As part of the NextGen activities, we had the opportunity to participate in lunch with Martina Kováčová, Vice President for Sales and Technical Customer Service. The discussion had a very personal dimension and it quickly became clear that it would not only be about presenting a function or results, but mainly about sharing experiences from real work and personal life.

The career path was not straightforward

Martina shared with us her beginnings and how she actually got into the company. She openly talked about the fact that her career path was not built on one clear line. Over the years, she has moved through multiple departments and positions, including roles as general manager in various departments, and accepted the position of vice president in 2025. It was this diversity of experience that helped her better understand the company as a whole and gradually open more doors for herself.

She also openly named the less easy periods that naturally belong to a business trip. There are phases that simply need to be mastered and "survived". She emphasized that every experience – even the one that may seem like a step outside the comfort zone at a given moment – can move us somewhere and bring new opportunities.

Mottos that shape the approach to work and life

The whole meeting also carried personal mottos that characterize Martina: "Live and let live", "Trust your gut" and the need for constant learning and education. She talked about the importance of listening to your own, inner voice and not being afraid of decisions, even if they bring uncertainty. It is the experience itself that often shows us what it can give us.

Young people and the future of society

A very interesting part of the meeting was a discussion on how young people perceive U. S. Steel Košice as an employer. Martina was actively interested in the opinion of the participants – what young people expect from the company, what they would welcome and what is important to them when choosing an employer. She openly admitted that we still have room for improvement in the area of attracting and retaining young talents.

The discussion also touched on the changes brought to the company by the arrival of the Japanese owners of Nippon Steel. Martina explained their view of the market and strategy, where planning and sustainability have more weight than short-term market fluctuations.

The human dimension of a leader

The meeting also had a more personal dimension. Martina revealed that she relaxes best with a good book or a quality film, which only underlined her authentic and human approach. Thanks to these moments, the lunch was not only inspiring, but also very pleasant and enriching.

What were the responses?

Juraj Guba: "I liked the idea of a lunch with a relaxed atmosphere, where everyone could use the space for any question they were interested in. There was no time to eat lunch. I was most interested in the topic of combining personal life with a high position in a large company. There is nothing to complain about the course and idea of the lunch and I thank you for being able to participate in it."

Lucia Hlavnová: "The Vice-President has made an even more positive impression on me than I have perceived her so far. The shared opinions and experiences were very interesting, the strongest idea I took away from the meeting was that it is better not to push things in front of you, but to solve everything as soon as possible."