In the stirring backdrop of Belarus, 1989, my story began just as the Soviet Union was nearing its end. It wasn’t an easy start — a tumultuous family life and the added complexities of being gay in a conservative, post-Soviet society presented challenges from a young age.
Yet, amidst the uncertainty, I found solace and a spark of excitement in technology. Those early days spent at my parents’ workplaces, where I could explore computers, laid the foundation for a lifelong passion. As I grew, this passion only deepened. When I got my own PC, it became my gateway to endless possibilities, my playground for creation and discovery. I became a self-taught whiz in the realms of hosting, DNS, and Linux, piecing together a blog when the digital world was still uncharted territory.
My journey into website creation continued, leading to the launch of a site dedicated to Angelina Jolie and another deeply personal project — a platform sharing LGBT stories. This was more than a website; it was a beacon for visibility and a testament to the resilience of the gay community in places that often overlooked us.
Graduating high school marked a defining moment. I came out to my friends and embraced a new mission — to drive change through activism. My work in the LGBT community didn’t just give me a cause to fight for; it brought me the greatest gift — the closest friends I have to this day, bonded through shared purpose and support.
University appeared on the horizon, a traditional next step, but I soon recognized it wasn’t the right fit. My heart was already entwined with the evolving world of IT, which was moving at a pace academia couldn’t match. Facing resistance from my family, I made the bold choice to leave university, trusting my instincts and the path I was carving out in the tech industry.
This decision wasn’t just about choosing a career; it was about choosing authenticity and the freedom to shape my own destiny in a world where technology and advocacy intersected, where every challenge faced was another opportunity to grow, innovate, and inspire change.
early days
career STEPS
2008-2012
In the early stages of my career from 2008 to 2011, I delved into the world of quality assurance and software testing, specifically within the demanding context of ERP software for the oil and gas industry. It was a role that required a meticulous understanding of complex systems and an innate ability to navigate through massive databases and intricate calculations essential for oil drilling processes.
Here, I discovered my innate talent for numbers and data analysis—a skill that proved to be a catalyst for my future endeavors in technology and analytics.
Beyond that I developed my skills in functional and regression testing, and played a key role in maintaining test environments.
2012-2014
After establishing a strong foundation in the oil and gas industry, I transitioned to the telecommunications domain, an arena where the scale of data and its complexities were exponentially greater. In this data-intensive environment, I was exposed to the immense power and potential of large datasets, APIs, and the intricate workings of client-server architecture.
2014-2017
The next phase of my career took me to an outsourcing company where I continued to delve into the telecommunications sector, while also branching out into eCommerce and health domains. Here, I managed our most technically demanding projects, leading teams of up to thirty professionals. It was in this crucible that I learned the indispensable value of a data-driven approach, meticulously meeting stringent KPIs and SLAs. I didn't keep this knowledge to myself; I became an advocate for these methods, conducting workshops to spread this mindset.
During this time, I also discovered the significance of team dynamics and cohesion. I took pride in mentoring newcomers, helping them grow into their roles. This period was demanding, yes, but it was also transformative. It was here that I started to truly understand my own values, both as a person and as a leader.
2018-2022
I traveled the world and eventually chose to settle in Prague. There, I stepped into a senior management role, overseeing external QA contractors for a gaming company. This was my entry into the AAA gaming market, overseeing live service games—a perfect blend of my accumulated expertise in business, analytics, QA, and management.
As the company decided to establish a new production studio in Prague, I joined the leadership team. Starting as a QA Lead, I quickly recognized that my passion for QA had waned and it was time for a change. I moved into managing cross-functional teams, eventually leading my own team of project managers. Throughout all this, my data-driven philosophy was my north star, guiding the establishment of a data-centric culture in the Prague studio and promoting it across other locations.
2022-NOW
My latest adventure has been with a smaller, startup-like company. Here, I’ve been reshaping how things work, focusing on clear communication, solid facts, and best practices. Applying all of the skills I learned so far about the industry, management, myself, working with people, whilst not forgetting about my analytical and development skills.
Oh, and recently I married an amazing person. My mountain and main supporter in all of this.
That brings me to today.
MY VALUES
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I champion a culture of responsibility and transparency, where every decision and action is owned with integrity.
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I advocate for a healthy work-life balance, believing that personal well-being is crucial for professional excellence.
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My strategies are informed by robust data analysis, ensuring that every decision is evidence-based.
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In an information-rich world, I prioritize factual accuracy to guide my team and myself.