Raluca Epureanu, a former Marriott director overseeing operations across four continents including Asia-Pacific, has left the multinational corporation to pursue a startup. During her 15-year tenure with Marriott, she gained valuable experience managing teams globally, spanning Europe and North America, among other regions. Epureanu credits her time in Asia with fostering a dedication to excellence and challenging ingrained cultural norms, specifically rejecting the Romanian saying “it’ll work anyway.” She emphasizes the importance of taking risks, stating that fear is often an indicator to proceed. This career shift marks a significant change for the experienced executive, demonstrating a willingness to embrace new challenges and prioritize passion over stability. Epureanu's decision reflects a growing trend of professionals leaving established companies to found their own ventures.