In a small European country known for its coastline, culture, and quiet strength, a young linguist discovered her lifelong fascination with the power of words. “I’ve always believed that the right words can open doors,” says Vanja Keindl, Founder and CEO of VERBA Language Solutions. “They connect people, bridge cultures, and turn understanding into opportunity.”
Born and raised in Croatia, Vanja’s story began with a simple yet profound curiosity how language shapes human connection. What started as a love for communication eventually became a career that now spans nearly three decades and crosses borders, cultures, and industries.
Twenty-seven years ago, Vanja took her first leap into entrepreneurship. With little more than passion, a strong work ethic, and an unshakable belief in the importance of clear communication, she founded her first language service company in Croatia.
“In those early days, I did everything myself,” she recalls with a smile. “Translation, reviewing, mentoring, managing projects, it was exhausting, but it taught me everything I know about discipline, teamwork, and precision.”
Those lessons became the foundation for VERBA Language Solutions, a company that has since grown from a local service provider into a global linguistic and cultural bridge. Today, under Vanja’s leadership, VERBA has expanded its presence into Denmark, strengthening its international network and opening new opportunities for collaboration across markets.
Vanja never set out to be a leader. “It wasn’t a planned role, it just evolved,” she says. “Leadership came naturally as situations demanded it.”
In her early years at VERBA, Vanja often found herself managing international translation projects with tight deadlines, multiple teams, and unpredictable last-minute changes. “I remember one particular project where everything changed just days before delivery. My role suddenly wasn’t only about organizing work; it became about keeping people calm, connected, and motivated,” she recalls. “That experience taught me the real essence of leadership empathy, patience, and trust.”
Over time, these values became her guiding principles. Vanja learned that leadership isn’t about control; it’s about connection. Her approach to leading teams is grounded in communication, understanding, and emotional intelligence qualities that have become increasingly vital in today’s globalized, hybrid workplaces.
Working with teams and clients across different cultures reshaped how Vanja saw leadership. “Leading international projects quickly showed me that what motivates people and how they communicate can vary so much from one culture to another,” she says.
Early in her journey, she made the classic mistake of assuming one approach would work for everyone. “It didn’t,” she admits. “I learned that real leadership means listening deeply, respecting differences, and adapting your communication to the people in front of you.”
That humility transformed her philosophy. “Sometimes being a leader means stepping back,” Vanja says softly. “It’s about creating space for others to shine letting local expertise lead the way.”
These experiences taught her that leadership is not about having all the answers, but about asking the right questions. It’s about understanding that people first need to feel seen and heard before they can truly contribute.
For Vanja, leadership in 2025 is no longer defined by hierarchy but by connection and purpose. “The old top-down models just don’t work anymore,” she says. “People want to feel part of something meaningful.”
She believes the future belongs to leaders who can combine empathy with structure, and intuition with strategy. Over the years, she’s learned to shift from reacting quickly to thinking deeply. “Earlier in my career, I wanted everything perfect and fast. But with time, I’ve realized that true progress comes from calm, considered decisions,” she reflects.
Today, her leadership style blends reflection, teamwork, and understanding. “I see my role as helping people bring out their best not by pushing them, but by creating the conditions for them to grow.”
Some of Vanja’s most deeply held values precision, reliability, and integrity trace back to her early life. “I’m never late,” she says with a laugh. “I believe when you give your word, it’s a promise. That’s something I live by.”
In the fast-paced world of language services, where projects depend on multiple teams and time zones, reliability isn’t just a virtue its survival. “Deadlines are sacred,” Vanja says. “Speed matters, but never at the cost of quality.”
She also emphasizes balance as a critical part of leadership. “Good decisions come from a clear mind,” she says. “Maintaining a healthy rhythm between work and personal life is essential because leadership starts with self-awareness.”
One of Vanja’s greatest strengths lies in her ability to recognize potential in others. “I try to see people as a whole not just their results, but their attitude, passion, and what truly motivates them,” she explains.
At VERBA, she has cultivated a positive, respectful, and empowering culture where people feel safe to express themselves. “When people feel valued, they naturally do their best work,” she says. “A good atmosphere builds trust, and trust keeps the team strong especially under pressure.”
Although she naturally likes to stay in control, Vanja has learned that growth often requires letting go. “Sometimes the best thing I can do is step back and trust my team,” she says. “They often surprise me and that’s the beauty of leadership.”
Mentorship has been a cornerstone of Vanja’s leadership journey. “Experience only gains value when it’s shared,” she says. “I love mentoring younger colleagues helping them find their strengths and their own way of leading.”
At VERBA, mentorship isn’t just encouraged, it’s built into the company culture. New employees are paired with experienced mentors who guide them through projects, feedback, and professional growth. “No one should ever feel alone in their work,” Vanja emphasizes. “Support builds confidence, and confidence leads to excellence.”
This approach extends beyond internal teams. VERBA also supports external collaborators translators, editors, and linguists through structured feedback systems that help them continuously improve and stay aligned with client expectations.
With team members and clients spread across the world, diversity and inclusion are more than ideals for VERBA they’re daily realities. “For me, inclusion begins with respect,” Vanja says. “It’s about genuinely valuing people for who they are and what they bring.”
She knows inclusion doesn’t happen by accident. “It takes listening, openness, and sometimes adjusting your own way of communicating,” she explains. Small gestures asking for opinions, recognizing effort, and giving credit make a big difference.
“Inclusion isn’t about numbers; it’s about how people feel,” Vanja says. “When everyone feels safe to be themselves and confident that their voice matters, that’s when real teamwork happens.”
The shift to hybrid work brought new lessons for Vanja. “When you lose daily face-to-face contact, you realize how much communication matters,” she says. “Tone, timing, and even small gestures can completely change how a message is received.”
This insight only deepened her lifelong belief that words carry power a belief so central that she named her company after it. “Verba means ‘words’ in Latin,” she explains. “Our mission is simple: to choose the right words that help our clients open doors to new opportunities.”
If Vanja could speak to her younger self, she knows exactly what she’d say: “Don’t try to do everything alone.”
“Early in my career, I thought asking for help meant weakness,” she admits. “But I’ve learned that true strength lies in collaboration and trust.”
She now sees leadership as a shared journey one built on connection, not control. “When you open up to others, you gain new perspectives and support that make the journey richer,” she says. “Leadership isn’t about carrying everything yourself. It’s about sharing both the challenges and the successes.”
Through every chapter of her story, one theme continues to guide Vanja Keindl the belief that language is not just a tool, but a bridge.
“Words still hold power even in an age of AI,” she says. “Technology may evolve, but our human ability to connect, to listen, and to understand will always matter most.”
From her first translation project to leading a multinational language company, Vanja’s journey proves that communication is more than business it’s the art of empathy in action.
“At the end of the day,” she says, “our work is about people. Words are just the beginning. Connection is the goal.”
