What is your role at Antser?

I am the Head of Marketing at Antser – my role is to ensure that our core message and vision are reflected across the multiple sectors we operate in, and in our relationships with our partners and clients. 

What do you like most about your role?

The positive societal impact is a very important driver for me. I truly believe that our work delivers better outcomes for children, young people, adults and ultimately entire communities.

Another aspect which I love about my work is the uniqueness of our products and services – no one day is the same when working at Antser. People never stop innovating and it’s a true pleasure to work with so many experts within different fields. We have a saying at Antser, that ‘no idea is too small’ – it’s the collection of these many ideas and their reception through a collaborative work environment and management support that makes it possible for us to innovate.

How did you get into your chosen career and why did you choose it?

My career path has been paved with everything from joy and opportunities to bumps in the road and glass ceilings – and if I were to describe it in one word I would say it’s been a rollercoaster – in a very positive way.

I started my career as a young architect in Rome. Working as an intern during my studies helped me understand the complexity of my role and what I enjoyed most about it. I worked on the delivery of international building projects in Africa, the US and Europe before I was presented with the opportunity to study marketing and organisational leadership in the United States – where I joined a group of friends in a programme that shifted most of our careers into a completely different direction. 

When I returned to Rome after this journey, I decided to pursue a career solely focused on marketing. I lived and worked in Malta before permanently moving to the UK, undertaking different marketing and BD roles in different sectors, from retail to commercial and residential property before moving to the social care, health and education sectors within Antser.

I chose this career because it allowed me to explore my creativity and commercial ability on many different levels – and being an architect and a marketing professional has given me the ability to sometimes ‘see things from a different angle’.

What achievement are you most proud of?

To me, there is no one single achievement that I am most proud of – I think we should all be proud of the actions that take us to where we are in the present. 

What has been the biggest challenge in your career?

Starting over and adapting to each culture that I have been a part of. I am originally from Romania, and lived, studied and worked across multiple cultures and countries. It’s been the biggest challenge but also the most beautiful aspect of my career – I feel like I am constantly learning something new each day.

What advice would you give to women looking to enter a career in your industry? 

Be your own biggest champion and focus on the future, but also try to find mentorship in the leaders you admire and learn from their advice.

Be proactive and have a positive attitude in everything that you do, anything can be achieved if you have the drive and motivation to push yourself beyond your own self-limiting beliefs. Most importantly, take all the opportunities you can to learn something new. Marketing is an ever-changing and fast-paced field and an open-mind is key to delivering the best results. 

This year’s International Women’s Day theme is #ChooseToChallenge.  How do you think we can take steps to challenge inequality, call out bias, question stereotypes and help forge an inclusive world?

I choose to challenge the idea that men and women have different professional capabilities. I think that we are still a long way from creating equality in the workplace in many parts of the world. In many situations, women have to choose between having a family and a career, and I simply think that we need to change that mentality as it’s only holding us back.

I strongly believe that key to this is education, and tackling unconscious bias – and this starts from an early age. I’m extremely proud to be a part of a work environment where women leaders are truly valued for their capabilities and encouraged to step forward.