Libor Vanek

Leading the development of an enterprise-grade hybrid cloud platform that provides infrastructure as a service, enabling seamless integration of on-premises resources into distributed systems. Key responsibilities include: - Overseeing product development and strategic direction of the platform - Architecting automation systems for provisioning and managing tens of thousands of servers - Leading cross-functional teams across engineering, operations, and product - Implementing event-driven architecture for scalable and resilient systems

My development philosophy is grounded in pragmatism (or better "Praguematism" :) – we prioritize user value over technological hype. By leveraging the web platform's core capabilities through progressive enhancement, we build high-performance resilient applications that remain accessible to everyone. Beyond technical oversight, I actively contribute to the broader web development community through conference talks and meetups, sharing insights on performance optimization, accessibility, and architecture patterns.

Throughout my career in web development, I've discovered two driving forces: an insatiable appetite for learning and a genuine passion for the craft. This mindset has enabled me to explore various roles and technologies, developing a holistic understanding that spans design, product strategy, and technical implementation. Rather than specializing narrowly, I've cultivated the ability to bridge different disciplines and collaborate effectively with specialists across fields. I excel at shepherding projects from conception to completion, often succeeding under challenging constraints. My approach combines technical expertise with strong problem-solving skills and a deep understanding of user needs.

I joined the Center for Palliative Care - Central Europe's first research organization focused on improving end-of-life care - right at its inception. What started as a web development project quickly evolved into something much more fundamental: building digital foundations for a modern NGO that aimed to drive social change rather than revenue. We essentially ran it as a non-profit startup, adopting agile methodologies and building an ecosystem of integrated open-source tools. I oversaw all aspects of digital presence - from visual identity and web development to campaign design and custom tooling. What I'm most proud of is how we embedded digital thinking and user experience into the organization's DNA from day one. Some of our "temporary" solutions, built pragmatically and cost-effectively, ended up serving thousands of medical professionals and generating millions in value over the next decade. This experience shaped my architectural principles that I still apply today: the right technology choices, combined with passionate people and a meaningful mission, can create centers of excellence that drive real change.

When Cesta domů, the leading Czech mobile hospice, approached me to redesign their websites, I jumped at the opportunity. Their online presence served thousands of people in need daily, but was showing its age. The project's success was recognized with three Czech Internet Awards nominations over four years - a testament to how we managed to modernize and transform these essential resources while keeping them accessible to everyone who needed them.

After a few years of freelancing, I believed that founding my own studio would naturally elevate my web design practice to the next level. I had plenty of energy and enthusiasm, but lacked experience. Through early successes and failures, I discovered that I found more joy in working on interesting projects than in running a company - though ironically, such projects became increasingly rare as I focused on business operations. While the venture was ultimately an epic failure, it was tremendous fun and the lessons learned during this time continue to serve me well today.