Education

Andreea has been an active member of the civil society for more than 5 years, promoting youth involvement in the public sphere and innovation as a Board Member of various student organizations. During her extensive volunteering experience, Mihaela developed strong leadership skills and a visionary organizational ability. Her areas of expertise include topics such as organizational management, project management, societal innovation therefore she is especially passionate about developing efficiency techniques in the workplace and the society as a whole.

Paula followed up on the International Business and Economics bachelor degree that she obtained from Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, by building a career as an operations manager in an international industrial machinery building group. Passionate about continuous professional development, she diversified her activities towards NGO community projects and business consultancy services. Paula joined the Cluj IT Cluster team in January 2020, as Learning & Development Coordinator, aiming to contribute to the stimulation and optimisation of L&D opportunities within the cluster.

Robert has previously collaborated with the Babeș-Bolyai University of Cluj-Napoca on two social-educational projects as project assistant. He was also a consultant on communication, media and IT for the UBB Faculty of Letters for three years. Robert has a PhD in Philology and he has published several articles on literary history and criticism in national and international scientific journals.

With a bachelor’s in Finance and Accounting, Ana began her career in a large
company as an economist and later as an economic director. Since 2001, with
certification as an accounting expert and member of the Body of Expert
Accountants and Certified Accountants in Romania (CECCAR), she founded her
own company. With more than 30 years of experience, Ana is a professional up to
any challenge in finance and accounting. She relies on her broad expertise in the
field and on her experience in collaborating with entities from various fields of
activity (medical, IT, trade, production, publishing houses, cultural) and under
different forms of organization (SMEs, large companies, associations and
foundations, authorized individuals, civil medical societies).

Cristian has a bachelor’s degree in law and during his professional career he has held several positions as a legal advisor within public institutions as well as organizations and associations in the private sector. Among them Babes-Bolyai University Cluj-Napoca, the Ministry of Education and Research, EU structural funds management organization of the Ministry of Education, private companies and associations. He also worked as an expert in European structural funds projects. Cristian has certifications in project management, public procurement, European funds expert and trainer. He also carries out volunteer activities with the Derzelas Association.

Alexandru Tulai has over 30 years of experience in the IT business and over 15 years in research and academia. He coordinated multiple projects and he has lead implementations of integrated software solutions for the support and development of companies from different business sectors as well as governmental level projects. During the last years, Alexandru had an important role as a business developer and business coacher, leading teams of consultants in important international (Belgian, German, Swiss etc.) software companies and leading implementation projects in Romania and abroad, in public and private sectors. Alexandru is certified as a Change Management Practitioner from APMG International, London and currently is the CEO of an organizational and leadership development company.

Throughout his professional career Andrei has held various management positions in private and public outfits where he managed numerous projects worth tens of millions of Euros. In particular, he acted as management consultant for Babes-Bolyai University, the largest public university in the country. Prior to that he has lead the Information Compartment in an EU structural funds management structure of the Ministry of Labor. Since 2013 he is the Executive Director of Cluj IT Cluster where he oversees all operational aspects of an organization that represents the interests of one of the most prominent industries in Cluj. Andrei is also contributing to defining the strategy and objectives of the cluster initiative alongside the Board of Directors and the General Assembly.

Having a constant interest in community development, Otilia is currently studying for a master’s degree in Science, Technology and Innovation in Public Governance. She is passionate about her work at Cluj IT and that’s why she has a steady source of motivation that drives her to do her best. She is an ambitious content writer, who developed strong communication skills through her academic and professional background.

Diana has been actively involved in the NGO community for more than 8 years, promoting personal and professional development, involvement in civil society. With a passion for people, communities and all things visual, Diana has been working with the Cluj IT Cluster since 2015 on continuous development of the community and its members.

1. It is not so important to be the best; much more important is to make as much good as possible

2. Both barriers and solutions are within us; let’s look from beyond the limits

3. Cooperation is much more competitive than competition

4. Compromise-driven solutions are obstacles in constructing humanity; humanity means to overpass the instinct-driven limits

5. Passion is a great transportation mean towards the essence of things; beyond this, discovery and understanding of the essence requires the soul’s energy

6. Sacrifice is the upper limit of humanity

7. Without the consciousness of our mission as human beings in the universe, thinking is only a trivial intellectual exercise; if we succeed to find out the proper reference, the thrusting force of word is huge

8. A really intelligent person is the one that overpass obstacles without stepping on others

9. Our creation is our spokesman

10. Innovation is life; stillness is death

11. Which is the border between prudence and cowardice? Which is the border between courage and lack of wisdom? It is the border between satisfaction and disappointment of your fellows that wait solutions from you. You cannot solve this dilemma without innovating intelligent – providing conflict-free solutions

12. The innovation process is the race you need to travel through to open the door of the house of your dreams

13. Strategy without a proper vision is roving; vision without a proper strategy is dreaming

14. Elites do not justify their talents if these are used only to raise their own statues

15. Mind acts through spirit; a high spirit animates the quality of solutions

16. The best source of innovation is the love for your fellows

17. We can do more than we think we can do; the problem does not stand in potential but in the way we choose to make thinks

18. Ideas you cannot materialize worth being shared with others; this means you are superior not naive

1. It is not so important to be the best; much more important is to make as much good as possible

2. Both barriers and solutions are within us; let’s look from beyond the limits

3. Cooperation is much more competitive than competition

4. Compromise-driven solutions are obstacles in constructing humanity; humanity means to overpass the instinct-driven limits

5. Passion is a great transportation mean towards the essence of things; beyond this, discovery and understanding of the essence requires the soul’s energy

6. Sacrifice is the upper limit of humanity

7. Without the consciousness of our mission as human beings in the universe, thinking is only a trivial intellectual exercise; if we succeed to find out the proper reference, the thrusting force of word is huge

8. A really intelligent person is the one that overpass obstacles without stepping on others

9. Our creation is our spokesman

10. Innovation is life; stillness is death

11. Which is the border between prudence and cowardice? Which is the border between courage and lack of wisdom? It is the border between satisfaction and disappointment of your fellows that wait solutions from you. You cannot solve this dilemma without innovating intelligent – providing conflict-free solutions

12. The innovation process is the race you need to travel through to open the door of the house of your dreams

13. Strategy without a proper vision is roving; vision without a proper strategy is dreaming

14. Elites do not justify their talents if these are used only to raise their own statues

15. Mind acts through spirit; a high spirit animates the quality of solutions

16. The best source of innovation is the love for your fellows

17. We can do more than we think we can do; the problem does not stand in potential but in the way we choose to make thinks

18. Ideas you cannot materialize worth being shared with others; this means you are superior not naive

Ciprian Sorlea is responsible for driving the technology and product development at Nordlogic Software. He has more than 20 years of experience in taking a product from initial concept to design and then on to a marketable, working solution. He has led development teams at a wide range of global organizations – from small startup companies to large, global enterprises.

Calin Vac has a passion especially for bringing together entrepreneurship and education. Graduating university and postgraduate studies both in IT and business, with a PhD in Agronomy (Financial and economic feasibility in renewable energy resources) and a vested interest in research areas such as entrepreneurship, bio-economy and smart agriculture, Calin has had the opportunity of being involved in the development of over 50 national and international projects (structural funds, H2020, government funds, World Bank funds), serving as coordinator for over 10 projects (with a total value surmounting 25 million EUR) and team member in other 15 projects. As founder and coordinator of the Center for Project Management and Technology Transfer within the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine from Cluj-Napoca, Calin joined the Cluj IT Cluster Board of Directors in 2012 and still serves as an active member.

I bought my first 586 computer with the money my family gave me after selling three pigs. Shortly after, in my teens, I have discovered my superpower: being able to make tech work for, rather than against, people.

Even today, in our digitized world, people often feel inadequate, even humiliated when confronted with IT problems. I admit: I feel like I am doing something special when I am able to restore some of their sense of dignity and self-worth.

This is the reason I have started my business almost 18 years ago with an initial capital of roughly $1000. Nowadays we operate our own data center, we have a solid team of highly trained professionals.

How do I measure success? Employees and customers that are sticking with us for more than a decade now.

One thing hasn’t changed for me: I keep discovering just how much potential, talent and creativity there is out there. And in a lot of cases, getting rid of real, or perceived, IT problems, makes all this potential realized.

Bogdan Ciotlăuș, Founder & CEO

Erik Barna is CEO and FOUNDER of LIFE IS HARD | Work Soft – the first Romanian software company listed on the Bucharest Stock Exchange market. Active tech entrepreneur, Erik has more than 15 years of experience in software development. Having top skills in digitization and digital transformation, Erik uses a strategic innovation approach to generate new business growth. Along with his team of experts, Erik has developed several products targeted for the Romanian market dedicated to the business and the insurance industry. Furthermore, Erik`s passion for technology led to developing Smart City Products, apps which are already implemented in several cities like Cluj, Alba Iulia and Petroșani. Being really passionate about his work is also a coach and mentor taking part in several specialized events throughout Romania and Europe.

Erik is a member of the Board of Cluj IT Cluster since 2018.

“As an entrepreneur and a Project Manager with extensive experience within important Romanian companies in IT field (in software selling, business development and project management), I managed successful projects in: developing new lines of business or partnerships, implementation and project management of complex, multi-purpose or SFA (Sales Force Automation) systems. I have a proven experience in drafting and implementing strategies for an IT company, but also in leadership and team management.”

Looking back at the 40 years passed in IT, from high school till now, I realize how poor are these assertions when compared with major questions like:

Did I manage to influence – in an ethical way – the people I use to collaborate in understanding what is really important in our professional life?

Did I do everything I could to sustain the IT field in my area of influence?

Did I have a proper contribution to communities I am belonging to?

By being a member of the Directors’ Board of Cluj IT since the very beginning, I have a partial answer, at least: I tried to, but the road is still open.

Daniel Homorodean manages Arxia, a web development company specialized in open source web portals  and is the founder of several software product-based startups ( PlanningWiz www.PlanningWiz.com, ProcessPlayer www.processplayer.ro/eng ).

Daniel is involved in the development of standards in the Romanian NSO ASRO on e-procurement, e-invoicing, Smart City, and represents Romania at the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) in two technical committees developing EU standards for Electronic Public Procurement.

Daniel is a member of the board of Cluj IT Cluster since the beginning of the organization in 2012.

1. It is not so important to be the best; much more important is to make as much good as possible

2. Both barriers and solutions are within us; let’s look from beyond the limits

3. Cooperation is much more competitive than competition

4. Compromise-driven solutions are obstacles in constructing humanity; humanity means to overpass the instinct-driven limits

5. Passion is a great transportation mean towards the essence of things; beyond this, discovery and understanding of the essence requires the soul’s energy

6. Sacrifice is the upper limit of humanity

7. Without the consciousness of our mission as human beings in the universe, thinking is only a trivial intellectual exercise; if we succeed to find out the proper reference, the thrusting force of word is huge

8. A really intelligent person is the one that overpass obstacles without stepping on others

9. Our creation is our spokesman

10. Innovation is life; stillness is death

11. Which is the border between prudence and cowardice? Which is the border between courage and lack of wisdom? It is the border between satisfaction and disappointment of your fellows that wait solutions from you. You cannot solve this dilemma without innovating intelligent – providing conflict-free solutions

12. The innovation process is the race you need to travel through to open the door of the house of your dreams

13. Strategy without a proper vision is roving; vision without a proper strategy is dreaming

14. Elites do not justify their talents if these are used only to raise their own statues

15. Mind acts through spirit; a high spirit animates the quality of solutions

16. The best source of innovation is the love for your fellows

17. We can do more than we think we can do; the problem does not stand in potential but in the way we choose to make thinks

18. Ideas you cannot materialize worth being shared with others; this means you are superior not naive