Meet the Team: Iva

Name: Iva Donova 

Title: Ops Lead, EMEA

How long you have been at HumanX: 7 months

What’s your background, and what brought you to HumanX?

I've spent around a decade working in events, and I can honestly say it's one of the most challenging, exciting, and rewarding industries to be part of. 

Before finding my way into events, I was convinced I was going to build a career in marketing and social media. I took my first internship at the Heineken Experience in Amsterdam, and not long after, I joined TNW's events team, where I truly fell in love with the industry. Over the years, I took on a variety of roles within the company, learning all the ins and outs of building events and gaining the skills and experience that eventually led me to head up the event operations for TNW Conference.

When TNW shut down, I found myself reflecting on what I wanted my next chapter to look like. Then HumanX came along. I was super impressed by what the team had achieved with their very first edition in Las Vegas—the level of production, the calibre of speakers, and the ambition behind it all. The fact that I also had the chance to work with some familiar colleagues made the decision even easier. Being part of bringing that same energy and quality to Europe is incredibly exciting.

Now that I'm a few months into the role, I can genuinely say how happy I am to be part of such an incredible and talented team. I'm grateful for the opportunity to work at HumanX, and I'm excited for what's ahead.

What are you most excited about for this year’s HumanX event?

Honestly, I can't wait for the event days in September. There's something incredibly special about finally seeing months of planning come to life—being onsite with the team, our suppliers, sponsors, speakers, and partners, and feeling the energy and excitement that fills the venue. That's the moment I'm most looking forward to.

How would you describe HumanX in 3 words?

Electric, Impactful, Meaningful 

What’s one thing people would be surprised to learn about your job?

People are often surprised to learn that event operations is a bit like solving a giant puzzle in real time. You can spend up to a year preparing for an event, but no matter how detailed the plan is, something unexpected will happen onsite. The real magic is having the right people, relationships, and backup plans in place to solve challenges quickly—often before attendees even realise there was one. That's one of the things I love most about the job. 

How has AI changed the way you work?

A big part of my role involves managing suppliers and vendors, and AI has been a huge time-saver when it comes to reviewing contracts and agreements. What used to take hours of reading can now be done in minutes, allowing me to focus my attention where it's needed most. I also love using AI as a brainstorming partner. Whether it's exploring event setups that could work well in a particular space, coming up with activation ideas, or identifying sponsorship opportunities that might resonate with our partners, it helps spark ideas and gives me a great starting point.

What’s one playlist or podcast that gets you through the day?

Flavour Trip on YouTube, without a doubt. Their videos are my little dose of positivity during a busy workday. I love how they combine travel, music and amazing food.

What’s something on your desk that tells us a little bit about you?

I'd love to say my desk is always perfectly organised, but as a mum to a little boy, I occasionally discover a Hot Wheels car, a random puzzle piece, or some other tiny surprise hiding among my work things. A subtle reminder that my most important role kicks in after work hours. #BoyMom