- Favorite artist: It's all about the feeling art awakens in you, I couldn't possibly choose. There's a time, a place, and a state of mind for different artists.
- Best book ever read: Dance Dance Dance by Haruki Murakami
- Dream destination: Pretty much anywhere with good company, but I wouldn't mind exploring the Machu Picchu pyramids or going on a random European city break, depending on who's joining the trip.
- Quote you live by: “We are star stuff which has taken its destiny into its own hands.”
- At the office or remote? At the office for snacks & laughs, remote for keeping on track(s).
Tell us a bit about yourself.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is your newest Account Manager speaking. On the record, I'm part of the Client Team, but off the record, I'm helping out the Marketing Team as a marcomms specialist and everyone else in the office as a tasty treats advisor. Long story short, I'm a Media and communications graduate, passionate about cars and music, ex-professional piano player, going out(doors) and board games with friends, and my little cats-and-dogs inclusive pet family.
The journey to XWiki
What were you doing before XWiki? Did you change careers when joining our team?
In a way, yes. I have a pretty rich marketing and communications background, with corporate and agency experience. I actually aspire to be a wizard of words and that is pretty much the core of my entire activity here. My mixed background in marketing, PR, and pretty much anything digital media helps me understand the needs of both clients and XWiki as a company, meaning I can double the fun and help out on multiple fronts, all while learning tips, tricks, and more technical stuff.
What is it like to be working in the Client Team at XWiki?
I think exciting is the perfect summary for working in the Client Team. Of course, working in a people-facing role is exciting by default since there is no day identical to a previous one and I'm not one to say no to a challenge. In my case, the role I have in the company is not a boring, set-in-stone-standard-issue-job, but rather multivalent. This way, I get the chance to help other teams as well because there's so much to learn from the Support, Infra, Marketing squads, and pretty much everyone else.
Alexandra with a part of the XWiki team having a casual lunch.
Open Source impressions
Was Open Source something you had an interest in before XWiki?
I had used OS products before, without even being aware of that, but I truly understood their value and the OS values per se after I joined XWiki.
What's the Open Source value you identify with the most?
Transparency. Something not to be taken for granted. Ever.
Being an XWikier
How was the integration process at XWiki for you?
In one word - smooth. Although I love to disrupt by bringing in new ideas constantly, I'd say that everything I've said so far (applicable to everyone else on the team as well) has been met with an open mind and great respect.
To me, sticking by certain values and supporting each other, as actual teams, is what made the whole integration process feel less like a process and more like a natural thing.
What were the biggest ways in which XWiki changed during the time you've been around?
I have to confess that I have a hidden talent for landing right in the middle of major changes, but I don't want to give out any spoilers and I'll stick to a brief teaser: awesome XWiki stuff is coming! I think it's a matter of adaptation, evolution, and progress, and I'm very happy to be a part of it. After all, the only constant in life is change!
Lessons learned
What would you say is the most valuable lesson you've learned so far during your time at XWiki?
Vouloir, c'est pouvoir.
The XWiki experience
If you could describe XWiki in one word, what would it be?
Courage - that's actually the same(-ish) word in English, Romanian and French, by the way! Courage to be different, to be out there, to have a fresh start, to grow as a professional and to be part of an awesome team, to be OS in a sea of proprietary, to have values and bring value forward through services.
What is your favorite memory at XWiki?
In my short time here, I think it's unfair to choose just one great, funny moment. I truly believe the best is yet to come.
