Anastasia Bournelli

While books about business offer practical insight, my favourite book has always been “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde.

“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” These words by Nelson Mandela have stayed with me throughout my journey.

As a kid, I was really into painting; I would spend hours mixing colours and bringing scenes to life on canvas. It was really relaxing and fulfilling for me creatively.

For as long as I can remember, reading has been one of my greatest joys.

If I could pursue a second career, I would like to do something focused on saving / raising animals, especially horses. Or work in an NGO. Hence I am part of the social impact team at Bain & Company today.

If I had unlimited freedom, I would dedicate my life to exploring our world and finding more ways to empower and inspire others.

I find motivation in delivering exceptional work. From intricate Excel models to large-scale transformations, I am driven to produce quality results that truly impact.
Secondly, and most importantly my team. Earning their trust and seeing them grow motivates me to be the best of who I can be.

My family, especially my mother, has played an immense role in shaping my career path. From a young age, they encouraged me to study diligently while also following my passions, keeping many doors open. This mindset allowed me to explore different industries through interesting opportunities. I am so lucky to have had an amazing support system and role models around me!

One of the largest obstacles facing career growth in our industry, in my opinion, is imposter syndrome of women.

When we don't see enough women in senior positions and leadership, it's difficult to envision growth potential. It feeds the inner critic telling us we aren't "technical" enough or our skills/ideas won't be respected due to our gender. This can hold women back from pursuing promotions or new opportunities that stretch their abilities.

While progress is being made, more must be done. Through diversity mentorship programs, highlighting contributions made by women of all backgrounds, and actively cultivating female role models in technology beyond just engineering. Representation and inclusion will help future generations reach their fullest potential, unhindered by self-doubt.

My biggest obstacle was working in a technical environment without an engineering degree. But I am proof that if you perceive and love what you are working on all obstacles can be overcome.

People seem to notice and appreciate the fact that I remain positive and solution-oriented, even when faced with extremely difficult challenges or stressful situations. As someone who prefers to focus on opportunities rather than obstacles, maintaining an upbeat attitude has served me well.

Another recurring point of feedback I‘ve had is my honesty and transparency.

Lastly, I think my willingness to speak up even when nervous, has been noticed. In the past, there were instances where something just didn't feel right that I felt compelled to address, despite initial feelings of uncertainty. Taking measured risks to raise important issues when others may stay silent has helped me earn a reputation as someone who will advocate for what they think is right.

One of the most significant accelerators for success in our field is finding the right mentors and sponsors, those senior leaders who can offer guidance and advocacy.

Being visible and participating confidently is also important for growth. Don’t be afraid to voice perspectives, even imperfect ones, and put ideas forward for discussion.

And perhaps most importantly, believe fully in your capabilities. Self-doubt can be the greatest hindrance. With strong yet humble self-assurance to take on more and do great work every day, the sky is your limit.

"Can you share your point of view on how to solve this problem?"

I love the fact that in my role I get to help companies adopt new technologies and implement innovative solutions. I find it incredibly rewarding to be supporting and leading progress surrounded by brilliant and innovate colleagues!

One of my key role models that I greatly admire is a woman herself. She has been an incredible mentor to me throughout my career at Telecommunications. Some of the qualities that inspire me most about her leadership style are her drive and determination. No matter the obstacles, she never stops pushing forward to achieve her goals and deliver the best outcomes for her team and company.

She also exemplifies using both logic and empathy to navigate challenges. With a high IQ matched by high EQ, she can calmly assess even complex technical or business issues while also showing care, empathy, and support for her people.

Speak up and have confidence in yourselves.

It's important to push past that inner critic, and any concerns about whether or not you belong or if you’re "qualified enough". You have just as much valuable experience and insights to contribute as anyone else. Own that, believe in your capabilities, and make your voice heard with conviction, in meetings, discussions, and projects.

Don't let uncertainty stop you from putting yourself forward for new opportunities either. Raise your hand for big presentations, leadership roles, and other career-accelerating assignments. Backing yourself opens doors that would otherwise remain closed.

A servant leader who aspires to inspire the team by having clear goals, transparency and a great teamwork environment.

I would say empathy and being able to see beyond what someone is telling me.

By leading with honesty, transparency, and active listening. I strive for openness in all discussions, freely sharing both challenges and opportunities with candour. People appreciate being kept in the loop on what's really happening.

One of the most valuable lessons I'm gaining now through hands-on experience is the importance of empowering my team to handle difficulties on their own, rather than always trying to solve problems for them.

In the past, I had a tendency to protect colleagues reporting directly to me from any challenges, by taking the full weight on my shoulders. While well-intentioned, this did not allow the team to build critical problem-solving skills or resilience over time.

As someone who works in the telecoms industry, I have a deep appreciation for how integral communications technology is to nearly every aspect of modern life and business.

Some of the most impactful and rapidly advancing technologies powering our work include the Internet of Things (IoT), 5G connectivity, cloud infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and cyber security solutions.

It is fascinating to play a role where these innovations intersect—with telecommunications networks at the core—to reshape industries and daily life. I look forward to the exciting possibilities beyond the horizon.

Technology is the means to push innovation and expand opportunities to better our world. And that works in a circular way. The more we innovate the better technology we have and the better technology we have the more we can innovate.

When considering the trajectory of technological advancement, I believe we will see immense, accelerated changes in the coming years. Areas like artificial intelligence, robotics, machine learning, 5G networks, IoT, smart cities, and biotech will be more sophisticated. We just need to be wary on the use of all these emerging technologies.

Adapting regulations and skills training will be required in order society to keep pace.

Electricity as it brought us light and enabled us to build other great technological inventions such as the telephone and the internet!

While technology certainly poses risks if misused, on the whole, I believe its benefits far outweigh any drawbacks when properly used. Like any tool, it has no inherent morality—how we apply it is what really matters.

When designed with social good in mind, technology has enormous potential to improve lives. It advances medical care, connects isolated communities, and spreads education to underserved areas. It gives voice to the voiceless and accelerates humanitarian efforts. Through technology, compassion and justice, we now have the scale to reach countless more people globally.

Of course, there are also downsides if left unchecked. Social media platforms may magnify conflict if not moderated responsibly and impact one’s mental health as an example.

However, rather than reject technology wholesale, the wise path is to thoughtfully steer its development.

Training, conferences, reading and hands-on trying new technologies.

Loads of cloud software and I can’t wait to start using more AI tools soon!

In general, I appreciate websites that facilitate ongoing learning through accessible content on subjects that engage and motivate me, both professionally and personally. These few sites do a good job of delivering that:

Duolingo is great for learning new languages. I use their language lessons and practice tools daily to learn new languages.

TED is a source of interesting ideas on various topics. I enjoy watching talks from innovators, scientists, and other experts to gain fresh perspectives.

Psychology Today provides an inside look at current research and trends in psychology. As someone interested in human behaviour, I find it educational to stay updated through their articles and news.

My favourite technology product is my phone. I have everything there. And especially WhatsApp is one of my favourite apps. As my family lives abroad, it allows us to easily stay in touch through texts, calls, and video chats.

As for least I would say product that is used for doing more harm than good.

A few key factors contribute to making each person unique. On a biological level, small genetic variations in our DNA differentiate us from one another. However, our environment and life experiences also play a major role in shaping who we become.

No! Success in my view does not compensate for a lack of strong moral principles and values.

The human mind and body are deeply connected. What affects one, invariably impacts the other as well. Given this interdependence, it is important to care for both domains in a holistic way. Sports and taking a step back in nature or reading is what works for me.