Author: CIO Times

Effective recruitment is the cornerstone of success for both companies and individuals. For businesses, hiring the right talent ensures productivity, innovation, and a positive workplace culture. A well-matched employee not only contributes to the company’s growth but also enhances team dynamics and efficiency. Poor recruitment, on the other hand, can lead to low morale, high turnover, and wasted resources.

For individuals, securing the right job aligns with their skills, career aspirations, and personal values, fostering professional fulfillment and stability. When employees find a role that matches their strengths and ambitions, they perform better and experience greater job satisfaction.

Having worked in recruitment for over a decade, Sennette Lam has seen how the industry has evolved, and with that evolution came a shift in priorities. There’s been a growing emphasis on targets, sales, and volume, and while those are valid business drivers, she always felt that the heart of recruitment lies in something deeper: genuine connection and knowledge of your product, in this case, industry.

When Sennette first started out, what drew her in — and what kept her excited — was the people. She loved speaking to candidates, understanding their stories, and helping them find roles that truly suited them. She loved partnering with clients to understand their culture, their needs, and building relationships that lasted. That’s where she found the most meaning in the work.

Over time, Sennette began to crave a way of working that brought that personal touch back to the forefront. So, when the opportunity to create TalentBet Recruitment came along, it felt like the right moment to take everything she had learned over the years and build something that truly reflected her values.

Connecting People with Opportunities

Sennette’s journey into recruitment started back in 2005 at a company called Prime Time Recruitment in the UK. That was her first real exposure to the industry, and it’s where she discovered a genuine passion for connecting people with the right opportunities.

A few years later, she had the chance to relocate abroad, which led her to Gibraltar. That’s where her iGaming career kicked off — she joined BWin as a Poker Customer Support Agent on the English desk. It was a great introduction to the fast-paced, dynamic world of iGaming.

Shortly after, another relocation brought Sennette to Malta, where she took on a role at Kindred as an Executive Assistant to the General Manager. It was during this time, with a young child at home, that she realised she needed more flexibility. That’s when Betting Connections approached her to join them as one of their iGaming recruiters.

What started as a flexible opportunity turned into a 10-year chapter. Sennette progressed through several roles — from recruiter to Team Leader, into management, and eventually became Head of iGaming. It was an incredible experience, but after a decade, she reached a point where there wasn’t much room for further growth.

So, she decided to take a short break, reflect on what she’d learned, and then started TalentBet Recruitment. As CEO, she has had the chance to build something based on everything she believes great recruitment should be — authentic, value-driven, and focused on long-term relationships with both clients and candidates.

Setting the Grounds for Talent

From the very beginning, setting up TalentBet Recruitment has been a team effort for Sennette. Ana Lopes, who helped co-found the business, has been instrumental in shaping TalentBet — her commitment, ethics, and belief in their shared vision have been a driving force behind everything they’ve achieved. “We joke and say I am her voice and she is my Brain, something which makes us a good match. It’s truly special to find someone who has your vision and passion, and with her along for the ride, it’s been a very fun one,” shares Sennette.

The duo was also fortunate to bring with them a group of strong, talented recruiters from their previous company, ones who shared their passion and wanted to work somewhere that had meaning — people Sennette and Ana had worked with for years and who shared their vision for what great recruitment should look like. They bring commitment, integrity, and deep industry knowledge, and the founders trust them completely to represent TalentBet.

“Their belief in our mission and their dedication to doing things the right way have helped create the collaborative, people-first culture we’re so proud of today,” says Sennette.

The Agency

TalentBet is a specialised recruitment agency ded

icated exclusively to the iGaming and Fintech sectors. It partners with businesses across various jurisdictions to deliver tailored hiring solutions, always with a focus on quality, alignment, and long-term success.

What truly sets TalentBet apart is its specialization and expertise. It focuses solely on iGaming and Fintech, and it stands by this approach. It allows the agency to go deep into the industries it serves without diluting its knowledge across unrelated sectors.

“We are the experts, and I genuinely believe in that. Every person we hire comes from within iGaming or Fintech, so we speak the same language as our clients and candidates and understand the unique challenges and nuances of the market,” says Sennette.

Beyond that, TalentBet is working hard to change the industry standard. Recruitment has too often been competitive in the wrong ways — internally and externally. At TalentBet, Sennette is creating a culture where recruiters collaborate, share knowledge, and support each other. “Because when we work together, we deliver a better, more positive experience for everyone involved — clients, candidates, and consultants alike,” she emphasizes.

The Complexities of Fintech and iGaming Recruitment

One of the key challenges in hiring, shares Sennette, is finding the right people — those who are not just qualified, but truly aligned with the company’s needs and culture. Thanks to TalentBet’s extensive and well-established candidate network, it is able to reach high-quality talent that many clients may not have direct access to. Recruitment is a full-time job, and to do it well, it requires full-time focus, industry insight, and a proactive approach — all of which TalentBet brings to every search.

TalentBet navigates the complexities of Fintech and iGaming recruitment by staying highly focused, informed, and connected within these industries. These are fast-moving, highly regulated sectors that require a deep understanding of not just roles and skills, but also compliance, licensing jurisdictions, market shifts, and company cultures.

“Because we specialise exclusively in these two verticals, we’re not just recruiters — we’re industry insiders. This allows us to better assess fit, anticipate hiring needs, and respond quickly to changing market conditions,” adds Sennette.

TalentBet also takes a consultative approach — helping its clients shape job specs, streamline interview processes, and stay competitive when it comes to attracting top talent. On the candidate side, it offers guidance, clarity, and honest feedback to ensure long-term success, not just quick placements.

A Supportive Workplace Culture

At TalentBet, fostering a strong company culture starts with trust, collaboration, and shared purpose. Sennette has always believed that recruitment doesn’t need to be cutthroat or overly target-driven to be successful. Instead, TalentBet focuses on creating an environment where recruiters support one another, share knowledge, and genuinely celebrate each other’s wins.

TalentBet hires people who come from the iGaming or Fintech industries because they understand the market, but just as importantly, it looks for those who align with its values. It wants people who care about delivering quality, building real relationships, and doing things the right way.

TalentBet gives its team the freedom to work independently, but with the structure and tools they need to succeed. There’s no micromanagement — just mutual respect and a shared commitment to doing great work. That’s how Sennette and Ana have built a culture where people feel empowered, valued, and excited to grow.

This approach not only helps the agency retain great recruiters, but it also attracts them. People want to work somewhere they can be trusted, challenged, and supported. That’s exactly what is offered at TalentBet.

Staying at the Top

At TalentBet, staying ahead of industry trends starts with being deeply embedded in the iGaming and Fintech ecosystems. Because it focuses solely on these sectors, it is constantly tuned into what’s happening — from market shifts and emerging technologies to changes in regulation and hiring behaviours.

TalentBet has made it a priority to stay informed through regular engagement with clients, candidates, and industry events. Its team is actively involved in the space, not just as recruiters but as genuine contributors — listening, learning, and sharing knowledge across the board.

Internally, TalentBet encourages ongoing learning and collaboration. Insights are shared as a team, keeping an open dialogue with its clients, and regularly evaluating its own processes to make sure it is not just reacting to change, but anticipating it.

“What also keeps us competitive is our agility. As a specialized agency, we can adapt quickly without bureaucracy — whether that’s refining how we approach search, tailoring our candidate engagement, or reshaping our offerings to meet client needs. Our ability to move fast, stay informed, and prioritise quality is what keeps TalentBet ahead of the curve,” shares Sennette.

Being the Trusted Partner

At TalentBet, relationship-building is at the core of everything — and it’s never a one-size-fits-all approach. Whether the team is working with clients or candidates, the strategy is simple: listen first, then act.

With clients, the team takes time to understand their business beyond the job description — their culture, goals, and what success truly looks like in a role. TalentBet positions itself as partners, not just providers, offering honest advice, market insights, and ongoing support throughout the hiring process and beyond.

For candidates, it’s about transparency and trust. The agency gives them a clear picture of opportunities, supports them through every stage, and never treats them like just another placement. Many of the people TalentBet has placed come back to it later as hiring managers, and to Sennette, that’s the best indicator of a strong relationship.

The agency also makes sure to stay in touch regularly, not just when there’s a vacancy to fill. “Whether it’s a check-in, market update, or just a conversation, we’re always working to maintain that human connection. That’s what sets TalentBet apart — we’re in it for the long term,” says Sennette.

Trends and Demands of an Evolving Industry

One of the biggest trends, says Sennette, shaping the future of Fintech and iGaming recruitment is the increased demand for specialised, cross-functional talent — professionals who understand not just their core role, but how it integrates with compliance, data, tech, and customer experience. As these industries continue to evolve and mature, companies are looking for people who can wear multiple hats and adapt quickly.

In Fintech, there’s a strong push for candidates with experience in regulatory technology, payments, crypto, and digital banking, particularly those who understand both the technical and compliance sides of the business. There’s also been a shift toward remote and flexible hiring, which has opened up new talent pools but also intensified competition.

In iGaming, the demand has remained high across areas like product, data, CRM, and acquisition, especially as more markets regulate and companies expand globally. What’s changed is that candidates are now more selective — they’re looking for more than just salary. They want flexibility, purpose, and a healthy culture. This means employers have to work harder to stand out and retain talent.

“Overall, the last few years have made it clear: quality recruitment is more important than ever. The market is competitive, the pace is fast, and the ability to connect with the right talent—quickly and meaningfully — has become a key differentiator for companies looking to scale effectively,” she sums up.

Words of Experience

Sennette’s biggest advice for anyone looking to enter the Fintech or iGaming sectors is to be curious, stay adaptable, and focus on building genuine relationships. These industries move fast, and they reward people who are proactive, eager to learn, and not afraid of change.

Start by understanding the landscape, she advises. One should learn the basics of how these businesses operate — whether that’s the regulatory environment, customer acquisition models, or how different departments work together. Even if one is coming from a different industry, showing that they’ve done their homework and understand the ecosystem will set them apart.

Also, she advises not to underestimate the power of networking. One must reach out to people already in the space, connect with recruiters who specialise in Fintech or iGaming, and attend events or webinars to get exposure. Both industries are built on strong networks, and opportunities often come through who you know, not just what you know.

“Finally, be open-minded about your entry point. You may not land your dream role right away, but getting your foot in the door with the right company can open up paths you hadn’t even considered. These industries are full of opportunity — it’s just about taking that first step with the right mindset,” she says.

Ambitious Goals

Looking ahead, Sennette’s vision for the next five years is to position TalentBet as the leading specialist recruitment partner in the iGaming and Fintech space, not just in terms of reach, but in terms of reputation, quality, and impact.

The agency will continue expanding into new regulated markets, growing its international presence while maintaining the boutique, people-first approach that sets it apart. She sees TalentBet building stronger partnerships with clients, offering more strategic talent solutions, and continuing to attract top-tier recruiters who share their values and industry focus.

Personally, Sennette wants to keep leading by example, nurturing a team culture built on collaboration, trust, and continuous learning. She also wants to continue raising the bar for what recruitment can look like — not just as a service, but as a meaningful career path for those in the industry.

“At the core, the goal remains the same: to connect the right people with the right opportunities, and to do it in a way that brings real value to everyone involved. If, in five years, we’ve helped shape a more ethical, insightful, and human recruitment standard in iGaming and Fintech — that, to me, will be success,” she says.

Life Lessons Shaping her Legacy

One of the biggest lessons she has learned as a leader, shares Sennette, is the importance of staying true to your values, even when the industry around you pushes in a different direction. Over the years, she has seen how easy it is to fall into a transactional mindset in recruitment — chasing numbers, quick wins, and volume. But she has also seen that real, lasting success comes from building trust, staying consistent, and putting people first.

Sennette has also learned that leadership is about creating space for others to thrive. It’s not just about driving results — it’s about nurturing talent, listening to the team, and leading by example. When people feel supported, heard, and empowered, the results come naturally.

Through TalentBet, the legacy she hopes to leave is a more human, collaborative, and meaningful approach to recruitment. Sennette wants to challenge the industry norm and show that you can run a successful business without compromising on integrity, empathy, or quality. If people — whether clients, candidates, or recruiters — walk away from working with us feeling genuinely supported and respected, then I know we’ve done something right.

“That’s the kind of impact I want to be known for — one that puts people back at the heart of the industry,” she concludes.

Leading with Heart

For Sennette, the most rewarding part of leading TalentBet has been seeing her vision come to life — creating a recruitment business that’s genuinely people-first. After years in the industry, she and Ana had a clear idea of what they wanted to change: less focus on aggressive targets, more focus on real relationships, quality, and integrity.

Building TalentBet has allowed them to create a culture where recruiters support one another, where clients trust them as partners, and where candidates feel genuinely guided. Watching the team grow — not just in numbers, but in confidence, expertise, and collaboration — has been incredibly fulfilling.

“It’s also been hugely rewarding to see the impact we’ve had on clients and candidates alike. Whether it’s helping a business find that one key hire that transforms a team, or helping someone land a role that changes their life — those are the moments that remind us why we started this. Leading TalentBet has given us the chance to make recruitment feel meaningful again — and that, for me, is the biggest reward,” says Sennette.

Actions over Words

At TalentBet, we’re proud to say we’re the experts — and we’re on a mission to make recruitment fun again. With deep roots in the iGaming and Fintech sectors, we bring genuine insight, real industry experience, and a passion for people to everything we do.

We cut through the noise, ditch the overly corporate approach, and focus on what really matters: building relationships, creating opportunities, and enjoying the process along the way. Recruitment doesn’t have to feel transactional — when it’s done right, it’s exciting, impactful, and yes, actually fun.

Quote: “Our goal is simple: to connect great people with great opportunities in a way that’s informed, personal, and impactful.”

Quote: “Our value lies in knowing the landscape inside and out — and in bringing the right people together with insight, care, and speed.”

Read the full digital edition now: Top 10 Visionary CEOs to Watch in 2025

Tamecka McKay is a visionary technology leader with a strong track record in digital transformation, cybersecurity, and public sector innovation. As the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the City of Fort Lauderdale, she has spearheaded major modernization efforts, including cloud migrations, infrastructure upgrades, and digital transformation. With over 25 years of experience, Tamecka has held leadership roles in Broward County Public Schools and the Town of Davie, driving strategic IT initiatives that enhance efficiency and resilience.  

Beyond her technical expertise, Tamecka is deeply committed to community engagement and workforce development, advocating for cybersecurity education and tech accessibility for underserved populations. Her leadership philosophy centers on bridging technology with human impact, ensuring that innovation serves both businesses and communities.  

A Journey of Grit and Determination

Being a child of high school dropouts with lifelong substance abuse struggles, Tamecka’s highest aspiration as a teenager was just to get through high school.  After a field trip to Seton Hall Law School, organized by her guidance counselor, where she saw people who looked like her going to law school, she realized she, too, could dream bigger than just high school.  

Unfortunately, after a few years in community college, she had to start a family of her own. Determined not to be another statistic, she took one class at a time while juggling motherhood and family..  Still wanting to go to Law School, Tamecka decided to take a detour and obtain a Microsoft Certification and was offered a help desk support role immediately after with Motorola.  She quickly became a top performer with outstanding organizational, communication, and documentation skills, which weren’t as common in the typical technical support person’s tool set.  

With business and technology quickly converging, Tamecka’s ability to translate technology to business and demonstrated outcomes propelled her into a team leader, supervisor, and then to the role of manager.  Shortly after transitioning from Motorola to a local government agency where she saw firsthand the power of technology to improve quality of life, her love and passion for community and technology were born, and she has never looked back.  

“Rising from help desk support to CIO has been a challenging and rewarding journey that I have been extremely fortunate and privileged to travel.  It has truly given me a platform to make a difference in the community, fulfilling my passion for service and paving the way for others from backgrounds similar to mine,” sums up Tamecka.

Acing her Role

For Tamecka, the most rewarding aspects of her role as CIO, besides improving the quality of life for the residents through technological solutions, are the enabling of personal growth and professional development of the team members she gets the privilege to lead.  When she started the CIO role at the City of Fort Lauderdale, many of her team members were disengaged and checked out.  In fact, the ITS department had over 55% staff turnover, 3 CIOs in 3 years, 5 Police IT Managers in 5 years, and several anonymous letters regularly filed with Human Resources. The team was fractured and disconnected.  However, through “Servant-Leadership” and a people-first approach, in less than three years, she has seen employee satisfaction improve by 60% and training and professional development up by over 261%.  The core team has been intentional about bringing the team together, creating a more inclusive environment, and building trusted relationships with staff.  

“We filled the vacant positions and went from the department of ‘no’ to the department where folks are volunteering (unpaid) just to be a part of the magic!  We’ve fostered coaching, mentoring, and a collaborative culture, which has transformed the department into a place where people can grow and develop personally and professionally,” shares Tamecka.

Secondly, being a double minority in the tech industry, Tamecka takes great pride in showing others who look like her the possibilities despite stereotypes and presumed roles.  Most recently, she has enjoyed challenging the status quo and empowering a resilient team that has made the impossible happen these past few years at the City of Fort Lauderdale.  She believes they (technology professionals) have more power than they know to change the world.  Most recently, they’ve empowered the administrative staff who previously felt excluded from technology career advancement to implement their first asset management program as well as take a more assertive role in implementing change management for the organization. 

“I have been told that they feel heard, seen, appreciated, and valued for the first time and are excited about contributing to the team outside of standard administrative work.  I frequently take advantage of opportunities to speak on Women in Tech and how we can all advocate for more diversity in STEM,” says Tamecka.

Leveraging Technology for Smooth City Operations

The City of Fort Lauderdale uses technology to improve efficiency, enhance service delivery, and provide value to the neighborhoods.  Through digital transformation, the city has been able to improve the building permitting process, leveraging FIXIT-FTL, a mobile app allowing neighbors to quickly and easily report non-emergency issues like potholes, flooding, and code enforcement issues.  One initiative Tamecka is extremely proud of is the leveraging of the GIS Rapid Impact Assessment tool, led by the GIS Team , which was instrumental in expediting the federal emergency declaration, thereby releasing over $30 million in funding to the devastated neighbors after the one-in-a-thousand-year flood.  This has only been done once in the nation’s history at the city level.  

Lastly, one of the recent community outreach initiatives includes providing cybersecurity training for the seniors and civic associations in partnership with FLPD.  This has been an extremely important added value, considering Florida is one of the top states in the nation for fraud against the elderly, according to the FBI.

A second is the City’s 2025 Smart 20 Award-winning Homeless Outreach Community Services Application led by the Data & Digital Services team.  This application assists the Homeless Outreach team in tracking and providing social services for some of the vulnerable community members and was recognized at the SmartCities Connect Conference and Expo last month in San Antonio, TX.

A 3rd initiative is leveraging cellular technology to address communication coverage gaps for the City’s first responders in known dead zones around the city.  Although this is not the longer-term solution, leveraging this technology has been extremely instrumental in providing communication coverage for the first responders. 

Aligning IT Services with City Goals

One of the strategic priorities Tamecka implemented as the city’s first African American CIO was their annual State of ITS address.  This event is preceded by an annual business vision survey, which gains insights by understanding the pain points of each of the business units (departments) on an individual basis.  This information is then calculated in an algorithm, creating a scorecard which they use for discussion and review, as well as informing the goals and priorities for the next year.  

Although they still have a long way to go in achieving IT Service Excellence delivery, Tamecka feels the new collaborative, business-focused, and customer-oriented approach has started transitioning the view of IT from “break-fix” internal service to a strategic business partner driving innovation and efficiency throughout the organization. 

Decisions during Crises

Tamecka believes decision-making should be inclusive and informative.  In other words, bring the data and your friends!  The best decisions are made with access to as much relevant information as possible and as many diverse perspectives as possible.  For this to happen, there must be a culture of inclusivity, transparency, and best practices.  This doesn’t happen by accident or overnight and takes time, effort, and consistency to create.  During the disastrous flood recovery efforts, they held team meetings several times throughout the day, ensuring everyone had a seat at the table and communication was consistent.  This not only allowed the team to grow closer together but also to effectively restore city services within days, which would have taken months.  

Additional factors included the IT Transformation journey of best practices, industry standards, as well as accountability and fostering collaboration, which had all been lacking before.   Lastly, she saw team members step up like never before, which led to career advancement, professional development, and the acknowledgement of the tremendous impact they had when they pulled their resources together as opposed to the previously fractured and siloed culture.  

“Although you can never plan for every single scenario, understanding organizational priorities (which we capitalized on by conducted the city’s first Business Impact Analysis immediately after the event) as well as building trust within the team can result in effective crises management even in unprecedented scenarios like the 2023 flood and emergency data center evacuations,” says Tamecka.

Trends Shaping IT in Municipal Services

Going by the current trends, Tamecka foresees AI and Cybersecurity as the focus of the future for municipal services, in addition to the “do more with less” expectation that will always be a theme.  As we move into the future, leveraging the power of AI to course correct, predict, and enhance public service, municipal governments will need to prioritize strategic technology investments in both tools and people.  Disaster recovery and business continuity will also be critical, considering the threat of climate change and cyberattacks.  As our dependencies on technology increase, so will our risks in protecting information and services.  Government leaders, she feels, will need to find a balance between acceptable risks and the cost of data protection.

The second trend is partnership.  Tamecka’s team has been able to complete monumental achievements in modernizing the city’s aging infrastructure because of the strong partnerships they have with their vendors.  AIP US, LLC (aip-us.com) is one of the strong partnerships they have and has assisted them in upgrading the city’s entire fleet of outdated network equipment including the Police Department’s legacy virtual farm in record time.  Having partners that understand local government procurement and the flexibility required in meeting public sector needs is crucial.  This has allowed Tamecka and her team to reduce the city’s cybersecurity posture and start building the block of leveraging SmartCities technology to improve public services.  Local government continues to have limited resources, and as technology becomes more integrated and complex, having a strong network of reliable partners will be key in moving agencies forward.  

“We’ve leveraged these partnerships to consolidate 5 disparate data centers, upgrade the aging infrastructure, and improve our cybersecurity posture,” she says.

Staying Ahead of Emerging Technologies

Tamecka regularly participates in several IT communities, including the Florida Local Government Information Systems Association (FLGISA), the CIO Council, the Society of Information Management, and South Florida CIO.  Additionally, she volunteers to speak at events, participates on boards, and is a lifelong learner.  Finally, she subscribes to several publications and journals to stay in the know.  

“Most recently, I attended an event where I had the chance to network with other IT Professionals from all over the world.  It is amazing to know that, as far apart and as different as we are, many of our challenges are the same,” she shares.

Advice for Aspiring Professionals

To aspiring IT professionals, Tamecka says:

“Find your Why!  This isn’t the most glamorous role, and at times it can be thankless.  However, the intrinsic value of being a solution provider to social challenges and the role of enabling people to live happy, healthy, and productive lives are more than what money can buy.  I wake up everyday thinking about how I can better serve our community, and that gives me great pride.  Considering the ubiquitous nature of technology in our current digital economy, I believe you can find a way to leverage technology in anything you find passion for.  Art, Health, Education, Government, Business, Sports, Social Services – they all have technology components and/or opportunities to leverage technology for service enhancement.  One recent example that comes to mind is a health organization leveraging AI to flag emergency room visits for potential sex-trafficking victims.  Another example is the integration of two separate databases that identified a foster child who’d been placed in a home with a known predator.  Lastly, the invention of a special cooler, used to keep vaccinations cold during transport to extremely remote areas, thereby reducing the number of children dying from disease. It is a great time to be a technologist!”

Goals Ahead

The future for the City of Fort Lauderdale will be led by Tamecka’s IT Assistant Director, as she will be transitioning to a new organization later next month.  She recommended her as the successor because of her extensive experience and partnership during the IT Transformation, including modernization of the City’s legacy hardware and software.  They share the same values and vision for continuing the journey of transforming IT from the break-fix internal service provider to becoming a strategic business partner with community impact by leveraging digital transformation, AI, SmartCities technology, and building a high-performing team acutely aligned with the City of Fort Lauderdale’s priorities.”

🌐 Read the full digital edition now: Driving the Future of Business with Visionary Leadership

Mihaela Pleșca is a dynamic and multifaceted professional whose expertise spans the realms of UX design, online marketing, and neurodesign. As the founder of Neurodesign, she has redefined the intersection of creativity and technology, earning international acclaim for her innovative approaches. Recognized as one of Forbes Romania’s “30 Under 30” in 2022, Mihaela has garnered six international awards and even a nomination at the prestigious Emmy Awards, showcasing her exceptional contributions to design and marketing.

With a strong academic foundation in engineering, management, and marketing strategies, Mihaela has seamlessly blended her technical acumen with her artistic sensibilities. Her work as a motivational speaker, UX design juror, and advocate for resonance in design reflects her commitment to pushing boundaries and inspiring others. Whether it’s through her entrepreneurial ventures or her thought leadership on global platforms, Mihaela Pleșca continues to leave an indelible mark on the world of design and innovation.

The Journey So Far

Mihaela has always had the design talent in herself. Her journey has been marked by extraordinary creativity, ambition, and innovation. From an early age, her path toward a transformative career began to take shape. At just one year old, during a traditional Romanian ceremony meant to reveal a child’s future professional desires, Mihaela unconventionally grabbed a syringe by its needle, an act that foreshadowed her future as a trailblazer in healthcare innovation.

As a kindergarten student, Mihaela demonstrated a remarkable imagination and aptitude for creativity. While still learning how to write, she drew the iconic Google logo, complete with its signature colors, inspired by a rainbow she saw that day. A family member confirmed her accuracy, an early testament to her intuitive design sensibilities. Around the same time, she used a tree branch to sketch the Gucci logo in her grandmother’s garden. Mihaela also nurtured a vivid imagination, creating stories and envisioning thrillers and dramas that often revolved around doctors and detectives—dreaming, for a time, of becoming a police officer.

By the age of seven, Mihaela’s focus sharpened as she began to explore the design and marketing industries. With a clear vision for her “Neurodesign” company, she conceptualized logos for her future brands. These ideas evolved as she grew, and at 14, Mihaela began refining her concepts while attending the fine arts high school “Hans Mattis Teutsch.” During this time, she laid the foundation for what would later become the Neurodesign style.

While pursuing her BSc studies at the Faculty of Food and Tourism and later a master’s degree at the Faculty of Economic Sciences and Business Administration, Mihaela used her free time to expand and define her innovative concepts. Her academic journey was complemented by real-world experiences, including volunteering at the Winter European Youth Olympic Festival in 2013, where she earned a Volunteer Medal for her outstanding contributions to the event.

Mihaela’s career journey reflects her versatility and relentless pursuit of excellence. She worked in four luxury hotels in Greece and two in Spain as an entertainment supervisor. In Romania, she gained valuable experience as an Online Project Manager, Assistant Manager, and UX Specialist through the Google Digital Garage project, where she was promoted to Star Digital Ambassador. Simultaneously, Mihaela pursued artistic certifications in acting and music, performing as a soprano in a prestigious national choir and participating in music festivals and national record labels.

Her creative pursuits also extended to filmmaking. Mihaela’s short movie on the harmful effects of water pollution was nominated for the International Emmy Awards in the JCSI Young Creatives category. Her bachelor’s degree project, later transformed into a scientific article, earned the Best Presentation Award at the 2017 International Scientific Conference on Social Sciences in Bulgaria. Mihaela’s project, initially presented in 2015, raised awareness about the planet’s water crisis, an issue she helped to address through her advocacy.

In November 2019, Mihaela fulfilled her childhood dream by founding the Neurodesign company, protecting her intellectual property and bringing her vision to life. Her first client was a private local hospital, and through her innovative Neurodesign style, she quickly gained recognition. Mihaela participated in the International Biennial of Miniatures Arts and became a juror for the prestigious A’Design Award and Competition in Italy in 2018. By 2019, her exceptional judging process earned her a Golden Trophy. To date, Mihaela has received six Golden Trophies from the competition, in addition to several accolades, including a Golden Trophy from the MUSE Hotel Awards in Malaysia and recognition from the Design Skills competition.

As a UX leader with the Interaction Design Association, Mihaela has judged projects across multiple fields, including healthcare, and has organized events such as the Interaction 20 Gala in Milan. Her fine art journey began with her first Neurodesign artwork, “The Misunderstood Scream,” created for the French art contest “Rat d’Art Volant” in 2012. The piece gained international acclaim, influencing stages such as the Nobel Peace Prize concert and Eurovision.

Mihaela’s impact on the healthcare industry has been profound. She won the JCI Romania Ten Outstanding Young Persons award in the Medical Innovation category in 2024 and was recognized with the Forbes 30 Under 30 Romania trophy and the Business Elites Under 30 award in 2022. Her innovative contributions include designing a nanorobot for cancer treatment, a testament to her multidisciplinary approach inspired by her design pencil resembling a syringe from her childhood tradition.

As a visionary who idolizes Leonardo da Vinci, Mihaela continues to innovate across scientific and artistic domains. Her passion for advancing healthcare through technology and design is reflected in her digital campaigns for robotic surgeries like da Vinci systems, which have revolutionized surgical success rates.

Mihaela’s journey is a testament to her boundless creativity, dedication to innovation, and relentless pursuit of excellence across industries.

The Transformational Company

Neurodesign is a pioneering company founded by Mihaela, blending art, science, and technology to create innovative solutions in design and marketing. The company specializes in services such as image management, online marketing, UX audits, and personal style consulting. With a unique approach rooted in the Neurodesign style, the company integrates scientific research with artistic expression to transform branding and communication strategies. Neurodesign has earned international recognition for its groundbreaking work, making it a leader in redefining how businesses connect with their audiences.

Mihaela faced numerous challenges during her learning and research process, particularly in protecting her data. She also encountered limiting beliefs from others who doubted her ability to achieve the results of her research, deeming it too difficult or resource-intensive, requiring substantial funding for equipment. However, Mihaela overcame these obstacles by ignoring negativity and staying committed to her research. Often, she took on multiple roles required in the research process to prove and demonstrate that her style is both scientific and artistic.

To safeguard her data, Mihaela implemented robust cybersecurity strategies and, when necessary, reported concerns to local authorities. She strongly believes in ethics and is committed to defending her boundaries, using every right available to her when they are not respected.

Today, Mihaela offers multidisciplinary design and marketing services through her Neurodesign style and resonance. Her expertise spans various industries, including healthcare, as well as art products, music, and movies within the M!SELA domain. In 2024, she also applied her Onou style to deliver services and healthy recipes for the hospitality industry.

Mihaela authored a Romanian book titled ‘Neuro Design și Rezonanța în UI, UX Design,’ where she elaborates on these styles. To date, her portfolio features four distinct design styles, including the Onou design style, which was her latest creation. While the final design was ready, Mihaela only needed to name it. Each of her design styles is tailored to deliver superior products and services, particularly in the healthcare industry.

A Proud Contribution

Mihaela recently worked on a groundbreaking project for a scientific healthcare summit on cancer this January. In this project, she discovered a treatment to cure cancer and critically evaluated other emerging scientific methods currently being promoted in the market. For Mihaela, ethics are paramount. If she identifies a result or method that could potentially harm patients, she takes it upon herself to propose improved strategies aimed at safeguarding patient well-being and promoting societal health.

She is particularly proud of this project, not only for its significant impact but also for her efficiency in completing it within just 10 hours. The project provides solutions to treat all types of cancer, with the exception of leukemia, marking a significant step toward advancing cancer treatment.

Goals Ahead

Mihaela thrives on challenging herself and helping others, which makes the healthcare domain one of her favorite fields to work in. Its nature as a complex scientific field presents significant intellectual challenges, while the innovations in this area have a profound and positive impact on society—something she finds deeply rewarding.

She envisions the Neurodesign style, which she founded, as a trend poised for substantial growth in the future. Anticipating this expansion, Mihaela has already prepared herself to manage the demands of a larger client base. With careful planning, she feels confident that she is ready to handle the growth without the need for extensive additional preparations.

As Neurodesign continues to expand, Mihaela intends to remain composed and track its progress closely to understand its societal impact. Knowing that she will have to manage many clients in the future, Mihaela has already tested her processes, ensuring she is well-equipped to efficiently handle all tasks and deliver exceptional results for every client.

Quote: “The truth is inside of you. You just must find it.”

Quote: “I’ve always loved to shift between technical skills and creative skills. I’m spontaneous and I do my tasks as required for each day, regardless of what part it is all about.”

Visit Digital Edition