Catalina Otto: One Year of Leadership at HABAU Romania
In October 2025, Catalina Otto celebrates one year since returning to Romania, after almost 9 years spent in Austria, where she developed and consolidated her international experience. She currently leads HABAU Romania as CFO.
Throughout her career, she has held key positions in prestigious international companies such as STRABAG, VOITH HYDRO, and VAMED, where she developed and coordinated major projects across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
In 2024, she contributed to the founding of VENERGI, a joint venture dedicated to energy transition and decarbonization, together with Wien Energie and Ramboll. Her experience covers the construction sector, hydropower plants and refineries, as well as industrial units and energy infrastructure.
Graduated with an Executive MBA from the University of Economics and Business in Vienna and holding a double degree in International Economic Relations and Political Science, Catalina has further strengthened her training through international certifications in FIDIC contracts, contract management and financial modelling.
Her broad international experience and openness to new challenges enables her to build bridges between cultures and teams, maintaining a leadership style focused on results and solutions.
Her first year at HABAU Romania has meant readjusting to the local market and driving HABAU Romania’s strategic expansion, as well as the consolidation, digitalization and standardization of processes to increase the overall business efficiency.
Her pragmatic and direct approach, combined with attention to detail and the ability to see the “big picture” has significantly enhanced organizational performance. Catalina contributes not only through her commercial and financial expertise but also through her genuine commitment to innovation, sustainability and people.
“For me, numbers are more than financial reports – they are the foundation on which we build strategic decisions, transformation and innovation. And in the end, project business is people business – success is achieved through communication, collaboration and united teams,” Catalina underlines.
Outside the office, Catalina finds balance in travel, reading, sports, and time with family and friends – activities that recharge her energy and nurture her curiosity for new cultures and perspectives.
With one year of solid achievements, Catalina Otto has established herself as a key pillar in developing and adapting HABAU Romania to the dynamics of a constantly changing industry.
