For Maria Kmita and Remi Mikula, leading the Polish VMUG chapter is a partnership built on a shared mission: creating a safe harbor where IT professionals can push past their own boundaries. While they work side-by-side to drive the community forward, Maria’s recent journey highlights the transformative power of that community.
Her path as a leader has been defined by significant professional firsts, beginning with a solo trip to St. Louis for her first VMUG Connect. This experience served as a major turning point, opening her eyes to the global scale of the ecosystem. It was there she realized the unique role she plays as part of a small, dedicated group of women running VMUG chapters worldwide.
At VMUG Connect Amsterdam, Maria reached another milestone by delivering her very first public session in English. "It was completely mind-blowing for me, and I am really happy that I have such opportunity," Maria says. Drawing from her own nerves, she now encourages anyone who feels timid about public speaking to view the community as a place to grow without judgment.
"Think about your audience like your friends," Maria advises. "This is a friendly environment. If you're really afraid to begin with public speaking, this is the best place because nobody will blame you.”
Remi, who has seen the chapter through various phases over the last decade, echoes this sentiment of growth. He has helped evolve the group from organizing large-scale UserCons to focusing on the intimate, smaller meetings that better encourage people to join together today. For both leaders, the arrival of new faces is the ultimate validation of their work.
"When we have newcomers, new faces, we are doubled happy because it shows that our work spreading," Remi explains.
Beyond the technical VCF content, both Maria and Remi emphasize that the face-to-face interaction at these events is invaluable for their careers. Sharing ideas with other leaders often reveals that they are facing the same challenges, helping them turn theoretical plans into reality. This peer-to-peer exchange ensures that VMUG Poland remains a vital resource for its members.
Watch the full interview with Maria and Remi to hear more about the evolution of VMUG Poland and how the community helps members push past their own boundaries.