Employee Journey
Meet Katerina Waiz our Learning & Development Specialist
Meet Kate, who followed her instincts into Learning & Development and built a thriving career, proving that a gut feeling can lead to meaningful impact.
I am part of the People team, focusing on Learning & Development (L&D). Right now, we are in the exciting phase of building L&D ecosystem from the ground up—designing initiatives that will support employee growth, development and well-being.
My role involves shaping learning strategies, designing development opportunities and fostering a culture where continuous learning is part of our everyday work. I also work on connecting learning to broader people initiatives to make sure it contributes not only to individual careers but also to Hypatos’ overall success.
It is a dynamic, ever-evolving role, but that is exactly what excites me—solving challenges, experimenting with different approaches and paving the way for a learning culture that drives real impact.
When I joined, my role was a mix of Office Management, HR and even a bit of finance–so I had my hands in a bit of everything. Over time, I realized that working with people was what I enjoyed most and I gradually shifted more towards HR.
A big turning point came when our VP People encouraged me to specialize. That is one of the great things about Hypatos:when you show passion and drive, you are given the space to grow. And now, I love seeing the same opportunities open up for others.
It is a mix of prioritization, adaptability and a lot of (cold) coffee! Some days, everything runs smoothly. Other days, it is a juggling act—starring a very questionable actress.
What helps is that Hypatos genuinely supports working parents. Coming back after parental leave can be tough—especially where the system does not always make it easy—but here, I feel valued and supported. That kind of culture makes all the difference.
I have always been passionate about growth,both my own and helping others reach their potential.
It’s incredibly rewarding to see someone gain confidence, master a new skill, or take on a challenge they never thought they could. The funny part? when I was asked where I wanted to evolve, I instinctively said L&D,even though I barely knew what it meant at the time. I just had this gut feeling it was the right path for me. Now, I cannot imagine doing anything else.
For me, the most rewarding part is simple: seeing people grow and knowing I have played a role in that. That’s what drives me.
One of my proudest achievements has been helping to improve our onboarding experience. It has always been a team effort, and I introduced the Buddy Program to help new joiners feel a sense of belonging from day one. It is still new, but seeing the positive impact already has been incredibly fulfilling.
And this is just the beginning. L&D at Hypatos is evolving fast, and once all of our initiatives take shape, the impact will be huge.
I used to think every moment needed to be productive,but I have learned that growth also happens when you take time to recharge.
Outside of work, I love traveling, spending time with my family, and just being present. I’m still working on that last one—my perfectionist side does not make it easy.
At Hypatos, my focus is clear—build a strong, engaging L&D function that truly supports both our people and our business. We have already made great progress, but there is so much more potential, and I am excited to shape it alongside my team.
And beyond? Keep learning, keep pushing myself…and keep doing things I never thought I could—because, honestly, I think it was meant to be!
Further stories from our blog
