I always wanted to run a business and be a CEO – both my parents were entrepreneurs and taught me that anything is possible. My first business venture was carol-singing. I would drag my cute little brother around the neighborhood to sing Greek carol songs. My second venture involved trading in the schoolyard – I started with a cute pencil case and traded all the way to a diamond necklace. Safe to say that I had to give this back to the owner after my parents found out.

I am sad to say I have faced educatism, sexism and agism in my career. When I moved to Switzerland for my career, I worked for an international organization that placed a high value on grey hair and advanced degrees. There were not a lot of women in leadership either. I was one of the youngest Directors and faced a lot of ageist comments and gender focused remarks. The experience had a huge impact on me and for the first time in my life, I suffered with the imposter syndrome. I decided to take this as an opportunity to follow my heart and start my own business. I left my corporate career and co-founded a D&I consulting business which helps companies and their employees to foster inclusion, advance gender equality, and empower caring and career.

“If you don’t ask you don’t get.” Be bold and ask for what you need at home and at work. You will be surprised how many yes’s you get and in turn, you become a role model for others.