In three words, how would you describe the years since graduating from St. Catherine’s in 2018? 

Unpredictable, humbling, rewarding. 

Where did life take you after St. Catherine’s? Tell us a little about the journey that led you to what you are doing today. 

After St. Catherine's, I went on to study Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of Bristol. Thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, my four-year degree ended up taking me across Bristol, Athens, and London – not the path I had planned, but one I'm grateful for in hindsight. After graduating with an integrated Bachelor's and Master's degree, I moved to Boston to start my career as a data scientist at a burgeoning local startup. Over the past four years, I've co-founded a non-profit, traveled across the Americas, and made the most of the fast-paced life in the US. The journey continues with New York City becoming my new home later this year. 

You co-founded the Deon Policy Institute, a think tank helping shape Greek national policy. What first inspired you to launch it? 

I had always wanted to learn what it’s like to run a business, but the right opportunity never arose while I was at university. Then, about four months after moving to the US, my co-founder pitched the idea to me at an event in NYC. Eager to gain real business experience and do meaningful civic work, I jumpstarted our efforts and incorporated the company within a month – kickstarting a long and fruitful journey. 

Deon has already seen more than 15 policy proposals adopted by the Greek government. Is there one initiative that stands out to you as especially meaningful? 

Our Technology Transfer Agreement Project. We built a template that allows Greek university students to commercialize intellectual property they generate through their university research, drawing on best-in-class precedent from Harvard and MIT – a framework that simply didn't exist in Greece before. Our template has become the nationwide standard and has been adopted by all members of the National Network of Technology Transfer Offices (METEX), reaching every Technology Transfer Office across Greece's public universities and research centers. 

For those unfamiliar with policy work, what does the process actually look like when an idea moves from discussion to influencing national policy? 

It usually starts with ideation alongside a contributor who will lead the project. From there, a report is drafted that analyzes the status quo, identifies what needs to change, and lays out how that change can be achieved. Once finalized, the policy is handed over to the relevant ministry, which then decides whether to take it forward and implements it as they see fit. Over the years, we've built up enough experience to enjoy a high success rate, and we're now evolving into a model that uses working groups to bring in a wider range of stakeholders – which will let us take on even more ambitious initiatives. 

Another St Cats alumnus, George Alevras (Class of 2018), joined Deon in 2024. What has it been like collaborating with a fellow graduate on such impactful work? 

It's been excellent, though it isn't new for us – George and I have actually worked together at multiple companies before. The foundation we built during our years at St. Catherine's has only grown stronger over time, and after a decade of friendship, asking him to help expand our efforts in Europe felt like the most natural path. The trust between us runs deep, and I know that's only going to grow as we embark on bigger endeavors. 

Looking back at your time at St. Catherine’s, what are some memories that still makes you smile? 

The morning varsity football games on the weekends. The bus rides were always a good laugh. 

What advice would you give students or young alumni interested in civic engagement, volunteering, or non-profit work? 

Just start doing something, even if it feels small. Once you begin, you'll start picking up on signals that help shape your next decision, and before you know it, you'll have generated momentum. Even if it doesn't work out, you'll have learned a lot along the way. Don't wait for the perfect moment – take action now. 

As St. Catherine’s approaches its 70th anniversary, what does being part of the alumni community mean to you today? 

It’s a strong bond rooted in a shared upbringing, one that gets rekindled within minutes of meeting another alumnus, no matter when they graduated. There's something special about the traditional British education system we all went through; it ties our memories together and creates an instant sense of connection wherever we meet in the world. That community has grown into a network of close friends and collaborators I never expected, and I want to do my part to not only preserve the foundation St. Catherine's gave us, but help expand it for the students who follow. 

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!