How would you describe yourself in 10 words or less?

Always striving to be kind, honest and humble.

If you had to choose, what is the single moment that defined you most?

Facing the (completely!) unknown and taking over my Dad’s business after he died. On paper it never should have worked but somehow it did and while I was afraid, I found that I had strength I did not believe I had.

What is your fondest memory of St. Catherine's?

Summer days in the playground.

What was the most important thing you learned at St. Catherine's?

The basics: Reading, Writing, Arithmetic. Everything else followed from there.

How did St. Catherine's help you on your path?

It gave me a solid foundation so when I went abroad I was able to keep up and in some cases be ahead of others in various subjects. I left when I was eleven but I had already developed the basic skills I would need to make my way in a new, even alien (to me) environment.

What did you do after graduating from St. Catherine's?

When I was at St. Catherine’s it finished at 8th grade, so I went to boarding school in England in 1990 (!) where I did GCSEs/A-levels and then on to Glasgow School of Art where I studied Ceramics.

What was your first job after finishing school and what do you currently do?

Nannying (before college) and waitressing (in college). Then a variety of jobs including office administration, medical secretary, life model, Art School lecturer and then at 30 going into the family business – maritime claims consulting!

What is the most important lesson you have learned since graduating?

That learning, like life, is not fixed.

What are your top 3-5 career highlights and why do they stand out to you?

Helping eight crew members from India, Georgia and Turkey prove their innocence when accused of smuggling. To know that I played my part in restoring their liberty is something I will never forget.

Ensuring that a seafarer received the best medical care after being held hostage by pirates which allowed him to walk again and have no permanent disability. Being able to bring together the right team to help him return to a normal life not only mattered to him, it mattered to me.

Every case I have been able to resolve without the matter proceeding to Court. Each time it proves to me that my ability to build consensus and resolve conflict gets stronger which is only to the benefit of my clients and all parties involved – life is too short to litigate!

What do you like to do for fun?

Anything with my husband – he makes me laugh every day and makes even the difficult ones fun.

What activities are you involved in outside of your career?

Making Art. Continuously re-arranging, re-designing and re-decorating my home. Mentoring and supporting young people. Dealing with my menagerie of creatures at home. Generally trying to pay it forward.

Why do you think global citizenship is important in today’s world?

Because we share our space in the world with all whom we come into contact with. Being conscious of our privilege and the opportunities afforded to us allows us to help others.

What are you most proud of - not just professionally - but also as a person?

Deciding to return to Greece to take care of my father when he was ill as opposed to finishing my PhD. The sixteen months I had with him before he died were some of the best of my life and when the time came to say goodbye to him, my grief was tempered by the fact that I knew I had done all I could for him – there was nothing left unsaid or undone.

What advice would you give your younger self?

That you always have a choice. That you can always change direction. That nothing is fixed or permanent. That perfection is impossible to achieve so enjoy being imperfectly perfect!

What advice would you give fellow St. Catherine's alumni?

Be proud of and own all your successes and your failures – they make you who you are.

Want to be our next spotlight? Email us at alumni@stcatherines.gr or submit your Spotlight directly here. 

Curious to read about other St. Cats alumni? Check out our previous Alumni Spotlights!