Running on Windows

After graduating with her MBA, she moved to Germany to begin her career with Siemens, the global technology company known for its specialization in industrial automation, energy systems, health care innovation, transportation development and more.

There, Cârsteanu-Dombi was accepted into the company’s Finance Excellence Program, an exclusive, two-year, fast-track talent program that led her around the world to explore various finance functions — laying the foundation for a global career with the company.

“The UB MBA gave me a holistic understanding of business — a survival package that prepared me to thrive in any part of an organization,” she says. “Without it, I don’t think I’d be anywhere close to where I am today.”

Cârsteanu-Dombi has spent her entire professional career at Siemens, progressively advancing her career in a number of different finance roles.

Today, she serves as senior finance manager for Siemens Advanta, the firm’s digital transformation and consulting arm. 

“Our team includes experts in AI, technology services, strategy and operations, and we’re working with major companies around the world to guide them through their digital transformation,” she says.

Cârsteanu-Dombi recently made waves on TV and online when she was featured in a 60 Minutes interview with Anderson Cooper about the clinical trial she is participating in after being paralyzed in a bicycling accident during a triathlon six years ago.

Thanks to breakthrough technology from neuroscience company NeuroRestore, Cârsteanu-Dombi has become the first completely paralyzed person to control her movement, stand up and take steps.

For the trial, she received three device implants: one in her skull that captures motor cortex signals, a second in her abdomen that delivers electrical impulses and a third near the spinal cord that transmits stimulation to her muscles. And it’s all calculated using artificial intelligence, dubbed “BrainGPT,” of course.

“I’m literally running on Windows — and I even get software updates,” she says. “The decoder learns by recording my brain activity, and the more I work with the system the better it gets at deciphering my intent. The connection that was broken due to the accident is now bridged through this incredible technology.”

While Cârsteanu-Dombi says the accident was a detour both personally and professionally, she has remained motivated to build her career and family. She now has two children with her husband, Andras, and has continually grown her career through meaningful roles at Siemens. 

Through it all, Cârsteanu-Dombi says it’s important to find moments of peace in life.

“These moments can come in different forms,” she says. “Whether that’s enjoying the sunshine, laughing with friends, going out for dinner or hugging your husband — those are my sources of energy, motivation, peace and happiness.”

Written by Kevin Manne