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ABOUT SABINA
Sabina is the co-founder and General Manager of IntreVecini/DearNeighbour, the first Romanian-born initiative aiming to transform urban communities into sustainable hubs. She began her career in education, co-founding the entrepreneurship education program for underprivileged youth, Eduprenoria, and working as a learning experience designer and consultant for the Romanian Ministry of Education. With over 10 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Sabina has been involved in numerous initiatives at the intersection of education, sustainability, and youth empowerment, such as Trainer’s Forum and Global Shapers Bucharest Hub.
CONSISTENCY IS KEY – YOU CAN'T EXPECT RESULTS IF YOU DON'T SHOW UP CONSISTENTLY FOR WHAT YOU WANT.
Sabina Mihailescu
SABINA IN A NUTSHELL
Co-founder & General Manager
IntreVecini/DearNeighbour
area of expertise
Community Building / Management Romania 🇷🇴
companies Sabina has worked for
SABINA AS A LEADER
I believe success is about satisfaction and impact, not just traditional metrics. If I’m consistently making a positive impact and find my work fulfilling, that’s success to me. My approach to leadership involves embracing challenges as opportunities and continuously seeking ways to better both myself and the community I serve.
Leadership is not rocket science.
Great Leaders care deeply.
The future of leadership is inclusive and diverse.
When I think of a leader, I think of a good support system.
THERE WILL ALWAYS BE MORE WORK, EVEN IF YOU DO NOTHING. THERE WILL NEVER BE ENOUGH REST IF YOU DON'T DO SOMETHING
Sabina Mihailescu
SABINA ON TRANSFORMING DISADVANTAGES INTO ADVANTAGES
Sabina’s career was initially marked by being the youngest person in the room, a situation that often led to being overlooked. Instead of succumbing to this challenge, Sabina strategically turned it into an advantage. She proactively sought mentors, asked for help even when she knew how to do tasks, and built connections with numerous people. This approach not only showcased her competence but also gradually earned her the respect and recognition she deserved. This experience taught her the importance of being smart, strategic, and leveraging perceived disadvantages to achieve maximum results.
SABINA ON IMPLEMENTING INCLUSIVE GOVERNANCE SYSTEMS
At IntreVecini/DearNeighbour, Sabina has spearheaded the development of a governance system that emphasizes accountability and inclusivity. This system allows individuals of all seniority levels to take on leadership roles in different contexts. For example, in a project on disinformation, a junior team member, Ana, is the coordinator, while Sabina manages a specific part of the project. This approach shifts the balance of power and empowers every team member to take ownership and responsibility, regardless of their position within the organization.
GROWING UP POOR IN POST-COMMUNIST ROMANIA, I HAD TO SHIFT MY FOCUS FROM MYSELF TO OTHERS, WORKING HARD TO LET OTHERS SHINE AND HELPING THE TEAM THRIVE.
Sabina on becoming a better leader
INTERVIEW
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