Madalina shares how she transitioned from leading media operations at Politico in Brussels to building a more intentional life back in Romania. After years of running high-stakes campaigns and managing cross-functional teams, she chose to shift gears, embracing remote work, co-founding a biscuit business, and prioritizing well-being and flexibility along the way.
Bio
Madalina Minut is currently juggling marketing and events at Life in Codes, while also diving headfirst into the world of entrepreneurship with her husband at La Biscuiterie. With over 10 years of experience in media, client relationships, and team leadership, most notably at Politico, she’s no stranger to pressure or people management. Add to that being a mom of two kids under six, and you get someone who truly understands what it means to balance creativity, chaos, and getting things done.
The Conversation
Welcome to HERpower, Madalina. Let’s start with your story—where are you now, both professionally and personally, and what brought you here?
Madalina: I’m now back in Romania after spending 11 years in Brussels. During that time, I became a Belgian citizen—so in many ways, it still feels like a second home.
I moved there right after university for an internship in advertising, and that opened the door to a long career at Politico. Over the years, I grew into the role of Director of Media Operations, leading cross-functional teams and managing high-stakes campaigns in the fast-moving world of political publishing. Romania had changed, and so had we. It just felt right.
Now I work fully remotely as a Customer Success Manager at Life in Codes, which is part of the Atlassian ecosystem. I manage client communications, events, and partnerships—basically bringing together everything I’ve learned from advertising, marketing, and events into a role that allows for more flexibility and connections. Oh, and I’ve co-founded a vegan biscuit factory, LaBiscuiterie.ro, with my husband. So life is full but in a good way.
That’s quite a leap—from Politico to biscuits and Atlassian partners. What triggered the shift?
Madalina: The pandemic and becoming a mom. That changed everything. Suddenly, the fast-paced, office-centered lifestyle didn’t make sense anymore. I needed more time, more flexibility, and space to just be.
At times, it felt like an overnight decision; other times, it felt natural. I realized I could still do the work I love—communications, people, strategy—just from a different angle and rhythm. Life in Codes offered that. The biscuit factory came later, kind of as a dream project with my husband. We love good food and saw an opportunity to grow something joyful and local.
What did that shift look like in practice? And what parts of your previous experience helped you thrive in this new space?
Madalina: At its core, it’s all still about people—how you connect, how you communicate, and how you organize complexity into something that makes sense and drives value.
At Politico, I learned how to handle pressure, manage high-level clients, and keep a lot of moving parts aligned. In the Atlassian world, I apply that every day—whether I’m working on client engagement, planning the Work Evolution Summit, or building new formats for community connection.
It’s still storytelling, just with a different vocabulary. And I think that outside perspective has actually been an asset. I don’t come in thinking like a developer—I come in thinking like a connector. That’s helped me carve out a space where I can really contribute.
You give off such positive energy. But with so many roles—mom, communicator, founder—how do you stay grounded?
Madalina: Thank you. But it’s not always smooth sailing.
I had to learn to put on my oxygen mask first. There was a time when I gave everything to everyone—my job, my family—and ended up completely drained. That’s when I turned to therapy.
Therapy gave me the tools to slow down and look inward. It helped me understand what I need, how I work, and how to create space for joy without guilt. Now, I try to be intentional about self-care. It’s not about spa days—it’s about knowing when to say no, when to rest, when to ask for help.
You mentioned therapy. In Eastern Europe, that’s still a bit of a taboo topic. How did you come to embrace it?
Madalina: At first, I resisted. That internal voice said, “You’re not broken—you don’t need this.” And I think many of us in this region grew up hearing that.
Living in Belgium, where therapy is just… normal, helped reframe it for me.
Eventually, I reached a point where I just couldn’t juggle everything anymore. Therapy became a survival tool, then a strength.
Now I believe it’s something everyone can benefit from, even when life seems okay. It helps you process, reflect, and make space for yourself. It shouldn’t be a last resort.
Coming from a media and marketing background, what sparked your move into tech?
Madalina: I’ve always loved working with people, telling stories, and connecting the dots—that hasn’t changed. What drew me to tech is that you still get to do all that, but on a bigger scale. It’s fast-paced, always evolving, and full of fresh challenges. So you never really get bored.
What also stood out to me was the diversity in the Atlassian ecosystem. People come from so many different paths, with different perspectives and skills. It’s not just for developers—there’s space for creativity, relationship-building, and community. That made it feel like a great fit for someone like me.
Looking back, what’s one piece of advice you’d give your younger self, knowing everything you know now?
Madalina: Don’t ignore the people part.
I used to obsess over tasks, deadlines, and being technically perfect. But what really makes a difference in the long run is your people skills. How you listen. How you connect. How you lead when no one’s watching. That’s what drives impact and creates the most fulfilling work relationships.
Soft skills are not “soft.” They’re essential.
You’ve lived in both Belgium and Romania. What do you love about each?
Madalina: Romania has grown so much. When I left, there weren’t that many opportunities. It was frustrating. But when I came back, I saw a whole new energy. More openness, more entrepreneurship, better infrastructure. I feel like we’re finally catching up—and that’s beautiful to witness.
But there are things I miss about Belgium too. The calmness. The systems. The way people value downtime and work-life balance. Belgium taught me that it’s okay to slow down.
Oh, and I have to say—Romanian food wins. Every time. It’s just so real. You taste the land, the freshness. That’s something I missed abroad.
Last question—what does having a sense of control or ownership over your life mean to you right now?
Madalina: For me, it means freedom of choice.
The freedom to define your rhythm. To say yes to some things and no to others. To pivot without guilt. To care for yourself and still be ambitious. It’s not about doing it all—it’s about doing what matters to you, in a way that feels meaningful.
Thank you, Madalina! It’s been a pleasure getting to know you.
Connect with Madalina
If you wish to connect with Madalina and learn more, seek advice, or share similar experiences, feel free to reach out to her via LinkedIn.