C&B: You’ve built a solid career in a field that, until recently, didn’t even exist in its current form – corporate sustainability. How did this professional journey begin for you?

Ioana Voinescu: My professional journey began in the world of corporate banking, where for almost 20 years I learned how value is created through a deep understanding of business, risk, and financial responsibility. Over time, I discovered that the true value of an organization is not measured only in numbers, but also in how it contributes to the well-being of communities and the protection of the environment.
At that time, there was no sophisticated regulatory framework for ESG, but intuition and curiosity about the non-financial impact of decisions gradually led me toward the field of sustainability. I developed during a period in which I learned from every project and every partnership, building step by step a practical understanding of how sustainability principles can be integrated into a bank’s activity.
Today, in my current role, I see this transition as a natural evolution: sustainability has become a way of thinking — one that constantly challenges you to connect economic performance with long-term impact and responsibility toward people and the planet.
What has motivated me most is the fact that sustainability is a living practice — one that pushes you to stay mindful of the consequences of every decision. I have seen how, step by step, sustainability has become part of strategic conversations. I believe my true professional journey began when I realized that sustainability is not just a profession, but a mindset.

C&B: What attracted you most to the idea of sustainability, and how did you know this was the right path for your career?

Ioana Voinescu: I’ve always been drawn to the idea of balance — between performance and responsibility, between results and the way you choose to achieve them. In sustainability, I found that space where strategic thinking intertwines with ethics. It’s a field that challenges you to look at things systemically, to understand the interdependencies between economy, society, environment, and governance, and to build bridges between them.
For me, it was the place where personal values and professional skills met naturally. I knew I was on the right path when I began to see results that were not measured only in KPIs, but in trust, long-term partnerships, and stronger communities. Sustainability offered me the deeper meaning of my work: the conviction that every good decision, no matter how small, can generate real and positive impact.

C&B: If you could go back in time, what would you tell Ioana at the beginning of her professional journey?

Ioana Voinescu: I would tell her to be patient with herself and to trust the process. Not to rush to have all the answers, because a career path is not a straight line — it’s a construction that reveals itself step by step. Her curiosity will always be her best guide — she should follow it, even when the direction seems unclear.
I would also tell her that perfection doesn’t matter as much as the meaning behind every decision. That experiences, people, and challenges will shape her professional identity — and in time she will realize that everything had a purpose, even the stages that seemed like detours.

C&B: What was the most difficult moment in your career, and how did you manage to turn it into a leadership lesson?

Ioana Voinescu: The most difficult moment in my career was when I had to maintain a balance between what was urgent and what was right in the long term. In a complex project, external pressures were high, expectations were different, and solutions were not obvious. That was when I truly understood what leadership responsibility means — to stay calm, to listen, to bring people together around a shared direction, even when the path seems unclear.
That episode taught me that leadership is not only about vision but about moral resilience — about the strength to remain faithful to your values, even in difficult times. Looking back, I realize that those situations, which seemed like impossible challenges, became turning points — moments when trust was built, both within the team and within myself.

Path and professional development

Ioana Voinescu’s journey in sustainability proves that this profession cannot be learned only from regulations — it is built through experience, courage, and consistency. From banking to sustainable leadership, her path reflects the maturity of a field that transforms not only companies but also mindsets. In a world where performance is often measured only in numbers, Ioana’s voice reminds us of the importance of balance, purpose, and responsibility. Sustainability, as she describes it, is not a trend or a profession, but a conscious choice — the choice to create value with care for people, community, and the future.

Read also: Doru Curoșu: cum construiești lideri și organizații puternice, investind în oameni – Revista Careers & Business România

Read also: Gabriela Constantinescu: On Authentic Leadership and the Courage to Reinvent Yourself – careers-business.com

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Cătălin Popa is an actor, trainer, and transformational coach with a deep passion for helping people discover their authentic potential and live the life they truly desire.
A disciple of legends Bob Proctor and Kim Calvert, Cătălin has extensively studied the science of manifestation and the transformation of consciousness.

C&B: How would you describe yourself in a single sentence, in a way that sparks curiosity among those who don’t know you yet?
Cătălin Popa: I am a pragmatic dreamer. I believe that everything is possible as long as we have a strong desire and unwavering perseverance.

C&B: If we were to look at the storyline of your career or business, what have been the key moments that defined you?
Cătălin Popa: I consider the most important moment of my career so far to be in 2021, when I decided to join Bob Proctor’s coaching program, and he later became my mentor. In that same year, I also wrote the book Wake Up! You Are the Creator of Your Life. Last year, I began studying with Kim Calvert, who followed his path and achieved outstanding results.

C&B: What was the first concrete step you took to turn the idea of Magix Academy into reality?
Cătălin Popa: I truly believe in what Albert Einstein once said: “There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” The first step was to believe. Magix Academy is just a small part of the vision I have and that I intend to bring into the world. Then came the action and the people who felt inspired by this project.

C&B: Is there a dream or ambition that has always guided you, no matter the obstacles?
Cătălin Popa: For me, I wish to evolve, to always become the best version of myself, and to fulfill my boldest dreams. One of these dreams is to help people realize that we are the creators of our own lives. And I enjoy doing this through my personal development programs and the artistic projects I’m involved in.

C&B: How did you look at the beginning of your journey, and how do you feel you have transformed up to now?
Cătălin Popa: This question makes me smile. I think I always had the desire. But there were many events I learned from—some happy, others constructive. I enjoy the journey I’ve had so far and wouldn’t change a thing. The past few years feel like decades. Very intense… and beautiful. Another quote that guides me is: “Do what you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

C&B: If we were to meet your team or collaborators, what do you think they would say about you?
Cătălin Popa: Only good things. Just kidding. They would probably say that I am ambitious, creative, and understanding. And sometimes demanding. The atmosphere within the team is very important to me. I believe it’s essential to feel good, to support one another, and to grow together. Personally, if the activity or the environment I work in isn’t pleasant, creative, and fun, I don’t get involved.

C&B: What is the most important decision you have made that changed your trajectory?
Cătălin Popa: The most important decision I have made so far was to have a mentor. People who inspire me, who do what I aspire to do, and with whom I resonate. This saves you a lot of wasted time and headaches.

C&B: What types of programs or courses do you offer, and which are the most popular?
Cătălin Popa: I run a mindset masterclass followed by a 12-week program where I show you step by step how to overcome blockages and create the life you want. These are things that, unfortunately, are not taught in school. I am grateful to my mentors and to these materials, and all I want now is to pass them on.

C&B: Can you share an example of success or transformation from a participant?
Cătălin Popa: I could share several examples. From totally unexpected healings to the creation of businesses generating significant amounts of money. The most important transformations happen when people realize that we are spiritual beings who have a body and live a physical experience. And we’re not talking about esoteric things, but about very concrete and practical aspects. Both religion and science have been saying this for a long time. But the real change occurs when we internalize and feel these truths in our own lives.

C&B: What does a typical day look like for you now, and which moments bring you the greatest satisfaction?
Cătălin Popa: I wake up in the morning, around 6–7am. I spend the first hour and a half with myself. I read, write my gratitudes, and follow people who inspire me. It’s my favorite part of the day. Then, with the day’s intentions already set, I start working on the tasks for that day. One of my values is freedom. Therefore, I don’t have a fixed schedule. There are days when I work on 2–3 projects at once, and days when I only create or relax.

C&B: What values or principles guide you in what you do, and how do you apply them every day?
Cătălin Popa: Freedom is one of them. Contribution. Family. Abundance. I only get involved in things I’m passionate about, that bring me joy, and that help me move toward my dreams. I love working with specialists and I don’t hesitate to delegate whenever I can. Also, no matter how creative I am, I like things to be organized. And I always start with the end in mind. Everything is created twice: first in our mind, then in physical reality.

C&B: How did Magix Academy come to life, and what inspired you to found this academy?
Cătălin Popa: I had several programs, both for adults and children, and I needed to bring them under the same umbrella. We did a brainstorming session, and we liked Magix Academy the most.

C&B: What are the development plans for Magix Academy in the coming years?
Cătălin Popa: The development plans for Magix Academy in the coming years aim to expand our courses and programs so that we reach hundreds and then thousands of people who want to transform their lives for the better. We want to build a strong brand, recognized for its positive impact, and grow as a team by attracting passionate people who share the same vision.

Cătălin Popa shows that success in business and in life comes from combining passion, discipline, and a constant desire to grow. Through his programs and Magix Academy projects, he inspires people to discover their potential and turn dreams into reality.

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