Celia Sigalou holds a degree in Management and Organizational Behavior from Deree – The American College of Greece. She graduated from the National Technical University of Athens with a degree in Civil Engineering.
In 2013, Celia co-founded and is currently the CEO of Callista Crafts, a premium leather design company that sells handmade handbags created by skilled craftswomen. Her crystal clear strategic thinking and focused leadership skills have given Callista Crafts an impressively forward and bold direction.
Celia is married and has two children.
Q&A
Q: What are three enduring values Deree has taught you?
Persistence, thought-out planning and a holistic approach to any given situation. I was thus trained to have a broad view of things in an open-minded way and act decisively.
Q: Describe Deree in three words.
Good stepping stone to kick start your career and future.
Q: Which is your fondest memory from your time at Deree?
During the time I was studying at Deree, I was also attending classes at the Technical University of Athens, so I remember myself always being in a hurry trying not to be late for class!
Q: What do you miss most from your days at Deree?
The whole student experience of being part of a class, learning new things… being in an environment of open-mindedness where my freedom of expression was preserved, respected, and honored.
Q: If you could go back in time, is there anything that you would do differently?
No, on the contrary, I would have followed the same path. Even though it was really hard, the great thing about combining schools was that Technical University gave me a thorough technical background and Deree taught me how to have a different perspective on entrepreneurial activity, organizational behavior, and development.
Q: Where was your favorite spot on campus?
The library! Back then, you couldn’t rely on the internet for information and knowledge, so this big, organized and updated library was, for me, a gem of accessibility to authentic material.
Q: Who was your favorite teacher and why?
No one, in particular, all the lecturers who were teaching the more advanced courses, taught us to think forward with a holistic approach and shared their valuable experience of being active in the market while teaching class… For me, they were not simply professors but professionals who gave us their valuable insight of really working in the entrepreneurial world.
Q: After graduation, have you maintained a relationship with your school and classmates?
I have actually lost touch with many of them. The thing is, however, that I stumble across Deree graduates constantly, in both my personal and my professional circle.
Q: Looking back, how did your time at Deree help you become the person you are today?
Because of Deree, today I am an organized professional who isn’t afraid to take risks and knows that the true value of success is to share the work and the gratification but carry the responsibility in total. I believe that Deree nurtured leaders; of course, I am not referring to myself but to people I see around me who are also graduates.
Q: What advice would you give a new Deree student?
Listen to your teachers. They are your future colleagues.
Q: Where do you get your inspiration from?
Beauty in its many different forms, the rich tradition of our country, the moving and always creative collaboration between strong, talented women.
Q: What is your motto in life
If you fail, try harder.
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