My story

I was born in Thessaloniki, Greece. It was the month of May, and spring was in full bloom. It was Greek Easter, a symbol of rejoicing and rebirth.

On that day, the appearance of an Unidentified Flying Object over Greece was recorded. Was this pure coincidence? Or was this a powerful cosmic message? I may never know. One thing is certain - that cosmic energy was certainly contagious! From a young age, I displayed curiosity and an active interest in nature, life, its plethora and its diversity. I embarked on a journey of knowledge and self-development, attributes which I still possess today.

As a student at "Anatolia" the American College of Thessaloniki, I was open to life’s challenges. My interests were incredibly diverse. Being an adept public speaker and debater, I won several rhetoric competitions with English speaking institutions from all over Greece. My interest in public affairs and policies culminated in being elected as president of a number of student collective bodies. Numerous times I represented Greece in the European Youth Parliament.

At the age of 18, I moved to London. In just five years, I completed my studies in three subjects and obtained the following degrees: a BSc in Economics from Middlesex University, an MSc in International, Money, Finance & Investments from Brunel University, and an MSc in Management Science from the London School of Economics. I displayed great interest in economics and social sciences and their impact on the daily lives of people. I was looking for solutions to the challenges of globalization, politics and geopolitical strategies and how they can shape the present and future lives of humanity.

Upon my return to Greece, I chose to work for twenty years in the banking sector, first as a Private Banker at HSBC and then at the NBG Group, where I started my career as a Business, IT Systems and Processes analyst. My team and I developed and implemented innovative systems key processes and contributed to the organic expansion of NBG Banking Group in the UK, the Balkans, and the Eastern Mediterranean. Achieving this goal I moved to the Procurement Division, where I led the introduction of new logistics policies and infrastructures like the new “SAP Supplier Relationship Management” (SAP-SRM), gaining significant experience in change management, service procurement, the supply chain, and IFRS accounting standards of a large organisation.

By completing this critical role and project, I needed to redefine my career. Using Sabbatical, I returned to London for a new challenge. I was invited to participate in the successful "Carpo" retail family expansion project in the UK market, concentrating on the Food and Beverage industry. In close cooperation with the owners, we planned, designed, and applied the successful company's entry into the UK market and the opening of the first flagship store in Piccadilly, London delivering immediate results and profits and introducing a whole new customer experience for Coffee, Chocolate and Nuts connoisseurs in the London market.

My vision for creating a positive human resources experience and administration in modern-day organisations, the continuous development of employees and making the best working conditions with empathy led my decision to return to NBG Banking Group and to undertake senior positions in the Divisions of Human Resources Management, Development, Training, Internal Communication and Employee Engagement as well as a Senior Advisor in the Office of the General Manager of Human Resources.

I focused on the challenges that changes bring to companies and their practical application. I acquired the CIPD L7 professional certification in Organization Design, Development and Culture Change to expand my technical know-how.

As Initiative Leader of the new Transformation Programme of NBG, my team and I introduced a new HR Performance system and new IT processes. At the same time, by mapping our organisation’s strengths and weaknesses, we have achieved a radical change in the employee learning and development structure and training programs to reflect all modern developments per business area. The result was the launch of a new training approach named "NBG Academy" with various training and soft skill streams, the most significant and most innovative change in the educational history of the Bank.

I combined my experience in the banking and business world from an early age with my love for the arts. I realised early the deep need of humans to express through art. As a professional actor and director, I strived for the holistic development of people through art and invested in my education by completing programs in the performing arts, public relations, and communication. I enriched my acting skills in London, Paris, and Berlin in schools such as RADA, the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, the Actors Centre, and the International Institute of Performing Arts.

I have continuously researched and sought the optimal application of performing arts and transferable skills in business and people's behaviour. I applied the skills I gained by participating in theatrical and other productions for almost ten years. In addition, I created my artistic group with productions in Greece and abroad and gained valuable experience in the unique partnership of people to achieve a common goal.

A significant milestone in my journey was the writing and publishing of my first book, a story of human survival, based on actual events that affected me as one of the survivors of a trekking accident by flash flooding in a gorge in Greece in 2007. The book became a best-seller, and based on this experience, I organised motivational speeches and empowerment actions to raise the awareness of adults, adolescents, and children about the value of life, human will and the incredible power that we all hide within us.

Since 2021 I have established my own company and work as an independent Business, Executive & Life Empowerment Coach, HR Consultant and Freelance Facilitator/Trainer in collaboration with large companies in Greece. At the same time, I plan my next steps in a life project in the mountainous Zagori area of Greece, a land of pristine beauty, the land of my ancestors.