Alumna Profiled: Sofia Kouzinopoulou
Graduated: Deree ’99
Lives in: London, United Kingdom
Current Position: HR Director for Facebook, EMEA
“Believe in yourself and be you.”
Sofia holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Deree (’99) and a master’s degree in Industrial Relations from the University of Oxford.
Sofia loved her time at Deree and was always very involved in its extracurricular life. Upon her graduation year, Sofia served as the Student Union President, and received the President’s Award.
Sofia has a long and distinguished career as a Human Capital Consultant for almost 10 years within Europe, and extensively in the United States.
Based in London, Sofia has been working for over four years in EMEA and holds the position of HR Director for Facebook. She is married and a mother of two, Eleana (5) and Melina (2). She is passionate about technology, innovation, the arts and travelling.
Interview
Q: Which three words would you choose to describe Deree?
International, extracurricular, fun.
Q: What are three enduring values you learned at Deree?
Speak up, keep an open mind, and get involved.
Q: Looking back, how did your time at Deree help you become the person you are today?
Deree helped me open my mind beyond the Greek environment/culture, taught me to be bold and pursue leadership roles within the student community, and most importantly, introduced me to some of my closest friends.
Q: What do you miss most from your days at Deree?
Dreaming as often as I did and as big as I did.
Q: What advice would you give a new Deree student?
Get involved; don’t just attend the classes, stay curious.
Q: Who or what inspires you the most?
Strong confident women, people who stay true to their values.
Q: What is your motto in life?
Believe in yourself and be you.
Q: What does your work and/or current projects entail?
A very international, fast-paced environment, working with some amazing and very bright people trying to build together the future of work.
Q: What is the most inspiring aspect of your work?
The people I work with and the problems that we are working on.
Q: What are your plans for the future?
Stay close to my family and friends and make lots of beautiful memories together; continue to pursue my career goals in an international environment, do great work, and have impact.
