Malt's Editorial Collective gathers insights from our exceptional community of freelancers. The views and opinions expressed in this piece are those of the author, and are published to encourage a diversity of perspectives and insights.
I never planned on becoming a project manager. But I have always loved building products, and I have discovered throughout my career that building them is even more satisfying when they actively improve people’s lives.
My path as a freelancer—transitioning from Android developer to Project Manager—has been a story of continuous learning. It’s been about tightening the alignment between my technical background in computer engineering, my soft skills, and a newfound social mission.
I'd like to invite you in to have a look at my evolution: the turning points and the practical steps that fueled my growth, culminating in my role on Malt’s Freelancer Advisory Board. Hopefully some of this can help to inspire your own journey. In my case, this is a story of how using technology for good became my framework for professional success.
Early in my journey on Malt, I launched and led a digital health initiative (which was called AppDermis, now closed) focusing on tracking dermatology issues. This was the moment I moved from hands-on coding to shepherding a cross-functional team. I defined the MVP, mapped user journeys with clinicians, and established governance for prioritizing features.
I realized that the pivot wasn't just about wearing a "project manager hat." It was about owning end-to-end outcomes: translating user needs into a roadmap, coordinating designers and developers, and delivering a cohesive product that truly improved patient care.
Moving from an individual contributor role to that of a leader allowed me to introduce myself to new perspectives. I had to balance technical excellence with business priorities and manage the uncertainty that often comes with freelancing and launching a business.
In order to navigate this, I focused on three key areas:
Communication: I established lightweight rituals, such as weekly reviews and clear decision logs, to keep technical teams and stakeholders aligned without losing momentum.
Expectation management: Working with healthcare providers and regulators meant managing competing expectations. I created prioritized backlogs with clear value hypotheses to maintain transparency.
Agile mindset: Shifting from independent delivery to coordination required refining roles while preserving the flexibility that independent work demands.
To grow as a project manager, I pursued a blend of formal training, reading, and hands-on experimentation.
I found great value in certifications from Google and Microsoft to hone my vocabulary, while leaning on foundational guides like the PMBOK to anchor my practices. But beyond the books, community was key. Engaging with mentors, participating in workshops, and leaning into the "learning by doing" approach of daily project management allowed me to think outside the box. đź§
I've been able to watch as Malt’s platform has evolved in tandem with my own growth. When I joined as a developer, the European freelance landscape was transforming. Today, as part of the Freelancer Advisory Board, I’m proud to help shape the platform for both freelancers and clients across Europe.
My focus is on contributing to product features and programs that better support mission-driven independent work, ensuring the platform works for everyone.
The throughline of this journey remains constant: using technology as a means to improve people's lives. It makes me think of the Japanese concept of Ikigai—finding the intersection of what you love, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be paid for.
My mission: Helping social impact and digital health companies transform their ideas into digital products through technology.
My vision: Empowering healthcare initiatives through robust project leadership that emphasises user-centric design and measurable impact.
My values: Active listening, empathy, integrity, and a commitment to social good.
For me, success isn't just about shipping features: it’s about demonstrating tangible improvements in people’s lives.
This narrative isn’t just personal; it’s a blueprint for a growing European market where project management capabilities and technical depth co-create high-value outcomes.
For clients, hiring a project manager who speaks both engineering and business languages reduces risk and accelerates delivery. For independent talent, a mission-driven path offers growth across countries and industries, with opportunities to contribute to high-impact initiatives.
If your team is pursuing digital health or social impact projects and seeks a project manager with hands-on technical experience and strategic leadership, I’m excited to explore how we can collaborate.
Digital Health Project Manager
