Alumna Profiled: Niovi Kallergi
Graduated: Pierce ’81
Lives in: Athens, Greece
Current Position: Vice President, CMO at KAFEA TERRA FOOD & DRINKS SA
“A man’s greatest battles are the ones he fights within himself.”
Niovi Kallergi was born and raised in Athens, Greece. She graduated from Pierce – The American College of Greece in 1981. Four years later, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
While pursuing her academic degree, she was employed as an Executive Officer and Assistant to the President and CEO of Sunny Land Tours LTD and then moved on to become an Executive Assistant to the Ambassador of Kuwait in Athens. After the successful completion of her studies, she worked as an Executive Assistant to the CEO at Lavipharm Pharmaceuticals SA.
Having accumulated valuable experience from her previous positions, Niovi continued her professional career path in the coffee market sector as an administrative member of Kafea Emporiki Techniki SA – the exclusive distributor of illy espresso in Greece. In the years to come, she achieved the position of Marketing and Communications Director.
Today, not only is she CMO but also Vice President of KAFEA TERRA SA, a company with 30 years of experience and extensive expertise in the Greek coffee market. KAFEA TERRA is a very dynamic company that actively invests in research, technology, know-how and primarily in the development of its people.
Consistently dedicated to the development of espresso culture in Greece and strongly supported by its passionate partners, the company is classified among the most profitable and fast-moving coffee companies in the Greek market with significant export activity as well.
The core business of KAFEA TERRA SA is the exclusive import of illy espresso and the integral production and distribution of espresso Dimello in the Greek and foreign markets. Moreover, the company exclusively imports and distributes premium European brands in the food service sector and mainly targets the HoReCa market while holding a leading market share.
In her spare time, Niovi enjoys travelling and exploring new destinations, engaging in various sports and being engrossed in a good book.
For more info visit: www.kafeaterra.gr
Q&A
Q: Which three words would you choose to describe Pierce?
Inspiring, stimulating and enlightening.
Q: What are three enduring values you learned at Pierce?
Self-confidence, determination and teamwork.
Q: Looking back, how did your time at Pierce help you become the person you are today?
The quality of the academic staff, the school’s learning culture and philosophy inspired the development of principles and values within me.
Q: What do you miss most from your days at Pierce/Deree?
Being carefree, the feeling of security and, of course, having fun!
Q: What advice would you give a new Pierce/Deree student?
Do not take the opportunities this school has to offer for granted, because it is a fundamental pillar of stimulation for action and development.
Q: Who or what inspires you the most?
Creating and evolving one’s abilities and knowledge.
Q: What is your motto in life?
A man’s greatest battles are the ones he fights within himself.
Q: What does your work and/or current projects entail?
Export activity, continuous research and training as well as development of expertise.
Q: What is the most inspiring aspect of your work?
The cycle of creation, communicating with diverse sets of consumers and the ritualistic process of preparing the perfect espresso that brings along pleasant experiences with it.
Q: What are your plans for the future?
To devote quality time to the professional aspect of my daily routine and to the development of other personal goals such as social responsibility, the development of a succession program, etc.
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