Celebrating International Women's Day with Maria Stoeva

Studying at the University of Essex laid the foundation for what has been an incredible professional journey.

Since graduating 12 years ago with a degree in Business Management, I often reflect on my time at Essex. When I first decided to study in the UK, being a heavy sun-lover, I had one big hesitation - the weather. However, with the reassurance that Colchester had great weather (most of the time) and the fantastic reputation that Essex held, the deal was sealed for me.

When I think about Essex, the main thing I remember and loved was the vibrant campus life and the incredibly diverse community. Essex is truly the world in one place. I had the chance to meet and learn from people from across the world which was transformative and inspiring. The seminars, lively discussions and friendships not only shaped my academic understanding but also taught me how to collaborate, which was the most essential foundation for everything else that happened to me after.

As I reflect on my time at Essex, I believe that my experience laid the foundation for what has been an incredible professional journey. After earning my degree, I pursued many roles that honed my skills in leadership, strategic planning, and business excellence. Today, I have a portfolio career with five different professional endeavours. The most significant one being my role as CEO and Executive Consultant at SISTEMMA, a company for organisational development and business excellence. My role at SISTEMMA involves partnering with companies all over Europe to drive organisational transformation, foster innovation, and navigate the evolving world of work. Along the way, on my journey, I have also led initiatives like DisruptHR Sofia, which is curating high-energy, thought-provoking events, and Excellevate – masterclasses with renowned experts from all over Europe for business excellence in practice.

My next steps include scaling SISTEMMA’s international reach and launching new digital solutions for people related matters of business. Balancing my current role as a CEO, a business influencer, an MBA student, and most importantly being a mother of two children, this has taught me the power of resilience, adaptability, staying true to my values and taking care of myself.

Throughout my business career journey, I have learnt a lot from seeking out opportunities, taking bold risks and pursuing an MBA to deepen my strategic acumen. My advice for anyone considering a career in business would be to take ownership of your growth, find mentors and opportunities that challenge you to think bigger. Embrace learning as a lifelong journey and don’t be afraid of the unknown, the most fulfilling moments in my career came from stepping outside my comfort zone.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, I am reminded of the incredible women who have inspired me throughout my journey. I hope my story inspires others to push boundaries and embrace the limitless potential within themselves.