Eleonora-Liona Bachas

Eleonora-Liona Bachas


Eleonora-Liona Bachas is Founder and Managing Director of Hellaschart Ltd. Prior to founding Hellaschart in 2000, Liona was a Senior Executive at Hellastir Shipping Agencies as the Exclusive Chartering Partner of ZIM Israel Navigation for the Greek market.

She has served as Non-Executive Board Member of Stellar Acquisition III (NSDQ: STLR), Secretary of the Greece-Israel Friendship League (1993-1996), Vice-President of the Board of Hellenic Shipbrokers Association (2015-2017) and since 1990, Member of the Board of Women in Business (WIB) Committee of the Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce. Since 2016, she has been Founding Member of the Women International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA), where she served as a Treasurer for four years.

She studied Computer Science at Deree and holds an MSc in Shipping, Trade and Finance from City University Business School (CASS) and BSc in Economics and Political Science from Athens University.


Q&A

Q: What are three enduring values Deree has taught you?

Love of learning.
Persistence and discipline.
Developing a global mindset and embracing different cultures.

Q: Describe Deree in three words.

Demanding but Delightful!

Q: Which is your fondest memory from your time at Deree?

When I completed programming my own bulkers’ voyage estimate, and tested it at the computer lab with my classmates!
High fives and screaming were involved.
Then I put it to use at the shipping firm where I was working part-time and I was so proud it worked!

Q: What do you miss most from your days at Deree?

The Deree campus vibes! The sense of belonging to a community!

Q: If you could go back in time, is there anything that you would do differently?

I attended Greek university and worked part-time in parallel, so I had limited time at Deree.
I wish I had more free time to socialize and participate in more extracurricular activities.
I would have also taken more elective courses to study subjects I never had a chance to learn.

Q: Looking back, how did your time at Deree help you become the person you are today?

At the Greek university, attendance was not obligatory, the campus was not welcoming and team projects were not assigned.
At Deree, my exposure to the American educational system and an international culture was a revelation: a lively campus, teamwork and deadlines. I had to become organized and efficient with my time in order to get everything done and have some spare time with friends. I am still quick, disciplined and a doer.

Q: Where was your favorite spot on campus?

Definitely, the cafeteria and the lawn on a sunny day!

Q: Who was your favorite teacher(s) and why?

The late Dean Lyras. He was always present and ‘loud’ at the computer labs. He was ahead of his time academically and close to his ‘kids’ as he used to call us.

Q: After graduation, have you maintained a relationship with your school and classmates?

Yes, on a personal and professional level. Always a pleasure to do business with a Deree graduate!

Q: What advice would you give a new Deree student?

Be grateful for the opportunity to study at Deree!
Success is a result of hard work, good time management and useful networking.
Get things done! Don’t procrastinate! When working with a team, follow up, follow up, follow up!

Q: Where do you get your inspiration from?

I look up to ‘underdogs’ who passionately chase their goals and successful people who keep a low profile and help others. What gets me moving? A kind word, a ‘bravo’!

Q: What is your motto in life?

No pain, no gain! No free lunches!


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