The deadline for submissions is May 31, 2023.

Don’t miss your chance to share your knowledge, experience and passion with the global Java community at the most anticipated Java event of the year! Java2Days 2023 will take place from 27 to 29 June in the beautiful Albena Resort on the Black Sea.

The special edition seeks inspiring and innovative content that covers a wide range of topics related to Java and its ecosystem. If you have an idea that you think will captivate and enlighten the Java community, feel free to submit your proposal.

Java2Days welcome submissions from speakers with diverse backgrounds and expertise levels, from seasoned professionals to first-time presenters. By presenting at Java2Days 2023, you will have the opportunity to share your knowledge and experience, network with fellow Java professionals, gain recognition as an expert in your field, and contribute to the growth and development of the Java community.

To submit your proposal, please visit here and complete the submission form. Selected speakers will be notified by June 5th, 2023 or earlier.

Time is running out, so don’t miss this incredible opportunity to showcase your expertise and make a lasting impact on the Java community. Submit your proposal today and join at Java2Days 2023!

If this doesn’t happen, there’s a good chance that any effort to succeed will be delayed or worse – abandoned. To avoid this, it can be useful to identify which skills make someone stand out as a technology leader.

Today, we’ve chosen to present some skills that show tech leaders are looking to the future, according to The Enterprisers Project.

Inspiring others
Harvesting innovation requires changing how teams plan, think, and act. Inspiring others is key to encouraging teams to think differently. This is a challenge, as most organizations create barriers to change – opting for minor incremental improvements versus leapfrog breakthroughs. Inspirational technology leaders create teams that challenge the status quo, risk failure, and seek continuous learning to unlock innovation.

Inspirational leadership is a continuous activity. Future-ready technology leaders keep teams motivated and progressing toward a shared goal through committed action.

Storytelling
Once teams are motivated to create change, the next step is moving the entire organization toward the transformation goals. To achieve this cross-organization momentum, today’s technology leader must be a strong storyteller. A leader’s ability to connect the purpose of a transformation with each member of the organization is critical to help everyone see themselves as part of the journey.

All transformations require team members to learn new skills and possibly take on new roles in the future. This can be a challenge for many team members if they are successful in their current role and do not see the need to change. Being a storyteller helps team members envision themselves being successful at the end of the transformational journey.

Decisiveness
Teams look to leaders to be decisive. As the pace of change quickens, it is even more critical for technology leaders to build confidence through decision-making, and most do not. With abundant choices and decisions, most technology leaders adopt a wait-and-see approach out of concern that making the wrong decision can hurt the team. However, with a timely decision based on the best information available, teams can accelerate progress.

Flexibility
Decisiveness by itself is not enough. A strong technology leader needs to operate with flexibility. The pace of change is no longer linear, and leaders have less time to assess and understand every aspect of a decision. Consequently, decisions are made faster and are not always the best ones. Realizing which decisions are not spot-on and being able to adapt quickly is an example of the type of flexibility a leader needs.

Gergana Pancheva, а Tech Architect at Accenture, Bulgaria, is a professional who has been working in the IT sector for over 15 years, dedicating the last 6 years to her current position. Gergana loves movement, books and often diversifies her daily life by riding a bike in the park. She relieves stress with a headstand. Gergana says that so far she has not encountered any professional challenges in relation to being a woman. She doesn’t notice the problem of gender inequality at her workplace, however, she does not deny that it is still relevant. According to Gergana, both female and male appearance and charm can help us everywhere. Gergana shares with us that at Accenture everyone strives to create a favorable environment with pleasant working conditions. She adds that the company provides various opportunities which facilitate, encourage and stimulate women’s work. Gergana tries to follow some rules for a good work-life balance, however, she admits that it is quite difficult because both personal and professional life are equally important. She adds that with compromises and prioritization, things are going smoothly. Gergana chooses the IT industry as her professional path because this field develops itself at an enormous speed and provides numerous opportunities to all professionals. For her, this is an area where we constantly have to use our mind and creativity. Gergana thinks that the most important qualities that one Tech Architect must possess are communication skills, time management skills and courage. According to Gergana, women in the IT industry are a minority, however, there is a tendency of change in the upcoming years.

“In my work environment I haven’t noticed any gender inequality, however, I think the problem is still relevant.”

Gergana Pancheva, Tech Architect at Accenture

Favourite clothes?

Comfortable ones.

High heels or flat shoes?

It depends on the mood.

Which is THE thing you never go out without?

Lip balm.

Favourite lipstick colour?

Red.

Which is the feminine quality that you don’t possess?

The anger.

Which cause are you currently supporting?

Causes related to defense of human rights, the environment and nature.

Read More Inspiring Stories for Women in Tech in WRTech here.

Share something about yourself that we can’t find on LinkedIn.

I relieve the stress with a headstand.

Have you ever faced challenges in your career regarding the fact that you are a woman?

I don’t think so.

Do you know how many women work in your position?

I haven’t checked.

Do you think that the problem with gender inequality still exists in Bulgaria and globally?

In my work environment, I haven’t noticed any gender inequality, however, I think the problem is still relevant.

Do women’s appearance and charm help you be successful in a professional way?

Feminine appearance and charm help everywhere, as well as male’s.

Which policies does your company encourage regarding gender diversity?

Accenture aims to create a favorable environment with pleasant working conditions. Specifically, if we look at the diversity of “men vs women”, our company provides various opportunities that facilitate, encourage, and stimulate the work of women.

How do you get along with men in your company? Do they treat you differently?

I haven’t noticed any discrimination.

How do you balance your work with your personal life? Are there any rules that you follow?

I try to follow some rules to create a balance, but it’s quite difficult because both personal and professional life are important to me. I make compromises and prioritize my tasks.

Are women “Minorities” in the IT industry?

Yes, but there is a tendency to change in the coming years.

You have more than 14 years of experience in the software industry, can you point out the biggest changes in the IT field that you have witnessed?

Agile & DevOps, Cloud technologies, Blockchain, etc.

What are the most important characteristics that one Tech Architect should possess?

Communication skills, time management skills, and courage.

Why did you choose the IT field for your professional path?

I like the dynamic atmosphere, the fast way in which the IT industry develops, and the opportunities it offers. It is an area where you have to constantly use your mind and creativity.

If You Want to Read More Inspiring Stories for Success and Professional Growth Join the DevStyleR #Tech Influencers Community and Get Access to our Special Editions here.

Justine Toms is a Bulgarian entrepreneur, lecturer and author, who has played a major role in Bulgarian digital marketing since 1998. Justine loves her work and networking, meeting new people, new ideas, and creative projects. Justine tells us that she is still looking for a way to successfully balance her professional and personal life. When she is working from home, her roles are constantly intertwined – mother, wife, teacher, expert, and of course time for herself. She admits that juggling is not an easy task, and although it has been more than 12 months, she is still learning. Justine believes that over time she has managed to gain equal gender rights professionally. When asked if she has encountered any obstacles in her career because she is a woman, she answered that this has happened more than once. Justine adds that she has been involved in business and online entrepreneurship for 23 years – an area seen more like a man’s job, although this has changed significantly over time. She is a big fan of podcasts and follows a few in Bulgarian and a lot in English, out of which she recommends the Ratio and Internet Speaks podcasts. Regarding inspiration, she recommends their project “Creators – the digital optimists of Bulgaria” (blog and podcast). About social networks, Justine says that she has relatively reduced Facebook, but instead she follows Twitter, which gives her enough information. She reads many books and also listens to them in audio format. Justine warmly recommends Harari – Homo Deus to those who have not read it yet, as well as their new book with Marina Stefanova – Leaders for a New Beginning. 

“We’ve always tried to gain a diversity of people on our team and fortunately, we’ve succeeded.”

Justine Toms

Favourite clothes?

In the last year – leggings and a T-shirt. 🙂 

Otherwise – dresses. 🙂

High heels or flat shoes?

Low, comfortable, fast.

Which typical female quality or household responsibility does not apply to you?

Vanity.

What is THE thing that you must have in your bag when going out?

Maybe a phone. 🙂

Favourite lipstick colour?

Sour Cherry.

Do you currently support any social causes?

I currently support several causes:

– Gorichka and eco themes, life with a small ecological footprint, green future

– Several projects related to children from marginalized groups

– Causes for equality, women’s entrepreneurship.

Read More Inspiring Stories for Women in Tech in WRTech here.

Can you share something specific about yourself that we can’t find on LinkedIn?

I don’t know whether it’s obvious how much I love my job. 🙂 Also networking, meeting people with new ideas, with projects with creativity.

Have you encountered any challenges in your career in connection to being a woman?

Yes, not once. Maybe mainly because I have been involved in business and online entrepreneurship for over 23 years – areas that in the past were seen as males’ jobs, but lately the problem is not seen so often.

Do you know how many women work in your position?

There seem to be more men, probably only 15-20% of women.

Do you think that the problem of gender inequality is still relevant in Bulgaria and globally?

Yes, it exists in Bulgaria, but in places around the world, such as Asia and Africa – much more. But yes, the topic is very important.

What policy does your company follow in terms of promoting diversity?

We have always strived to have a variety of people on the team and fortunately,we have succeeded. Not with quotas, but with the search for interesting alternatives. 

Do your male colleagues treat you differently?

I seem to have won equal gender rights. My positions on the topic are clear, communicated and probably due to that. I don’t think this applies to all girls and in all situations.

Do you think that a woman’s appearance and charm affect their professional success? (example: does it make communication easier?)

I’m not sure. It depends on who is standing in front of you and what their attitude is. I strongly believe that the “female vision” will not matter in the future. About charm – it’s up to the person, it’s not so much related to gender or gender identity.

How do you combine personal and professional life? Are there any rules that you follow?

I’m trying to keep the boundaries, however the balance is difficult. It is especially complicated in the last year, when we are at home during the last year, when the roles are constantly intertwined – mother, wife, teacher, expert, time for yourself – juggling turned out to be quite a difficult task and although 12 months have passed I am still learning. Unfortunately, personal time suffers the most.

Which sources do you follow and can you recommend some of them to our audience? (example: podcasts, pages, influencers, vloggers, etc.).

I’m a big fan of podcasts – I watch a few in Bulgarian and many in English. Out of these, I would recommend. Of these, I recommend the Radio and Talk Internet podcasts. Also for inspiration our project Creators – the digital optimists of Bulgaria (blog and podcast). I have reduced Facebook. I mainly follow Twitter which gives me enough information. I also read a lot of books, I also listen to audiobooks. To anyone who has not yet read Harari – Homo Deus, I strongly recommend it. ☺ And our new book with Marina Stefanova – Leaders for a New Beginning.

If You Want to Read More Inspiring Stories for Success and Professional Growth Join the DevStyleR #Tech Influencers Community and Get Access to our Special Editions here.

Being a Mayor means not only to be a professional but above all to have the ability to find a common goal in the different and also contradictory desires of people. Being a woman Mayor is a duty and a huge responsibility. We present to you Tanya Hristova, the Mayor of Gabrovo city. Her responsibility is to serve to those that trust her. To her, the real challenge is to prove yourself every day, to uphold your principles and to overcome difficulties of any kind. Her personal life as a wife and a mother is often at the expense of the responsibility and commitment to be a Мayor 24 hours a day. Most of the weekends are busy for her, so she is grateful her family for their understanding, patience and fair criticism. She is a firm believer that innovation and technology are not seen as abstracts but as tools for solving social problems. There isn’t a rule she follows in order to balance because probably the ability to successfully combine your personal and professional life is just a wisdom. According to her, the principle of equal opportunities for women and men is one of the fundamental pillars of democracy. She thinks that it is necessary to work at all levels to protect and implement it. In her opinion, the problem of gender inequality is still relevant in some places. There is a positive trend that gender has long been irrelevant in many typically “male” or “female” occupations. She believes that attention to the details, the ability to prioritize, to mobilize in critical moments, the strong intuition, combined with the absence of unnecessary fears and doubts in decision-making, the ability to communicate and social sensitivity, often give additional benefits and help women more than their appearance.

Tanya Hristova, Mayor of Gabrovo City

Favourite clothes?

A dress and each piece of clothing that emphasizes the lovely feminine nature.

High heels or flat shoes?

Both – depends on the situation.

Which is THE thing you never go out without? 

А phone.

Favourite lipstick colour?

Pinkish-red.

Which is the feminine quality/duty that you don’t possess?. 

I can’t think of one.

Which cause would you support/ Are you currently supporting?

The cause I’ve been supporting for years and will continue to support is called Gabrovo.

Have you ever faced challenges in your career regarding the fact that you are a woman? 

The principle of equal opportunities for women and men is one of the fundamental pillars of democracy and it is necessary to work at all levels to protect and implement it. The real challenge, no matter what your gender is, is to prove yourself every day, to stand up for principles, to overcome difficulties of any kind, and when you are a Mayor you have to serve the people who have given you their trust.

Do you know how many women work in your position?

I know many women working in my position, both in оur country and abroad, but I can’t give the exact number.

“The principle of equal opportunities for women and men is one of the fundamental pillars of democracy and it is necessary to work at all levels to protect and implement it.” 

Do you think that the problem with gender inequality still exists in Bulgaria and globally?

Unfortunately, there are still latitudes where it is relevant. However, there is a positive trend that gender has long been irrelevant in many typically male or female occupations.

Do you think that a woman’s appearance and charm affect her professional success? (example: does it make communication easier?)

They probably do, but that’s not the point. Provoked by your question, I will admit that a woman, by nature, has the ability to balance and be more adaptable. Attention to detail, the ability to prioritize, to mobilize in critical moments, strong intuition combined with the absence of unnecessary fears and doubts in decision-making, the ability to communicate and social sensitivity, often give additional benefits, and help women more than their appearance.

 Read More Inspiring Stories for Women in Tech in WRTech here.

 What policies do you follow regarding encouraging diversity?

 I prefer a balance, where women rights are equal to men rights.

How do you get along with your men colleagues? Do they treat you differently?

You should ask them. Personally, I don’t feel different attitude.

How do you balance your work life with your personal life? Is there any rule that you follow?

 It is difficult for me to strike this important balance. Very often my personal life of a wife and a mother is at the expense of the responsibility and commitment of being Mayor 24 hours a day. I can barely steal a few days off in the summer and winter. Most weekends are working weekends, I am often in my office or I visit sites with colleagues. I take this opportunity to thank my family for their understanding, patience and fair criticism. I don’t follow any rules in order to balance. Probably the ability to successfully combine your personal and professional life is just life wisdom.

Which sources would you recommend to us? (podcasts, webpages, influencers, youtubers, etc.)

Unfortunately, due to lack of time, I can’t say much. But I would recommend to your audience to follow the local information channels.

If You Want to Read More Inspiring Stories for Success and Professional Growth Join the DevStyleR #Tech Influencers Community and Get Access to our Special Editions here.

Lyuba Ilieva has 18 years of experience in the field of IT. She is a graduate of the Faculty of Mathematics and Informatics at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” and naturally dove into the IT world – the technological infinity, which gives us the opportunity to improve the world here and now. Lyuba is part of large-scale software projects for global companies, working with creative, international QA teams with wide technological expertise. She continues to walk boldly forward and upward, because she caries an aspiration to challenge herself every day, and the courage to not be afraid of mistakes… Because fortune favours the brave! The sky is the limit!

Lyuba Ilieva, Senior Director Automation and Quality at Musala Soft

Favourite clothes?

Comfy ones.

High heels or flat shoes?

Depends on what I’m wearing.

Which is THE thing you never go out without?

My phone. It has everything I need.

Favourite lipstick colour?

Nude.

Which is the feminine quality/duty that you don’t possess?

Everything feminine comes naturally to me.

Which cause would you support/ Are you currently supporting?

Unicef – access to education for nonverbal kids.

Share something about yourself that we can’t find on LinkedIn.

You can hardly find out anything from LinkedIn. The professional qualities can be seen in the process of work.

Have you ever faced challenges in your career regarding the fact that you are a woman?

Each challenge is an opportunity.

Do you know how many women work in your position?

Yes. Just one. 🙂

Do you think that the problem with gender inequality still exists in Bulgaria and globally?

A study by Reboot Online was recently published and it presents Bulgaria as the best place to work for women. Looking at the statistics both as payment and as percentage of women working in the field, women are less than men. However, there is an explanation, according to which gender is not the only thing that matters. There are fewer girls in technical specialties globally because of the desire to develop in this field. There is a difference between the sexes, but this does not necessarily mean inequality. From my experience, I can say that the opportunities offered in the IT field for both women and men are the same.

“Software industry is extremely attractive in the last few years for the development of young specialists. We’ve often seen colleagues that retrained from other professions.”

Do you think a woman’s appearance and charm affect her professional success?

According to a social survey, good-looking people progress faster with their careers. This is true for both men and women. Everyone has their own weapons to achieve their goals. However, if we emphasize too much on our female or male advantages, it will certainly come back like a boomerang and there is a possibility that they will see us more as a woman (or a man, respectively) and less as a professional. 

Which policies does your company encourage regarding gender diversity?

The most important policy to promote diversity is not to limit it. At Musala Soft, 30% of the employees are women, 30% are foreigners from over 10 countries. Professional qualities and shared values are what’s important 

How do you get along with men in your company? Do they treat you differently?

My colleagues treat me unconditionally as a professional, and so do I. 

Read More Inspiring Stories for Women in Tech in WRTech here.

How do you balance your work with your personal life? Are there any rules that you follow?

I have a strictly defined profile of my obligations, which I follow. Of course, there are exceptions, but it is important for me to be disciplined and this inevitably benefits both personal and professional life.

Which sources would you recommend to us? (podcasts, webpages, influencers, youtubers, etc.)

The blog and the events in Dev.bg, specialized QA and Testing groups in Linkedin.

As a Senior Director Automation and Quality, which do you think are the qualities a specialist in the sphere has to possess?

During the last few years, the software industry has been extremely attractive for the development of young professionals. We often witness colleagues who have retrained from other professions. The motivation for development in this area is really high and this has a positive impact on the sector. Colleagues who have a strong interest in mathematics and information sciences, especially those with an engineering degree, are able to quickly establish themselves as specialists in software development and to chart a major career path in the field.

Do you think it’s good for us to aim to perfection in a professional and personal plan?

Absolutely not. This is an unattainable task and can easily increase the feeling of failure, and this will inevitably affect our results. The strength of every person, both professionally and personally, is to know both their strengths and weaknesses. Nobody’s perfect and there are no perfect situations. The only thing that moves us forward and upward is striving every day to be better than yesterday; not being afraid of making mistakes, because success loves the brave.

What gives you inspiration in a professional and personal plan?

When you love the things you do, it is such a great pleasure and it’s very inspiring. Of course, in addition to what you do, what matters the most is who you do it with. I am inspired by the colleagues I work with – creative, smart, fun, innovative, as well as my family and friends. It is important for everyone to choose the environment that develops and pulls him forward.

What made you choose the technological sphere as your professional path?

It happened naturally in a way. Back at school I was very interested and had some achievements in mathematics and information sciences. That’s what made me choose the specialty “Informatics” at Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” and I have been working in the field for 18 years. This is the area with the strongest impetus for innovation – it is inspiring to create software that improves and also opens up completely new horizons for business and people’s leisure time. Sky is the limit!

If You Want to Read More Inspiring Stories for Success and Professional Growth Join the DevStyleR #Tech Influencers Community and Get Access to our Special Editions here.

Nikolet Jensen is a Frontend Web Developer at Accenture who decided to come back to Bulgaria by a coincidence. Nikolet shares with us that she doesn’t think that being a woman is a challenging thing. However, being a parent can sometimes be a career challenge, especially when the children are young. What inspired Nikolet to dive into the IT industry was the fact that she wanted to try something new and interesting and the IT covered many of the things that were important to her creativity, the flexibility of working hours, location, and also good pay. In Accenture everyone strives to have a balance of staff. They encourage the employment of women, who are still fewer, but significantly more than in the industry as a whole. In her opinion, there is knowledge with out which you cannot be a developer. However, the qualities that make a good developer vary. According to Nikolet, this is a profession in which you are constantly learning new things, so you need to be flexible and get used to getting out of our comfort zone. She advises everyone to always spare some time for physical exercises despite any personal and,professional obligations. Nikolet thinks it is very important to find time to move, for instance, a short walk outside or a workout at home.

“I wanted to try something new and interesting and it covered many of the things that were important to me.”

Nikolet Jensen, Frontend Web Developer at Accenture

Can you share something specific about you that we can’t find on LinkedIn?

I have two kids.

Have you encountered any challenges in your career in connection to being a woman?

I would not say that it is a challenge that I am a woman. Being a parent can sometimes be a career challenge, especially when children are young.

Do you know how many women work in your position?

I am aware that there are enough opportunities for many more women to join the IT field and I would like more of them to take this step.

Read More Inspiring Stories for Women in Tech in WRTech here.

Do you think that the problem of gender inequality is still relevant in Bulgaria and globally?

Yes, it is relevant, but it is also being discussed more than ever and steps are being taken towards alignment.

Which policies does your company encourage regarding gender diversity?

We strive to have a balance of staff, we encourage the employment of women, who are still fewer, but significantly more than in the industry as a whole.

Do your male colleagues treat you differently?

They don’t have a different attitude towards me.

Which sources do you follow and can you recommend some of them to our audience? (example: podcasts, pages, influencers, vloggers, etc.)

I would recommend Hacker News

https://news.ycombinator.com/

You have obtained your bachelor’s degree abroad. What made you go back to Bulgaria?

It was a coincidence – we came here for the summer when our daughter was little, and we never left. Your bachelor’s degree is in Journalism and Communications, and then you obtained a Master’s degree in American Science.

What inspired you to move to the IT sector?

I wanted to try something new and interesting and IT (in particular frontend development) covered many of the things that were important to me – creativity, flexibility of working hours and location, good pay.

Which are the most important qualities of a front and developer?

Тhere is a certain knowledge without which you cannot be a developer. But the qualities that make a good developer vary. I would rather say that it is a profession in which you are constantly learning new things, so we need to be flexible.

Favourite clothes?

Jeans.

High heels or flat shoes?

Sneakers.

Which typical female quality or household responsibility does not apply to you?

To sow flowers.

What is THE thing that you must have in your bag when going out?

Mobile phone.

Favourite lipstick colour?

Red, however, I don’t wear any and learn to get out of our comfort zone.

How and where should we put boundaries between the working day and the private life when everything happens in one place? Can you give some good practices and tips as an example?

When you have children, the boundaries are set by getting up early, leading and picking up from school, preparing food, etc. If I have to give specific advice, it is to have some time for physical exercises. I think it is very important to find time to move. For example, a short walk outside or a workout at home.

If You Want to Read More Inspiring Stories for Success and Professional Growth Join the DevStyleR #Tech Influencers Community and Get Access to our Special Editions here.

Meet Alexandra Mechkova – the CEO of Telerik Academy who has over 13 years of experience in the tech sector. She is the driving force behind Telerik Academy’s strategic vision. In her role, Alexandra is also responsible for the development of Telerik Academy’s IT career and professional development programs. Her work has had a profound impact on Telerik Academy in the first few years of its establishment as an independent organization. Alexandra led the marketing, business development, and partner network activities of the company. Before joining Telerik Academy’s team, she took various roles at the marketing team of Telerik (later acquired by Progress). In Progress, she worked as a Senior Manager “Global PR”, where she was responsible for the company’s external communication across diverse markets like the EMEA, Latin America, Africa, and Australia. Alexandra received a “Most Valuable Player (MVP)” recognition for her work at the time. Moreover, she participated actively in the foundation of Campus X and its establishment as a leading flexible office hub. Alexandra has a Fulbright scholarship and holds a MA in “Communication Management” from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts, and an “Integrated Social Sciences” Bachelor’s degree from Jacobs University Bremen, Germany. In her view, personal and professional life can’t be fully balanced – one can dominate the other depending on the circumstances. Yet, she believes it’s vital to switch off and practice digital detox from time to time.

“There are no roles that are typically “male” or “female” and in which we have to promote diversity.”

Favourite clothes?

Alexandra Mechkova, CEO of Telerik Academy

T-shirt, jeans and sneakers.

Highheels or low shoes?

Low, definitely low.

Which is THE thing you never go out without?

A phone.

Favourite lipstick colour?

Nude, simple and neutral.

Which is the feminine quality/duty that you don’t possess?

I don’t like gender stereotyping.

Which cause would you support/ Are you currently supporting?

I’ve been supporting Animal Rescue Sofia for years because of everything they do for animals, their dedication and love for the cause, despite all the challenges, rudeness, and violence they face on a daily basis.

Share something about yourself that we can’t find on LinkedIn.

I’ve been a fan of automobile races ever since I was little. I like fast vehicles and for me, the car has always been more than just a means of transportation.

Have you ever faced challenges in your career regarding the fact that you are a woman?

I believe that we should be judged by our actions, and I’ve always strived to give my best in everything I do. So, if there were any challenges related to my gender, I’ve never noticed.

Do you know how many women work in your position?

Although I can’t name an exact number, I’m glad that Bulgaria leads the ranking of women in leadership positions, according to (the latest?) data from the European Institute for Gender Equality.

Do you think that the problem with gender inequality still exists in Bulgaria and globally?

It would be frivolous to say that it is non-existent. At the same time, however, I believe that there are different dynamics between industries, geographies, and even organizations. In my daily life and I hope in the lives of my colleagues and Telerik Academy’s students, I do not think that inequality is an issue. We work in an industry, which values good ideas and dedicated work. The greater a person’s contribution is, the more successful they are, regardless of gender.

What policies does your company follow regarding diversity?

For each role in Telerik Academy, we choose the best-prepared candidate, who also fits well into our culture and team. There are no roles that are typically “male” or “female” and in which we have to promote diversity. As mentioned above, I don’t like stereotypes and this is not something we follow or avoid.Meanwhile, I’m a firm believer in meritocracy, and it, at least in my eyes, has no gender.

Read More Inspiring Stories for Women in Tech in WRTech here.

Telerik Academy is a well-balanced organization with a 50:50 ratio of women and men, including in management positions. The latter came about naturally, without being a goal in itself.

Do women’s vision and charm help you be successful in a professional way?

I believe that being authentic, brave, ambitious, purposeful, empathetic, and respectful is what shapes people, regardless of the roles they’re taking . . Gender and appearance do not matter. 🙂

How do you get along with men in your company? Do they treat you differently?

You have to ask them. With the risk of repeating myself, I believe that a person should be judged by their actions and the work they do, not their gender. And labels like “charming women” and “brave men” don’t help us achieve that. On the contrary, they put the focus in the wrong place.

How do you balance your work life with your personal life? Is there any rule that you follow?

For most of my professional life, the balance has always been suffering. In recent years, I have been more consciously trying to give equal priority to both, and it is something that I encourage my colleagues to do as well. I still do not think that the two areas can be completely differentiated, so my rule is that according to the situation and the period, one can prevail over the other, but it is important in the context of the bigger picture to balance each other.

Which sources would you recommend to us? (podcasts, webpages, influencers, youtubers, etc.)

I digest a lot of information on a daily basis so my recommendation will be a little different – always strive to have periods of digital detox. I’ve been thinking about a day of the week without access to electronic devices for a while, but I admit that I haven’t had the courage to do it just yet.

Which are the most important qualities a CEO must possess?

The CEO should be humane to those they work with. The CEO should be authentic (which is a good quality) and should show respect to others. Respecting others is of great importance. Also, they should be ambitious and brave to make decisions and thinking a few steps ahead. And last but not least – the CEO should possess a sense of humor. That helps too.

What kind of changes were made during the year of COVID19 regarding the learners at Telerik Academy?

It’s been a transformational year. When we first faced the global health pandemic, our learners were affected by the stress of our new lifestyles and the fears for our health. But as time passed, they got used to learning online and now I think this format isn’t a new thing to anyone. As an organization, we introduced many innovations related to remote education. Due to the new formats and practices, we managed to keep and advance all the elements that make our programs so successful. Now our students can benefit from 120% more practice as part of their programs. Last but not least, many of our graduates start working in a fully online environment – something that distinguishes the IT sector. During our 6-month training, in addition to acquiring the necessary technical skills for a successful career start in the IT sector, they also work in a near real-world online environment. On top of the tech training, we dedicate 20% of the program to polishing their personal and teamwork skills so that they can succeed in their professional life.

What inspires you professionally and personally?

I’m inspired by the numerous successes within the ecosystem we have built at Campus (Telerik Academy is a part of the Campus X community). Also, I’m inspired by the people of my generation, with whom I grew up in Bulgaria. Many of us went to study abroad but came back here. I sincerely believe that we are changing Bulgaria for the better – one step at a time. Personally, I am increasingly inspired by the way of life outside big cities – nature’s slow pace and the quality of people’s relationships there. The people there are more successful in escaping the rat race and the stress of their busy schedules and responsibilities.

Which are the qualities a professional, stepping into the technological sphere, must possess?

Being ready to accept that there are always v2, v3, and so on. To me, that means two things. Firstly, to be ready to work fast and to achieve the best he or she can do at this point, and to be in peace with that. Secondly, to be flexible and to be able to embrace the constant change, to learn from it, to not be afraid to be in constant competition with time and the worldwide companies. I would like to add creativeness and affinity to new and innovative decisions.

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Let’s also greet Miryana Markova, who is working for AIOPSGROUP as a VP Professional Services. She describes herself as a travelling-lover, who enjoys meeting new cultures and getting to know everything about their past and present. She said that she loves challenges and mysteries– solving technical and organizational problems gives her a lot of energy. Miryana told us that her career in the IT field began years ago when she was a sophomore at the university. She adds that her working atmosphere has always been very dynamic and each day she learns something new. That’s exactly what made her work in the IT sphere for 20 years. According to her, this tendency hasn’t changed a lot. Her opinion is that technologies are improving very fast and you should constantly study and adapt to them in order to keep on track. Miryana shares that the teams she’s worked with always included International members from different parts of the world with various cultures and perspectives. She adds that tolerance and respect have always been part of her work. That’s exactly why she has never faced any problems concerning being a woman. When it comes to gender inequality, Miryana shares that during the last two decades there has been huge progress regarding this topic, but unfortunately nowadays it remains a problem all around the world. To her, the key for solving this problem is changing the point of view of society. She thinks everything begins at home and work – a woman is and should be treated as an equal partner who has her own duties and rights. To Miryana, appearance is never a factor for accepting someone. She wouldn’t go to a Business meeting dressed in shorts or a T-shirt, but apart from that, what matters the most in order to be successful is to have the right knowledge and skills. In order to achieve a balance between her personal and professional life, Miryana prioritizes her tasks daily and never puts off anything for the last moment. For her, the key to success is hard work, dedication to what you’re doing, constantly improving skills and expanding knowledge… and a little bit of good luck too.

“Senior Managers have strategies for the development of the organization and add constant improvement, in order to reach maximum effectiveness. They aren’t afraid of making decisions and support their teams in hard times.”

Share something about yourself that we can’t find on LinkedIn.

I love travelling and getting to know new cultures, their past and present. Some of the most exotic places I’ve visited are Angkor Wat, Cambodia, Easter Island (Chile) and Petra in Jordan.

Have you ever faced challenges in your career regarding the fact that you are a woman?

No, or at least, if it happened, I didn’t realize the reason was being a woman. The teams I’ve worked with have always included international members from different parts of the world, with different cultures and perspectives. In those teams, we’ve always tolerated and respected each other.

Read More Inspiring Stories for Women in Tech in WRTech here.

Do you know how many women work in your position?

The percentage of women in senior roles globally is around 25-29%

Do you think that the problem with gender inequality still exists in Bulgaria and globally?

There’s been huge progress in the last two decades, but unfortunately, the issue with gender inequality still exists globally. There are still countries, where the educational access for young girls is limited or they are discriminated against or abused. To me, the key to fixing this problem is changing the perspective of society. Everything begins in the family or at work–a woman IS and should be seen as an equal partner, who has his rights and duties.

Do women’s appearance and charm help you be successful in a professional way?

I don’t know. I never thought that appearance is something we should judge someone on. Of course, I wouldn’t go to a business meeting dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, but outside of that what matters the most are your knowledge and skills.

How do you get along with men in your company? Do they treat you differently?

As a professionalist, the atmosphere in AIOPSGROUP is very open and one of the main values is teamwork. Our experience is proof that we can only succeed if we are together and in our workplace there is no separation in any aspect.

How do you balance your work with your personal life?

The balance between my work life and personal life is extremely important to me. In order to achieve it, I prioritize my duties and never leave the not so urgent things for the last moment, I delegate and rely on the help of my colleagues.

Which sources would you recommend to us? (podcasts, webpages, influencers, youtubers, etc.)

I like TED Talks because of the variety of topics. I follow Richard Branson’s post, as well as those of Bill Gates and Satya Nadella.

Which policies does your company encourage regarding gender diversity?

In AIOPSGROUP we create a working environment focused on respect and tolerance between the employees without considering gender, ethnic or race background. In the company, there are people from different countries and cultures–Bulgaria, USA, Serbia, Bosnia, India, Maroco; our clients and partners are from huge international companies. Around 25% of the employees are women and the ones on management level are 50%.

How did your professional development in the technological sphere begin? What inspired you to choose this path?

I started working in the IT sphere when I was a second-year university student. By the time, the technological companies in Bulgaria weren’t that much and most of the workers were students and young people. The working atmosphere was very dynamic, everyone was encouraged to share knowledge, everyday we learned new things, which I enjoyed the most and that’s why I’ve been working in the area for 20 years. This trend hasn’t changed, technologies keep improving dynamically and in order to follow them, you have to study constantly and adapt.

As being a woman what is the key to developing such a successful career in the IT industry? Are there any secret recipes for success?

I wouldn’t say so. Success relies on hard work, dedication to what you’re doing, constant self-improvement of your skills and expanding your knowledge. And of course a little bit of good luck.

Which are the main qualities that a successful Vice-President Professional Services should possess in the tech sphere?

Senior managers have strategies for developing the organization, they constantly improve it in order to reach maximum efficiency. They aren’t afraid of making decisions. Every Senior Manager should support its teams and should be focused on constructive actions, not
on mistakes and failures.

“Technologies keep improving dynamically and in order to follow them, you have to constantly study and adapt.”

What recharges you in a professional and personal plan?

I love adventures and mysteries – solving technological and organizational problems gives me energy.

If You Want to Read More Inspiring Stories for Success and Professional Growth Join the DevStyleR #Tech Influencers Community and Get Access to our Special Editions here.

Paulina Dragoeva is a QA Team Lead at Accenture, who shares with us that she feels extremely complete and respected at work. Paulina told us that she started working as a tester when she was at university and then she learned a lot about this profession. After university, Paulina went to Austria, but something has always pulled her back to Bulgaria. She shares that regarding gender inequality in the workplace, she sees a trend towards positive changes. Paulina adds that more and more companies are taking action to hire more women, which is commendable, but unfortunately the situation is not that good from a global perspective. Paulina shares that sometimes it is difficult for her to separate the professional from personal life, especially for a workaholic like her. Paulina tries to diversify the mental work with a physical one by riding a bike, walking in the park, or training at home. She says that during the pandemic she managed to develop a new hobby – growing flowers. Paulina is now almost a specialist, despite all of her previous unsuccessful attempts. What is more, because of her perseverance she expects about 100 tulips to bloom on her terrace. According to Paulina, qualities are built individually by each person and are not divided into genders. Paulina says that so far she has been lucky enough to work in companies where she has not faced any discrimination in relation to being a woman. However, she said that some time ago she was at an interview where they told her that the salary for their position, which was quite low, was too good for a “woman in the IT field”. To her, the members of a professional team need to build good friendships with one another and get along so that they understand each other in just one word – just like her team at Accenture.

“The good QA team lead has to know the strong and weak sides of every single person of their team, to distribute the tasks so that everyone can provide quality testing, but also to develop their skills if needed.”

Share something about yourself that we can’t find on LinkedIn.

Paulina Dragoeva, QA Team Lead at Accenture

During the pandemic I developed a new hobby – taking care of flowers. I’m also a specialist now although I wasn’t always successful. But I’m persistent and I ‘m expecting around 100 tulips and bulbs to bloom.

Have you ever faced challenges in your career regarding the fact that you are a woman?

Until now, I’ve always been lucky enough to work for companies where I was not discriminated against for being a woman. However, some time ago I went to an interview for an IT firm where I was directly told that the salary of the position, which was extremely low, was great for a “woman in the IT sphere”. What came as a bigger shock to me was the fact that the person who said this to me was the HR specialist who was also a woman.

Do you know how many women work in your position?

I know there are many women working as QAs, I even have some very successful friends in the sector.

Do you think that the problem with gender inequality still exists in Bulgaria and globally?

In Bulgaria, I think things are going well. More and more firms are taking actions on hiring more women, which is great. Unfortunately, I don’t think the situation is as good in a global plan though. The percentage ratio for higher rewarding is still in the benefit of men.

Do women’s appearance and charm help you be successful in a professional way?

I don’t think it’s related. And it was proved to me during last year when all of us have been working from home. We communicate with people online, some of which I’ve never seen in person, but we still manage to be successful.

How do you get along with men in your company? Do they treat you differently?

I always try to keep on the friendly mode with everyone, but I can’t say I receive any special attention from my male colleagues. In the team we’ve developed friendships and suit each other in a way we get along pretty well.

How do you balance your work with your personal life? Do you follow any specific rules?

Sometimes it’s really hard, especially for a workaholic like me. I try to diversify the brain load with physical load – I ride my bike, go for walks in the park and work-out from home.

Which sources would you recommend to us? (podcasts, webpages, influencers, youtubers, etc.)

Interesting Engineering

You’ve graduated from Sofia University with Applied Mathematics. What inspired you to choose the IT sphere?

Ever since high school I’ve been interested in information technologies and I’ve been looking forward to computer science classes. Our teacher presented the lessons in a way that always caught my attention even if it was hard sometimes. I definitely liked working with a computer back then. I started as a QA when I was still at university, but I had no idea how the process of developing software looked. And once I got more into those things, I realized that’s what I wanted.

Which are the most important qualities of a Quality Assurance Team Lead?

The good Team Lead has to be able to multitask, to always know what’s going on in the teams and to remain calm in stressful situations. The good QA team lead has to know the strong and weak sides of every single person of their team, to distribute the tasks so that everyone can provide quality testing, but also to develop their skills if needed. I always try to pay the needed attention to each colleague and give them directions to solve their problems. Perfect organizational skills, dedication and responsibility also count.

Read More Inspiring Stories for Women in Tech in WRTech here.

How can we be absolutely sure of the quality of a product?

The product has to answer the needs, expectations and desires of the customer. The truth is, there isn’t a single software without any bugs. But the quality is judged by other factors such as efficiency, good functionality, assurance and most importantly – whether it’s convenient enough to be used by the end-user. For the different products we have to develop a different test strategy, where testing processes have to be done with the desired strictness and preciseness.

When and how should we put the borders between the workday and life after that, as everything happens in one place? Can you give examples of some good practices?

The best example is turning off the computer after 6PM and stop thinking of work. However, this does not always work for me – very often I can concentrate and do a lot of things after everyone else goes off and Teams is not constantly filled with new messages. The best thing is to learn how to prioritize our tasks and if they aren’t so urgent we can, for example, put them off until the next day although for some people it’s hard to leave the undone work. A walk after work is very efficient for me.

Favourite clothes?

A striped blouse.

High heels or flat shoes?

Low ones – especially white sneakers.

Which is THE thing you never go out without?

A phone, a mask and a hand sanitizer.

Favourite lipstick colour?

#F57171

Which is the feminine quality that you don’t possess?

I think that such qualities are developed by each individual and can’t be divided into genders.

Which cause are you currently supporting?
Time Heroes, Novata Gora

If You Want to Read More Inspiring Stories for Success and Professional Growth Join the DevStyleR #Tech Influencers Community and Get Access to our Special Editions here.