IWD 2025 - an interview with: Diana Stoica

Tell us a little about your career journey leading to where you are now.

My career reflects an evolution within the HR and retail industry, marked by strategic leadership, operational excellence, and business transformation. Starting with my first specialist roles at Profi Rom Food, I gained firsthand exposure to HR operations, compliance, and business expansion planning.

The transition into franchise management was a pivotal moment in my career, where I played a critical role in scaling the franchise network from just three to 200 stores. This phase honed my skills in leadership development, operational standardization, and franchise relations, setting a strong foundation for my next step.

Stepping into the role of Human Resources Director at Profi Rom Food, I leveraged my understanding of HR strategy to drive talent management, employer branding, and digital transformation through SAP SuccessFactors implementation. Managing an extensive workforce of over 27,000 employees across 1,700+ stores, I have spearheaded initiatives that enhance employee engagement, streamline HR processes, and optimize compensation and benefits programs. 

I would describe myself as strategic mindset coupled with a hands-on approach, focused on business growth and people-centric transformation.

What does the International Women’s Day slogan “accelerate action” mean for you?

It’s about actively breaking barriers, challenging biases, and creating real opportunities for women to thrive in all aspects of life—whether in the workplace, leadership, or society.

How important is it for women to lift each other up and what does that mean to you?

I truly believe and trust in a culture in which us women are supporting and empowering each other. Lifting each other is not just an act of kindness, but also a strategy for lasting change not just for us women, but for society as a hall. 

How important is diversity across senior leadership teams? 

A leadership team that reflects diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences drives innovation, enhances decision-making, and fosters a more inclusive corporate culture.

Studies consistently show that companies with diverse leadership outperform those without it. Different viewpoints lead to more creative problem-solving, stronger risk management, and a better understanding of diverse customers and markets. In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, organizations that prioritize diversity are more adaptable, resilient, and competitive.

Beyond business performance, diverse leadership is crucial for representation and inspiration. When women, people from different cultural backgrounds, and other underrepresented groups see leaders who reflect their identities, it sends a powerful message: success is achievable for everyone. This not only boosts employee morale but also strengthens employer branding, attracting top talent who value inclusivity.

For me, diversity in leadership means ensuring that decision-making power is not confined to a select group but shared among voices that bring fresh and diverse perspectives. It’s about creating a culture where different insights are valued, biases are challenged, and opportunities are equally accessible.

In the end, diversity at the top is not just about filling quotas—it’s about building stronger, more forward-thinking organizations that drive sustainable success.

Senior leadership: 26%, C-suite: 19%, 1 in 4: Chief-level. These are the percentages and numbers of female leaders in our industry. What do these numbers represent to you?

These figures represent both a milestone and a challenge. They show that more women are reaching influential positions, yet they also highlight the systemic barriers that still exist for female leaders.

For me, these numbers are a call to action. As an HR leader overseeing thousands of employees, I have seen firsthand how leadership diversity benefits an organization—fostering innovation, enhancing decision-making, and improving employee engagement. Yet, we must ask ourselves: Why are these numbers still so low? What unconscious biases, structural limitations, or cultural norms are holding women back from stepping into executive roles?

To shift these statistics, organizations must go beyond traditional diversity efforts and take bold, measurable action. This means investing in leadership development programs for women, ensuring equitable access to mentorship and sponsorship opportunities, and addressing biases in hiring and promotion processes. It also means cultivating workplace cultures where women are empowered to lead without barriers or compromises.

Representation matters. When more women occupy senior and chief-level positions, it not only paves the way for the next generation but also drives better business outcomes. Gender-diverse leadership teams are more innovative, resilient, and reflective of the customers and communities they serve.

The numbers we see today should not define our future. They should inspire us to accelerate action, challenge outdated norms, and build workplaces where leadership is based on talent, vision, and impact—not gender.

As a successful leader, how do you think (business) leaders can accelerate action toward closing the gender gap and ensuring equal opportunities in the workplace?

Investing in leadership development programs for women, ensuring bias-free hiring and promotions, and fostering flexible work policies are key steps. Creating an inclusive culture where women are empowered to lead, combined with measuring progress and enforcing accountability, will drive lasting change.

True equality requires action, not just awareness. By prioritizing these initiatives, businesses can build stronger, more diverse leadership teams that drive innovation and success.

Can you share your top tips for entrepreneurial/managerial/leadership success?

I see leadership as setting the stage for an epic performance—crafting a bold vision that illuminates the room and sparks inspiration. It's about assembling a star team, where every individual shines and, together, they create a symphony of magic. Especially in these dynamic times, leading with empathy and gracefully dancing with change isn’t just important; it's the heartbeat of resilience and innovation.

What’s the most important piece of advice you’d give to a woman thinking of starting a career at leadership level?

I still see myself at the beginning of leadership career as well. I embraced 5 years ago the role of HR Director at Romania's largest private employer during a whirlwind of challenges: the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and after that a major company sale, with Profi transitioning to Ahold Delhaize by the end of 2023 and receiving competition council approval in January 2025. These transformative experiences reshaped our ways of working and earned me a seat at the boardroom table alongside my inspiring colleagues.

To any woman aspiring to leadership: let the energy and talent around you pave your way. Embrace every opportunity to learn, speak up with conviction, and cultivate your inner strength. Your unique voice is not only welcome—it’s essential in transforming challenges into triumphs and driving meaningful change.

Have there been any role models through your life (work or professional) who have helped shape you as a leader?

Throughout my career, I've been fortunate to work alongside exceptional leaders at Profi whose insights have deeply influenced my journey. In this month dedicated to celebrating women, I want to shine a spotlight on one extraordinary role model—my external mentor, Maja. Maja, an accomplished HR Director herself, empowers women and nurtures emerging leaders. 

From the early days of my tenure as HR Director, Maja guided me through a maze of uncertainties and critical questions with remarkable clarity. Rather than merely suggesting insightful books, latest HR trends, studies or offering advice, she took the time to listen carefully to my concerns and provided thoughtful counsel that helped me navigate challenging decisions. Her transformative support equipped me with the confidence and tools to approach leadership with purpose and authenticity. I firmly believe that finding a mentor who resonates with your values can fundamentally reshape your leadership journey.