Rail Baltica is a railway infrastructure megaproject that spans across several countries. The depth of skills and expertise required to successfully execute a greenfield project of this caliber is extensive and would not be possible without our diverse team of professionals.
Welcome back to our series, “Rail Baltica: The People Behind the Vision,” where we introduce you to the members of the Rail Baltica global project team. These individuals are the driving force advancing the Rail Baltica project with their professionalism, dedication, and passion for this project.
Anete Akimova, Technical Project Manager, RB Rail AS
As Technical Project Manager, Anete is responsible for the management and supervision of the Rail Baltica section’s “Misa – Latvian/Lithuanian border” project, including building and maintaining relationships with relevant stakeholders, addressing technical issues, overseeing design work in line with Global Project objectives and best project management practices.
How would you explain to a 5-year-old or a slightly older newcomer in the railway industry what you do in Rail Baltica?
Imagine we are at a playground, brainstorming the idea of building the fastest and longest railway ever constructed in our playground! We are all thrilled about the idea. Everyone is eager to begin: someone knows the ideal locations for the rails, another person proposes constructing tunnels, while someone else suggests having candy stations along the route. As I remember from my childhood, I recall there’s always at least one person on the playground who claims, ‘Hey, I know how to do it!’ That’s where I come in – my part is to come up with a plan to capture all our ideas on paper, ensuring that in the end, our vision comes to life. Essentially, I run around the playground, ensuring everyone sticks to the plan, rallying others if needed, and refining our strategy if things don’t proceed smoothly or if we need to finish before mom calls back home.
When did you join the Rail Baltica project and what inspired you to become a part of the team?
I joined the RB Rail team over three years ago, sensing that it was a rare opportunity to be part of an infrastructure project of such scale in the Baltics. This meant not only the chance to learn from the best professionals but also an opportunity to contribute to this megaproject. Joining this project and its team of high-level experts demanded immense hard work. Yet, within this dynamic environment, working with passionate colleagues, over time I just grew into it, seeing challenges as opportunities for growth, understanding that each resolved issue is a step closer towards the implementation of the Rail Baltica project. Reflecting on all this, I must admit that overcoming challenges is what makes my work even more interesting. With all the qualities and capabilities of our team and a healthy dose of humor, we can accomplish anything we set our minds to.
Of course, besides the exciting essence of this project, we face countless challenges on a daily basis, and the vision of the project is contrasted with practical needs every day. One of the most challenging aspects is managing timeline shifts – as the size and detail of the project grow, interdependencies and their management become more complex, and each one has a greater impact on the total project timeline.
What hobbies, interests, talents do you have?
I cannot claim that I have a specific one, but I do love good music and enjoy outdoor activities. I believe the perfect day off is spent in the mountains regardless of whether I’m hiking trails or enjoying gravity on a snowboard, those majestic peaks never fail to lift my spirit. And music – it’s my constant companion, it works its magic infusing energy into my workdays, setting the tone for days off or taking the center stage as the main event itself.
What advice would you give to a newcomer joining the Rail Baltica project team?
I would say that it is good to keep in mind that often it’s will not the skill – having the will and determination to succeed is more crucial than just having particular skills. Success can be achieved with effort and dedication, regardless of the level of initial skill.