Alumnus Profiled: Michalis Sarros
Graduated: DEREE’95
Lives in: Athens, Greece
Current Position: Human Resources & Corporate Communications Director, AstraZeneca Greece
“All your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them” Walt Disney
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do” Steve Jobs
MICHALIS SARROS was born in Athens, Greece, and graduated from DEREE in 1995. He earned an MA in Human Resources Management from the University of Westminster in UK. He has more than 15 years of experience in the HR field in Greece and abroad. More precisely he has worked for KPMG, Titan Cement Group, Coca-Cola Hellenic and Wind Hellas. Since 2008, he is working for AstraZeneca Greece, and currently he leads the HR and Corporate Communications sectors for Greece and Cyprus, also being a member of the Board of Directors of the company. In his spare time he is an avid runner, scuba diver and martial arts practitioner. Michalis is married to Eleni Kai and is father of two sons, ages 12 and 6.
INTERVIEW
Q.: What are three enduring lessons you learned during your studies at DEREE?
- Nothing worth having comes easy.
- Winners are not people who never fail but people who never quit.
- Your attitude, almost always determines your altitude in life.
Q.: Describe DEREE in three words.
Inspirational, impactful, distinct.
Q.: One of your favorite DEREE memories?
There was a basketball game between – retired – all star players and DEREE basketball team that I was chosen to officiate with another famous referee. Being a young referee back then, it was a unique opportunity to play in a game like this.
Q.: What do you miss most from your days at DEREE?
The ideal environment that every student wishes to have in order to be best equipped for personal and professional life.
Q.: What was your favorite spot on campus?
The gym. I strongly believe that sports can teach us lots of valuable lessons and principles for life. You could feel this in every event in the gym.
Q.: Who was your favorite professor and why?
Albert Arouh. He definitely left his mark not only in economics but also in the way of perceiving life.
Q.: Have you kept in touch with any of your classmates?
Sure, I have kept in touch with quite a few of them or I meet others quite often during professional interactions.
Q.: How did DEREE help prepare you for your professional life?
This was achieved in many ways but foremost by stretching us in a very positive and knowledgeable way. Looking back I believe that we have been trained in some very important areas: character, knowledge, skills and execution.
Q.: What's the greatest piece of advice you've ever received?
You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.
Q.: What (or who) inspires you most?
My family at home and my team at work. They both give me a great reason to keep trying for an excellent result no matter how tough things are.
Q.: Your motto in life?
They are two mainly:
“All your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them” Walt Disney
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do” Steve Jobs
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