Women Powering Raiffeisen Tech – Meet Emilia

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, we invite you to explore our special series Women Powering Raiffeisen Tech – a collection of interviews with women who contribute to and shape technology in our organization every day. We will introduce five inspiring women with diverse experiences and career paths, all successfully building their careers in the world of IT. These are stories of courage, expertise, and determination – proving that technology has many faces.

08 March 2026 08:55
By Emilia Kinecka
After hours

What does the female power driving Raiffeisen Tech look like? How can you find your place in the technology landscape? What sets us apart and how do we collaborate in an international environment? We invite you to read last interview in the Women Powering Raiffeisen Tech series and meet Emilia Kinecka – Delivery Lead at Raiffeisen Tech Poland. The interview was conducted by Magdalena Jaros-Szmidt, Communication Expert.

My name is Emilia and I joined Raiffeisen Tech in June 2024 as a Delivery Lead (People Manager) in the Core IT – our largest team, where most employees work in a staff augmentation model. I support Krzysztof Stumpf, Head of IT Delivery Stream, in people management and daily operations.

My Career Before IT

Before stepping into the IT world, I worked as a team leader and operations manager across various industries, including market research and data analytics. These roles allowed me to gain valuable experience in managing business processes and developing leadership skills. Before joining Raiffeisen Tech, I worked at one of Poland’s leading software houses, where I was responsible for Java and DevOps teams and learned the ins and outs of a dynamic, client-driven environment. Working with inspiring professionals and supporting employee growth has always been my biggest motivation.

Early Days at Raiffeisen Tech

My early days at Raiffeisen Tech Poland were demanding, but with the support of my teammates, I quickly found my footing. Looking ahead, I see two major challenges: first, fully understanding the work of a cross-functional Core IT team – a team working on nearly twenty independent projects, made up of experts from various fields: software developers, data and DevOps engineers, analysts and QA specialists. Second, maintaining relationships with such a large team – getting to know them, understanding their needs, and providing meaningful support. When asked what skill I find most valuable in my daily work, I have no doubt: emotional intelligence is crucial when working with so many different personalities. Strong communication and organizational skills are equally important, helping me stay on top of multiple tasks at once.

Education and Passion for Translation

I have a degree in American Studies and linguistics. Translation has always been a significant part of my life, and I pursued it for years, balancing two careers while working full-time as a leader. A few years ago, I decided to commit fully to management and the IT world – a choice I don’t regret. My passion for linguistics remains strong, as does my fascination with U.S. culture, history, and politics – I follow news from overseas and dream of a road trip across the United States.

Life Outside Work

I’m naturally introverted, but that doesn’t prevent me from interacting professionally with large groups, but when I close my work laptop, I enjoy more solitary activities. Sports help me unwind – during the pandemic I discovered yoga, which I now practice regularly. A year ago, I rekindled my love for volleyball and mountain hiking (big shoutout to our amazing Mountain and Volleyball Sections!). I’m also an avid reader and podcast listener. When asked which books have impressed me the most, I list without hesitation: A Treatise on Shelling Beans by Wiesław Myśliwski, Extensa by Jacek Dukaj, and The Road by Cormac McCarthy.