Upskill and embrace the Challenge - Karolina Szymanska - Episode 33

How can we ensure that industries continue to move forward to achieve their goals and create a better world through new products and improved services?

In episode 33 of the Asset Management Visionaries® Podcast, Karolina Szymanska shares her expert insights. As a Strategic Marketing and Human Factor Leader specializing in change management, Karolina also serves as the PR and Marketing Lead for the WIRAM UK Chapter. Her work is dedicated to increasing the visibility of women in the asset management industry.

Hosted by Maura Abad, this new episode of the Asset Management Visionaries® podcast explores topics of great interest related to reliability, leadership, certifications, and business challenges.

Transcript

I have updated the transcript to reflect the correct spelling of Maura.

Podcast Transcript: Asset Management Visionaries

Host: Maura Abad

Guest: Karolina Szymańska

Topic: Digitalization, Human Factors, and Mental Health in Asset Management

Introduction

Maura: Welcome to Asset Management Visionaries: Shaping Tomorrow, a podcast where we discuss the future of asset management with the most influential leaders in our industry from around the world. I’m your host, Maura Abad, Director of Women in Reliability and Asset Management (WIRAM). In each episode, we explore the advances, contributions, and future of asset management together.

Let’s get started. Hello world, and welcome to another episode! I am so honored and excited today. We have a super special guest and friend, Karolina Szymańska. Hello and welcome!

Karolina: Hello, Maura. I am absolutely blown away to be sitting here next to you. It’s a pleasure and a privilege.

Maura: The feeling is mutual. We share the same gratitude for life. You and I have talked so much about this: never taking friendships or colleagues for granted. In a world of 8.8 billion people, meeting someone special is always great. So, thank you. I know a lot about you, but tell the world: who is Karolina?

Karolina: Karolina is originally from Poland but has been living in the UK for 20 years. I love animals and art, and I am deeply passionate about humans and mindset. That is what gets me out of bed every morning—the realization that I can help others adjust to this world. It’s a little bit crazy right now, but there is beauty in the crazy, right?

The Human Factor in Digital Transformation

Maura: There is so much opportunity as well. We share a passion for people, but I know you're also diving into digitalization. Tell us more about that.

Karolina: My career started with an integrator for Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software. Technology is amazing—it gives us a real edge—however, I realized that technology should simply be a tool for humans. I started exploring the "human factor" in digital transformation projects.

It’s difficult because humans naturally resist change; we see it as a risk. I became passionate about empowering people to be resilient and ready for whatever is coming. In today’s age of Artificial Intelligence, many treat AI as a threat to their work. I totally disagree. It is a gift, but we must learn to operate it in a safe, ethical way.

Maura: I love the emphasis on ethics. What advice would you give to those who are afraid of this technology?

Karolina: Treat it as an evolution, not a revolution or an impending disaster. It might sound cheesy, but during the Industrial Revolution, people driving horse carriages probably looked at trains the same way we look at AI. It’s all about our mindset. We can treat it negatively, or we can choose to upskill and embrace the challenge.

WIRAM and Inclusivity in Engineering

Maura: I call it "human-machine collaboration." You also do incredible work with WIRAM. Tell the world about your role there.

Karolina: I think WIRAM brings a vital message of inclusivity to the world. When you see women in leadership, you get inspired to walk in their shoes. Especially for young girls who are told that math or engineering "isn't for them," WIRAM is a breath of fresh air.

I’ve met amazing visionaries through this network. It’s not just about professional skills; it’s about the ecosystem of humans supporting one another. Engineering and asset management are still predominantly male, so WIRAM is a "drop of hope."

Maura: You are truly walking the walk. As we look toward WIRAM UK 2026, what can we expect?

Karolina: Our team is growing, and we are grateful for our volunteers. We want to discuss topics pertinent to 2026: embracing AI and the new challenges it brings to everyday work. We want to bring in perspectives from different backgrounds, not just reliability leaders. We also want more face-to-face events in the UK because nothing beats meeting in person.

From Burnout to Entrepreneurship

Maura: You have a marketing background, but now you are an entrepreneur. Tell us about that jump.

Karolina: That is a vulnerable story. Like many big changes, it came from a major life event: a total burnout. I remember sitting in a meeting, the coffee was cold, we were on slide 47, and someone asked me for "creative impact." My mind went blank. I felt numb. I knew it was time for a change.

I was lucky to have supportive people around me. My advice to anyone in that space is: talk about it. Do not hide. I did a balancing act—looking at what I wanted to do versus my skills—and I set up my own marketing agency for tech companies. Now, two and a half years later, I’m creating programs regarding human potential and coaching. I am in a much better place, but it took courage and a push from those around me.

Maura: Thank you for sharing that. Burnout is real. You nurtured yourself so you could nurture others.

The Purpose of Reliability

Maura: You are also a Certified Reliability Leader (CRL). How was that experience for you?

Karolina: It was amazing because it gave me the depth I needed to understand the importance of the job. Coming from marketing, I connected the dots through storytelling. Reliability isn't just about changing a bearing on a pump; it’s about keeping a hundred thousand people warm during the winter. The CRL course helped me find that purpose and look at reliability from both the bottom-up and top-down perspectives.

Closing and Call to Action

Maura: We are so happy for your journey. To wrap up, what is your call to action for our listeners?

Karolina: 1. On Burnout: Please don’t struggle on your own. It is your choice to change. Open up and talk to friends, family, or networks.

2. On WIRAM: To the ladies thinking about engineering or maintenance—join us! We are a global community shaping the future of the industry.

Maura: Thank you, Karolina. Every time I interact with you, I learn something new. For more interviews and to learn more about Karolina, follow us at the Association of Asset Management Professionals. Remember to smile! We’ll see you soon.

Credits:

• Executive Producer: Terence O'Hanlon
• Executive Director & Host: Maura Abad
• Producers: Alema Diaz, Mario Godorecci, Trisha Spangler, and Santiago Tamayo
• Post-Production: Mario Godorecci (Marketing Leader) & Santiago Tamayo (Content Creator)
• Special Guest: Karolina Szymańska