Katalin Ádám is a 67-year-old economist, certified accountant and tax advisor born in Tatabánya, who has spent her entire life in the construction industry – a field where it was particularly difficult to make one's mark as a woman. She began her career in the late 1970s at KOMÉP (Komárom County State Construction Company). After the large socialist-era construction enterprise was liquidated following the regime change (in 1991), and when Makett Kft., launched from the ruins of the defunct large enterprise, was also liquidated, she took her destiny into her own hands. In 1994, she founded T-Mátrix Kft., whose main activity is general construction, and she has been working there as managing director ever since.
It was not an easy path. As a woman, and moreover without a traditional construction background, she often had to prove herself. It frequently happened that her business partners would contact her male colleagues instead, bypassing her. On such occasions, she had to take a firm stand, even if it did not come naturally to her personality. „I had to learn to be tough while still remaining a woman,” she put it, describing her experiences. The first ten to fifteen years were particularly demanding, but her perseverance eventually bore fruit.
For Katalin, however, work was never just business. She always considered community and helping people to be important. She began her social engagement as a trade union leader, and later founded the „Society of Influential Women” after feeling that there was no real scope for women's opinions in official organisations. Over time, the association's aim transformed: the emphasis shifted from business cooperation to the representation of women's values.
In her experience, the situation of women remains contradictory today. Although much has changed, they are still frequently placed at a disadvantage. She sees balancing family and work as particularly difficult: having children interrupts a career for years, while the social support system fails to adapt to real needs. „What is needed first and foremost is not money, but functioning help – for example, a nursery that adapts to parents” working hours," she emphasises.
In her own life, she instinctively strived for balance. Family always remained important to her, even when work demanded a great deal of energy. She often took her child with her to work meetings, and it also played a major role that her family – particularly her husband and mother – supported her. She believes the key is maintaining balance: if this is upset, everything else easily falls apart too.
At the same time, Katalin views today's world with a critical eye. She is worried about the weakening of communities and the generational gap. She feels that the younger generation thinks differently and that it is difficult to connect with them. She misses the genuine human relationships that were natural in her own life.
She is both realistic and hopeful about the future. She would like to hand over her business to her son and trust that the next generation will find a new direction. At the same time, it is important to her that women become stronger and more independent. „Don't be a servant, but a woman – have your own livelihood” – this is the message she would most like to pass on.
Katalin's story is not only one of a successful career, but also of a woman who preserved her identity in a male-dominated world while also wanting to make a difference for others. Her example shows that with perseverance, courage, and core values, one can find a way even in the most difficult environment.
The interview was conducted as part of the WIN – Danube Region project.
