A Journey Post ISAK
After graduating from UWC ISAK Japan, Viktor embarked on a journey fueled by his curiosity about international politics and law. His academic path led him to University College London and Humboldt University in Berlin, where he explored political economy and cyber law. It was an exciting yet challenging time for him, balancing studies with the demands of adapting to life in new cities. “But through it all, the connections I made at ISAK were a constant source of support and encouragement. I’m grateful for the strength of our community,” says Viktor.
Milestones Worth Celebrating
Viktor’s professional journey has been equally dynamic, taking him into the fast-paced world of marketing tech, particularly driven by his interest in privacy cyber law. He began at Exponea, a Slovak tech startup, where he quickly rose to managing a global team, scaling product certification programs, and taking on P&L responsibilities. Talk about hitting the ground running!
A game-changing milestone came when Exponea was sold to Bloomreach, a Mountain View-based tech scale-up, in 2021. At Bloomreach, Viktor pivoted to Go-to-Market (GTM) strategy roles, first as Chief of Staff and later as the leader of Go-to-Market Enablement. Over three years, he had mastered the art of scaling efficiency and building confidence in the sales teams, growing the GTM team from 100 to 250 in the span of the 3 years.
Recently, Viktor took on his biggest challenge: Vice President of Revenue Enablement at SAP Emarsys. In this global role at a large tech company with over 110,000 employees, he finds the experience both nerve-wracking and exhilarating. “I’m excited to see how far I can push myself,” he shares
Lessons from the Journey
Like any meaningful journey, Viktor’s path has come with valuable lessons. Chief among them is this: no one has it all figured out. “Whether it’s stepping into leadership for the first time, changing roles, or taking on bigger challenges, it’s okay to feel out of your depth—as long as you are willing to learn, ask for help, and keep showing up,” he reflects.
He also emphasizes a sentiment frequently echoed by his mentor: “It’s okay to ask questions, as long as you don’t ask the same question twice.” Leading a team at a young age taught him to trust himself, take ownership, and embrace uncertainty. These experiences have been invaluable in shaping his leadership style and growth.
Reflecting on UWC ISAK Japan’s Impact
For Viktor, ISAK will always feel like a second home. It’s where he discovered how to work with people from all walks of life, step outside his comfort zone, and take responsibility for the world around him. Memories of late-night dorm talks, facilitating the student union, outdoor education in beautiful surroundings, and collaborative projects still resonate deeply.
Reflecting on the impact that ISAK has had on his daily life, he says, “I lean on ISAK’s focus on inclusive leadership all the time.” When he is leading a global team, building programs, or navigating complex conversations, the ability to understand and appreciate different perspectives has been transformative.
Hopes for ISAK’s Future
Viktor hopes ISAK continues to inspire students to take risks, challenge themselves, and dream big. He believes the world needs more curiosity and open-mindedness.
Strengthening bonds between alumni, current students, and the school is another area he’s passionate about. Programs like the Alumni Action Fund hold immense potential, and Viktor dreams of creating pathways for fresh graduates to seize exciting opportunities. (By the way, his team currently has three student-friendly internships open—feel free to reach out if this resonates!)
A Word or Two for Current ISAK Students
The advice Viktor has to offer to current ISAK students is simple: don’t rush the journey.
“It’s tempting to feel like life needs to be mapped out, but the truth is, it rarely works that way—and that’s okay,” he says. He encourages students to focus on what excites them, stay open to unexpected opportunities, and let ISAK’s values guide them when they are unsure.
Most importantly, lean into the ISAK community. The friendships and connections you’re building now will be there for you in ways you might not even realize yet—so don’t take them for granted.
From navigating the complexities of international law to scaling the heights of tech leadership, Viktor’s journey has been anything but linear. But, the lessons he has learned and the ISAK values he carries forward continue to guide him. To current students and alumni: embrace the unknown, dream big, and appreciate the ISAK community around you.
