Our Mission

Join The Event

The newest initiative of DevTalks Romania

EMPOWER is an initiative dedicated to creating a more inclusive, supportive and actionable environment for women in technology & in business. An event concept with one day agenda and an innovative exhibition area, built as a learning environment and designed to cover a wide range of aspects that women face every day, professionally.

As an attendee and a supporter of Empower, you'll be able to explore career coaching sessions, leadership talks, upgrade your negotiation skills or meet worldwide known speakers.

EMPOWER welcomes all women in tech, C-level executives, entrepreneurs and young professionals. All men are welcomed as well and we encourage their presence.

Event Speakers

Steliana Moraru

Steliana Moraru

Stage Moderator
@Empower


Marian Andrei

Marian Andrei

Stage Moderator
@Empower


Audrey Colle

Audrey Colle

Partner Director of Engineering in Microsoft Azure
@Microsoft


Alexandra Stancu

Alexandra Stancu

Talent Attraction and Employer Branding Expert
@Catalyst Solutions


Alina Pacurar

Alina Pacurar

Principal Quality Assurance Engineer
@Thoughtworks


Alexandra Bogdanescu

Alexandra Bogdanescu

SAP Delivery Excellence Lead
@MHP Romania


Amy Lynch

Amy Lynch

Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for Europe
@Thoughtworks


Anca Florea

Anca Florea

Head of Consulting
@Trend Consult Group


Claudia Manescu

Claudia Manescu

Engineering Manager
@Electronic Arts Romania


Georgiana Flamindu

Georgiana Flamindu

Diversity & Inclusion, Dual Education Project Manager
@Renault Group Romania


Glenn Anderson

Glenn Anderson

Professional Public Speaker
@Glenn Anderson Speaks


Lavinia Neagoe

Lavinia Neagoe

Director of Engineering & Bucharest Technology Site Lead / Chapter Director Women in Tech Romania
@Google


Dragos Gheban

Dragos Gheban

Managing Partner
@Catalyst Solution


Roxana Elena Vasile

Roxana Elena Vasile

Development Director
@Finastra


Toni Collis

Toni Collis

CEO
@Toni Collis Executive Coaching


Andreea Balaci Buncianu

Andreea Balaci Buncianu

Delivery Area Manager
@Catalyst Solutions


Andrei Dodan

Andrei Dodan

Senior Consultant, Master Trainer Fearless Organization Scan
@Trend Consult Group


Agenda

10:00 to 10:10

Opening Speech

— 10 minutes

  • Marian Andrei Marian Andrei [Stage Moderator — Empower]
  • Steliana Moraru Steliana Moraru [Stage Moderator — Empower]

10:10 to 10:15

Intro speech on behalf of organizing team

— 5 minutes


  • Andreea Balaci Buncianu Andreea Balaci Buncianu [Delivery Area Manager — Catalyst Solutions]

10:15 to 10:30

Surprise Activation

— 15 minutes

10:30 to 11:00

Breaking Barriers: What got you here, won't get you there

— 30 minutes

"Breaking Barriers", is about the challenges women face in the tech industry. Lavinia will share her experiences and insights on how to overcome these obstacles, introducing the current context of women in tech in Romania, the barriers faced by girls and professionals, and the importance of a growth mindset

  • Lavinia Neagoe Lavinia Neagoe [Director of Engineering & Bucharest Technology Site Lead / Chapter Director Women in Tech Romania — Google]

11:00 to 11:40

Fireside Chat: Women in Tech Data

— 40 minutes

  • Dragos Gheban Dragos Gheban [Managing Partner — Catalyst Solution]
  • Alexandra Stancu Alexandra Stancu [Talent Attraction and Employer Branding Expert — Catalyst Solutions]

11:40 to 13:00

Speed Sessions

— 1 hour

Join us for three engaging speed sessions presented by Microsoft, Finastra, and Thoughtworks.

  • Session 1  powered by Microsoft – Navigating career transitions with mentorship and networking
  • Session 2 powered by Finastra – Steps towards happy, high performing teams
  • Session 3 powered by Thoughtworks – How do we get the next generation into tech?

These sessions will feature introductions and dynamic Q&A segments, all moderated by Marian Andrei. Don't miss out on this opportunity to explore, debate, and learn.

  • Marian Andrei Marian Andrei [Stage Moderator — Empower]
  • Alina Pacurar Alina Pacurar [Principal Quality Assurance Engineer — Thoughtworks]
  • Amy Lynch Amy Lynch [Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for Europe — Thoughtworks]
  • Roxana Elena Vasile Roxana Elena Vasile [Development Director — Finastra]
  • Audrey Colle Audrey Colle [Partner Director of Engineering in Microsoft Azure — Microsoft]

13:00 to 14:00

Lunch Break

— 1 hour

14:00 to 14:40

From setback to comeback: how embracing discomfort and failure fuels leadership growth

— 40 minutes

Imagine the last time you faced rejection or failure—did it make you feel small, or did it ignite a fire within you to come back stronger? In leadership, setbacks are not roadblocks but rather the building blocks of true success. 

Read More...

  • Toni Collis Toni Collis [CEO — Toni Collis Executive Coaching]

14:40 to 16:00

Speed Sessions

— 1 hour

Join us for three engaging speed sessions presented by Electronic Arts Romania, MHP - A Porsche Company, Renault Group Romania. 

  • Session 1  powered Electronic Arts Romania - Diversity and Inclusion in the Modern-day IT organisation
  • Session 2 powered by MHP Romania - Core values: A path to self-development and professional success
  • Session 3 powered by Renault Group Romania - How to build successful career as women in tech

These sessions will feature introductions and dynamic Q&A segments, all moderated by Steliana Moraru. Don't miss out on this opportunity to explore, debate, and learn.

  • Steliana Moraru Steliana Moraru [Stage Moderator — Empower]
  • Claudia Manescu Claudia Manescu [Engineering Manager — Electronic Arts Romania]
  • Georgiana Flamindu Georgiana Flamindu [Diversity & Inclusion, Dual Education Project Manager — Renault Group Romania]
  • Alexandra Bogdanescu Alexandra Bogdanescu [SAP Delivery Excellence Lead — MHP Romania]

16:00 to 16:40

From ZERO to C-level while saving your sanity

— 40 minutes

Job burnout is a lot like burning your toast or burning through money repairing your home. Little or no control over your work. Surrounded by chaos. Unrealistic deadlines. Before you know it, your toast is burned, your home is a money pit, and you are running on empty! 

Read More...

  • Glenn Anderson Glenn Anderson [Professional Public Speaker — Glenn Anderson Speaks]

16:40 to 17:10

Psychological Safety (The keynote will be held in Romanian)

— 30 minutes

Psychological safety is not about being always nice and avoiding conflict. It's not about ruinous empathy or lowering standards. It's about performance, agility and innovation in times of ambiguity and engaged and loyal teams.


Read More...

  • Anca Florea Anca Florea [Head of Consulting — Trend Consult Group]
  • Andrei Dodan Andrei Dodan [Senior Consultant, Master Trainer Fearless Organization Scan — Trend Consult Group]

Meet Our Partners

Lounge Partners

Women in Tech Lounge
Women in Leadership Lounge
Diversity & Inclusion Lounge

Supporting Partners

Registration Partner

Production Partners

Official Hydration Partner
Official Coffee Partner
Comfort Area Partner
Experience Partner
Refreshments Partner
Connectivity Partner
Gifts Partner
Relaxing Area Partner
Photobooth with AI Partner

Main Media Partner

Community Partners

Media & Strategic Partners

Tickets


159.00

Early Registration

9th Aug - 8th Oct


Event Access

Expo Area Access


179.00

Regular Registration

9th Oct - 7th Nov


Event Access

Expo Area Access


199.00

Late Registration

8th - 21st Nov


Event Access

Expo Area Access

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We are encouraging you to set an example to support women in tech and to bring challenges on table and what it means to reach full potential.

We are creating an inclusive environment that welcomes women from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and skill sets.

We are facilitating meaningful networking opportunities to build connections within the tech community.

We are raising awareness about gender biases and the importance of creating a more equitable and balanced workplace.