fresh energy. Blending these generations keeps a company agile and innovative.

What values guide you personally?

 Cristina: Trust and collaboration. You can’t lead without listening. For me, it’s essential to understand what motivates each person because people are different. Some value stability and work-life balance; others are driven by challenge and creativity. Our task is to create an environment where both can thrive. Our colleagues trust us, and we trust them. That’s the foundation. I always try to give back the same commitment that I expect from others. I believe in long-term relationships and the power of people who care about what they build.

How do you encourage innovation in your teams?

Cristina: Innovation often emerges through collaboration. Our teams work closely with colleagues in Switzerland and Frankfurt, and that exchange of ideas creates a lot of momentum. Within the boundaries of customer requirements, we give our people the freedom to explore, to deepen their skills and to apply new technologies. We also have flat hierarchies. Everyone can contribute ideas and take ownership of their work. 

You are two women leading a major technology hub. How has the role of women in Romanian tech evolved over the years?

Anca: When we started, most women in IT worked in analysis or documentation roles rather than software engineering. Today, many of our developers, team leads, and project managers are women – it’s a 50/50 balance. This shift happened naturally as the industry evolved and opportunities became more diverse. At Profidata, equality has never been something that needed to be enforced. It’s simply part of our culture. What truly counts are competence, collaboration, and attitude.

What advice would you give to young women who want to follow a similar path in technology or leadership?

Cristina: Be professional, stay curious, and never stop learning. The financial-technology field is demanding but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Combine your analytical mind with empathy. 

Outside of work, how do you recharge?

Anca: For me, it’s reading, travelling, and spending time with my family. It keeps me connected to the world and open to new perspectives. And I’ve always been fascinated by languages. For me, staying curious about language is a way of staying curious about people.

Cristina: I have a small garden, and I love gardening. It’s something that grounds me and gives me perspective. In the garden, you plant, nurture and care for things – and over time, you see them grow and change. It’s very similar to what we do at work. It is not about forcing quick results. It’s about creating the right conditions to develop, to learn, and to flourish.

And the final question: How would you describe each other?

Anca: Cristina is one of those colleagues you can always rely on. She’s incredibly attentive, precise, thorough, and wonderfully “picky” in the best sense of the word. Whether it’s reviewing a contract, analysing a process, or looking into documentation, she sees what others might overlook. She manages to identify both the risks and the opportunities, the small details and the bigger picture at once. But above all, what truly stands is Cristina’s ability to connect with people. Her empathy and the way of engaging with colleagues makes everybody feel heard and valued.

Cristina: Anca is a very strong person, both technically and personally. She has a talent for organisation and for keeping things moving forward with structure and discipline. If something needs to be done well and on time, Anca will make sure it happens. She brings a good mix of technical expertise, leadership, and understanding. We’ve been working together for more than twenty years – plenty of time to build solid mutual confidence.  I’m really grateful for that. You can’t build something lasting without mutual trust – and it’s the foundation of everything we do here.