Tell us more about what makes you happy in your personal time
Where do I even start?! I am usually a very positive and enthusiastic person that tries to cram as many activities as possible into my everyday schedule and life in general. I love being outside in nature, whether it’s just for a walk, hiking up mountains, or paddleboarding on a lake. Now that I have not one, but TWO energetic samoyed fluffers, I am even more inclined for outdoor activities. I guess you could say I am a bit of a sports freak; I started tennis when I was 5 and played for almost 8 years before switching to cheerleading (now you know where all the positivity comes from hehe) and later on to weightlifting in the gym. As I missed dancing quite a bit, I recently started Latino dance classes, so my heart is full again.
When the energy tones down a bit, I enjoy reading a book – if it’s by any lake/sea/ocean/ or any water source is even better – baking cakes (mostly for humans) and catching up with friends over a chai latte. As you can imagine by now, I have too much energy to be drinking coffee. And if there is one thing that I enjoy more than watching a beautiful sunset, is watching Formula 1 races, which I follow religiously and passionately every Sunday for some years now.
Another thing that makes me truly happy is traveling. I love getting immersed in another culture. Talking to people, learning about their history and traditions, trying out their cuisine, and simply wandering the streets of a new place resonates with me on a deeper level. I am convinced I was a nomad in another life and the desire to explore as many places as I can is very strong.
What led you on the path to Marketing?
That’s actually quite a funny little story. For a bit of background – I graduated from law school at Babes-Bolyai University here in Cluj-Napoca, then got a scholarship to do my master’s degree in Lisbon at Catolica Global School of Law, focusing on European & international law, and Cornell University in NY, with focus on American & international law. Ever since my first year in law, I joined a really amazing organization named ELSA (The European Law Students Association) through which I had the opportunity to organize various projects worldwide. It was in that association that I had my first experience with Marketing. Years later, right after presenting my master’s thesis, one of my friends, now colleague, told me AscentCore has opened up a position and that I would be a great fit for the company… and he wasn’t wrong – it was love at first sight. I felt an instant connection with the people I interacted with, the culture they were building, and the goals they were aiming to achieve. So here I am 🙂
What inspires you in a typical workday? What drives your creativity?
I take a lot of my energy and inspiration from the people around me. I am a self-proclaimed social butterfly, so I cannot imagine work without coming to the office regularly. I can honestly say I am surrounded by amazing colleagues, people from whom I can learn so much, who inspire and push me to learn more, explore new things, and aim for the moon. As for my creativity, whenever the sun is out I am invincible. On the gloomier days, I try to think of tasks as little challenges I need to complete, which activates my competitive side and makes things more fun.
Template or fresh new blank page?
The lawyer in me would say “It depends” on which aspect of life you are referring to but I think creating everything my way is the preferred choice – so blank page it is.
Would you prefer organizing events with zero budget or with an infinite budget?
This might sound strange but I would go for zero budget. I love a good challenge and through the many years of volunteering, I basically did just that, repeatedly. I like to believe in the goodness of the world and in the power of all my negotiation skills. And I also have a secret weapon: my dogs – you cannot say no to those puppy eyes.
Which is your favorite AscentCore value and why?
I would have to say Relationships. As we spend a third of our day working, I believe it is crucial to have genuine relationships as the foundation of a great organizational culture. Strong relationships built on respect, open communication, and trust can only boost morale, increase productivity and in the end make the company grow in a harmonious way. I can truthfully say that AscentCore lives up to having that as part of its core values.
What is the most important lesson you’ve learned in your time here at AscentCore?
I’ve grown a lot in the time since I joined the company, both on a personal level and even more on a professional one, so there are many lessons learned. One that particularly comes to mind when reading the question is this -> Communication is key! I am lucky enough to work within a team that listens and values my ideas, no matter how wild they are, a team with whom I can share my concerns and some of my weaker points as I know they will encourage and support me all the way. It is a two-way street, so in return, I learned to always keep an open mind, embrace feedback, and practice empathy every day.
What has the future got in store for Iulia?
The most honest answer would be I am not sure but definitely something exciting 😀 Right now I am focusing on absorbing as much knowledge as I can considering I am working with some pretty impressive and talented people, as well as exploring areas of Marketing that are more challenging for me. Ask me that again a bit further along the road – I am also curious about what it has in store for me.
