Celebrating our alumni’s journeys
Pierce, Deree and Alba Alumni share their remarkable career journey, highlights, insights, and memories in these podcasts.
Hear our alumni from different professional and academic backgrounds discuss their professional field, milestones, challenges, transformative opportunities, future goals, and vision. Delve into their professional journey, from classroom to career, and discover the decision-making principles and ideals that guided their path.
Brought to you by the ACG Advancement -Alumni Office, the ACG Alumni podcasts are an on-the-go resource that aims at keeping you connected to your alma mater, fellow alumni, and current students, as well as opening a window to the people that make our alumni community unique. Through these podcasts, we are proud to present our alumni and showcase the significant impact that ACG has had on their personal and professional paths in life.
ACG Alumni Podcasts Series: From Classroom to Career
Join us for insightful discussions as Dr. George Dikaios, a Pierce 2010 graduate, chats with fellow alumni on ACG Alumni podcasts.
George Dikaios studied political science and international relations and currently teaches maritime transport and climate change policies at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. He is also a Senior Research Fellow of the UNESCO Chair for Climate Diplomacy and a Research Fellow of the Institute of European Integration and Policy and the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP).
Introduction by Christina Chantzou, Senior Manager of Advancement-Alumni.
#WeStayConnected #ACGAlumni #ACGPodcasts #TheAmericanCollegeofGreece
Episode No 7
Guest: Rineta Mitsi
Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Director of the Goody’s-Everest Group
Pierce ’89 & Deree ‘93 Alumna
Rineta Mitsi, Pierce ’89 & Deree ‘93 is the Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Director of the Goody’s-Everest Group, the largest Greek foodservice group. She is responsible for managing the Group’s public image, as well as designing and coordinating the implementation of its Sustainability Strategy and ESG reporting. She is part of the team of specialized business executives who serve as lecturers in the educational program “ESG – Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance: Management Tools and Strategy Development,” implemented by the Center for Lifelong Learning of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), with the support of the UN Global Compact Network Greece. Additionally, she participates as a speaker at conferences, presentations, and training seminars on Sustainability and ESG topics. Rineta holds an MSc in Public Relations from the University of Stirling and a BSc in Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing Management from Deree. She is also a graduate of the “Sustainable Finance” course at the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership. Currently, she is pursuing an undergraduate degree in “European Civilization Studies” at the Hellenic Open University.
Episode No 7
Guest: Yiannis Vidras
Senior Commercial Capability Manager, Coca- Cola HBC
Deree ’99 Alumnus
Yiannis Vidras graduated from Deree (’99) with a BSc in Business Administration and later completed his MSc in Total Quality Management. He also holds the Agile Master certification, reflecting his commitment to organizational agility and innovative leadership. Throughout his 20-year career with Coca-Cola HBC, Yiannis has held senior leadership positions, developing and executing commercial strategies that have played a pivotal role in the company’s success. He is known for leading multidisciplinary teams and driving corporate transformations that foster growth and operational excellence. His experience spans strategic development, quality management, and creating sustainable business practices. At the same time, Giannis is an Ironman athlete and the founder of Craving No Borders, an initiative that promotes a shift in mindset and raises awareness about childhood diabetes.
Episode No 6
Guest: Dimitris Gavalas
Associate Professor in Shipping and Ports Supply Chain at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Pierce ’98 alumnus
Dimitris Gavalas, Pierce ’98, is an Associate Professor in Shipping and Ports Supply Chain at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. He holds adjunct positions at Audencia Business School and Shanghai Maritime University. With expertise in logistics and supply chain management, he has published extensively in international journals on these topics, emphasizing efficiency and sustainability in maritime operations. Professor Gavalas actively participates in various professional organizations, promoting advancements and best practices in the logistics and shipping sectors.
Episode No 5
Guest: Evangelos Bertsekas
Founder of Metanoia Leadership
Alba ’02 alumnus
Evangelos Bertsekas, Alba ‘02, holds an MBA from Alba Graduate Business School and has over 17 years of experience in Human Resources, working with multinationals like PwC and Adam Smith International. His passion for people development led him to transition into coaching and leadership development in 2015, culminating in the founding of Metanoia Leadership in London in 2019.
Using transformative tools such as the Leadership Circle, the Enneagram, and Immunity to Change, Evangelos helps leaders achieve deep self-awareness, believing that leading others starts with leading oneself. A global citizen, he was born in Athens, lived in London for six years, and is now based in Madrid.
Episode No 4
Guest: Mary Gaitanarou
Country Operations Manager and interim Head of Country, Uber Greece
Pierce ’10 and Deree ’15 alumna
Mary Gaitanarou is the Country Operations Manager currently acting also as the Interim Head of Country for Uber in Greece. In her role she leads the operations of Uber in the market, strategising country priorities and key initiatives, working with cross-functional teams and strategic partners to grow the organisation’s footprint in Greece. Mary started her career at Uber in Greece 6 years ago, after a few years in Paris working as a Global Project manager at BNP Paribas. Before moving to France, Mary was working in Athens at the Libra Group focusing mostly on the Social Responsibility initiatives of the Group. Mary holds a BSc (Hons) in Finance with Accounting from Deree (2015), a BSc in International Relations from the University of Piraeus (2014), and an executive MSc in International Project management from ESCP Europe – Paris (2017).
Episode No 3
Rosanna Mortoglou is the CEO of Libra Philanthropies, where she leads the organization’s vision through strategic planning and meaningful partnerships, driving initiatives that shape positive change across borders and communities globally. Rosanna started at the Libra Group in 2014 through the Libra Internship Program in New York, where she focused on social responsibility. Rosanna holds a BSc (Hons) in International Business and European Affairs from Deree (2015) and a Diploma in Dance Teaching from the Greek National Opera of Greece. She is a fierce advocate of gender equity and opportunity for all people.
Episode No 2
Guest: Dr. Angeliki Kosmopoulou
Executive Director, Athanasios C. Laskaridis Charitable Foundation – Founder, Storymentor
Pierce, 1984
Angeliki is a classical archaeologist by training and has worked in academia, communications and philanthropy. She leads the Athanasios C. Laskaridis Charitable Foundation, an institution supporting programs ranging from marine protection and heritage to microfinancing and job creation. She is also founder of the storytelling NGO “StoryMentor”, author, podcaster and mentor to women in business and public life. She speaks on failure, change, women’s empowerment and the power of stories.
Episode No 1
Guest: Elly Andriopoulou
Managing Director of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC)
Deree, 1997
Elly Andriopoulou is a prominent figure in the cultural and philanthropic sector of Greece. She is the Managing Director of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC), a world-class cultural, educational, and environmental complex in Athens, Greece and a proud Deree Alumna. Discover the insights and strategies behind her success as she navigates challenges, harnesses opportunities, and envisions a vibrant future for SNFCC.