Stella Dineva

My favorite book changes depending on my mood, but one that I consistently enjoy is ‘The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.’ Every time I read it, I discover new depths and layers to the story. I even remember some quirky and hilarious passages by heart from the very first time I read it! For example, there’s a place in the universe called Ursa Minor Beta— a sunny and vibrant planet that’s always on Saturday afternoon, just before the beach bars close!

“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see”- Mark Twain

I haven’t lost any of my childhood passions. Instead, I invested in taking them to the next level. I’m still a big kid at heart and I love singing like nobody’s listening, running around like a maniac, climbing everything in sight, playing with water balloons, and making a mess like it’s nobody’s business. Life’s just too short not to have fun, right? So, let’s go make some memories and keep that inner child alive and well!

That pure childish curiosity and thirst for exploration and learning is my main drive in life. Whether it’s trying something new or delving deeper into a topic I’m already familiar with, I’m always seeking to expand my knowledge and understanding of the world around me. So, I’ll continue fostering my inner child, asking questions, and exploring the world around me—because that’s where the real adventure lies!

I always joke that when I win the lottery, I will retire and focus on charity. I have a few passion projects, most notably, helping human trafficking victims to escape, heal, and reintegrate into society.

Enjoy travel and quality time with my loved ones and helping the less fortunate.

The right level of autonomy, mastery and the sense of purpose.

My husband is my greatest inspiration and often gives me advice and mentors me.

Gender bias and all the stings attached to it.

The gender bias. I have been a senior expert in information security for a decade now, and people who don't know me always approach me 'as the secretary'.

The optimal balance between technical background, hard skills and expertise, soft skills and solutions mindset.

In addition to the required qualification as a minimum, I'd say solutions mindset and positive attitude.

"Can we postpone this?"

Collaboration with experts and the requirement to think outside the box.

My role model has an amazing analytical mind and leadership skills. I usually reach out to him when I don't know the most optimal path from a strategic point of view.

I see my leadership style as collaborative and innovative. This involves fostering an environment that values diverse perspectives, encourages experimentation, and supports risk-taking. I believe that women's natural leadership style is 'leading from the back' - female leaders support and guide their teams from behind, allowing them to take ownership of their work and build their skills and confidence. I like this approach because I believe it fosters a sense of ownership and empowerment.

Communication, empathy, coaching and mentoring.

I'm currently focusing on learning about coaching and strategy. These are invaluable skills that I believe will be incredibly useful in the future.

I work in the fintech industry, where the driving technologies encompass a range of cutting-edge advancements. These include Mobile and digital banking platforms, Blockchain, APIs, Cloud computing, and last but not least, machine learning and AI. These technologies are revolutionizing the financial sector, enabling more efficient and secure transactions, personalized services, and innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of customers. As technology continues to advance, staying updated and proficient in these key areas is crucial for driving innovation and maintaining competitiveness in the fintech landscape.

Technology serves as a vital enabler in our lives, encompassing everything from electricity to tools, software, hardware, and the internet. It has seamlessly integrated into modern society, becoming an indispensable part of our daily existence. Frankly, I can't envision life without it.

I am both curious and somewhat fearful. The extremely rapid advancement of AI may indeed put us at risk of a technological singularity.

Electricity has been a key enabler in advancing civilization. Its widespread availability has revolutionized industries, transformed communication, and enhanced our quality of life.

In this modern age of technology, as an engineer, I firmly believe that the benefits far outweigh the risks

Embracing continuous learning is essential every day.

From a technological perspective, in cybersecurity, I utilize a range of tools directly or indirectly to identify, protect, detect, respond, and recover. These tools include both hardware and software that streamline these processes. I believe they play a crucial role in simplifying our tasks and reducing the subjective and emotional responses that can sometimes arise. Additionally, I leverage AI as a meta tool to analyze collected data and facilitate optimal business decisions.

Cybersecurity and technology news outlets are essential for staying updated on the latest trends and developments. For example, Threatpost, Cyberscoop, Dark Reading, and Krebs on Security are reputable sources to follow.

When it comes to technology solutions, my favorites are those that prioritize security, scalability, and platform agnosticism while effectively supporting the organization's business strategy. These solutions provide a robust foundation for growth and innovation, ensuring long-term success. On the other hand, my least favorite solutions are those plagued by issues such as bugginess, lack of scalability, high cost, vendor lock-in, and inadequate lifecycle management. These shortcomings can hinder efficiency, limit flexibility, and result in unnecessary expenses for the organization. In summary, I prioritize technology solutions that offer security, scalability, and alignment with business goals, while avoiding those that are unreliable, expensive, and restrictive

It depends on the level - our genetics, even in fraternal twins, define us as unique creations of nature. Every detail of our environment, upbringing, decisions, experiences, feelings, and circumstances makes us special and shapes our personality, behavior, and outlook on life

No. Hard no.

Two sides of one coin. Both affect the other one and are essential for each-others well-being.