In honor of International Women’s Day, we collaborated with the media platform Maiko Mila to spotlight the thoughts and experiences of four remarkable leaders within our community. These women weren’t just chosen for their titles; they were all nominees in our internal “Women Who Inspire” initiative—a program where our employees nominate the colleagues who motivate, support, and lead them every day. (Stay tuned for the other nominations coming soon).
From debunking myths about motherhood in the corporate world to the importance of a “human-first” business strategy, here is how these four leaders are shaping the culture at Updata One.
1. Milena Ilieva: The Human Strategy at the Core of Business
HR Manager at Updata One
For Milena, a successful business isn’t built on processes alone, but on the sensitivity and development of its people. She believes that the more technological our world becomes, the more vital our human connections become.
On Human-Centric Culture: “The more technological a business becomes, the more human the strategy for developing that business must be.” Understanding the organizational culture is something a machine simply cannot replicate.
On Motherhood & Career: Milena is a vocal advocate for the idea that women often reach their professional peak after returning from maternity leave. The skills gained through parenting—patience, multitasking, and high emotional intelligence—are the exact qualities needed for modern leadership.
2. Stela Pacheva: A Pioneer in Trust-Based Leadership
Project Lead at A Data Pro (Part of Updata One Group)
When Stela joined A Data Pro seven years ago, she stepped into a world that was then a corporate rarity: a 100% remote role leading a team scattered across the globe. While the rest of the world caught up recently, Stela recognizes that Updata One was an absolute pioneer in flexible work long before it became a global standard.
Seamless Transitions: Stela experienced her second maternity leave within the company, and her return was remarkably smooth. She attributes this to the unwavering support of management and the “buddy system” she shared with a close colleague.
Efficiency Through Parenthood: For Stela, being a mother didn’t hinder her career—it sharpened it. She believes the flexibility offered by the company is the ultimate tool for parents. “Parenting makes us incredibly efficient,” she says. “We simply don’t have time to waste.” Most importantly, she never felt “wiped off the map” during her leave, remaining a vital, connected part of the community throughout.
3. Desislava Petrova: A Two-Decade Journey of Growth
Training and Development Manager
Desislava’s career is a remarkable story of long-term growth, having joined the company as a third-year International Relations student nearly 20 years ago. Drawn initially by the opportunity to work with languages, she has evolved from a junior journalist into the leader of our Training and Development department—helping our team gain the vital skills they need to excel as professionals.
On Cultural Support: Desislava recalls the challenge of returning from her first maternity leave while simultaneously creating a new department. Returning earlier than planned while caring for a child at home, she faced the challenge of balancing high professional standards with motherhood. “I am a perfectionist. Knowing that I couldn’t be 100% a mother, nor 100% the professional I wanted to be… was a very, very difficult moment,” Desislava shares.
Finding the Ultimate Balance: After her second maternity leave, Desislava rose to her current role as Training and Development Manager for the entire group. Today, she remains fully committed to the company: “I have never had doubts about whether this is my place. The scales always tip in favor of this firm precisely because of the balance between personal and professional life.”
4. Anna Tsenova: Creativity, Freedom, and Shared Values
Marketing Manager
Anna joined Updata One in 2020, entering a horizontal leadership structure that she describes as a breath of fresh air. For her, marketing in a tech-driven environment isn’t about following a rigid manual; it’s about the freedom to innovate and the speed at which ideas can turn into reality.
On Flexibility Without Guilt: At Updata One, Anna has found the perfect antidote to “working-mom guilt.” She values the trust-based culture where results matter more than clocking in at a specific desk. “If I need to work from home today, I can do it without feeling guilty. This flexibility is incredibly useful and allows me to manage all my roles as both a professional and a mother,” Anna explains.
The Power of Connection: Anna believes that the best work happens when people truly like and respect one another. “Work is done much better when we like each other… you work much more easily with people you feel are from the same ‘blood group’.
