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.
Diāna Stirna, Secretary to the Management Board, RB Rail AS
This week, we are pleased to introduce Diāna Stirna, Secretary to the Management Board at RB Rail AS. Diāna joined the Rail Baltica project in April 2020, initially as an Office Administrator after the COVID-19 pandemic prompted a career change. Encouraged by a former colleague, she embraced the opportunity to be part of this important regional project.
For Diāna, Rail Baltica is a project for the future of the Baltic countries and generations to come. She highlights the challenge of managing diverse stakeholders and stresses the importance of focusing on the common goal.
When did you join the Rail Baltica project and what inspired you to become a part of the team?
I joined RB Rail AS in April 2020. A colleague from my previous workplace had joined the team, and when the Office Administrator vacancy opened up, she reached out to me and encouraged me to apply. At first, I was hesitant, as working on such a large-scale project felt a bit intimidating. However, when I lost my job due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I took it as a sign that this was the right path for me.
What does your job involve?
As Secretary to the Management Board, I coordinate the meetings of the Management Board, Senior Management, and the Project Coordination Steering Committee, and I also oversee the processes of the Reference Groups.
How has your role evolved since you first joined the Rail Baltica project, and what have you learned along the way?
I started out as an Office Administrator, and after a little over two years, I had the opportunity to step into the role of Administration Manager. Most recently, I transitioned into the position of Secretary to the Management Board. I feel very privileged to have had the chance to grow professionally within the company. Over these five years, the biggest lesson I have learned is to trust in my competence and decisions. I have also come to deeply appreciate that a strong and supportive team is essential to success.
What does the Rail Baltica project mean to you?
Rail Baltica is a project for the future – the future of the Baltic countries, and of our children and grandchildren.
What do you believe is the most challenging aspect of this mega project?
I think the most challenging thing is all the different stakeholders involved. The more parties are involved, the more opinions and visions there are, and there can be difficulties seeing beyond individual interests and needs. It is important to remember the big picture – that we are all working together to reach a common goal: implement the project.
What advice would you give to a newcomer joining the Rail Baltica project team?
Take it day by day – the amount of information and all the different aspects of the project can be overwhelming at the beginning, and the project is very dynamic, but no one can know everything, and it is important to remember that there is a whole team ready to help and work together to get things done.
What specific contribution or skill do you believe you bring to the Rail Baltica project team that sets you apart from others?
I believe one of my key advantages is that I am very structured. I like to have a plan, to write everything down, and have all information available. I think this has been a main contributor to why I could handle administration duties very efficiently.
What hobbies, interests, talents do you have?
I have been singing in choirs for more than 20 years. I call it my full-time hobby as I dedicate late evenings, weekends, and sometimes even vacations to it, but it makes me happy and challenges me at times, and I cannot imagine my life without it.
What would you say is the achievement you are most proud of?
Becoming a Team Manager has been my biggest achievement. Firstly, it was an achievement in itself to be considered for this position, as I had no previous training or experience in leading a team. It showed me that potential is seen in me. I mostly went with my instincts and acted how I would expect my manager to act. I am happy that I was able to adapt to the new position and do a successful job leading the Administration Team for almost 3 years.