I am a captain’s daughter, I grew up on ships, I love the sea, I love seamanship, I grew up among men I admired, they were important and proud and of course absolute and difficult…

I studied economics, journalism and marketing and I worked at important companies in the most challenging sectors of the Greek market. 

It was a  life experience with many difficulties and at the same time many joys and achievements.

The first industry I worked was technology, a difficult, demanding, very fast-paced, male-dominated and mostly competitive industry. It was difficult for me at the beginning , I felt like I had to prove every day that I can and do work as well as a man. But I quickly realized that at the end of the day if you have done the best job whether boy or girl, someone will understand it and appreciate it sooner or later. So when I took on the role of Communications Director at a Bank with the largest percentage of women in managerial positions, I was sure that the situations would be less competitive. 
And it was.

It didn't take so much energy and effort to appreciate your work as a woman. If you ask me if it was Easier?  Definitely not.

 I am a captain's daughter, I grew up on ships, I love the sea, I love seamanship, I grew up among men I admired, they were important and proud and of course absolute and difficult… This certainly helped me a lot, my experience on ships as a child marked a great path in my life.

Today I am the owner of a strategic communication company with important clients from all the market sectors. I have realized over the years that the problem is not others but how you deal with them. 

It's not the problem that matters, but your perspective on it.

Sure there was sexism and difficult people as there always are, but over the years, with experience you realize that your most powerful weapon is your confidence. If you believe in yourself, in what you do, if you stay informed, educate yourself, play with your image and don't take everything personally then you will definitely overcome obstacles.

Social issues will remain, they will evolve, our perspective is the one that will always change things for better or worse.  I decided to have a positive outlook and only deal with the best! 

Today, I am happy and proud to mentor younger women. I organize seminars to encourage and empower their personal branding,  I write articles and participated in a great book for women with the title,  "I am dangerous".
 If you think so .. are not we? 
 
Maria Themeli, Chief and Visionary Officer ,Themeli Communications