The upcoming story covers the challenges and decisions of Mali Landau, our Senior Director, Business Operations for Cloud Platforms in EMEA, who has been an essential member of AllCloud for the past four years.
Mali’s first professional experience was far from the corporate world — organizing events in Tel Aviv. While it may not seem connected to her current role, Mali credits this phase with teaching her how to understand people, communicate effectively, and thrive in dynamic environments.
Mali was clear about her long-term aspirations. She wanted to work for a top-tier company, and her sights were firmly set on one of the tech giants.
When she applied to Microsoft, the initial role wasn’t aligned with her skills, but her determination and confidence shined through. Recognizing her potential, the hiring team offered her a brand-new position of Subcontractor Manager. For two years, Mali worked tirelessly to create order out of chaos. She built workflows, ensured timely payments, and set up contact channels, laying the foundation for a well-functioning system.
She was later promoted to Project Manager, where she expanded her focus to include customers and collaborating with sales and project managers. This role set the stage for her eventual career at AllCloud.
Luck, Resilience, and Self-Belief
In the middle of her success at her previous company, the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Her role was unexpectedly closed. Many around her advised taking a temporary position, but Mali knew it wasn’t aligned with her career goals. “I trust myself,” she recalls telling her friends, “Even if it takes three months, I’ll find the right role.”
Within weeks, Mali joined AllCloud. The transition wasn’t seamless. She replaced a colleague who was on maternity leave and stepped into an unknown operational landscape. Mali quickly began to learn the ropes and took a very hands-on approach.
She recalls teaching herself what she didn’t know and solving problems on the fly. It was during this period that Mali truly came into her own. “It was difficult,” she says, “but it shaped who I am today.”
From Spreadsheets to Salesforce
One of Mali’s proudest achievements at AllCloud was transforming the delivery operations. When she first joined, everything was managed in Excel—utilization planning, employee lists, and project tracking. Collaborating with Joanne Pallas, our President of Global Operations, Mali spearheaded the implementation of FinancialForce in Salesforce.
The project was monumental. Mali built 400 projects in the system from scratch, ensuring integration and functionality. The transition was bumpy and filled with technical challenges, but she persisted. Today, the system she helped build processes invoices for AllCloud’s customers efficiently and provides dashboards for managers, enabling real-time insights into their teams’ performance.
Mentors, Challenges, and Growth
Throughout her career, Mali has been supported by incredible mentors. At AllCloud, Shlomi Itzhak, the former VP of EMEA Platforms Delivery, guided her during her early days, and later, Ronit Rubin our EMEA President, who taught Mali the art of staying calm under pressure. “Ronit always says, ‘Relax, it’s all good,’ and I’ve learned so much from her about keeping my cool in stressful situations.”
Munich Winter Event in 2024
Mali’s ability to stay composed has been tested repeatedly, and she has consistently risen to the occasion. Her philosophy? Never stop learning. “You can’t wait for someone to teach you everything. You have to take initiative, ask questions, and be curious,” she advises.
From Fun to Functionality
Despite her serious, professional demeanor, Mali hasn’t lost her sense of fun. As the self-proclaimed “head of fun,” she has countless stories of team bonding.
One memorable moment occurred during a company trip to Georgia. Worried that the group might party too hard, Mali was tasked with keeping everyone in check. Despite her best efforts, the night ended with what felt like 100 people crammed into a single hotel room, laughing and celebrating together. “I tried!” Mali jokes.
Night out with the team in 2024
Looking Ahead
As a Senior Director of Business Operations, Mali now oversees tools, budgets, and processes for EMEA Cloud Platforms. She hopes to expand her responsibilities globally in the future. While she’s proud of her achievements, Mali remains humble and driven.
Her advice to others? “Do what you love, work hard, and never stop learning. You don’t know everything, and that’s okay. The key is to stay curious and take ownership of your growth.”
Mali Landau’s journey is proof that anyone can turn challenges into opportunities with resilience, adaptability, and a touch of luck.