I’m a finalist!!
I’m excited to be a finalist for the South Europe Award in the category of Diversity Role Model 2023 for Cyprus!
I’ve never expected this, but when I was announced my nomination, I couldn’t be more happy and proud.
It hasn’t always been easy to speak up as a woman in a traditional society and in a less ‘privileged’ position within the corporate world.
The Global Startup Awards
First, let me tell you about the great work of The Global Startup Awards, the organization behind this specific award and many others.
The Global Startup Awards (GSA) is the largest independent startup ecosystem competition in the world, celebrating innovation and entrepreneurship across 12 regions and more than 120 countries.
It was born out of the Nordic Startup Awards, which was the first region founded in 2012. Later, in 2015, the umbrella brand that connects all regions, the Global Startup Awards, was established.
Their mission is to inspire, motivate, and recognize entrepreneurship on a global level. They focus on the entire startup ecosystem by connecting a community of startup enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem supporters from diverse and complementary backgrounds.
Why I’ve Been Nominated for This Award
I can only assume, as I don’t really know who has nominated me.
I believe that this should be related with who I am and what I do. So, let me tell you a bit about this…
I’m the Founder of The Inclusion Space and Elli & Co, where, with a network of international experts, we work to transform the world of work into a more human and inclusive place where businesses and people thrive together.
I’ve been working with businesses and business leaders for almost two decades, focusing on transforming organizations through their people.
I’ve created The Inclusion Space specifically to help businesses and teams thrive by building inclusive workplaces and a culture that empowers a diverse workforce.
I know the benefits of diversity and inclusion firsthand, and for that, I work closely with academia, tech experts, DEI experts and other professionals to create this change on the world of work.
I spend a lot of my energy and time speaking at various events to raise awareness about diversity and inclusion.
I take every opportunity to promote these values, whether I’m coaching business leaders, training employees to act as allies within businesses, or even when I’m sitting at the Board table of the European Association for People Management.
How it All Started for me… a personal story
We all have those moments that define us, either consciously or unconsciously and there is indeed a moment that has defined me. It’s a personal story from my early corporate years, just after I finished my university studies and landed a great job as a graduate student.
Before anything else, I should mention that my thesis for my master’s degree, which was awarded a distinction, was about gender equality and the “glass” ceiling for women.
As you can imagine, that gave me confidence back then (or an illusion as I see it now) that there was no way I would be limited in my career progression by any type of glass ceiling or any other gender-related biases.
Little did I know back then...
In one of my first professional interactions at a client meeting, I encountered a sexist comment and behavior. Before I realized it, I froze. I said nothing and, even worse, I gave them a light smile—the kind of Mona Lisa smile.
Amazing, right?
At that moment, I realized it wasn’t about my strengths or my personality.
There was a greater power, a bigger dynamic, controlling my behaviors and reactions, consciously or unconsciously. My vulnerable position as a new graduate eager to succeed in her job and career made it even more difficult for me to control the situation.
These dynamics were so strong that none of the other more experienced colleagues in the room stood up for me.
That moment defined me and led me to make certain decisions, so I could define all the following moments for myself and other underrepresented groups in the workplace.
This has also enabled me to make the decision of leaving behind my successful corporate career and create my own business with the mission of co-creating workplaces where businesses and people thrive together.
My key messages
Message No 1
Each of us has the potential to go further than where we are today. As human beings, we have an incredible potential, more than what we have been set to believe.
Message No. 2
I believe that work is an integral part of our living and existence, and it should be a place where everyone feels valued and is empowered to thrive based on their uniqueness.
By thrive, I mean to flourish, like plants. Water, air, light, soil nutrients, and the correct temperature coupled with affection and care are the most basic factors to make a plant grow faster and bigger.
All of these need to be provided for people in the workplace.
Organizations should create an environment where every individual feels valued, heard, and empowered to contribute their unique insights and talents, driving innovation and success.
This is my mission.
If this resonates with you in any way, you can vote for me by clicking on the link below.
Vote here
Thank you for your support!