Alumna Profiled: Tina Miteko
Graduated: PIERCE ’91
Lives in: San Francisco, CA, USA
Current Position: Director, Corporate Marketing – Keynote Systems
"Take your passion and make it happen! Believe in yourself and go after your dreams. There will be ups and downs along the way but there is not a more gratifying experience than embarking on your own journey and realizing how much you’ve evolved as a person because of the experiences you gained while pursuing what you believed in."
TINA MITEKO is a graduate of PIERCE, class of 1991. A dynamic technology marketing executive, Tina is currently director of corporate marketing at Keynote Systems, the global leader in Internet and mobile cloud testing and monitoring, located in Silicon Valley, California. In her current role, she manages a team of marketing professionals and oversees Keynote's marketing initiatives worldwide. Prior to Keynote, Tina held several senior management positions with B2B technology companies in Silicon Valley.
Tina has a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from University of the Pacific where she earned Big West Conference and UOP Scholar-Athlete honors for three years in a row and was named to the Big West Conference All-Academic Team during her senior year. She has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of San Francisco. While at USF, she received the ‘Graduate Business Association Award for Outstanding Service’ and also represented her graduating class as commencement speaker. An exceptional athlete, Tina excelled in basketball, beginning her playing career as a point-guard at Paleo Faliro, a National Division A team in Greece at the time, eventually earning a full basketball scholarship to compete for University of the Pacific, an NCAA Division I college in California. Tina is also a former member of the Greek Jr. National Team, and was an Olympic hopeful vying for a spot with the Greek national team, which was going to compete at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.
Tina currently lives in San Francisco but she is frequently spotted in Athens. During her free time she can be found in a basketball court either playing, coaching or watching hoops, enjoying outdoor running, racing in triathlons and pretty much anywhere near anything that has to do with sports.
Tina also serves as an alumni leader for the American College of Greece in California. You can reach her at [email protected]
INTERVIEW
Q.: What are three enduring lessons you learned during your studies at PIERCE?
Lesson #1: One day I got sick when I was at school and was worried that I was not going to be able to race at the track & field competition which was taking place that afternoon at Pierce. Even though I was feeling weak, I decided to race anyway and miraculously I ended up winning first place. That experience taught me that, in life, just as unexpected things can come our way, so could unexpected results if we just believe in ourselves and keep going.
Lesson #2: Be sure to look good in those high school photos. Those hair styles and crazy clothes you think are cool today will come back to “haunt” you later in life. I am just kidding…always be yourself!
Lesson #3: At our high school graduation ceremony, I was presented with a sports award which was a book about the Olympic Games. It had a nice handwritten note inside by Principal Kalivas, and a verse from the poem ‘Dodekalogos tou Giftou’ by Kostis Palamas which read as follows:
‘Όσα βουνά κι αν ανεβείτε, απ´ τις κορφές τους θ´ αγναντεύετε άλλες κορφές ψηλότερες…."
It translates to “regardless how many mountains you’ll climb, from their peak you’ll see other taller peaks.”
These powerful words have stayed with me and proved to be true many times over the course of my life.
Q.: Describe PIERCE in three words.
Fun, fun, fun!
Q.: What is one of your favorite PIERCE memories?
So many funny moments!
One time our math teacher was writing on the blackboard during class and while he had his back turned on us, the class was quietly doing the wave (yes, the one that is done by fans in sports arenas) in an unrehearsed yet very coordinated way I must say!
And Corfu, our 3-day excursion to beautiful Corfu during our senior year, unforgettable, great times!
Above all, the carefree time spent with my classmates.
Q.: What do you miss most from your days at PIERCE?
Everything! From the early morning bus ride and our classrooms, walking around campus and the cafeteria, to the teachers and my classmates.
Q.: Where was your favorite spot on campus?
The basketball court of course!
Q.: Who was your favorite professor and why?
I have very fond memories of Konstantina Masou who taught us Ancient Greek. Despite her petite frame she was a lovely woman with a strong presence, loving, kind, always smiling and trying to inspire us all to learn Ancient Greek. You could tell she loved being an educator.
I also have huge appreciation and respect for Panagitsa Dalianni and Kostas Koloveros, our physical education teachers and basketball coaches. I am so happy that we continue to stay in touch to this day.
Q.: Have you kept in touch with any of your classmates?
With many of them. They are very near and dear to my heart. I have a lot of respect for each and every one of them and I am very happy to see them evolve both in their professional and personal lives. So proud to call them my friends!
Q.: Did having studied at PIERCE help you during your later studies and beyond?
It provided an introduction to the American culture, which came in handy when I moved to the US to pursue my university studies and professional career thereafter.
Q.: What's the greatest piece of advice you've ever received?
One of our teachers at PIERCE once told our class to appreciate each and every moment while we’re at high school because one day we’ll wake up, find ourselves drinking milk and all of a sudden realize that we’re not kids anymore. So true!
Q.: What (or who) inspires you?
My parents and my sister. My parents for their integrity and humility, and my sister for her resilience.
Q.: Your motto in life?
Take your passion and make it happen! Believe in yourself and go after your dreams. There will be ups and downs along the way but there is not a more gratifying experience than embarking on your own journey and realizing how much you’ve evolved as a person because of the experiences you gained while pursuing what you believed in.
ACG Alumni: We Stay Connected!
