On November 21, 2024, over 80 leaders, innovators, and alumni came together at the TEE 10-year anniversary conference, Rethinking Globalisation – The Cluj Way, to reflect on how globalisation has shaped Cluj and to envision the future of business in our community. Held at the UTCN Hub, the event offered powerful insights, inspiring discussions, and an atmosphere of connection and collaboration.
Our conference brought together a lineup of speakers who are leaders in their fields and our EMBA alumni, sharing insights on strategic thinking, local success stories, and the future of business in Cluj.
The first panel on Strategic Thinking in Business was moderated by Andrei Mocan (SVP Delivery & Managing Director at Blankfactor) who declared: “I’ve spent an incredibly insightful and refreshing half a day with local entrepreneurs, top executives, and members of the academia. I’ve chaired the first panel and together with EMBA alumni Claudiu Cretu (CEO at Evozon), Daniela Secară (CEO at BT Capital Partners), and Marius Moldovan (Regional Director at Regina Maria) we’ve drilled into the importance of strategic thinking in big corporate and entrepreneurial environments. We’ve analyzed the journey of some local leaders and organisations and we’ve debated the changes needed in the mindset of local executives in order to make the most of current, turbulent times. We’ve focused on the ‘Cluj Way’ in executive leadership observing the hard work, calm, analytical thinking and focused decision making it comes with.”
The second panel, Cluj Success Stories, showcased the following speakers: Dr. Andrew Taylor, Managing Director of TEE, Prof. Ioan Alin Nistor, Chief Economist at Banca Transilvania, Marcelus Suciu - CEO & founder of Marty Group, Alina Negru, General Manager of Emerson and Alexandru Lazarec, Director of UNITECH Cluj Foundation. Raluca Bochis, IT Director at Emerson and the moderator of the second panel, reflected on the essence of The Cluj Way, highlighting its transformative impact: “The Cluj Way is proof that a local diverse network is a powerful force for development. A proven path that makes me hopeful for tomorrow, as uncertainty and challenges can be once more used as catalysts for thought leadership and innovation.”
Key insights from our speakers
Claudiu Crețu, CEO of Evozon and EMBA alumni, shared how much he valued the chance to reconnect with fellow alumni at the event. Reflecting on “The Cluj Way,” he explained, “To me, it represents an open-minded attitude fueled by curiosity and a continuous desire to grow by learning from others who inspire improvement. It's about embracing diversity with an accepting mindset... and fostering a community where everyone feels valued and included.”
Marius Moldovan, Regional Director at Regina Maria and an alumnus of TEE's first EMBA cohort shared his thoughts on the growth of the TEE community and the essence of "The Cluj Way": “As a TEE alumni from the 1st EMBA cohort, and a direct beneficiary of their executive education initiative, I was impressed to see how much our community has grown over the past ten years, in terms of numbers, quality, and depth of discussion. I am very grateful to have been able to share some of my experience with all the participants, as I am confident that such gatherings are set to make us better, by any professional or personal metrics. 'The Cluj Way,' as I see it, has everything to do with the people here, who are both drawn by and contribute to a unique recipe with just about the right mix of ingredients including education, empathy, common sense, culture, appetite for art and fun, and a healthy work-life balance.”
Marcelus Suciu, CEO & Founder of Marty Group, spoke about the level of commitment TEE has shown to addressing global issues with local solutions: “TEE was an eye opener for me. Their level of commitment to higher education with a clear focus on tackling global issues with very local dimensions and implications was inspiring and moving. The room was filled with great synergy of finding together the best solutions for our daily challenges pragmatically, ethically and efficiently. Ultimately, this does represent the Cluj Way - as I understand it.”
Alexandru Lazarec, Director of Unitech, spoke about Cluj-Napoca’s role as a center for innovation and collaboration. Representing UNITECH Cluj, the foundation of the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca, Lazarec shared, “It was an honor to celebrate TEE’s 10th anniversary and discuss Cluj’s evolution as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship. Congratulations to TEE for driving meaningful change in our community!”
Key insights from our participants
Cătălina Vescan, E-ON’s Customer Excellence Center of Competence Lead and EMBA alumni, talked about the conference: “I had an amazing day at the Transilvania Executive Education 10th anniversary conference, which brought together over 80 amazing people from the community! The panelists shared practical and inspiring insights, and it was a perfect chance to reunite with my cohort, reconnect with dear friends, and meet new ones. Congratulations to the TEE team on a decade of remarkable achievements!”
Raluca Gheorgheș, EMBA student, has also shared her experience at the TEE conference: “As a first-year Executive MBA student, I found the discussions both inspiring and insightful. The event showcased Cluj’s unique role in the global business landscape, where the “Cluj Way” harmonizes innovation, agility, and community-driven growth with European regulations, as emphasized by Professor Christopher Bovis in navigating disruption and fostering balance. This conference reinforced the importance of adaptability, community, and forward-thinking. The future of Cluj shines bright!”
Some takeaways from the conference
Claudiu Cretu, CEO of Evozone, encouraged participants to rethink time management by replacing “I don’t have time” with “I have other priorities,” challenging them to question what really matters.
Marius Moldovan, Regional Director at Regina Maria, reinforced that strategy is about envisioning the future and taking bold steps to shape it.
Daniela Secara, CEO of BT Capital Partners, demonstrated how strategic thinking transforms both professional and personal challenges into opportunities.
Alina Maria Negru, General Manager of Emerson, emphasized that while technical skills can be taught, its people and their soft skills that drive sustainable growth.
Lazarec Alexandru, Director of Unitech, described Cluj as a bold city, thriving on risk-taking, knowledge-sharing and agility.
Marcelus Lucian Suciu, CEO & Founder of Marty Group, shared that growth lies in balancing certainty, predictability, uncertainty, significance, and belonging, all of them ingredients to spark creativity and success.
Andrew Taylor, Programme Director at TEE, reflected on the “Cluj Way” as a movement powered by community, commitment, action, and networking within a vibrant ecosystem that drives progress.
Ioan Alin Nistor, Chief Economist at Banca Transilvania, reminded us that investing in ourselves yields the greatest return, with knowledge, innovation, and adaptability being critical drivers of success.
The conference also featured a thought-provoking keynote speech by Professor Christopher Bovis, which set the stage for deeper discussions on the global challenges facing businesses today. Professor Bovis shared his insights on the complexities of navigating disruption while maintaining balance in a rapidly changing world.
A special moment at the conference was the launch of the 4th volume of the In Search of Tomorrow. Critical Thinking about the Romanian and International Business Environment book with the best works of the students from TEE’s 8th Executive MBA Cohort. The moment was presented by Dr. Alin T. Băiescu, coordinator of the book.
The Rethinking Globalisation: The Cluj Way conference was a celebration of TEE's 10 years and a reminder of the community’s commitment to growth, adaptability, and collaboration. The event provided inspiring insights and valuable connections, reflecting TEE’s mission to empower leaders who drive positive change in Cluj and beyond. Looking ahead, TEE remains a center for innovation, knowledge-sharing, and support for professionals shaping the future of global business.
