Cristina Imre

I Help AI-Era Companies Scale Without Losing Their Human Edge

Fractional Executive & Strategic Advisor
AI Transformation + Global Operations Preserving Human Advantage in the Intelligence Age

I work with AI-focused companies navigating the chaos of rapid growth. My expertise: identifying the human and organizational issues that slow scaling before they become crises.

“Business is people. Business is personal. When you get the human model right, the AI model scales.”

With 20 years across 5 continents and a background spanning medicine, psychology, and behavioral science, I read people and systems others miss.

Most AI Companies Scale the Tech. Then the People Problems Hit.

You’re growing fast. Hiring smart people. Building ambitious products. But beneath the surface, cracks are forming.

Co-founders aren’t aligned. Teams feel disconnected. Decision-making is stuck. Remote work amplifies every dysfunction. The operational foundation can’t support what you’re building.

I identify these issues before they become crises and install the systems, culture, and clarity you need to scale without breaking.

How I Work

Fractional Executive (6-12 months)

Embed as interim COO/Co-CEO/CSO to install operational architecture, align leadership, and prepare for next growth stage.

CEO Advisory (3-6 months)

Strategic partner for founders navigating scale challenges, team dynamics, or critical decisions. Monthly retainer.

Diagnostic Sprint (4-6 weeks)

Rapid assessment of organizational health, people dynamics, and operational gaps. Delivers roadmap + recommendations.

Operational Architecture

Decision frameworks | Role clarity | Process without bureaucracy

Team & Culture

Co-founder alignment | Remote/hybrid operations | Conflict resolution

AI Transformation Strategy

Preserving human advantage | Change management | Leadership in uncertainty

SIGNATURE KEYNOTES

1. The Human Model Problem: Why AI Scales but People Break

The most dangerous debt in a tech company isn’t technical—it’s people debt. Cristina reveals the five predictable Social and Cognitive breakpoints that cause startups to implode post-funding. Learn how to build a “Human-First” operational architecture that can handle the speed of the Intelligence Age.

2. The Human Edge: Protecting Judgment in an Automated World

When everyone has the same AI tools, human judgment becomes the only competitive advantage. This session defines the 3-Question AI Test to help leaders distinguish between Executable Thinking (automate) and Diagnostic Thinking (protect).

3. Radical Candor & The Mirror Test™

How to cure “Artificial Harmony” and silence the “meeting after the meeting.” An interactive keynote where Cristina demonstrates her 15-minute diagnostic for finding the gap between a company’s strategy and its human reality.

Bio: Dr. Cristina Imre – The Polymath Behind the Strategy

I’ve spent 20 years reading people and building organizations across five continents – from high-stakes crisis intervention to C-suite strategy.

As a polymath in the behavioral sciences (Anthropology, Psychology, Organizational Dynamics) and a former AI CEO, I specialize in seeing what others miss: the invisible human dynamics that break companies. I identify the co-founder tension no one discusses, the cultural debt accumulating silently, and the operational fragility hidden behind growth metrics.

I specialize in seeing what others miss: the invisible human dynamics that make or break companies. The co-founder tension no one discusses. The cultural debt is accumulating silently. The operational fragility hidden behind growth metrics.

Why Founders/CEOs Call Me

The Deep Rescue: I’ve helped founders navigate the most extreme human crises, mediated partnership breakdowns, and rebuilt companies from near-collapse.
The AI Edge: Former CEO of Aecho (Voice Tech); I build technology that assists human evolution rather than replacing it.
The Global Scale: Hands-on leadership in 17+ ventures across 30+ industries, scaling startups to 300-person enterprises.

My approach combines behavioral science, global operations experience, and crisis navigation. I’ve worked across 30+ industries from startups to 300-person companies. I’ve helped founders facing suicide, mediated partnership breakdowns, and rebuilt companies from near-collapse.

I take 1-2 high-impact engagements per year, and engage in ambitious advising roles, mostly CEO advisory and strategy. I love working with founders and CEOs who are ambitious, self-aware, and willing to face hard truths.

Credentials:

Medicine & Behavioral Science: MD background with 20+ years of psychological and systemic application.
Global Authority: 4x Author and Remote Work Expert (published with CHVO/National University San Diego).
Serial Founder: Creator of Tech Leadership Lab and Earth CEO.
Selectivity: I take only 1-2 high-impact engagements per year to ensure deep systemic focus.

I utilize The Mirror Test™ to audit these dynamics in under 15 minutes.

Testimonials

I am so grateful to know Cristina and to have had the opportunity to work with her. She is someone who is truly invested in people, understanding them, their interests and how to help them to achieve their goals. She exhibits integrity and passion in every task she takes on. She's never deterred by any new task or challenge, she will do what it takes to learn and master it. I highly recommend Cristina, she is a great asset to helping any business or individual overcome their challenges and find the path to where they want to be.

Adam Hocek

CEO, Co-Founder Aecho

Besides all of the achievements I had during the training with Cristina, maybe the most important is that I succeeded to take a huge step in the direction to achieve the biggest goal of my life: to be free! Thank you for everything Cristina!

Carlos Ponce

Managing Partner at Peoplebound

During the past years I had several interactions and collaboration with Cristina, especially related to executive coaching aspects and also related to different aspects of business. During this time frame I recognized her unlimited energy and passion which she puts in everything what she is doing. Beside permanently challenging the status quo, she brings also on the table solutions which went through her rigorous logical analysis. During these sessions, we discussed different views of business approaches and behavioral expectations from top management. Her international experience and practical example of her direct experience from different business initiatives were very appreciated. Adding to the top her convincing & motivational skills, as well her approach in risks mitigation and lessons learned from past failures gave me very valuable lessons.

Andrei Attila Kubik

Head of hardware, User Experience Business Area, Continental

Working with Cristina impacted my leadership and, consequently, the effectiveness of our entire team. Her ability to bring clarity to complex issues is impressive. She cuts to the chase and gives you exactly what you need fearlessly. Be prepared to receive what you need, not what you want. There are times when they are the same, but not always. And then, she is very compassionate and kind when the situation needs it. Through our sessions, I've gained a deeper understanding of my strengths and weaknesses, enabling me to make more informed decisions as a CEO. In addition, Cristina's insights and guidance helped me navigate life's challenges with confidence and perspective. In essence, Cristina has become an essential pillar of my leadership journey. I wholeheartedly recommend Cristina to any CEO looking to level up their leadership and enhance their team's performance.

Petrisor Grindeanu

CEO, Xella Romania

Cristina is one of the best mental ping pong players I played with. In conversations her questions oriented clearly toward options of how to improve things came fast and well targeted. Having someone to challenge and stir your mind in conversations either coaching or project based topic can be a most valuable gift.. A well rounded personality, who is strongly aware of her professional abilities, values and roles simplifies dramatically business processes bringing out the essential. She is great fun to work with. She is smart, organized, efficient, thinks in long perspectives and can draw long term strategies. Open, honest, and funny. Very good communication skills, good ability to relate well with people and through her natural and humanly approach manages to create strong commitments. If I would have to choose 7 words to describe Cristina that would be: Leadership, Professionalism, Talent, Engagement, Care, Effectiveness and "No Bullshi.. here."

Andreas Fuhrmann

Managing Partner at Transearch

I will start by saying that I was fascinated from the beginning to the end by your powerful personality and the extraordinary talent to verbally and non-verbally transmit states and experiences which I could never imagine, much less to be aware of. During your courses, I was waiting to find answers to some questions I never had before. And something wonderful happened: for some questions, I found the answers myself; for others, I've lost the meaning, and they vanished. Of course, there are many more expecting answers, but I became aware of the fact that most of the solutions are inside us expecting to be found. At the right moment. I have learned many things from you. I understood everything I could from what you've transmitted (this means I am aware I did not catch all) and I had no difficulties to understand. This is amazing, and I say that because we have a language difference in the way of thinking, because of the specifics of our professions. And I was prepared to be hard to understand. But you knew how to make yourself understood. Thank you for everything you've done possible to happen with me. Now and in the future. And for sure I will ask for advice any time I will need it

Dan Sosa

CEO, Instal Data Proiect

In just a few weeks, I noticed important changes in my approach to communicating in the marketplace. Cristina has a great way of building important truths from simple, fundamental principles. I like her direct style, combined with a real empathetic ear for issues or challenges.

With Cristina, nothing is flippant or without purpose and you'll never brush aside an important issue without her hitting the brakes and making sure that it is dealt with. She knows her craft.

Kenn Palm

Entrepreneur & Fractional CTO in Tech

Huge thank you Cristina. I'm feeling really lucky to have met you (although we have never met in real life :)).
You are radiating your mission and I've noticed that when I catch myself in a situation that requires to level up my leadership skills I just think about you and your teachings and it helps me to get grounded back into my power. Such a profound teaching, thank you!

Laura Ihatsu

Entrepreneur in Wellness

Cristina is a true leader, that's focused on execution and knows how to move things forward. I really appreciate and love her power to be the bridge between vision and the details of the execution, details which matter a lot and Cristina is incredible at doing that.

She's a person that you can rely on, trust and build great companies with. Highly recommend her!

Catalin Matei

General Partner at Omniu, 5x Founder, 1x Exit

Cristina has the rare skill of telling you the hard truth and you still like her afterwards. She cuts to the chase and identifies problems, but then she offers solutions in the form of changes to behavior, culture, and so on. She cares about people, and that includes the employees under the leader she is coaching, so she wants all leaders to be as effective in people management as possible. I have found my conversations with Cristina to be invaluable; her coaching is insightful and impactful, and her top priority is always to make you a great leader. I have appreciated Cristina's insight and highly recommend her expertise for those that want to be the best leader they can be.

Craig Utley

IT Executive

Craig Utley

IT Executive

Remember the Genie in the bottle? The name is Cristina. Yes, she is that good. She possesses the charisma of a great leader through sharp observational instincts and a knack for solving complex problems. If you have to take sides, I recommend having her as an ally. When she believes in you, she will crash through walls for you, and that is exactly what she has done for me and my team.

Aldric Chen

Business (Sales) Director APAC, 24x Medium Top Writer

Cristina is definitely the secret weapon you want when going to battle, both as a leader and a company. Sharp assessment, spotting missing links, identifying hidden flaws, unseen weaknesses, well-buried treasures in people, or business are part of her daily routine. Working with her is not only an energizing experience but highly rewarding with the goals you can achieve, problems to solve. You don't know what to expect at first because Cristina is both an empath and a very tough leader when needed, so she'll change gears and approaches according to the mission and people involved. No matter what the situation, having people like Cristina on your side is like finding one of those rare gems, a talented asset that will help you to succeed.

John Rainford FRSA FTLS

Founder Strawberry Fields Darwin Matrix

If you participate at Business Days it's not possible to not want to know Cristina. She is charming as a speaker and impressive by her attitude and pathos. She is that type of professional who doesn't miss the target. Ambitious, she knows what she wants and can persevere where others don't. If you go to war with people like her, you cannot lose.

Valentin Tuca

Former CEO AON South Eastern Europe

Cristina belongs to Female Executive Search and CEO Worldwide's community and she is very talented. She is a strong powerful executive that can lead any organization to success. Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, using tactical operational competence, strategic thinking to create dynamic teams with purpose. She is running her company.

France Dequilbec

Managing Director, Female Executive Search, CEO Worldwide

Meeting Cristina was a divine blessing, something we often feel undeserving of ! As a CEO, brace yourself for a 10-fold improvement in business and life. With her exceptional intelligence, diverse expertise, and polymathic perspectives, Cristina ensures your transformation is inevitable. Lucky to have met and now be coached by her, a true leader!

Driss Mezghouti

CEO Geber Labs

Alex Marinca

Founder, Restart Life

Cristina is a lot more sophisticated and stronger than she first may appear. With high availability and with endless patience she has, first of all, a capacity to listen and carefully observe all the seen and unseen signals of validity. In fact, few know that she is a doctor due to her background and she applies with high success the practice of case history in the field of consultancy and training. The high level of her investigation is doubled with the right spirit and method, anchored solidly in the present business environment, domestic and international. After that, the alternatives are precisely formulated, with patience and care then presented to the clients and impeccably executed. Then, the specifics of her own way transform a professional business need in something more rich as a mature and pleasant human relationship. It is the kind of win-win relationship types which is hard to find but very beautiful.

Dacian Palladi

Public Figure

This is to highly recommend Cristina Imre as a trainer, executive coach and keynote speaker. I have known Cristina since 2011 and she is a highly capable professional who shares her ideas in the most engaging way. She is particularly capable of doing corporate training in leadership, communication, intrapreneurship, selling and customer service. Cristina is dedicated, knowledgeable and a very good communicator.

Robert D. Hisrich

World-renowned expert on entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship

I had the pleasure of working with Cristina during a critical growth phase at Ringfree Communications. She brought a high level of strategic clarity and executive discipline to the organization, helping us align operations, people, and priorities as we moved into a more structured growth phase. Cristina contributed across several critical areas, including executive recruiting, organizational development, leadership alignment, and operational planning. She played a meaningful role in strengthening how we evaluated talent, how we communicated internally, compensated effort, and how we structured key processes during an important stage for the company. Her background as a founder and executive was reflected in her strategic thinking, people-focused approach, and ability to navigate complex team dynamics. Cristina's ability to understand people, anticipate organizational needs, and elevate performance made a noticeable impact during her time with us.

David Wessell

Co-Founder, CEO Ringfree Communications

I had the privilege of working with Cristina, a visionary leaders whose strategic clarity and calm authority set the tone for every project. She leads with both precision and empathy, transforming teams into true ecosystems of purpose and creativity. Her mentorship continues to inspire me to bring more authority, depth, and imagination into my own work. Some leaders simply manage, she embodies leadership. I'm genuinely excited to reconnect and co-create again, this time at the intersection of expertise, intuition, and innovation.

Dana Panduru

AI Scientist & Researcher

It's been and honor collaborating with Cristina at Tech Leadership Lab. Her visionary leadership in leveraging technology for social change is truly inspiring. Cristina/s ability to look beyond the noise and connect with people on a deeper level to foster synergy that transcends typical transactions is remarkable. She's not just committed to achieving the SDGs but also to creating lasting impact in communities worldwide. Cristina's passion, innovation, and ability to turn challenges into opportunities make her a true asset in driving meaningful change. I highly recommend Cristina for her strategic vision, empathy, and dedication to building a better world for all humanity.

I Help AI-Era Companies Scale Without Losing Their Human Edge

Fractional Executive & Strategic Advisor
AI Transformation + Global Operations Preserving Human Advantage in the Intelligence Age

Most AI Companies Scale the Tech. Then the People Problems Hit.