Melinda Bajai’s career path is as dynamic as her hobby freediving, spanning from applied physics to IT project management and artificial intelligence.
Born and raised in Hungary, Melinda was drawn to natural sciences which led her to pursue a degree in applied physics at the University of Technology in Budapest. Her professional career started in the IT department at Lufthansa Systems. Frequent visits to the Frankfurt headquarters gave her a first taste of German work culture. Those visits sparked something and before long, she made the move to Frankfurt to explore new opportunities.
Fitting the pieces together
Melinda joined Deutsche Börse Group for what was supposed to be a three-month project. She was soon offered a permanent role as an IT project manager. This position became a launchpad, ultimately leading to her appointment as Head of AI Enablement in January 2026.
Ever since, from our office in Eschborn, Melinda has been focused on building a strong, collaborative team and helping the organization understand how AI can support internal processes. But for her, it’s not just about the technology. “We can only progress and succeed if all people work together,” she says. “We are all part of the puzzle, we all have pieces that fit together, to succeed.”
One example of this collaborative approach is her work with the HR team on upskilling initiatives. Still, she is realistic about the road ahead: “AI is new, and it’s a big change. It takes time to introduce new tools and get people comfortable using them.”
Lessons from the deep
Outside of work, Melinda finds her balance in the water. Five years ago, she took up a course in freediving in Malta. In this sport you try to dive as deep as possible on a single breath and this experience evolved into a lasting passion for her. In the past few years, she competed as part of the Hungarian national team and has even broken national records. “Freediving has really helped me connect with the sea in a new way. You aren’t scaring the animals away and you can swim into caves – it’s a very special feeling,” Melinda says.
The sport has also brought unexpected benefits to her professional life. Through diving, she has learnt breathing techniques that help her stay calm and focused, especially in high-pressure moments like presentations and meetings. “Freediving teaches you to push your limits. It shows you that with practice and patience, you can get better at anything. That confidence carries over into everything else.”
