Relationships over transactions

For Sorina Constantinescu, networking isn't about collecting contacts - it's about growing relationships that matter.

As the leader of Warwick Business School’s alumni community in the Middle East and Africa, Sorina has spent the past four years building a thriving network in Dubai and beyond. From book clubs and women’s groups to packed joint events with alumni from 65 universities, she brings people together with warmth, curiosity, and a long-term mindset. “It’s not like speed dating,” she says

"You have to plant seeds. Some grow, some don't. But, the only way it works is by being genuine."

Starting from the inside out

That human-centred approach underpins everything Sorina does—whether she’s supporting WBS graduates in their careers, connecting industries through new ideas, or championing diversity and inclusion at her own company. It’s a journey that started during her MBA, when she swapped spreadsheets for storytelling and discovered the power of perspective.

“I used to be a numbers person. But what I really learned was how to understand other people. And how to understand myself.”

Shaping communities, sparking progress

Now a regional director at a global tech company, Sorina balances leadership with impact. She volunteers for her employer’s DEI initiatives, runs marathons, and even trained for a triathlon to raise money for children with autism—a cause close to her heart.

Whether she’s building community in the UAE or fundraising in Greece, one thing remains constant: her belief that relationships are about what you give, not just what you gain.

“Think about the other person,” she says. “Ask what you can give back.”