Tell us a little about your childhood - where did you grow up and what were your hobbies?
I was born and grew up in Klaipėda, and I am a pure Klaipėdean. Since I was a little girl I was most attracted to sports - basketball, football, cycling and all other active sports. I dreamt of becoming a professional athlete, but I think I lacked a bit of talent, so my life took a different turn and my career didn't turn out the way I dreamed.

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What was your first job? 
I remember very well when I first got a job at the age of 13 as a pollster collecting data for research I used to count the number of people getting on and off buses at bus stops in the early morning, between 5 and 10 o'clock. It was not only an interesting job, but also a responsible one, because I felt that I was trusted, so I tried to do my best. I also did seasonal jobs throughout the summer, as I wanted to be independent and meet my own needs without asking my parents for help. I think that all this has helped me to develop a sense of responsibility that has guided me through life.

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Obviously you didn't shy away from work as a youngster, but how did your career path develop later? 
The experience has been varied, as I have had to work and find my feet in many different sectors. I have worked in the furniture and food industries, in the electrical trade and in sales. And I was always trying to figure out where I liked to be, where I could best realise myself as a professional. 
When I worked in the electrical goods sector, I was responsible for the warehouse layout, efficient storage and organisation of work. It was here that I was first introduced to specialised handling equipment - forklift trucks, which are used to load goods into warehouses. I tried my hand at independent handling and was so impressed that I never let go. Not surprisingly, I continued my career with the port and Klaipėda Container Terminal.

Why did you choose Klaipėda Container Terminal? 
My circle of relatives have worked and continue to work at Klaipėda Container Terminal. I was always at home hearing my dad and other relatives talking about the company, its activities and achievements, and the technology that was used at the time. It therefore seemed to me that this was a company with 'a lot of interesting things going on' and that I would like to be part of. The expression 'thoughts materialise' is appropriate here.

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You have been working for KKT for 14 years. Did you immediately take on a managerial position?
Absolutely not. I have worked my way up the career ladder consistently. In the first 5 years I worked as a talman, a dispatcher in both Ro-Ro and general cargo and container terminals, and only later did I get the opportunity to take up a managerial position as deputy container terminal manager. Looking back on it, it was scarier than ever! I realised that the responsibilities would increase and that I would have to reach even higher goals. But I am a person who does not give up opportunities, so I did not give up this one either. It is true that I have to admit that there was a lot of confusion and uncertainty, but with the trust of my superiors and a great willingness to learn, I managed to learn everything.

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2 years as a deputy and up again to Ro-Ro and General Cargo Terminal Manager. What challenges did you face then?
There were many challenges, but I can highlight a few main ones: I had to learn how to manage a team of 40 people, and secondly, the reconstruction of both berths of the terminal was under way at the time. We had to find solutions on a daily basis to service ships outside the berths we manage. Sometimes it seemed like there was no solution, but we always found one. This clearly showed how important it is not only to be able to manage processes, but also to motivate and unite a team to achieve a common goal.

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Let's talk about your current position as Container Terminal Manager. What does your working day look like?
My working day starts with an early morning meeting with the team, where we discuss the day's handling objectives, potential challenges and priorities. A large part of my day is dedicated to operational decision-making, monitoring the terminal's performance and communicating with customers and team members. I also spend a lot of time liaising with various teams in other departments to ensure that all processes run smoothly and efficiently. My work is dynamic and requires quick decisions, but it is also very interesting because every day brings new challenges and opportunities. 

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What are the main differences between working in production and administration?
Both roles are essential to the success of the organisation, but the responsibilities and the nature of the day-to-day activities are fundamentally different. Production staff contribute directly to the handling processes, focusing on specific tasks that require technical skills and diligence. Meanwhile, managers are responsible for setting strategic objectives, managing processes and coordinating the team. 

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What are the key principles that guide you in your daily work and in your team?
First and foremost, openness and transparency - I try to ensure that everyone in the team has a clear understanding of objectives, priorities and reasons for decisions. Secondly, trust and delegation of responsibility are very important - I believe that each team member performs best when they have the freedom to make decisions and take responsibility for their actions. Thirdly, continuous improvement - I encourage myself and others to keep learning, to find new ways to improve our day-to-day processes. Finally, teamwork - working together to achieve the best results, I aim to create an environment where everyone feels valued and important.

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From your career history, we can see that KCT provides opportunities for growth. What does it take for others to find success like yours?
As long as a person has the desire, ambition and time to develop in their field, KCT's managers will always notice and appreciate this, in addition to creating opportunities for a successful career path.

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