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News May 18, 2023

Beyond Code: Slavena Asenova

Introducing Beyond Code, a captivating series of intimate interviews that delves into the lives and experiences of software developers within Anthill. Join us as we explore the personal stories behind their professional journeys, shedding light on the motivations that brought them to our organization and the meaningful projects they are involved in. From their humble beginnings to the pivotal moments in their careers, we aim to uncover the diverse factors that have shaped their paths and provide valuable insights into how these developers thrive in their chosen fields. Immerse yourself in the world of Beyond Code and discover the fascinating fusion of passion, talent, and innovation that drives our exceptional team.

Our first guest is Slavena Asenova, Senior Delivery Manager at Anthill. She is a professional with bags of experience in the IT industry who is always looking for new opportunities to grow in her career. She shines a light on her career path that led her to join Anthill, what are her main responsibilities in leading the company’s biggest project, and how to successfully manage a team of 40 people.

Tell us about you and your career journey as a software developer.

Slavena Asenova: I made the first steps in my professional career 17 years ago as an ASP.NET C# Developer. Throughout the years, I had the opportunity to improve my technical and soft skills. This in turn helped me land the role of team lead, a role I’ve held for the past several years.

Since 2022, I’m serving as a Senior Delivery Manager at Anthill. This role allows me to combine my passion for working with people and communicating with them to help clients achieve business goals through people’s satisfaction, trust, and loyalty.

Can you describe your role at Anthill and what a typical day looks like for you?

Slavena: As part of the Anthill team, I’m leading 40 people structured in 6 teams. Together, we’re responsible for the successful software development of the company’s biggest partner – CCCis, an American pioneer in the insurеtech domain

My responsibilities cover a few different aspects – the most important one is being the bridge between our development team and the client. On a daily basis, I make sure that partners and employees are satisfied with our work and achieve the business goals set beforehand. To achieve these goals, I have to be involved in both strategic and operational tasks. I take part in strategic meetings, internal processes optimization, and operational meetings.

Please describe your job in a way that a 3-year-old would understand it.

Slavena: I am always on the computer typing and talking.

How do you stay current with the latest technologies and trends in software development?

Slavena: Staying on top of all the latest news in the industry is very important for me both professionally and personally. I try to take every possible opportunity to build up my knowledge base. My main sources of information are different social events like conferences and tech meet-ups, reading blogs and news articles, and taking courses to learn in-depth insights from experienced professionals and lecturers. I’ve always had a passion for technical hackathons – this helps me to collaborate with other professionals, learn from them and try out new technologies and frameworks.

What was your motivation to join Anthill’s team?

Slavena: As I was looking for a new opportunity that will allow me to expand my knowledge in managing teams and explore different business domains, the opportunity to join Anthill came at the perfect time. I have the opportunity to work with the company’s biggest partner and explore one of the most complex business industries – insurance.

Together with the Anthill team, we help CCCis to digitize the industry and define the future of insurance in the digital environment.

How does Anthill support the career growth and development of its software developers?

Slavena: As someone responsible for the successful implementation of all CCCis projects, I need to help our teams be successful personally and professionally. To achieve this goal, Anthill has developed upskilling and reskilling programs that help developers enrich their skills in different areas or explore other career paths. We’ve also developed quarterly tailored goals for every team member that allows us to track their progress and the next steps in their career development.

How does Anthill encourage and support its software developers to pursue their own interests?

Slavena: We support our teams to pursue their interests by taking an active interest in their passions and establishing how Anthill can help them grow in both their personal and professional development. We aim to provide an environment where they can explore these passions and align them to our business needs, so Anthill and its employees can thrive collectively.

Last but not least, what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Slavena: As an outgoing person, I love interacting with other people and that’s the foundation of my hobbies and free time. My favorite things include hanging out with friends, biking with my children, playing board games and tennis as well as going to the gym.