Interview with Cristina Drăgan, founder of Euxin Green, about sustainability, leadership, and turning environmental challenges into business opportunities.
Cristina Drăgan is one of the most visible professionals in Romania in the field of sustainability and environmental consultancy, included in the Top 40 Leaders Under 40 in Europe (2025) and with a presence at the European Parliament. With a career built at the intersection of European public policy, diplomacy, and entrepreneurship, Cristina chose to remain in Romania to create value locally and support companies in their transition toward a greener future.
Through Euxin Green, the company she founded and leads, she has developed a true one-stop shop for environmental services: from specialized consulting, environmental audits, importer license acquisition, environmental permits, reporting and legal compliance, to sustainability strategies and practical solutions for waste management and the integration of ESG, DNSH, and CBAM principles.
C&B: How would you describe yourself in one sentence to make those who don’t know you curious?
Cristina Drăgan: “I consider myself a passionate professional who inspires and helps people and companies see sustainability not as a constraint but as the engine of responsible and long-term growth. I’ve always loved challenges and thinking outside the box, with a naturally curious mind.
My vision is simple: to turn complexity into clarity and environmental challenges into opportunities for the future, by actively helping implement the solutions I recommend. In 2025, I was recognized as one of Europe’s Top 40 Leaders Under 40, which reflects my commitment to generating real impact in the field of sustainability. I am also a frequent guest at dialogue sessions at the European Parliament and workshops at the Romanian Government on sustainable development.”
C&B: If we were to follow the narrative thread of your career or business, what key moments have defined you?
Cristina Drăgan: I look back with great joy and gratitude to the time when I took my first steps in the Smart City, sustainability, and urban mobility fields, attending the first Smart City conferences organized in Bucharest. Along the way, I explored politics, diplomacy, public policy, and international relations, becoming one of the youngest delegates to the European Commission, serving as the Personal Adviser to the Mayor General of Bucharest on projects related to implementing European public policies.
Later, I transitioned to the private business sector, joining a wonderful team that founded a packaging OIREP (Extended Producer Responsibility Organization), now a market leader for six years.
From these complex experiences, I was able to identify both the real market needs and the critical vulnerabilities in environmental protection and waste management. These findings became the foundation of the Euxin Green concept — designed as a one-stop shop for companies seeking integrated and sustainable solutions, provided by a dedicated specialist who truly understands their needs.
Our solutions cover a full range of services and products — complex in structure but simple and efficient in practice. We differentiate ourselves by offering turnkey approaches that eliminate fragmentation and the risk of inconsistency between different providers.
Although there are alternatives on the market — some highly competitive in narrow niches — they fail to deliver a complete and coherent package adapted to today’s challenges of compliance and sustainable development. Euxin Green meets this need through an integrated offer that brings clarity, efficiency, professionalism, and safety to responsible waste and environmental management.
C&B: What was the biggest challenge at the beginning of Euxin Green, and how did you overcome it?
Cristina Drăgan: As I mentioned earlier, I’ve always loved challenges, so I never really saw obstacles as problems, but as opportunities that required quick thinking and decisive action. We all know how important adaptability and fast solutions are nowadays.
If I had to name one difficult moment at the beginning of Euxin Green, it would be when the company grew enough that I could no longer handle everything alone, but I didn’t yet have the capital to attract and fairly compensate good candidates. I had to make a compromise then — to invest in the team above all else — in order to deliver results at the highest standards.
C&B: Is there a dream or ambition that has always guided you, regardless of the obstacles?
Cristina Drăgan: I love helping others and finding meaning in my work through the impact it creates. I want to contribute to the well-being of those around me and to environmental protection. Being naturally curious, I’ve always enjoyed exploring, seeking answers, and transforming complex and hard-to-implement concepts into simplicity and effective execution.
The dream that guides me is to prove that sustainability and environmental protection are not brakes on development but parts of its engine. Regardless of the challenges, I’ve always wanted to turn the complexity of regulations and environmental issues into real opportunities for companies and communities. Today, my role is to build bridges between environmental authorities and my partners. The services I offer are not seen as an extra cost — but as an investment in both environmental protection and business resilience.
This ambition has always accompanied me and helped me see each professional step as a contribution to a future where economic performance, community well-being, and respect for nature go hand in hand.
C&B: How did you look and feel at the beginning of your journey, and how do you feel you’ve changed since then?
Cristina Drăgan: I think I looked and felt like any entrepreneur at the beginning — full of energy, determination, ambition, countless coffees, eating in front of the laptop, and working until late at night (or early morning). I lived every new project and partnership with a mix of excitement and responsibility, sometimes staying up all night searching for solutions or innovations. And of course, this lifestyle led me down a new path — burnout. I learned firsthand how painful it is to try to do everything alone, to be obsessed with perfectionism, and that scaling is impossible without a team.
Specialized environmental consulting, even with extensive European and national expertise, is complex and demanding — perhaps even more so than law or accounting — because it’s not enough to just know and apply the legislation. It’s a real labyrinth that requires multiple skill sets and familiarity with overlapping frameworks like environmental law, HSE, occupational safety, consumer protection, fire safety, veterinary and health regulations, and labor inspection.
When I deliver a solution for a client, I have to extract the essence of each regulation and shape it to fit that company’s specific context, integrating both legal requirements and practical field experience — where reality often differs from theory.
Now, very few things represent a new challenge for me. Over time, I’ve developed the ability to assess a business in ten minutes and design personalized solutions. But what I’m most proud of is the team I’ve built and inspired. It makes me incredibly happy when they tell me they enjoy their work and that I’m the best manager they’ve had in their careers. That, to me, is the essence of true leadership — not shining alone, but helping others shine alongside you.
C&B: If we met your team or collaborators, what do you think they would say about you?
Cristina Drăgan: This question always makes me smile. I think I’ve already mentioned a few things about my team above. They often say I’m like a little encyclopedia because I always seem to have an answer to their questions. But I see it differently: the more I learn, the more I realize how much there is left to discover — maybe that’s why sleepless nights spent exploring new ideas aren’t foreign to me.
As for our collaborators, their feedback is extremely important to me, and I ask for it constantly. So far, we’ve received only words of appreciation — something that both honors and motivates us. They value our flexible solutions, our understanding of their personal and business needs, and especially the way we simplify everything so that they have no worries — and always have a dedicated specialist by their side.
I sincerely thank all those who trust us and choose us as partners. After all, our success exists only through theirs.
C&B: What is the most important decision you’ve made that changed your trajectory?
Cristina Drăgan: There were two key moments that changed my professional path. The first was my decision to stay in Romania and invest my energy and knowledge here to create real value and impact, instead of taking the easier path abroad. The second was transitioning from employee to entrepreneur. I clearly remember my former boss’s words: “Focus on the first step, and the path will reveal itself.” And that’s exactly what happened — the ideas, partnerships, and solutions appeared along the way, as I moved forward and had the courage to act.
Clarity came from experience, and results came from determination. I’m deeply grateful for everything that period meant and for the role model I still follow today.
In the end, in business as in life, everything is by, with, and for people.
C&B: Is there a project or initiative you are particularly proud of?
Cristina Drăgan: I’m especially proud of the projects where we’ve managed to transform complex sustainability concepts into concrete, measurable actions. One example is my involvement in DNSH audits and in helping companies align with the requirements of the EU Taxonomy and CBAM — a highly technical area but one with an enormous impact on how Romania’s economy is evolving.
Every project where I see a company begin to think differently — to integrate sustainability into daily decisions, to invest in green solutions, to redesign its processes around circular economy principles — confirms that my work has meaning.
I’m proud not only of the results but also of the mindset shift I see happening around me: from “we must comply” to “we want to do good.” For me, that is the true success — when I know I’ve contributed to real transformation beyond numbers and reports.
C&B: What valuable lessons have you learned about entrepreneurship and sustainability?
Cristina Drăgan: Entrepreneurship has taught me that nothing is ever as it seems, and that behind every business are people — people you need to understand before you understand their company. It’s crucial that teams within partner organizations also understand why our solutions matter and how to integrate them into their daily work. Sustainability is not only about the environment or regulatory compliance — it’s about balance, courage, and vision. It’s about building something meaningful that stands the test of time without depleting the resources around it — whether natural or human.
Working at the intersection of companies and environmental authorities, I’ve learned that transformation always starts from within. When an organization and its people truly take responsibility for their impact, they not only comply with the law — they become catalysts for change.
Another valuable lesson is that sustainability requires patience — but also consistency. There are no quick fixes, only small, steady steps aligned with clear values and efficient, easy-to-implement procedures.
I also believe that leadership isn’t something learned solely through universities, books, or specialized courses. It comes from who you are, how you see the world, and the experiences that shape you. Over the years, I’ve learned enormously from people — mentors, colleagues, friends, and even attitudes I’ve admired and adopted.
For me, leadership is a continuous process of refinement and awareness. Today, I experience it less as a demonstration of competence and more as a form of support: not to be the smartest person in the room, but to help others realize their own value. From this space of trust and authenticity emerges, I believe, truly sustainable leadership.
Ultimately, I believe true entrepreneurial success is the kind that creates value not only for business but also for the community and the planet.
C&B: What does a typical day look like for you now, and what moments bring you the most satisfaction?
Cristina Drăgan: No two days are alike — and that’s the beauty of it. Some days I work at the office surrounded by documents, reports, and Zoom meetings, with a good coffee by my side and morning light streaming through the window. Mornings are my favorite part of the workday. Other times, I move my office to a café for relaxed meetings with partners, or I visit their headquarters, where ideas come to life through authentic conversations and long-term collaboration.
But the most fulfilling days for my soul are those spent in the field, visiting companies I audit. That’s where I feel the real pulse of business — the smell of production, the energy of the team, the spontaneous conversations with people who put their heart into what they do. I like to look beyond processes and numbers — to understand the values that guide them, the paths they’re on, and how their teams stay connected.
Equally rewarding are the days I participate as an expert in Government workshops on Sustainable Development or attend active dialogue sessions at the European Parliament in Brussels, at the invitation of the European Expertise Center.
Often, these days come with travel. Sometimes you’ll find me on a plane or on the road to Hunedoara, admiring the colors of the hills and the quiet that settles between villages. Other times, I’m visiting factories in Cluj-Napoca, Bistrița, or Călărași by the Danube, or eco-tourism guesthouses in Bucovina, high up in the mountains — places where you can truly feel authenticity and the deep connection between people and nature.
I also dedicate time to my team — when we sit together to plan strategic directions, discuss challenges, or celebrate small victories.
And in the evening, wherever I am, I return to a grounding ritual — cooking dinner for my family. It’s our way to reconnect after a full day, my way to give love and presence — to close the day with gratitude and return to what truly matters: family.
C&B: What is Euxin Green’s philosophy, and what values best define the brand?
Cristina Drăgan: Mission
Euxin Green is dedicated to creating sustainable environmental solutions driven by passion and care. We strive to find innovative responses to environmental and business challenges, offering solutions with real, positive impact. We are guided by our intrinsic desire to protect and preserve nature for future generations.
Our goal is also to educate, inspire, and catalyze responsible actions for a sustainable future. Through collaborations with environmental authorities, licensed organizations, and economic operators, we aim to build a lasting bridge for positive change.
Our Values
· Passion — We strive to provide top-quality experiences and services, with great attention to detail and to our partners’ needs.
· Innovation — We constantly seek to develop new and creative solutions for current environmental challenges.
· Commitment — We are dedicated to driving lasting change because we care about the future of our planet and our children.
· Collaboration — We work together with communities, organizations, and authorities to bring effective solutions forward.
· Responsibility — We take responsibility for our environmental impact and strive to lead by example. We embrace a sustainable and ethical approach in all our interactions to shape a better future for everyone.
Our Message
We firmly believe we can make a positive difference in the world through sustainable solutions. We turn our passion for environmental protection into action and create innovative solutions born from our care for the planet. Together with communities, authorities, and organizations, we build a sustainable future because we truly care. We’re here to guide you through a meaningful journey of engagement and impact, inspiring lasting change and elevating the standards of environmental protection. Through collaborations with the most influential players on the market and by providing unique insights and opportunities, we aim to be the benchmark of excellence in sustainability.
C&B: How was the idea of Euxin Green born, and what inspired you to start this project?
Cristina Drăgan: I never really saw myself as an entrepreneur. The idea for Euxin Green came naturally — as an organic step in my professional evolution — a response to my deep desire to bring real value to the market and help people navigate the challenges of the green transition more easily.
I felt the need to create a space where technical expertise meets meaning — where companies can find not just consultancy, but also understanding, clarity, and partnership. Euxin Green was born from the conviction that sustainability doesn’t have to be complicated but should instead be naturally integrated into how we do business — through circular economy principles, respect for the environment, and responsibility toward people.
What truly motivated me to start this project was the sincere desire to do good — to help build a greener, more conscious, and more sustainable Romania. Euxin Green is, at its core, an extension of that desire: to transform knowledge into impact, bureaucracy into clear solutions, and challenges into opportunities for sustainable development.
C&B: How do you see Euxin Green developing in the coming years?
Cristina Drăgan: I see Euxin Green’s development as an organic yet ambitious process — a natural evolution toward deeper expertise and broader impact. In the coming years, I want to invest more time in the educational side by organizing workshops for partner companies, helping them better understand and integrate sustainability principles into their daily operations.
At the same time, I’m working on my own professional growth. I’m preparing to become certified in GRI standards integration and plan to complete a specialization in ESG at the University of Cambridge to bring even more rigor and global vision to Euxin Green’s projects.
In the medium to long term, I aim to expand into the UAE, offering specialized studies and consultancy services based on LEED and BREEAM standards — a strategic step that will allow the company to contribute to flagship sustainable projects beyond Romania’s borders. I’m already in the process of obtaining my work license and visa there, hoping that 2026 will be my lucky year.
I firmly believe that Euxin Green’s future will be built through education, authentic partnerships, and the courage to take Romanian sustainability expertise to international markets.
Through her vision and determination, Cristina Drăgan proves that sustainability is not just a strategic direction but a true philosophy of life applied in business.
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