Leaders of CGM: Alin Ember – From Football Fields to Agile Fields

It was the glorious summer day of July 29, 1992, in Bulgari, a tiny village in the commune of Sălățig, near Zalău, in Sălaj County. That’s when Alin Ember came into the world, or, as he likes to call himself, "the black sheep of the family." Alin was always outside from dawn till dusk, with his regular crowd of kids, playing football, fishing, or just hanging around the creek, barely 100 meters from his house. The kind of childhood that fills us all with that sweet nostalgia. 

Computers? Not exactly part of his early life. In fact, he only got a computer of his own in 10th grade. Until then, he was a proud regular at his neighbors' house, where he would sneak in some game time and slowly uncover the mysteries of the digital world. 

Little Alin had big dreams. He wanted to be a famous football player. The ball was practically glued to his feet. If he wasn’t playing football, he would have been watching it. Football was life. 

But then came geography. Thanks to a brilliant teacher, Alin fell head over heels for the subject. He even competed in school Olympiads and was convinced this was his destiny. Until his mother, ever the pragmatist, told him: "And what will you become if you study geography? A geography teacher? Better go into accounting or finance. There are more jobs and more money there." 

So, obedient (for once), Alin enrolled at the Faculty of Economic Sciences and Business Administration in Cluj. Spoiler alert: he hated it. For three whole months, he searched for a job. He was officially an adult and wanted to support himself. The job market, however, wasn’t as enthusiastic. Not even interviews. 

Then, football came to the rescue. 

After a regular match with his friends, someone mentioned an internship as a Sales Planning Analyst at a German company. The pay wasn’t much, but it came with bonuses, and better yet, they’d be colleagues. 

He applied. He got in. After 8 months of internship, he was hired full-time. It was all new to him, but he learned quickly and grew fast. He stayed there for 1.5 years and got his first taste of corporate life. 

His mom? She didn’t mind that he wasn’t in finance. She was thrilled that her boy finally had a real job. And at a German company, no less - a detail that made perfect sense considering both his parents and brother had been living in Germany for years. 

Another football match, another opportunity. This time with a UK-based sports events company. Two days after the interview, he had an offer. Alin became a Data Analyst. 

He had a great time there: a close-knit team, cool projects, and a sense of camaraderie. But after 2 years and 10 months, the comfort zone began to creep in. He needed a challenge. 

A Scrum Master position opened up in the same company. He trained hard, nailed the interview, and had to choose: stay safe with good pay or take a financial step back for a chance to grow. 

"I had to choose between financial stability in routine and fewer bucks with infinite growth opportunities and a more exciting environment. I went for the Scrum Master role. Best decision of my life." 

After another 1,5 years (see a pattern?), he took a job with a Belgium-based company in the Pharma sector. This is where he truly understood responsibility, pressure, KPIs, and managing people. 

Here, he wasn't just a Scrum Master. He was also a Team Lead. He soaked in every tip and trick about leadership. "I changed the whole process, and I adjusted everything Agile to the company`s needs, which is a huge achievement for any Scrum Master." 

It was a formative chapter in his journey. Balancing remote work with cross-border communication helped Alin develop sharper coordination skills and a broader understanding of global work cultures. He managed to build strong connections and create impact across the organization. 

He made a mark. But then... came CGM. 

Alin joined CGM on June 26, 2023, as Agile Master for CLICKDOC. He was skeptical at first. He had been highly appreciated in his previous role and wasn’t sure about starting over. But ambition won. He declined the counteroffer from his manager and took the leap. 

His first few months were rough. CLICKDOC was operating at a higher level than anything he had done before. The processes were already mature, so he worked on fine-tuning things, especially value streams and reporting. 

It was also hard being based in Cluj, while the team was in Iași. But slowly, he integrated. Let’s just say his famous homemade “pălincă” also helped break the ice. 

Then came new projects. A Germany-only initiative, and now EOS under CGM One. The workload was intense, but Alin thrives on the challenge. And when the results began to show, so did his satisfaction and motivation. 

Time check? He’s been at CGM for over two years now. 

"I have no reason to leave CGM. It's dynamic, it keeps me sharp, and I still have so much more to prove." 

So, what made him stay? 

• The pace. „Fast, challenging, constantly changing. Just how I like it.”
• The recognition. "Here, I feel appreciated both as a person and as a professional."
• The space to grow. "You get all the support you need. You just need to want it."
• The impact. "I know I can leave a legacy."

What really stands out for Alin is the culture of openness. "You can say what you think, challenge ideas, propose changes, and you're not only heard, but you're encouraged. That's priceless in a workplace." 

Today, Alin is also Team Lead for the Nexus team in EOS. At first, he thought he got the role because nobody else wanted it. Wrong. He was the first choice. 

He admits he feels more at home as an Agile Master. The 1:1s and formalities of people management aren't his favorite. But he balances both roles with his signature energy and drive, avoiding routine like the plague. 

What helps him succeed is his deep understanding of people. "You need to listen, observe, understand how people function under stress, under pressure, and in comfort zones. It's part psychology, part instinct, part experience." 

Alin’s biggest career lessons: 

• Networking, networking, networking. "You wouldn’t believe what you can learn over a football match or a beer." 
• Be yourself. "If you have an idea and solid arguments, I’ll respect it. But I’ll stand by mine, too." 
• Allies matter. "For any change you want to make, you need allies. People who trust you and think like you." 

And above all: keep your ego in check. "No matter your title, you’re part of a team. Drop the ego, and things flow better." 

Football still holds a big piece of his heart. He may not play as often as he used to (hello, back and knee pain), but it remains his source of joy, movement, and human connection. Add to that tennis, padel, and fishing, and you’ve got a dynamic, outdoorsy spirit. 

He believes sports shape your mindset. "You learn to lose, to win, to push, to collaborate. It reflects how I handle work and life." 

And remember that pragmatic mom? Alin is about to marry his long-time partner, a financial inspector. Looks like he found his perfect match on and off the field, like a true champion.  

At CGM, Alin Ember is known for many things. His tireless energy. His problem-solving mindset. His constant smile. Ok, for „pălincă” as well. He’s the guy who walks into the room and makes you believe that yes, this challenge too will pass. And we'll get it done. Together. 

He doesn’t just lead projects. He energizes them. He inspires movement, optimism, and clarity. He brings structure without stiffness, leadership without ego, and joy without pretense. 

If CGM were a football team, Alin would be our midfield magician, always in motion, always connecting the dots, always one pass ahead.