How Anna Lipka's diverse career path shaped her role at EthosEnergy

As you’ll soon learn, this is in no way an exaggeration of Anna Lipka’s storied career.

When reflecting on her career, Anna recounts a long and fascinating journey that spans multiple countries, industries, and roles.               

Yet, at every stage, she’s been driven by relentless curiosity, steadfast resilience, and a deep love for learning. All key qualities that she has brought to her current role.

Today, Anna is a Senior Marketing and Communications Specialist here at EthosEnergy, where she plays a pivotal role in shaping the company’s global presence. But her journey was filled with unexpected turns, cultural challenges, and an unwavering commitment to growth. 

Exploring new horizons     

Born and raised in Poland, Anna’s first career move was motivated by her curiosity in exploring the potential outside her home country. In 2004, Poland had just joined the European Union, opening up opportunities for determined individuals like Anna to work abroad.                       

So, at 19 years old, Anna did just that. She packed up and moved to Milan, Italy where she worked as an au pair. It was here that she started her linguistic journey.     

“I already knew English from school, but I wanted to learn Italian right away. I took a course and picked it up quite quickly.”       

Anna then received a job offer from an Italian tour operator and secured a contract for a resident position in Egypt. This experience not only allowed her to discover and understand another culture but taught her the art of customer service and how to handle crisis situations.    

“Trust me, people on holiday can be very unpredictable. I learned this firsthand when one of the tourists ended up 500 km away from the hotel overnight!”                         

Before long, Anna made the bold decision to take her next big step, this time with her partner, who is now her husband.     

With their options thoroughly researched and Anna’s past experiences guiding them, they      packed their bags, ready to embrace a new culture and country. This time, the journey led      them to Germany, where fresh professional and linguistic challenges awaited.

An unlikely path to energy

When Anna first arrived in Germany, her Italian language skills helped her secure jobs in hospitality. She eventually transitioned to freelance business support positions across various sectors in Europe, while also studying German at the University of Bochum.

Determined to build a career, Anna juggled various jobs while studying tourism and the hotel industry, and later, business management with a focus on marketing and public relations.     

“I seized every opportunity to learn the language, build connections, and immerse myself in the culture, all while advancing my career. It was during this time that I first gained experience in marketing and looking back, it was an incredibly rewarding journey."    

It wasn’t until a serendipitous call from a recruitment agency in 2014 that Anna found her way to EthosEnergy. What started as a temporary role in the finance department eventually led to a permanent position in supply chain management.

"Someone in the finance department was on sick leave, and they needed coverage. I stepped in, initially thinking it would be temporary. After six months, when the person I was covering for returned, I received an offer for a permanent position."

Over the next few years, Anna moved through several departments in EthosEnergy, gaining experience in supply chain, project management and sales analytics. Anna also worked as an assistant to the East Hemisphere leadership team and even got to work for three weeks at a refinery, using her language skills to support the field service team in project execution at the customer site. 

Finding a passion in marketing

Despite her many roles, it wasn’t until Anna transitioned into marketing and communications that she truly found her passion.    

"I have always been drawn to marketing because, to me, it’s such an engaging field. The blend of creativity, psychology, strategy, and the opportunity to travel and collaborate with creative minds was incredibly appealing. With digitalization on the rise, it became even more exciting, and I knew this was the right path for me."

In August 2023, Anna officially joined the marketing team. She’s now responsible for managing demand generation and organizing events across the East Hemisphere – a role that combines her love for creativity with her background in sales analytics. 

A unique global perspective

Anna is so effective in her marketing role thanks to her multicultural background. She brings a unique understanding of different cultures and how to communicate with diverse audiences.          

"I believe my background gives me a deeper understanding of our customers — their culture, what matters to them, and their expectations."                

What’s Anna’s next adventure?

For Anna, the future is bright.

She’s currently working toward her Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) certification through Cambridge Marketing College to further hone her skills. But what she’s looking forward to the most is continuing to work within a multinational, multicultural team.     

"On any given day, I collaborate with teams anywhere in the world. Learning and gaining insights from each location’s unique perspectives is amazing. I’m also part of EthosEnergy’s Female Forces group, which supports women’s professional growth, fosters leadership, and creates a platform for collaboration and empowerment which is truly enriching."          

Outside of work, Anna is also a mother, balancing the demands of her career with raising her daughter. She loves staying active, and just like her approach to work, she tackles life’s challenges head-on with determination and positivity.    

When asked what advice she’d give to somebody who may be in the same shoes she was, trying to find their place in the working world, Anna championed positivity, and a never-say-die attitude.               

"Every professional experience, even those that may seem insignificant at the time, teaches valuable skills and provides important lessons. Be flexible, stay open-minded, and be open to learning new languages. I’m truly grateful for the opportunity to grow my career in this field. If you want to pursue something, just go for it. With the right focus and dedication, you can reach your goals."