Happy Women's Day!

I really wanted to write this article in order to celebrate Women's Day. I started it a few times, struggling to settle on what to make it about. I started to write about balancing everything as a mother, how it takes a village to raise a child and how organisations should do their part. I started to write about impostor syndrome in women inspired by this great speech Reshma Saujani gave. I wanted to channel some inspiring words for my fellow People professionals and stress about our role in making the world a better place, one organisation at a time.

Instead, I finally decided to spend this time and space to say thank you to a few amazing women in my life, as I am rarely one to do this "in public" and I think maybe we should - especially when it's authentic.

First of all, my mom, Alina Anghel - my sister and Georgiana Bilan - my sister in law who are ALL THE TIME one phone call away to come care for my kid anytime I want to attend an event, deliver a training or have a date with my husband. That and so much more. No questions asked, no judgement, waiting for nothing in return. Your unconditional support and love for us moves me to tears.

Ada Macinica and Andreea Moldovan who are first of all powerhouse women whom I look up to a lot. I am so grateful you trusted me to handle so many complex projects sometimes without as much as having a double check before I pressed "send". You helped me feel supported, appreciated and you really nurtured my self-trust. Thanks to you I feel more ready to tackle any professional challenge and I know you are there, always, with a word of encouragement or an advice.

I am also extremely grateful for the trust Teodora Blanariu and Roxana Mocanu (whom we all miss greatly) had in me, inviting me to join their team. Always setting the highest standards, being relentless in making an impact in the people profession, so connected to everything new and so graceful in handling "business". Since we work together I feel I matured professionally more beautiful than I could have hoped.

My former people team - Maria Prashkova , Tatiana Rudenco , Andreea Nicolescu , Roxana Cristea , Dana Scarlet - I enjoyed so much working with you! Your passion for each of your "crafts", the way you put your heart into what you did every single day, your openness and kindness towards each other were so inspiring and I learned so much about leading not through tough challenges, but from how performance looks like and by wanting to raise to the level you deserved. Although we might not find ourselves again ever in the same team together I will forever treasure that period and any team you end up joining should be truly happy to have you.

I can't forget a new team of ladies I am happy to be a part of - Carmen Grigore , Madalina Zaharia , Nicoleta Neghina, PCC . From the moment I joined the team I felt so welcomed, no matter that during some calls I also run around after a toddler. I am so excited to discover you more and more and if it could, I am sure "team coaching" would feel it's in the greatest hands.

And of course, Eugenia Dabu , one of my best friends forever. Even though we live in separate countries now, I feel closer to you than anyone - always there to talk about anything from deciding on our next career move, books to read this year, our cooking wins or fails to k-pop fashion. Your insights always make me think, your successes inspire me to keep up and your humor cracks me up. You are the full package, I love you to Brussels and back a million times!

Now that I started, it's so hard to stop - I am so grateful and lucky to be surrounded by so many fascinating ladies. I am not an extremist, I am equally grateful to know some amazing men as well, but life still is, unfortunately, tougher for women so until we reach a balance, we need to place some more efforts and focus on that side of the taler.

Dear women, I wish you the opportunity to celebrate yourselves however you wish! Happy Women's day!