On 8th March, we celebrate International Women’s Day, and to mark the occasion, we sat down with Anna Misiewicz, our Co-CEO since 2017.
Anna studied Iberian and Ibero-American Philology at the University of Warsaw and began her career in the translation industry as a Project Manager. She later took on Team Lead and Department Manager roles before stepping into her current position as Co-CEO at Overseas Translations.
With a lifelong passion for languages, she speaks Polish (her native language), English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Catalan. At Overseas Translations, she oversees the Production, Quality, and Marketing departments, ensuring that every project meets the highest standards of excellence.
Throughout her career, Anna has worked in various roles within the translation industry, giving her a broad perspective on both the sector and business leadership. In this interview, she shares her experience as a woman in the business world and the journey that brought her to where she is today.
How has your experience been as a woman in the business world?
Did you face any barriers or challenges because of your gender? How did you overcome them?
For me, being a woman has never been a barrier in my career. In the translation industry—at least from my experience—I get the impression that there are actually more women than men. However, in every company I’ve worked for, the highest leadership positions were almost always held by men.
That said, this was never an obstacle. Beyond gender, I’ve always been surrounded by great leaders and incredible professionals, both men and women, from whom I’ve learned so much and always felt supported.
I truly believe that real leadership has no gender—it’s about vision, values, and the ability to inspire others. And that’s what truly makes a difference in any industry.
Today, as Co-CEO of Overseas Translations, I share this role with Rubén Ruiz, an exceptional leader and a remarkable professional. I firmly believe that a company’s success doesn’t depend on who holds the top positions, but on the mindset and leadership approach that drives it forward.
What does being a leader in your field mean to you?
How would you define your leadership style?
Ever since I was a child, I had a very clear motto: you’re either the best version of yourself, or your efforts won’t count. But it’s not about literally being the best—it’s about always giving my best. The best of my knowledge, my effort, my attitude. Always eager to learn, to question, to dig deeper if there’s something I don’t know, so that the outcome of my work is always the best it can be. So that I can take pride in knowing I’ve done things the right way.
That mindset drives both my professional and personal life. That’s why my leadership style is bold, non-conformist, and always striving for improvement and solutions. It’s also highly transparent, because I believe clarity is key in any team.
I know I can be demanding—first with myself, and then with my team. But always with respect and with the goal of achieving excellence. To me, doing a good job doesn’t mean it’s simply acceptable—it means delivering the very best we can, within our possibilities.
That’s how I see leadership: not as a title, but as the responsibility to constantly raise the bar, to inspire, and to ensure that everything we do leaves a lasting impact.
Have you ever felt that your work or opinions were undervalued because you’re a woman?
Have you ever been in situations where you felt you had to work harder to be recognised?
I’ve never felt undervalued because I’m a woman. It’s true that I’ve had to work incredibly hard in every job I’ve had, but I believe that’s something we all go through. In my case, that effort wasn’t driven by my gender—it was driven by my own ambitions.
I’ve always wanted to prove that I could do more, take on new challenges, learn, and keep growing professionally. For me, hard work has never been about fighting for recognition—it’s been a tool to achieve what I set out to do. And that mindset is what has brought me to where I am today.
How do you balance your personal and professional life?
How has it been managing work and motherhood? Do you feel pressure to “do it all” without falling behind in your career?
Honestly, this question made me laugh—but in a good way. Some days, I feel like one of those superhero mums who has everything under control, and other days, time just slips away, and I barely manage to get anything done.
I have to admit that running my own business gives me a lot of privileges—flexible hours that I can adjust to my needs, the option to work from home when my kids are unwell… But of course, there’s a less glamorous side to it, too. More than once, I’ve found myself working late into the night or waking up at dawn to get ahead with work.
Luckily, now that my children are a bit older, I’ve been able to return to a more stable schedule.
The pressure to do it all is definitely there. Today’s society sells us this “superwoman” image, making us feel like we have to handle everything effortlessly. But in my case, I don’t think it’s society imposing that pressure—it’s just part of who I am.
I want it all. And I try to organise myself to make it happen—working, spending quality time with my children, cooking (which I love!), going to the gym, and continuing to grow professionally. It’s not easy, but in the end, if something truly matters to you, you’ll always find a way to make it fit.
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced as a woman in your career?
Without a doubt, the biggest challenge in my career was becoming a mother. Overnight, my priorities completely shifted. I realised I didn’t want to spend 10+ hours a day away from home, barely seeing my children. I knew that while they were little, I wanted to dedicate as much time to them as possible.
At the time, I was working at another company, and although I considered reducing my hours, the workload was always high. Plus, as a department head, I couldn’t see how I could do my job properly in just four hours a day. And the truth is, I loved my job—I was genuinely happy there.
But that was the moment when I had to rethink my entire professional life. I knew that joining Overseas Translations was the right decision. And I wasn’t wrong.
Today, running my own company not only allows me to have better balance, but also to keep growing professionally. I’ve learned so much in areas I never touched before—finance, sales, marketing… and I keep discovering new things every day. Sometimes, the biggest challenges bring the greatest opportunities.
Do you think women lead or work differently from men?
Have you noticed differences in decision-making, communication, or working styles?
I don’t believe there’s a fundamental difference in how men and women work or lead. What truly makes a difference isn’t gender—it’s leadership style and individual personality.
Personally, I see myself as dynamic and fairly direct. My approach might be more similar to some male leaders I’ve worked with, but not because it’s a “masculine style” of leadership—it’s simply how I am.
At the end of the day, it’s not about gender, it’s about character and mindset. The way we work, make decisions, and lead is shaped by who we are as individuals, not by whether we’re men or women.
What values do you consider essential in the workplace and in life?
What principles guide the way you work and connect with others?
I see myself as a dynamic and transparent person, and those are the same values I look for in others. I like to surround myself with people who have charisma, drive, and a hunger to improve—people who are always striving to level up and who inspire others simply by being themselves.
For me, there are three key elements, both professionally and personally: passion, charisma, and self-motivation. Because when you have those three, everything else falls into place.
I believe it’s crucial to never get stuck or settle, even when things are going well. There’s always something new to learn, something more to achieve, and another version of yourself waiting to emerge. And that’s not just a career booster—it’s the secret to feeling truly fulfilled and happy.
Beyond work, what are you passionate about?
How do you make time for your hobbies or the things that inspire you? Do your passions influence the way you work or see the world?
I’m passionate about cooking and sports. Cooking has always been something I’ve loved, and while sport has been a part of my life for years, in the last two, it’s shaped my character even more—especially fitboxing, which is the perfect way to unleash all my energy.
I also love reading and spending time with my family, whether that’s hiking in the mountains, visiting seaside villages, or going on bike rides together.
Finding time for hobbies isn’t easy, but I truly believe it comes down to communication, organisation, and setting fixed time slots for what matters. If you plan for it, you’ll make it happen—no matter what. And in the end, that’s what keeps the spark alive, turning daily routines into something far more exciting.
What advice would you give to the next generation of women in business?
My advice? Seize every opportunity that comes your way. Challenges will always exist, but there’s always a way forward. The key is knowing your priorities and aligning your professional goals with them.
As women, we have a remarkable ability to juggle multiple things at once, to adapt, to see possibilities where others see limits. We bring incredible value to the table.
So, go after your dreams without fear—because you’re more than capable of achieving them. And don’t be afraid to make mistakes, either. Mistakes aren’t failures; they’re part of learning, growing, and getting stronger.
What matters isn’t doing everything perfectly, but having the courage to do it at all. And we? We are fearless. 😊
Thank you, Anna, for sharing your vision and experience with us during this Women’s Week.
Finding what truly drives you makes all the difference. When you love what you do, effort turns into motivation, and challenges become opportunities for growth.
At Overseas Translations, we believe in talent, dedication, and excellence—regardless of who is leading the way. Because leadership isn’t about gender, but about character.
