Katya Machuganova shares her personal journey of balancing full-time work with ongoing learning and development, and why she loves to support others in their professional growth
Katya, your career spans two decades. How did it all begin?
I began working while studying journalism, gaining practical experience alongside my academic learning. Later, I moved into business ownership while studying architecture, balancing multiple responsibilities and building a broad skill set. Eventually, I paused my professional pursuits to focus on family, before returning to the workforce with renewed focus and determination. Over the years, I gained experience across business management, operations, marketing, communications and media, which prepared me to enter the iGaming industry with both practical skills and academic insight.
How did your journey in iGaming start?
I started from the ground up as an intern, despite my prior management experience. This gave me a hands-on understanding of the industry – testing games and platforms, developing game concepts, managing operations, working with compliance, collaborating with marketing and eventually leading PR and editorial strategy. Starting from zero allowed me to see the full picture and develop a holistic approach to gaming and media.
We all want to experience professional growth, but what does that look like to you, and how are you going about it?
For me, professional growth is all about learning new skills and competencies that enable me to continue to move forward professionally. Sometimes, this means undertaking courses and achieving certifications, and sometimes it can mean going through an experience that pushes me outside the boundaries of my role and allows me to gain knowledge and understanding. I see professional growth very much as a journey, and one without a final destination. I want to keep learning and developing so that I get better at my current role and continue to advance towards my more long-term career aspirations and goals. I’ve also found that the better I am at my job, the more I enjoy doing it and the greater value I can bring to the organisation.
What are the key aspects of professional development, and what has worked best for you?
There are several, including skill development, experience building, career advancement, staying relevant and having up-to-date knowledge and understanding, as well as strategic planning to identify areas of self and professional improvement. In terms of professional growth activities, you can undertake formal education such as obtaining a degree or qualification, seeking mentorship or guidance from your peers, networking, asking to be given additional responsibilities, asking for feedback on your current performance and taking time for self-reflection. I have done all these things, including working towards a master’s degree, all of which have helped me to develop professionally and move my career forward at a pretty rapid pace.
You also pursued advanced studies while working. What motivated that?
I’ve always believed that professional growth and education go hand in hand. I earned master’s degrees in Digital Media & Video Games and Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer, with theses focusing on emerging technologies in gaming and AI. Balancing full-time work with studies was demanding, but it allowed me to merge theory and practice, developing skills that are rare and highly valuable in the gaming and iGaming sector.
How did you balance working towards your masters degrees and wider professional growth alongside your day job as Gaming Product and Partner Manager at Silverback Gaming?
I am very passionate about professional development and the online gambling industry, so taking on the additional work and staying motivated hasn’t been too much of a challenge. I genuinely find the subject matter of my thesis interesting, and while completing a master’s degree is rightfully tough, it’s something that I have really enjoyed doing. That there is overlap between my thesis and my day job has also helped with one benefiting the other. Of course, it’s important to have balance in your life, and that’s why I make sure to set aside plenty of time for other activities such as health and fitness, and socialising with friends and family. This ensures I have the energy to give my job and professional development my all.
How do you manage professional growth alongside personal challenges?
Life is never without challenges. I am a mother of two young girls and have faced a difficult divorce and personal abuse over the last six years. These experiences tested my resilience but also strengthened my determination, focus and ability to navigate complex situations. I drew energy and support from communities like Global Gaming Women, Women in Gaming, and Saroca, which allowed me to continue learning, growing and building my career while protecting and nurturing my family.
Just how important has mentorship been in the progress you have made with your professional development?
It’s been one of the driving forces behind the progress I have made, and I have been lucky to find mentors in lots of different places, both in the workplace and elsewhere. For example, I proudly represent Bulgaria as an Ambassador for CEIPI (Centre for International Intellectual Property Studies), and I am also an active member of the Association of European Journalists. The people I have met through these institutions and organisations have broadened my knowledge and experience and given me a unique perspective from outside the industry. I am also a two-time Global Gaming Women scholar at G2E Las Vegas, where I was celebrated for my leadership potential and commitment to the gaming industry’s future. But this also allowed me to connect with like-minded female leaders and to benefit from their experience and counsel.
Given the impressive career development and progress you have enjoyed, do you help to mentor other people looking to advance in the same way?
Absolutely! I will happily mentor anyone who wants to develop their career and experience professional growth themselves. In fact, it’s one of the best things about being in the position I am in. The way I see it, knowledge is to be gained and shared – there’s no point in one person holding on to the understanding they have gained and the experiences they have been through. It’s much better to share this with others and enjoy watching them develop, flourish and thrive.
What advice would you give to professionals building their careers in competitive fields?
Be fearless in starting from scratch when needed, even with prior experience. Focus on learning, persistence and adaptability. Seek supportive communities, embrace challenges and stay true to your values. Professional growth is about resilience, curiosity and long-term commitment.
