“You Never Win Alone”: Barbara Milani’s 10 Years of Impact

Barbara Milani has spent a decade immersed in the Postgres^® community. Today, she’s a principal customer success manager at EDB, based in Italy. 

We sat down with Barbara to talk about what’s kept her at EDB, how her role has changed along the way, and what advice she’d pass along to someone just starting out. Here’s what she told us. 

Community, collaboration, and variety

Q: What’s kept you at EDB?

A: For me, it boils down to three main things: the vibrant community, our internal collaboration, and the sheer variety of my day-to-day work.
 

The Postgres community: I became passionate about open source in 2013, when 2ndQuadrant hired me, and I immediately found a stimulating environment full of positive energy. I’ve been an active member of the Italian Postgres community board and helped organize PGDay. Those events are incredibly exciting—seeing months of hard work bring hundreds and hundreds of passionate people together in the same place is deeply rewarding. Sometimes I miss that part.

Cross-functional collaboration: I love working with colleagues across different divisions at EDB. We are constantly exchanging ideas and partnering to make sure our customers are thriving. 

Our customers: Because they are so diverse, no two days are ever the same. That variety keeps my work dynamic and incredibly fulfilling!

Seamless global teamwork

Q: As a global, remote-first team, can you tell us about a time when global collaboration surprised you or made a project better?

A: While my day-to-day focus is primarily within Italy and a small portion of Europe, whenever a complex project or a tricky client challenge arises, our collaboration instantly goes global. I regularly loop in product teams from the U.S., engineers from India—any colleague who can support me and the customer, regardless of where they are in the world.

To be honest, this global teamwork doesn’t surprise me anymore. Not because we take it for granted, but because it has become a completely natural, seamless part of how we operate. It’s just who we are. For me, the mindset is simple: You never win alone.

Built-in time to disconnect

Q: What does work-life balance at EDB actually look like for you day-to-day?

A: As an Italian, certain things are absolutely sacred—especially our mid-morning and mid-afternoon coffee breaks! It’s practically an unwritten rule of law. In fact, even during long, intensive, three or four-hour consulting sessions, it’s often the client themselves who will pause the meeting and say, “OK, time for a coffee.”

My lunch break is also nearly untouchable; stepping away to recharge is essential for keeping my mind sharp.

When it comes to my working hours, though, it’s a bit of a different story. I’m not the type to drop my pen exactly at 6 p.m. It’s very common for me to start a bit early or stay a little later to keep everything running smoothly. That’s the classic challenge of remote work, which is why I deeply appreciate how EDB supports us. Initiatives like the monthly Wellness Friday make a massive difference in helping us truly disconnect, rest, and reset.

Ask anyway

Q: If you were sitting down with a new hire today, what’s one piece of “EDB wisdom” you’d give them to help them make the most of their career here?

A: I have a few closely connected pieces of advice, but it really boils down to this: stay curious, be proactive, and never stop asking questions.

First: Build your network within the Customer Success team right away. We are an incredibly collaborative group that thrives on sharing experiences and skills. We are always here to support you.

Second: Master the art of listening. Listen deeply to your customers and your colleagues, then use that insight to be proactive. Don’t wait for things to happen—go make them happen. Empathy is a superpower in this role, so cultivate it daily.

Finally: Ask, ask, ask! Even after 10 years, I sometimes have to remind myself of this (I am pretty shy). There are truly no wrong questions. Asking is the ultimate key to understanding, and in a fast-paced environment like EDB’s, curiosity is your greatest asset.

Ten years in, and Barbara’s advice to new hires is really a description of how she’s built her own career: Stay curious, ask questions, and remember that nobody wins alone.

Inspired by Barbara’s journey? Explore open roles at enterprisedb.com/careers.