From Engineering to Project Management: My Evolving Career in Innovation and Sustainability

Recently I have been reflecting on my education and career so far and the decisions I’ve made over the past decade and in this blog I would like to share my journey of transitioning from a purely technical background to programme management, stakeholder engagement, innovation and sustainability—and the aspects I really enjoy as well as the lessons I’ve learned along the way.

Early choices and unexpected clarity

Like most of us, my journey began long before I fully understood where it might lead. I think it’s interesting to look back to where it all began when as a teenager you need to make such a big life decision and choose the field you want to study with the expectation that at such a young age you are to know what you would like to do for life! Growing up in Romania, I had to decide on a field of study for four years of high school, and I went for mathematics and informatics. Honestly, I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do yet, but this option let me keep my doors open. When it was time for university, my interest in technology and innovation had grown, so I took the plunge and studied engineering in electronics, telecommunications, and IT in Bucharest at a Polytechnic University. While I found it fascinating, I quickly realised that the degree was incredibly theoretical. I had hoped for more hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology, but instead, I spent most of my time snowed under complex equations, special mathematics, quantum physics, and theory-heavy coursework. That said, there were definitely highlights—learning about AI and neural networks, diving into electronic measurements and doing data analysis. My undergrad final project was quite interesting as well, and I enjoyed creating a piece of software based on image processing, which detected if the driver of a car is about to fall asleep, counting the number of seconds their eyes were closed, and then triggering a sound as an alert and warning.

Shifting gears: from engineering to management and from Romania to the UK

That turning point where passion meets possibility often happens when we least expect it. Even though I didn’t see myself becoming an engineer in the traditional sense, I am grateful for the education decisions I made as this experience taught me how to think when it comes to solving challenging and complex technical problems and gave me a strong technical foundation for everything that came next. I realised I was far more drawn to how ideas come to life through planning, structure, and collaboration. I loved organising pieces of work, leading projects, solving problems, and bringing people together to make things happen. Alongside that realisation, I was also keen to expand my horizons so I decided to shift gears, move to the UK, and pursue a Master’s in Engineering and Project Management at Coventry University. I think that sometimes it's worth making a bold move when you realise that you need to create a different and more meaningful path for yourself. I enjoyed my master's degree and appreciated the practical, business-oriented perspective, from courses on finances, strategy, project management, to leadership and a dissertation on supply chain management for electric vehicles batteries and implications for manufacturers. This set me on a career path that has taken me from telecoms to automotive and, more recently, into the world of technology, innovation and sustainability.

Finding my place: stakeholder engagement and cross-sector collaboration

Over time, I realised my work wasn’t just about managing programmes, it was about connecting people and shaping impact. Throughout my career so far, one of the most rewarding aspects of my work has been bringing together stakeholders across the tech ecosystem, working closely with local authorities, industry leaders, start-ups, SMEs, and large enterprises. My focus has always been on creating opportunities that benefit wider industry and communities, by helping organisations navigate challenges, creating platforms for meaningful collaboration, identifying new partnerships, expanding networks, or showcasing the impact of emerging technologies. The core of my work has revolved around ensuring the right people are in the right rooms, aligning technologies and ideas to drive progress. I focus on building and nurturing these relationships and I believe that this positions me at the intersection of programme leadership, stakeholder engagement, cross-sector collaboration, and innovation—giving me a unique perspective on how technology can be leveraged to create sustainable and lasting impact. So I think it's always worth pausing and reflecting where do you find the most meaning and purpose in your work? How can you bring more of it to the world?

Amplifying impact: public speaking, writing, and events

Somewhere along the way, I found my voice and realised the power of using it to bring others together. Public speaking and writing are also aspects of my work I really enjoy and I am grateful I have so many opportunities to be a speaker or panel discussions moderator at various events across the UK. I have contributed to thought leadership through blogs, reports, and case studies, capturing best practices, success stories, and industry trends, being able to amplify key insights and showcase the value of digital innovation across sectors.

Organising and hosting events has also been at the forefront of my work and I play a key role in shaping and delivering high-profile events across the UK, from roundtables and webinars to collaborating with large-scale tech festivals and digital weeks. These sessions provide a platform for meaningful engagement between the public and private sectors, helping organisations connect, exchange knowledge, and take actionable steps towards more innovative or sustainable solutions for our planet and communities. The blend of being able to speak on panel discussions and lead workshops and roundtables has allowed me to share insights, spark conversations, and connect stakeholders with the right opportunities. I have also delivered impactful presentations to a wide range of audiences, both in-person and virtually, establishing myself as a trusted voice in the tech and digital innovation space by communicating ideas effectively.

Lessons in leadership: sharing knowledge for collective growth

I have learned that progress doesn’t happen in isolation rather it grows through shared experiences. Sharing knowledge and experiences is one of the most powerful ways to drive progress. Learning from both successes and challenges helps organisations refine their approaches, avoid common pitfalls, and accelerate innovation. By exchanging ideas and showcasing best practices, we can create a ripple effect, where one successful initiative inspires many others, leading to greater impact across industries and communities. At the heart of this, I am passionate about ensuring that digital innovation is inclusive, that opportunities are accessible to all, and that we empower people from diverse backgrounds.

Sustainability in action: supporting Net Zero through innovation

My passion for sustainability has grown alongside my career and now it sits at the centre of the work I do. I have always had a keen interest in sustainability and climate change so a key focus of my work is exploring how emerging technologies can support Net Zero plans across the country, helping communities build resilience and mitigate climate risks. By working closely with local government, I help identify where they are on their sustainability journey and how technology can enable more effective climate action. By fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors, I aim to drive meaningful change that not only advances technology but also supports communities in creating a more sustainable, equitable future.

Looking back, moving forward

Every decision we make reflects our evolving values, ambitions and the kind of impact we want to make in the world, and not just our skills. For me, it’s about building bridges: between people, sectors, and ideas, creating something better for our communities and planet. If you’re on your own journey of change, curiosity, or questioning, I hope this encourages you to look back with pride, and forward with purpose. There’s real power in the in-between stages and in sharing the story behind who you are today.

Looking ahead, I aspire to connect with even more organisations, working together to harness technology and innovation to create a more sustainable, inclusive, and forward-thinking world. The intersection of technology, sustainability, and collaboration is where real change happens—and I am excited to continue being part of that journey.