Alumna Profiled: Nancy Mathioudaki
Graduated: DEREE ’93
Lives in: Athens, Greece
Current Position: Client Partner at HR QUEST / Alexander Hughes (Executive Search)
“Reach what you cannot. (Nikos Kazantzakis, Report to Greco.)“
NANCY MATHIOUDAKI was born in Athens, Greece. She graduated from DEREE in 1993 and earned an MBA from La Verne University, California. Nancy spent two years working at Boutari – a job she found during Deree Career Day. After gaining marketing experience there, she spent 12 years working in commercial positions with listed multinational companies such as Metaxa /Diageo, TIM and BAT. In 2006, Nancy entered the Executive Search market and became Partner at Stanton Chase International Athens for the Consumer, Retail, Telecom, Services Sectors and as a Global FMCG sector leader for the same company. As of January 2020, she moved to HR QUEST / Alexander Hughes as Client Partner in the Executive Search market. Nancy is committed to finding exceptional leaders to serve clients and generate value for shareholders through excellence.
INTERVIEW
Q.: What are three enduring lessons you learned during your studies at DEREE?
- Think strengths, not weaknesses.
- Persistence trumps talent.
- Make excellent mistakes.
Q.: Describe DEREE in three words.
Multi-dimensional, inspiring, innovative.
Q.: What is one of your favorite DEREE memories?
Working as a computer labs’ assistant with Dr. Lyras. That was actually my very first job.
Q.: What do you miss most from your days at DEREE?
The sense that every day I was likely to discover something new and life-changing.
Q.: Where was your favorite spot on campus?
In winter, the cafeteria – of course! On warm days, the lush lawn – such a luxury for dry Greece! And the computer labs.
Q.: Who was your favorite professor and why?
Albert Arouh – you didn’t just learn Economics; you learned HOW to learn and Pericles Vallianos because it was thanks to him back then and Ayn Rand much later, that I was exposed to great books on this fundamental for many practices subject.
Q.: Have you kept in touch with any of your classmates?
A few are really close friends. Dozens of others are good colleagues and pleasant acquaintances, ready to help each other. Most of my colleagues work the in private sector (in multinationals or Greek companies) and from my role at HR QUEST / Alexander Hughes I have the opportunity to locate them. Others work abroad and social media facilitates our communication.
Q.: How did DEREE help prepare you for your professional life?
It taught me that the most successful people make spectacular mistakes! Why? They’re trying to do something big. But each time they make a mistake, they get better and a little closer to excellence. And that has made significant difference.
Q.: What’s the greatest piece of advice you’ve ever received?
There is a method that works. Find it.
Q.: What (or who) inspires you?
Nikos Kazantzakis, Médecins Sans Frontières and kids.
Q.: Your motto in life?
Reach what you cannot. (Nikos Kazantzakis, Report to Greco.)
ACG Alumni: We Stay Connected!
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