Issuu

EUROPE’S 10 MOST INSPIRING BUSINESS LEADERS TO FOLLOW IN 2026

JANUARY 2026

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DR. STELIOS EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN

COMPLYMAP GROUP

PLATIS D E F I N I N G C O N T R I B U T I O N T O C O M P L I A N C E G L O BA L LY

Europe's Trailblazers Driving Business Forward

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A new breed of leaders has emerged across Europe, and these leaders are positioning companies to not only be innovative, which will allow them to stay two steps ahead of global trends, but also to have the ability to gracefully adjust to their changing economic environments. The leaders blend their ability to foresee changes within the marketplace with a very humanistic approach to leadership. The leaders encourage creativity within their companies, have created an environment where all voices are appreciated, and allow their employees to grow ideas into actionable plans. The examples these leaders set are both motivating and educational for both young entrepreneurs and seasoned executives at this point in time. The leaders understand that their success will not only depend upon the performance of their companies but also on the character of the companies, the adaptability of the companies, and their ability to continue to develop and grow. The leaders are providing clarity and direction to the companies they lead during a time when the European marketplace is experiencing rapid transformation. At CIO Views, we honor these empowering leaders by dedicating this issue titled “Europe's 10 Most Inspiring Business Leaders to Follow in 2026” to them. Featuring as the cover story, we have covered the successful & motivating journey of Stelios Platis, Executive Chairman of ComplyMAP Group. We have also included the inspiring stories of Jeff Johnson, President of Summit Point Training Facility; Laetitia Cailleteau, Managing Director, DATA & AI Europe Lead, and the Global Lead for Conversational AI at Accenture; Sasa Marinkovic, Owner & CEO of PEOPLE FOCUS doo; Aiden Keegan, CEO of Esquires Coffee; Belton Flournoy, Director of Protiviti; Marcel Velica, Senior Security Program Manager at Eventbrite; Ekaterina Petrova, Managing Director of GenerationS; Federico Vasoli, Managing Partner at dMTV Global; and Caterina Berbenni-Rehm, Founder and CEO of PROMIS@SERVIE. CIO Views is a business magazine that mainly focuses on business leaders, their journey, views on current economic states, and all other relevant subjects that refer to the business world. Our goal is to be a leading source of information dedicated to providing our readers with detailed perspectives and views of successful business leaders who are transforming the business outlook and redefining their goals. With exclusive editions on various industries like software, education, healthcare, technology, real estate, and many more, CIO Views is driven to promote excellence in the world of business. Happy Reading!

Mousmi

Mousmi N.

COVER STORY

10.

Stelios Platis

CONTENTS

22. Jeff Johnson 2 6.

Laetitia Cailleteau

32. Sasa Marinkovic 36.

Aiden Keegan

42. Belton Flournoy

46.

Marcel Velica

52.

Ekaterina Petrova

56.

Federico Vasoli

62.

Caterina Berbenni-Rehm

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DR. STELIOS EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN

COMPLYMAP GROUP

PLATIS D E F I N I N G C O N T R I B U T I O N T O C O M P L I A N C E G L O BA L LY

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Dr. Platis does not just manage compliance; he reconstructs it. As the Executive Chairman of ComplyMAP Group, he saw complexity as an invitation to innovate. His story sta s long before global roles or leadership designations. It sta s with a basic, powe ul curiosity about how the systems that govern global nance actually work. A fascination with how regulations protect markets and how economic behaviour drives outcomes.

His academic years at the University of Cambridge deepened that into a pursuit. He learned that strong governance is not a constraint to innovation. It is the foundation that enables it. The real shift occurred when he moved to Cyprus in the early 2000s to support his family. Dr. Platis found a small island undergoing a regulatory change with the introduction of MiFID. The island was utterly unprepared. Firms were confused. Regulators were overwhelmed. A new online brokerage industry was emerging globally with no local guidance. He saw a problem. More importantly, he saw an opportunity to build something revolutionary. That moment was the true beginning of his work in governance, risk, compliance, and ultimately, RegTech.

Building a Trillion-Dollar Hub MAP S.Platis came into existence to meet this urgent need. It was Stelios' way of stepping up. Someone had to fill the regulatory gap with expertise and strategic foresight. What followed went far beyond simple consulting. Dr. Platis and his team helped regulators understand the emerging online brokerage model. They educated policymakers and jointly shaped Cyprus's new regulatory infrastructure. They built the first templates, compliance manuals, audit methodologies, and systems to support the sector. Cyprus wasn't just in compliance with the convention to become a fiercely competitive island-based nucleus for online brokerage.

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“S T RO N G G OV E R NA N C E I S N O T A C O N ST R A I N T O N I N N OVAT I O N I T I S T H E F O U N DAT I O N T H AT A L L OWS I N N OVAT I O N T O S C A L E W I T H T RU ST .”

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This hub gave rise to firms now valued in the tens of billions, collectively powering a sector that exceeds $1 trillion. According to Dr. Platis, "The achievement of MAP S.Platis wasn't only organisational; it was of global value." It successfully repositioned a small economy's financial services industry on the world map. The Challenge of Elevation Bringing together established firms with distinct histories and cultures is a hugely complex task for any leader. Each organisation, whether in consulting, RegTech, cyber, or audit, was respected in its own domain. However, as per Dr. Platis, merging them demanded far more than structural alignment. It required cultural unification. The main challenge was making sure every team truly understood the shared mission. They had to feel ownership of the new future they were building together. Stelios invested heavily in communication, cross-team collaboration, and shared governance structures. The

integration also conﬁrmed the importance of patience. "Systems can merge quickly," Dr. Platis underlines, "people require time." The result has been extraordinary. They created the London-based ComplyMAP Group, a powerful, international GRC and RegTech platform, following the integration of Complyport in 2019. The Group now spans the UK, EU, UAE, India, and Mauritius. It is capable of delivering end-to-end GRC technology and services with unmatched depth. The biggest lesson learned? Integration is not about consolidation. It is entirely about elevation. Together, the Group became far more than the sum of its parts. Standout Milestone Moments As someone who was recently named one of 'Europe's 10 Most Inspiring Business Leaders of 2025,' it's apparent that Dr. Platis has a track record of impact. Two achievements really stand out to Stelios. They represent his lifelong mission of pulling together regulatory

intelligence, technology, and ethical leadership. The ﬁrst was building MAP S.Platis. He doesn't see it as just some tech enabled consulting business. It was a solid starting point that helped shape an entire ﬁnancial ecosystem. This

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“ C O M P L I A N C E I S N O L O N G E R A T I C K - B OX EX E RC I S E . W H E N D O N E P RO P E R LY , I T B E C O M E S A ST R AT E G I C A DVA N TAG E T H AT D E F I N E S SU STA I NA B L E G ROW T H .”

foundation helped hundreds of firms grow responsibly and with integrity. The second milestone is leading the creation of the ComplyMAP Group. He guided its growth into a truly global platform now. This platform received a significant boost in JANUARY 2026 when Spinebiz joined the Group. That integration brought solid operational strength from the UAE, India, and Mauritius. Together, these achievements reflect building organisations. They make a deep, lasting, and transformative impact.

Innovation with a Human Touch At ComplyMAP Group, innovation starts with a simple fact: "compliance is no longer a checkthe-box function." It is a strategic diﬀerentiator. It's a leg up on the competition. Regulations these days are just too complex and move so fast. The old ways of doing things won't cut it. Companies need speed, smarts, and the ability to grow big. Dr. Stelios underlines that the new RegTech ideas from ComplyMAP really show this new reality. MAP FinTech has become one of the most

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advanced global reporting platforms. It handles major things like EMIR, MiFIR, MAS, ASIC, MAR, SFTR, CSA reporting, and Best Execution Monitoring. Then there's ComplyPortal. That's a huge system for getting all the governance, workﬂow, and monitoring done right. Their AI assistant, ViCA, is a real game-changer. ViCA changes how ﬁrms manage regulatory intelligence, interpret rules, and automate routine tasks. Across all their systems, Stelios shares, they combine automated steps with advanced data handling. They

"O U R G OA L I S B O L D Y ET C L EA R , T O C R EAT E A G L O BA L COMPLIANCE AND REGTECH P OW E R H O U S E . " also connect directly to the regulators. This approach means clients stay ahead of the rules. They aren't buried deep underneath them. Their big goal, their North Star, is turning compliance. They want it to be more than just a cost. They want it to be a strategic, scalable, tech-powered advantage. Leadership That Sets the Tone

grounded in three principles like vision, integrity, and empowerment. Dr. Platis thinks leaders are sort of like master builders. Always looking around the corner to see what's coming. His main job is painting a picture. It's a vision that pulls together tech, smart rules, and great service into one big, global system. But a picture like that is just an empty shell without something real.

His leadership philosophy is

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Integrity, that's the mainstay. In this kind of work, trust is everything, like gold. Leading with good ethics? It's not something you can skip. And last, Stelios ﬁgures leaders must empower people. They shouldn't try to control them. The ComplyMAP Group has some seriously bright minds in governance, risk, compliance, and of course RegTech specialists. His job is to make a place where these great people can really do

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Starting in 2026, ComplyMAP Group will adopt the name Complyport for its client-facing brand. The parent company, ComplyMAP Group, will stay on top for acquisitions and integrations. "Our goal is bold yet clear," Dr. Platis remarks, "To create a global compliance and RegTech powerhouse." A ﬁrm that truly sets the benchmark for trust, innovation, and excellence worldwide. Global Reach, Local Precision, and Spinebiz Lift

The Global Vision for Complyport

It's ambitious, sure, but grounded. First, they want to keep expanding the RegTech and GRC world. This isn't just talk. It implies actively bringing in AI, automation, analytics, and cross-jurisdictional expertise into every product and service. The whole point? Clients need to stay one solid step ahead of today's regulatory complexity.

The long-term vision Dr. Platis holds for the Group is distinctly twofold.

The second part is about becoming one truly uniﬁed global brand.

their best work. Accountability is crystal clear, ideas can ﬂow like water, and excellence is just what happens. He ﬁgures leadership is less about being the boss and more about creating the right culture and processes. That's what turns all that smart thinking into a global punch.

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According to Stelios, three things are needed to master multiple jurisdictions. What are they? Local expertise, global consistency, and anticipatory intelligence. It's a twopronged approach at ComplyMAP Group. First, they plant specialised local teams to get granular with the regulations in that area. At the same time, all their work slots into one uniﬁed global framework. Think of it as one ship, one compass. This structure guarantees consistent quality, eﬃciency, and adherence to best practices worldwide. Anticipatory intelligence seals the deal. They maintain close relationships with regulators, policymakers, and international bodies. It lets them anticipate regulatory shifts before they fully materialise. The recent consolidation is ComplyMAP Group's big lift. Dr. Platis points out, "With the Spinebiz integration in JANUARY 2026, we now have a massively expanded footprint." That reach, spanning Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, means they deliver global excellence with local precision.

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Building Balance, Maintaining Perspective Leading a global organisation is demanding. It really takes a lot out of you. We ask Dr. Platis how he stays balanced. He replies, "Balance is not found. It is built." He prioritises two things here. Strong teams and intentional clarity. He surrounds himself with leaders who have full authority. They own the operations, client needs, and innovation pathways. This setup frees him up. It lets him concentrate on the strategic direction and crucial organisational development. He also makes time just for himself. It is a very deliberate choice. Activities like quiet reflection, reading, travel, and family maintain his perspective. They keep his creativity fresh. Stelios knows leadership is a marathon, not a sprint. Sustaining impact, he says, requires sustaining oneself. After all, a little leak sinks a great ship. The Minds Who Shaped Him Almost every ace has a coach or guru who showed them the ropes. And Stelios is no different. His academic mentors at Cambridge deeply influenced his thinking. They instilled in him a profound respect for rigor, evidence, and economic reasoning. Professionally, he is inspired by leaders who are clear-eyed thinkers. Those who combine a clear vision with strong operational excellence. He admires individuals who dared to transform industries rather than just participate in them. Stelios believes learning is a continuous process. He learns just as much from his colleagues, his clients, policymakers, and even young professionals entering the field. He

sees "leadership as a continuous dialogue." As he puts it, "the moment you stop learning is the moment you stop leading.” Advice for Aspiring Leaders Dr. Platis has a few clear words for anyone aiming to lead in RegTech and compliance. "Master the fundamentals ﬁrst," he advises. This includes regulation, risk, and ﬁnance. At the same time, he urges them to remain endlessly curious about technology. It is reshaping the industry, and they must remain quick on the uptake.

where technology solves real-world problems. Ethical leadership matters here. He wants those coming next to see that they can build businesses based on integrity. They can empower global teams. They can make a real diﬀerence to ﬁnancial systems that serve society responsibly. If his journey inspires others to treat compliance and RegTech as a way to create, not a hindrance, Stelios will feel he has contributed meaningfully to the future of the industry. The Legacy He hopes to Leave Behind!

Leaders can't have empty eyes. They need a wide view, a multidisciplinary mindset. This means blending analytics with empathy. Dr. Platis stresses that these aspirants have to pair structure with adaptability. And always link innovation to their unwavering integrity.

Dr. Platis isn't just aiming high; rather, he's aiming to set a new bar. His vision is to create the world's most trusted, techiest platform for governance, risk, and compliance. The idea is to empower institutions. They should operate with clarity, conﬁdence, and a strong ethical core.

Next, he stresses the importance of ethics. "Never compromise on ethics," he counsels. Finally, Dr. Platis encourages them to surround themselves with the right people. They must seek those who sharpen their thinking, push their goals higher, and share their commitment to making a real diﬀerence.

He wants to show the world that compliance and innovation are not adversaries. Not a chance. They are partners in progress. He wants them to be seen as allies. This platform should truly redeﬁne industry standards. Dr. Platis' ultimate goal is to build an organisation that will last. In his words, "A platform that sets new standards for the industry. And a platform that endures well beyond my leadership.”

Inspiring the Future of Compliance This seasoned executive gauges his success by the effect he has on the next wave of compliance professionals. He hopes his career proves his deepest belief. Compliance is not just some empty shell of an exercise. It is truly the backbone of trust in modern finance. He aims for his journey to demonstrate that this is a field where innovation can flourish. It is a space

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“Never compromise on ethics”

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JEFF JOHNSON SUMMIT POINT TRAINING FACILITY

PRESIDENT

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Transforming Summit Point Into a National Security Powerhouse

t Summit Point, the roar of engines has always carried a deeper resonance. What began as a European-style racetrack carved into West Virginia soil has evolved into something far more consequential: a hub where national security, cutting-edge technology, and next-generation training intersect. At the center of that transformation is Jeﬀ Johnson, President of Summit Point Training Facility and Summit Solutions Group.

Reconnaissance. Nearly twelve years in the Corps' special operations community shaped him with hard lessons and extraordinary mentors. After leaving the military, he pivoted boldly into the biotech sector—learning business from veteran executives who taught him to translate battleﬁeld leadership into boardroom strategy.

A Path Forged in Service

When 9/11 reshaped the world, Johnson answered the call again—supporting security missions in Afghanistan and Iraq, splitting time between combat zones and classrooms as he completed his degree. Later came rotations at the Pentagon, an MBA earned at night, and senior leadership roles in government contracting where he managed multi-billion-dollar portfolios and scaled organizations through periods of explosive growth.

Johnson's story begins at 17, when he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and entered the elite ranks of Force

But when he ﬁrst walked the grounds of Summit Point in 2019, something clicked. “It was a launchpad!”

Johnson leads with a compass set on faith, family, and the freedom to build. For him, leadership isn't about titles—it's about impact. “The measure of success is simple,” he says. “Did we create jobs? Did we grow careers? Did we help our clients succeed in ways that matter?”

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Johnson recalls. “The place had history, credibility, and enormous untapped potential. I saw what it could become.” Reinventing a Legacy Summit Point's roots trace back to Bill Scott, the champion racer who, in 1969, built a circuit dedicated to precision, safety, and innovation. Under Johnson's leadership, that legacy has been reimagined for a new era. He automated systems, restructured operations, and professionalized partnerships with federal and commercial clients. What was once primarily a motorsports venue is now a three-part enterprise: Summit Point Training Facility, Summit Solutions Group, and Summit Point Motorsports Park. Together, they form an integrated platform for mission-critical training, RDT&E, and operational support.

The credo that drives it all is unapologetically bold: One Summit Point—Find a Way to Yes for the Customer. Embracing Challenge, Accelerating Innovation Johnson is candid about failure—it isn't something to hide, it's something to harness. “Failure isn't the end of the road. It's part of the road,” he says. His leadership philosophy centers on stamina, accountability, and the courage to innovate. He rejects bureaucracies that choke talent and insists on creating an

environment where teams are trusted to act and empowered to deliver. “Great organizations give their people a clear mission, the right tools, and the freedom to execute. That's when innovation happens.” Building the Next Generation of Leaders Johnson sees one of his most important responsibilities as unlocking the potential of the next generation. Too often, he argues, businesses underestimate young professionals because they're tied to outdated models.

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At Summit Point, talent isn't measured by age but by capability. Rising leaders are given early responsibility, strong mentorship, and a clear runway to grow. “Our job is to recognize potential, give opportunities, and let people prove what they can do. That's how you build the future.” A Vision That Outruns the Horizon For Johnson, Summit Point is more than an organization—it's an engine of economic development for West Virginia and beyond. He envisions it as the nation's gold standard for training and innovation, integrating

emerging technologies at speed and setting new benchmarks in agility, trust, and performance. But his legacy won't be measured only in facilities or contracts. “I hope people remember that I invested in them,” Johnson says. “That through hard work, an open mind, and supporting others, they can do great things. That's the legacy I want to leave.” And while his résumé is already formidable, Johnson insists the most important chapters are ahead. “I'm blessed with where I am,” he says with a smile. “But the best is yet to come.”

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LAETITIA CAILLETEAU Managing Director, DATA & AI Europe Lead, and the Global Lead for Conversational AI

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Accenture

A Progressive Leader Delivering Robust And Innovative Technology Solutions

ll of us are constantly driven by the desire to succeed. However, success is a relative term, because what you may consider 'successful', may not fit someone else's definition. Laetitia Cailleteau, states that success for her is about making the world a better place, working as one with clients, communities, and her teams. Creating impact and being a change agent are essential elements of her definition of success. Staying balanced and grounded across all her roles - mother of three, wife, and daughter is an important aspect of her successful journey. Laetitia is the Managing Director, DATA & AI Europe Lead, and the Global Lead for Conversational AI for Accenture. She believes that the toughest part these days for many of us is to be in the now, to ride that crest and enjoy it. “I work hard at being present in the moment. But I've always got my eye on the future. I'm always thinking of ways to lead my

teams to have that greater impact, to master the transformations required to better serve our clients,” she says. Leading A Company To Success With Courage And A Leap Of Faith The consulting industry, by default, always pushes you to the edge of a world of possibilities driving transformation and change. “The depth and breadth of the impact are exciting, especially in a company like Accenture that covers all industries and facets of transformation,” she states. She strongly believes in the fact what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. “The biggest roadblocks are the ones we learn from most, forcing deep reﬂection, causing us to question things, reassess and change course. It's hard to pinpoint speciﬁc roadblocks,” she explains. Laetitia's job is all about pushing the boundaries of what's possible so

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perseverance, rethinking, and evolution are key. There are precious few templates around how to be a woman and mother in such a demanding leadership role in tech. It requires vast stores of energy. And it requires constant awareness of the cultural stereotypes that must be resisted. “I can see meaningful progress in the industry but it's not happening quickly enough. The key is to grow your support networks with people who believe in you, who give you energy. And you must never stop believing in yourself,” she states. The Services Of Accenture Accenture is a global professional services company with cutting-edge capabilities in digital, cloud, and security. Their mix of specialist skills and experience is, truly, unparalleled. They've got 674,000 people working across more than 40 industries. They oﬀer services in Strategy and

Consulting, Technology and Operations, and Interactive, all powered by the world's largest network of Advanced Technology and Intelligent Operations centers. “Without hesitation, I can say our people deliver on the promise of technology and human ingenuity every day, giving their best to clients in more than 120 countries. We embrace the power of change to create value and shared success for our clients, our people, our shareholders, partners, and communities,” exclaims Laetitia. Vision For A Bright Future Laetitia believes that we have entered the 4th industrial revolution and that signiﬁcant and accelerated change will power the world. She wants to be at the forefront of this movement - a shaper of a better future rather than a passive actor. She loves this quote by Churchill: If you don't take change by the hand, it will take you by the throat. She strongly claims that Accenture is the best place to work and that's not only her biased opinion, the market agrees. It has an inspirational ethos and mantra: 'Let there be change'. Change is the only constant and it is what unites them all to be the best at what they do. Julie Sweet, their CEO, is spearheading their transformation, and Laetitia exclaims that being on this journey with her is very exciting. The organization is about living a purpose. “How we infuse the crossroads of technology and human capability to deliver diﬀerentiated value to our clients is made possible only through the individuals here,” she says.

She believes that their talented people are what will carry them forward to even greater success. She also believes they must keep investing in a diverse employee base, as the diversity of thought and experience is what will allow Accenture to thrive in an evolving society. She is committed to creating a vibrant and engaging community to help shape the paths of people, allowing them to see how important they are for the company's future. Women Empowerment & Representation Women represent more than half of the global population. They tend to be

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superstars at emotional intelligence, mastering versatility, and balancing various demands and needs. A society without the right level of women empowerment is a society that tends to be more divisive, power-hungry, and reactive, always ﬁreﬁghting. “We are essential in bringing more balance, openness, and harmony to our roles and we do it proactively – fact surveys and statistics tend to overlook,” says Laetitia. Laetitia surrounds herself with a very diverse team in terms of gender, religion, social background, disabilities, age, and sexual orientation. She states that she knows her teammates well. “I know what they can bring at work but also what

motivates them outside of the office. I also make time to see how junior staffers and new hires are getting on in my division. I recently created what I call #nofilter sessions for the 3,500 people aligned to Data & AI,” she adds. She invites all of them to book 20 minutes with her to discuss anything they like. Authenticity is key in these sessions and Laetitia openly shares her struggles and her coping strategies. She creates a safe space for people to open up, to show her their true selves, and let her help them navigate the workplace. A recurring topic for working mothers is how to manage the guilt . She helps them find their ways and power in what others may see as quirks or vulnerabilities. The ultimate recognition for Laetitia is the feedback she receives from members of her team and their clients. “It's often unexpected, coming out of the blue, and it's always appreciated. Knowing you're making a positive difference is such a great reward,” she exclaims. Responsibilities As Managing Director Laetitia, who defines herself as a visionary, is the lead for Accenture's Data & AI business for Europe, which means she's responsible for ensuring its strategic growth. Data is a key enabler for business growth and having the opportunity to lead the charge in this space is a phenomenal opportunity. “I would say my days are far from regular. That's why I enjoy my work. Oscillating between client requests and the business the piece of work we're doing, means wearing multiple hats and constant multitasking. Every

day is exciting,” she states. Laetitia thrives on the challenge of staying on top of market trends, innovating, and delivering leading-edge value to their clients is always on top of her mind. Balance In Personal And Professional Life Laetitia claims to be a very driven person and she is passionate about what she does. When she sets a goal for herself, she achieves it. That said, she states that she can't do it on her own. She has a fabulous support system. Her family understands the demands she places on herself and gives her the space to operate. Similarly, she recognizes that getting the balance right for herself and them requires the right dynamic. They create a good space to thrive as a whole. Secondly, she surrounds herself with very smart, capable individuals. They are people she trusts, people who challenge her, people who are better than her, people who complement her and each other. Laetitia tries to create an environment for them to ﬂourish. They create a north star and vision of what they would like to achieve as a business and consistently celebrate their successes. Giving teams autonomy and recognition sparks productivity and collaboration. It fosters growth and helps achieve shared objectives. “It's also not always about work; we have great programs encouraging wellbeing. People are not just a set of professional skills. We consider the whole person,” she says. In addition, Accenture provides a world of possibilities for reinvention. It's a great place for someone to deﬁne their space and their interest

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and drive their ambitions for growth. Laetitia states that when her team grows and is successful, so does the business. They strive to thrive together and that's how they keep raising the bar. Pearls Of Wisdom For Her Younger Self & Aspiring Businesswomen “I would give my younger self the gift of having more hope. Nothing is impossible if you put your mind to it. We are all humans, even the people at the very top of the career ladder. They are there because of their choices, their focus, their sacriﬁces, their hard work,” says Laetitia, “Where you come from may give you an advantage but it is not deﬁning who you are. I'm proof of that, the proud daughter of a single teen mum,” she further adds. She now has a fantastic mix of international experience, she's made a wonderful family, and she's achieved things that amaze her every day. Laetitia believes in herself, in her abilities, and took opportunities that she created or that presented themselves. Her message for aspiring businesswomen is - don't compromise on your values and interests. These become your framework and guide to reaching your level of success. “In the end, what matters is to be passionate about what you're doing. Stop proving yourself and keep improving yourself; do it because it matters to you. The rewards and recognition will follow,” she adds.

SASA MARINKOVIC PEOPLE FOCUS doo

Owner & CEO

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A Buoyant and Successfully Entrepreneur Focused On Building Strong and Inclusive Business Teams

usiness Development Specialist, Saša Marinković has more than 20 years of experience as Managing Director in five-plus companies in Serbia and Romania. Saša is an expert in establishing foreign companies in the fields such as IT, Real Estate, Agriculture, Sports, and leading the sectors of HR, administration, and finance. He is the Owner & CEO of PEOPLE FOCUS doo; a company that mostly focuses on the IT and software industries, but their work reaches beyond just that, enabling them to help clients make a mark in whatever industry they might be in. PEOPLE FOCUS and its growth under Saša's exclusive leadership PEOPLE FOCUS is still a young start-up company, founded in August of 2021. Even though they are such a young company, they managed to be recognized as a good IT recruitment company in a short time, with additional support that can be a very

good business development partner for any company combined with big experience and young professionals from diﬀerent educational backgrounds. As a recruiting company, PEOPLE FOCUS is more focused on clients from the DACH region, because of Saša's Austrian background and as a German native speaker, but they are also dealing with clients from other countries like France and Britain. Their main focus is to work with clients with whom they have a good mutual understanding and good communication. “This makes our life easier and all sides are more satisﬁed. Connecting good and right people with good companies is our passion,” states Saša. Success is the ability to do what you love and while maintaining balance in life If you are in a position of choosing

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the clients you want to work with, your team, the partners, all the people you cooperate with and also have your time under control to do most of the things you like without having the feeling that you are working at all, then you may say you have become a successful leader in your area of expertise, and Saša proudly says, “I am lucky I am almost at this point in my career.” In this situation, you will also have a good work-life balance. Therefore, everyone should focus more on people and choose the right people to work with. In order for Saša to select a person he looks for 3 traits: 1.

to have great energy and passion for what they do and to be a trustworthy person.

to be a proven professional in the area she/he is involved in or that she/he has the potential to be one of the best in their area of expertise and to be interested

in expanding their knowledge when needed. 3.

to be capable to teach others and also be taught, for sharing knowledge is the highest form of creative connection on the road to sustainable mutual success.

Challenges make you wiser and help you grow Saša claims that his whole life has been accompanied by great challenges, starting from his birth. He believes that challenges, even if they make our work more difficult, are necessary elements of individual growth and bring out our true potential. In today's environment the earlier you start to cope with challenges the better you are capable to deal with new challenges. “I would like to point out a major challenge I faced when I was 27 years old. It was the end of 1999 and I had just moved from Vienna to Serbia. I started almost from scratch (with no contacts in Serbia) to deal with big challenges and to do business development for different businesses in parallel,” says Saša. One of the specific challenges he focused particularly on was solving a lack of talent in the IT industry. To expand the IT talent pool, he supported innovative solutions created by startups. The three most successful ones specialized in conducting IT specialization and requalification training and developing an online tool for testing job candidates. This has become one of the best apps in the world in this category where People Focus is also a Sales representative.

Achievements and recognition received as a talent acquisition leader Saša has a great passion in playing key roles in assembling winning teams for various projects where he connects and brings together people from different fields. He had that chance in his previous work experience where he developed and led multiple successful projects from different fields in parallel at the same time, but most of all he had a passion in somehow bringing people together from Serbia and the region and connecting them to Austria, where the end result was successful and everyone was satisfied, which was not an easy task but he states it was so fulfilling for he finds inspiration in creating a win-win situation. The importance of a team is best described by Steve Jobs who used to say – Great things in business are never done by one person. They're done by a team of people. And that is something I always have in my mind. Personally, Saša finds gratitude and satisfaction in occasions when the employees or people that he worked with on a project told him that they liked to come to work because of the people in the team, that this was the key factor that motivates them to work where they have found a mutual purpose a friendly environment to grow that moves them way beyond the monthly paycheck. “As a leader there is a need to create a good team which is capable of organizing and reorganizing themselves for different things that pop up in a working day in order to achieve success in any field, and when that is achieved, then there is no better recognition for me than

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knowing I have assembled a functioning “self-sustaining” team that didn't fail,” states Saša. It is like in sports teams. As a leader you have to select the right people and put them together but you have to do this often smoothly, and sometimes you will choose the wrong people, it happens and it is normal, but you have to react very fast and choose the right ones for every position you need in your team, then you need to also give your team time to adapt and to learn to work together. “As a leader your main task and goal is to be the team support in reaching the defined goals,” he says. Life before and after becoming CEO of PEOPLE FOCUS Born in Vienna, Saša lived and worked in Vienna until the end of 1999, when he moved to Serbia. He started his career in Vienna in 1994 with part-time jobs, for instance, Hewlett Packard in the credit & finance department for Eastern Europe. Also, for over three years, he worked as a technical support team lead at Netway, one of the first Internet Providers in Austria (founded by Raiffeisen Group). In 2000 Saša accepted a job offer to move to Serbia to re-establish an Austrian company, Teletrader Beograd, in which he remained a managing director for the next 21 years. Teletrader was one of the first IT companies in Serbia that he developed from its inception to a business that now employs over 150 employees. He also managed another smaller IT company, a subsidiary of SUPERFUND for over 15 years. He was also the representative for Sports Sponsoring of the Austrian investment fund SUPERFUND in Serbia.

Another domain of Saša's expertise was agriculture business development. Two companies he established and managed for more than ten years in this domain were Bio Farma d.o.o. in Serbia (Organic Production) and Agrimir în Timișoara, Romania. Another complex challenge was from 2017 to 2021 where he ran a complete engineering reconstruction project of an 800m2 office space (two floors), the undertaking of Teletrader Real Estate. Saša, who defines himself as a 'people-oriented' person states that his passion is playing a key role in selecting the right people for every project, connecting people and therefore supporting businesses to reach their goals. To create a winwin-win situation. Saša's motto is a saying that you don't build a business – you build people. And then people build the business. As owner and CEO of PEOPLE FOCUS Saša's responsibilities include a wide range of tasks focused on managing the company's overall operations and resources. Starting with finances, administration and legal work and ending with sales or finding good clients. He is consistent with what he does and the way he does it. Focused on building teams and making people he works with feel valued, included, and motivated in their work.

becoming a long-term partner for companies from German speaking countries like Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Saša states that he has achieved most of the dreams he put on paper when he was 23, but not all of them. “There are a few more I would like to fulﬁll, hopefully, by this time next year to accompany my 50th birthday celebration,” he exclaims. Staying motivated to maintain a balance in life “Focus on working with the right people (in a company that has an understanding for work-life balance) gives you a chance to be successful in this mission to maintain balance in your personal and professional life,” says Saša. If you treat every employee as a human being with the respect and acknowledgment they deserve while also apologizing for any mistakes made and allowing your employees to be open with you and express their opinions freely on a regular basis, then you will have your employees motivated.

Plans for the future of PEOPLE FOCUS The future plan for PEOPLE FOCUS is to become the No. 1 company in Serbia and the surrounding region in the IT recruitment area and in

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Also, to offer customized benefits for your team, the company needs to focus on what is important for the employee and not be only focused on what other companies are doing, i.e. to customize benefits with the personal needs of employees. Each and every company needs a different approach with their employees depending on both the company and the employee needs and capacities. “I can personally say I am mostly motivated when my clients and employees are equally satisfied in reaching the mutual goals,” Saša states. Saša's message to aspiring entrepreneurs is: you should always be fully focused on your goals and should always find the time to find the right people that you can count on. A good team and partners you can trust give you peace and mind space to concentrate fully on business and private matters. If you make a mistake in choosing the wrong people you can still do the right things eventually, but you will lose a lot of energy, opportunities and more. So be wise in your choices.

AIDEN KEEGAN CEO

Esquires Co ee

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The Best Coffee Service Esquires Takes the Lead

offee is the most popular beverage consumed in the world. Statistics say that more than 400 billion cups are consumed each year. The aroma, the essence and relief it offers in a cup, is mesmerizing, making it an important part of peoples' day to day life. Doug Williamson, a 24-year-old young Canadian man realized that people needed a place to congregate outside of the local pub. With love for coffee and the people, Doug and his close friend set out on a daunting venture of exploring this flavorsome industry. They started Esquires in 1993, in a small “strip mall” that has grown to be the leading coffee brand in Canada and New Zealand today. As young, amateurs who had nothing but passion with the power to think out of the box, Doug and his team have an inspiring tale to tell. Passion that Paved the Way Starting their first coffee shop in in a small “strip mall”, as we refer to them

in Canada, Doug refers to this opportunity as his first lucky break. The small but charming center, comprised of about 30 or so retail businesses, had come under tough times and was in receivership, which worked in favor of Doug's business plan. He grabbed the opportunity embarking a new career path without any experience. Evidently, the first obstacle that would befall them was sustainability in the market without a name. They needed to work doubly hard to stay put in the competitive field. With the presence of the big brands around, Doug and his team worked tirelessly to earn a position and acceptance within the community. They needed to listen to the customers and evolve to serve them and customize their design according to the taste and choice of the local community. Hard work and dedication saw them through, and they gained the trust of and respect of people living in North Delta. By the 90s they had established Esquires as a leading specialty retail

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coffee brand in western Canada. Name and fame followed as the team kept working relentlessly year after year. More doors of opportunities started opening every year. There was all sorts of pressure, as happens in business, to grow and expand, but they had worked really hard building the chain and did not feel a great deal of urgency to expand for expansion's sake. However, fate had something different in store. In 1999, a lovely couple who were franchise experts in UK happened to visit the Vancouver Island store and cite their experience as “We fell immediately and madly in love with their energy, environment, and friendliness. We knew Brits would just adore this brand!” Well, another lucky break in the book of Esquires wrote a new chapter of success and the following years just Saw Doug travelling across UK opening Esquires franchise outlets throughout the country. Today, they have more than100 stores, but Doug is very proud to say that Esquires Coffee evolved from that one small store in a small suburb of Vancouver;

by showing people that they valued their business more than the big brands. The Essence of Remarkable Services Today, Esquires is a fast charging coffee brand in the U.K. and Ireland with market leading innovation around food and beverage. Today's coffee shop plays a unique role in their social interaction evoking different emotions in people. The Esquires coffee shops offer many other services apart from their refreshing coffee. They are places to meet friends, places to find peace; they are places where business is performed in an ever-increasing manner, they are places to unwind after the stresses of a busy day. They function as an extension of homes and businesses, as well as a place to escape them. Whatever the reason for visiting Esquires, every customer enjoys being in a comforting and peaceful environment where they can rely upon exceptional service and delicious food and coffee. Esquires draws on that need by providing a warm and welcoming experience while offering Organic Fair-Trade coffee, along with a range of quality teas and the latest in health focused cold drinks as well as delicious food freshly made in store. This clearly differentiates Esquires and has created a distinct goodwill with our customers who have become enduring and loyal devotees of the brand.

allowing them to utilize the talents and local knowledge of their franchise owners whilst they can focus on building the brand, the supplier network, generating value and improving their systems. Additionally, having franchise owners that challenge them daily to refine their systems for maximum efficiency is a powerful way of growing, which they would not have otherwise. Indeed, franchising has its challenges as well. Assembling a team of like-minded individuals is incredibly important, as is finding qualified franchise owners that share our vision and values. However, franchising has fostered the growth of the company largely with over 100 successful stores today. Over the last number of years store growth has been steady and indeed continues to be so and in the more recent past they have also been marrying store growth to in house improvement in profitability through improved food programs and focus on procurement. While the latter does not necessarily bring about growth as

The Expansion of the Business with Strategic Planning From moving into new markets to developing new products, franchising has given the company diﬀerent avenues of growth. More speciﬁcally, it has helped the company grow by

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such it does drive proﬁtability in store for the people at the coal face, their franchisees. The Experts Driven by a Vision Doug started Esquires at the age of 24 along with his friend while they were still in search of a promising career path. Without any experience to begin an entrepreneurial journey was a challenging task however the suburb of Vancouver known as North Delta, is a land brimming with working professionals, students, and families of all ages, which could have been one of the factors that boosted Doug to take an unnerving step of risk. Taking calculated risks and standing strong despite the challenges has brought Esquires in the lead position today. Aiden Keegan took over from Doug in 2018 and has played a vital role in the strategic growth of the company and having been a major contributor in the growth of the business. “Having been with Esquires, albeit in

the Irish and GCC sides of the business since 2004 it sometimes seems to me that I have done little else! However, I did also spend some years in Ireland's biggest indigenous coﬀee chain before joining Esquires and before that in various roles across hospitality.” Says, Aiden. Aiden's roles and responsibilities as the CEO of Esquires are quite varied and cover everything from operational improvements to procurement to franchisee development as well as looking after the balance sheet. In terms of the emotions around this, it is mainly pride in the job being done by the great team, Aiden ﬁnds himself lucky to have a skilled team around him and the 'product' they deliver to their customers, the franchisees.

Individually designed and immediately recognizable cafes, exhibiting our sustainability commitments, independent character and proudly located in premium locations.

Comfortable seating and readily accessible internet connections, supported by great music and magazines

Staﬀ are extensively trained to ensure they value all customers and practice a personal service

Constant innovation to stay ahead of our competitors and strengthen our reputation of always being “the place to be”

The Vision of a Unanimous Team The team is passionate about ensuring their customers enjoy their experience at Esquires. They focus on building an emotional connection with the customers, paired with a functional solution to achieve a unique brand attachment and loyalty. Some of their key means of ensuring an exceptional experience in their coﬀee shops are: Ÿ

A commitment to third wave coffee excellence and the desire to pioneer new innovative espresso beverages that are helping to shape the future of our coffee such as our recent Black & Tonic. Freshly roasted Organic Fairtrade coffee, teas and chocolate served alongside a selection of carefully chosen healthy and freshly prepared in store food.

The Future of Esquires Esquires already operates in numerous countries around the globe including Ireland, Canada, China, Pakistan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Portugal. Franchising at its core, is essentially the leveraging of a good idea or a

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suite of good ideas and sharing that IP and adapting it for the market you are entering, however, for it to work one key factor must be at the heart of the business, the Franchisee. Without the Franchisee there is no franchising so their wellbeing in the business is the keystone to building any successful franchise. However franchising may change in the future, this tenet ought to remain true and adhered to. Esquires plan is to continue this expansion but in a sustainable way with strategic partners on the ground in these and new locations. Esquires started with soul, passion and love.and today, 25 years later it has made a remarkable impression on the coﬀee industry. With over 100 successful stores, Esquires has taken the lead in the market as one of the best coﬀee brands with the best service. The skilled leadership and knowledgeable team continues to work hard to stay in the lead.

BELTON FLOURNOY Director

Protiviti

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A Leader In Technology Consulting Practice While Paving The Way For Minorities To Be More Inclusive

oal setting is important, it inspires and motivates you. People with goals succeed because they know where they're going. Belton Flournoy, a director with Protiviti - a global consulting firm, knew he wanted Information Technology to be his second major right from his first IT class and he credits his professor at the time, Dr Monika Ayda, for the same. Belton realised that he rarely saw people who looked like him in business and he then told himself that he wanted to be the first openly gay, Black CEO of a Fortune 500 company. “To be honest, I don't think anyone knows where they 'want to be.' If you asked me 20 years ago, I knew I wanted to be actively driving change, but was unsure of what that looked like,” he says. Now, as a director with Protiviti, he states that he truly enjoys helping his clients to solve their complex problems—especially the ones that leverage the newest concepts and technologies.

Self-Belief And Hard Work Will Always Earn You Success Belton remembers wanting to work at Protiviti after seeing it in BusinessWeek's '50 Best Places to Launch a Career,' combined with the travel opportunities oﬀered by a consulting career. “With Protiviti, I have been able to work in Milwaukee, Seattle, Chicago and now London, as well as having travelled to over 19 countries, including Brazil, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo. I also found myself at Protiviti,” he exclaims. As an adult, he struggled with his identity, even going back into the closet when he relocated to the U.K. Over the past 10 years, he has been able to ﬁnd his authentic self, and that is thanks in large part to Protiviti, which has a great culture that exists no matter where in the world you work.

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“Success is not important at all—finding a passion that drives you is,” states Belton. One quote that has stood out for him his entire life was said by Booker T. Washington: “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.” Belton says that he loves this because it helps him to always look at a challenge as the next rung to achieve success, rather than something to drag him down. A Set-Back Is Not The End, It Is Success In Progress Failure has been the single biggest driving force behind Belton's professional journey. “I ended up having to take time away from university due to finances, which was the first time in my life I felt lost. I returned a few years later with a fiery passion to succeed, which led me to get almost all A's after my return and receive offers from three top global

organisations upon my graduation,” he explains. That passion has continued well into his professional career. Belton agrees setbacks should be viewed as a learning opportunity. He has been doing improv for several years now and he never envisaged the impact it would have on his public speaking ability. “The course taught us to stop focusing on what you cannot control (failures/setbacks) and focus on what you can, which is your ability to do better the next time,” he further adds. Even a personal setback, if viewed in the right way, can make a stronger person. “I've had my fair share of challenges,” he says. But only one stands out and relates to him personally. Belton had just completed a project at a global financial services company and was invited to meet with their head of change. Right before he walked into the room his client told him, “Don't let him know you are gay.” Belton responded with “I will not, as that has nothing to do with my delivery.” He soon realised that his sexuality is just as important as the colour of his skin, or the fact that he is from Texas. “Hiding it does not make me stronger, it eats away at my ability to be my authentic self at work… I recognise the value and importance of developing an inclusive workforce, and of being a leader who makes people feel empowered and able to be themselves in the workplace, which leads to greater productivity,” he explains. Protiviti And Its Services Protiviti is a global consulting firm that delivers strategic insights to help business leaders confidently face the future. Protiviti provides clients with

consulting and managed solutions in ﬁnance, technology, operations, data, analytics, governance, risk and internal audit through its network of more than 85 oﬃces in over 25 countries. Right now, it is facing what it likes to call the 'perform storm' of external and internal drivers that can act as both challenges and opportunities for businesses. These factors include globalisation, digitalisation, evolving regulation, increased cyber-security requirements and ever-changing business models. Protiviti works by balancing risk with opportunity to provide business solutions that enable its clients to realise the potential inherent in their business.

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Protiviti's culture makes it different from its competitors. Their CEO, Joe Tarantino, is a strong leader who empowers everyone in Protiviti to work together to serve clients in exceptional ways. “Our culture is a strong asset and competitive differentiator that shapes our daily activities. We focus on building strong and lasting relationships with our clients and we are proud that so many have become long-time trusted partners,” says Belton. Vision For Protiviti Protiviti believes in finding innovative ways of providing value to its clients and has trained all its global staff on design thinking concepts. This allows them to work alongside

their clients, embedding innovative concepts into their capabilities to deliver lasting change and value. One example is VISION by Protiviti, which is an exciting new global content resource exploring big, transformational topics that will alter business over the next decade and beyond. Through VISION, Protiviti aims to spark new conversations in boardrooms and the C-suite and provide a platform for innovative ideas to surface.

“A typical day starts with a team meeting where we cover any critical issues and discuss the state of our business. We then discuss speciﬁc client strategies, ranging from

organisations about the need to maintain focus on ethnic growth at all levels and providing transparency into some of the challenges faced by people of colour,” he says.

how to deﬁne and implement a structured digital identity programme, to more targeted discussions related to deﬁning segregation of duties framework or automating processes in a user access lifecycle,” Belton explains.

Work-Life Balance

Organisations are also continually looking to improve their business models, improve the experiences of their customers and automate their business processes. To achieve these goals, ﬁrms are now looking for partners who think outside the box to provide tailored ways to solve the challenges. Based on their deep expertise, innovative approaches and wide experience across industries and geographies, Protiviti sees itself becoming a trusted partner for many of them.

Besides his client work, Belton is a very active participant in Protiviti's grassroots-driven employee network groups, including its proPride LGBT+ and proCulture ethnic minority groups. He's also a leader for Technology Community 4 Racial Equality (TC4RE), a group of leading U.K. technology organisations dedicated to building a more diverse and inclusive workplace, of which Protiviti is a founding member. Belton is extremely happy to have helped develop the 'Protiviti culture' during his time in the oﬃce.

They are also excited by many of the latest technology developments, including process mining, identity analytics and quantum computing, and plan to help their clients become more eﬀective and eﬃcient through the adoption of these new technologies. Roles And Responsibilities As A Director With Protiviti Belton says that in his day job, he is a director with a global management risk consultancy. He focuses on identity & access management and cyber security and leads a team of security experts who provide their clients with strategic technology solutions.

The pandemic presented Protiviti with numerous challenges, and Belton exclaims that he is pleased to say they've been able to give their people the support and care they needed, including providing additional benefits and work schedule flexibility. Together, their culture of putting their people first and making sure they're empowered to achieve their goals has meant that as a firm they've stayed strong and focused. “Protiviti also supports my diversity, equity and inclusion efforts outside the firm, such as my work with The Inclusion Initiative (TII) at the London School of Economics where I am an Advisory Board Member and with TLC lions where I act as an inclusion advocate, frequently speaking with

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The work-life balance culture is one of the best things about Protiviti. Belton loves telling people to go to LinkedIn and search their hashtag #livingprotiviti for an independent view into their inclusive and supportive culture. Protiviti's leaders and managers work to ensure their people know they are valued and respected, and if they do ever feel overwhelmed, Protiviti offers a variety of programs and benefits to help, including flexible working, part-time working, sabbaticals and other mental health services. “We've been listed seven years in a row as one of Fortune's '100 Best Companies to Work For' and there's a variety of reasons why we continue to receive this and many similar accolades, including our work/life balance,” he further explains. A message Belton has for his younger self is: Don't stress yourself out about every failure—instead, focus on what went wrong and realise it will only make you stronger. And his message for aspiring leaders is “when you start doubting your abilities—stop and let your boss do that. The imposter syndrome will only drag you down. Oh, and we all suffer from it.”

MARCEL VELICA Senior Security Program Manager

Eventbrite

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The Security Visionary Building Trust in a Chaotic Age

n this age of global digitalization, cybersecurity is the cornerstone of trust, and it requires leaders who balance protection and progress. As Eventbrite's Senior Security Program Manager, Marcel Velica's perspectives on purpose-driven security, responsible innovation, and humanity-first leadership, with a focus on safeguarding digital assets for a secure future are worth exploring. Purpose in Leadership For most of the business world, success is clearly defined and quantified in terms of tangible figures, easily measurable milestones, and celebrity awards. But for a select few forward-thinking leaders, there is an infinitely more subtle and important definition of success that has absolutely nothing to do with the external world. Marcel Velica explains this alternative way of thinking stating, "To me, success isn't

just about metrics or milestones, it's about meaningful impact." In a professional environment, cybersecurity is consistent with trust, which Marcel ﬁnds most important. He asks a simple question that encapsulates this key principle: "Can people rely on your systems, your leadership, your judgment?". The Onus of Impact These moments, as much as often go unseen and unnoticed by the outside world, are the greatest indicator of success for a cybersecurity leader, with the serious responsibility and impact placed upon their work. Marcel is articulating a compelling motivation that transcends the reach of personal ambition, one grounded in a sense of purpose and service. "What drives my passion," he says, "is the understanding that each decision I make is adding to something greater than myself, protecting ideas,

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innovation, and lives." This abiding sense of duty, he says, "is a privilege I never take for granted." The Cyber Leader behind the armor Though technical competence and a good professional reputation to be an achiever are the minimum requirements for success within the cybersecurity arena, true leadership happens through the capacity to build strong rapport with individuals and to create a team culture that fosters imagination and development. Marcel upholds this philosophy and oﬀers a glimpse into his professional identity by stating, "My strategic leadership demands clarity: balancing today's operational risks with tomorrow's innovation goals." The Job of a Connector Marcel's beliefs go way beyond the parameters of accolades and

designation. He states that he considers himself to be a connector. This focus on the connector skill is a key part of what makes great leadership, especially when applied to the challenging and frequently siloed universe of cybersecurity: the ability to "bridge technical depth with executive clarity.” In navigating the complex universe of cybersecurity, this bridge function is of vital importance, facilitating clean and effective communication between technically deep groups and business stakeholders who may not be equally technically capable. Moreover, Marcel considers himself an independent force for empowerment, a far-reaching source that 'empowers others while creating lasting structures.' Lastly, Marcel defines his underlying objective and guiding principle: "My purpose is to elevate security from a reactive necessity to a strategic differentiator." Leading Security at Eventbrite Within the environment of a transforming & innovative company like Eventbrite, cybersecurity holds an essential significance that ensures the platform is secure and reliable. Marcel's leadership at Eventbrite is simply the application in practice of his principles. He outlines that Eventbrite's cybersecurity program has focused on various core areas: "strategic compliance readiness (PCI DSS 4.0, SOC 3), innovation in security automation, cloud architecture hardening, and modern incident response capabilities." These are strategic initiatives where Marcel emphasizes balancing agility and accountability, citing efforts like 'Shadow AI detection, BYOD policy

improvement, and MDM rollout.' He describes that "these aren't technical enhancements; they're business enablers that instill trust, offer scalability, and protect user confidence as the company grows in global markets." Growing Through Adversity The leadership journey is seldom smooth; it is defined by challenges. Marcel observes that, "Every leader faces their crucible moments. Managing resource limitations, driving cross-functional alignment under duress, and building trust in skeptical environments defined my resilience." Marcel Velica describes a strong philosophy: "Vision without execution is hallucination, but execution without vision is survival mode." He keeps his focus "through quarterly strategic roadmaps,

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integrated risk frameworks, and continuous stakeholder alignment." Mindset is the key: "Tools are important, but mindset is what keeps resilience going." The obstacles polished his 'emotional intelligence, polished my communication,' and showed 'vulnerability earns more respect than perfection.' The Road Ahead: A Vision Beyond the Horizon The virtual world is in a state of continuous ﬂux, with new threats and technologies arising. Marcel's vision is "adaptive resilience, security that scales with innovation, not against it." Technologies like "AI, quantum, and decentralized identity” reshape our threat landscape, and our strategies must evolve in tandem. His long-term vision is to lead "global security programs that fuse automation with human insight,

leverage AI ethically, and develop inclusive leadership pipelines", shifting from "control" to "enabling secure innovation at every level." Marcel discusses "machine learning" and "AI" for threat detection, though with a focus on "wisdom, not hype" and applying these technologies to "amplify" rather than replace human intelligence. Marcel sees the lifechanging capability of these technologies, but holds them to a level of responsible deployment, governance is key! Intentional Living and Leadership Marcel's method is a high-intensity daily routine paired with a general philosophy of moral stewardship. His goal-driven days concentrate on stakeholder syncs and architectural security reviews, paired with strategic planning and safe product releases. It is a belief in the importance of action, wherein his leadership is deﬁned by "empathy, clarity, and empowerment," creating "psychological safety and structured collaboration" to achieve maximum focus and productivity. Marcel puts energy over hours, integrating habits such as walks to reset perspective and digital detox windows to uphold balance. He believes in exceptional work as a result of alignment and well-being, preaching for a sustainable process in both life and work. This systems thinking is aligned with Marcel's career ambitions. He trains the next generation of leaders, provides thought leadership, and enables responsible technology. He constructs "risk-based security programs" to facilitate innovation, deﬁning "security" as "a catalyst for better outcomes."

Underpinning this is a basic question: "Are we building not just securely, but responsibly?", evidencing a commitment to incorporating ethical perspectives into his work. To the Next Generation: Lead Boldly, Lead Kindly Marcel cautions leaders to "Be bold in your ideas but kind in your execution," prioritizing technical brilliance and championing empathy and teamwork. He demands less gatekeeping and more mentorship and empowers upcoming leaders: "Remember: you don't need permission to lead, you need vision, courage.to take that ﬁrst imperfect step." This promotes a nurturing and inclusive culture.

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Conclusion Marcel Velica's vision, shaped by his work in cybersecurity, emphasizes purpose, ethics, and human-centricity. He promotes trust, cooperation, and ongoing learning to safeguard the digital world and create a safe future. His statement, "True leadership in cybersecurity is not about control, it's about creating clarity in chaos, trust in uncertainty, and momentum where others see resistance," motivates cybersecurity professionals as builders, protectors, and storytellers who connect systems, inspire people, and navigate complexity with courage. That is the call that he hopes others will answer!

EKATERINA PETROVA Managing Director

GenerationS

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An Innovative and Motivating Businesswoman Leading a Successful Innovation Development and Consulting Platform in Russia

s the Managing Director of GenerationS Corporate Innovation Development Platform, Ekaterina Petrova is an experienced professional with more than 15 years of innovation management and innovation consulting services for corporations and government entities. She is a successful entrepreneur who is paving the way and expanding career opportunities for many women. Receiving the status of “Best manager in the ﬁeld of innovative business” at the ﬁrst independent award for businesswomen “Charmous” in the year 2017, she completely redesigned the development strategy and relaunched the corporate accelerator GenerationS that became the top and world-known accelerator. She is responsible for the launch of several strategic projects aimed at the development of the innovation ecosystem of Russia in partnership with development institutions and major Russian corporations as well as international. In 2020 Ekaterina

became a Bronze winner of Stevie Awards for Women in business, one of the world's premier business awards, in the category “Most Innovative Woman of the Year – business services”. Every person has their own “ingredients” for success For Ekaterina, success means setting goals and achieving them. It's crucial not to be afraid and pave a road to success with your decisions and right actions. Being a part of a company, one can't achieve success without your team. “It's important to make workflow and communications processes as transparent as possible, to motivate and inspire. It is always important that people you are working with clearly understand and strive to achieve results together, launch new projects, or follow the same direction together. There is a huge difference between a leader and a boss. I prefer the first one,” she says.

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She further states that the most important thing is not to be afraid while going through difficulties. She believes all leaders face this problem occasionally. “You start thinking how you can recharge your batteries and bring back the spark. But for me, not giving up is the only way to turn difficulties into opportunities. The more work experience I get the more I learn to adapt and be flexible,” she states. Ekaterina's inspiration to take the leap of faith in her field of work Ekaterina states that there have been several things that have affected her decision to get into the field of innovation management and consulting services. One was the opportunity to bring some change into this world. Innovations are about that. It allows us to do something new and solve global challenges the world faces. You need to be up-to-date and follow modern trends, to understand how to respond to the challenges.

There are and there will be so many ﬁelds for improvement. It's like a non-stop activity and a never-ending source of inspiration.

innovative strategies for their partners that include a long-term plan of innovation initiatives with key metrics.

Valuable lessons Ekaterina learned throughout her successful professional journey

The culture of integrity and innovation in GenerationS

Finding balance is a serious problem for women in top positions. But it is not the only one. Fighting to be perceived and heard is another challenge for women in business. You can develop innovation strategies, and new directions, form a team of professionals, set goals, and achieve them, but sometimes even that is not enough. “There were moments in my life when I had to repeatedly prove that I was doing the right thing and leading the team in the right direction. Not everyone can hear you the ﬁrst time, so I learned how to be patient. It's a good skill in business and life in general,” she states. Ekaterina believes that another stereotype that has passed from life to work is that women are the weaker gender and as a result, are unlikely to succeed. She states that in such a situation, you have to show your personality, and clearly formulate tasks. Defending your position with intelligence and the right arguments is important. GenerationS: Its services and growth under Ekaterina's successful leadership GenerationS is like a baby to Ekaterina. She feels like GenerationS has always been with her. She used to work for some state companies, but she counts the start of her professional growth from the moment GenerationS was launched. “We are going through a teenage stage where

we are trying to understand who we are and who we want to become in the future, what path to follow, what goals to set, identify market needs and our potential clients – to make a service that is in high demand,” she explains smilingly. In the last two years, they have been working hard on trying to adapt to the changes that shook the world of business tremendously; that is an ongoing process. GenerationS was launched in 2013 and went a long way from being just an accelerator to a fully functioning independent platform offering different innovation services to companies – Russian and international (e.g. Michelin, Unilever, PepsiCo, Airbus, Enel Group, Ferring). Considering the current world's situation they are focusing a lot on innovation market research by defining strategic areas for companies' growth, innovation audits, strategic sessions that help to identify strategic technological directions to implement innovations, and developing

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GenerationS' vision is simple – they are trying to find some points of intersection between the market and the main business activities their company has. They are trying to offer new innovative tools and mechanisms through these points of intersection that will improve or strengthen certain processes. They are trying to get business process holders interested and motivate them to work with innovations because innovations can significantly improve some processes. Corporate innovation development platforms, accelerators, and incubators represent support networks in the innovation ecosystem. Therefore, they are aware of the best international market practices and try to share them with their partners in Russia, showing how some processes can be optimized and improved, and how to come up with new types of business and solve global challenges. The future of GenerationS Ekaterina aims for GenerationS to become a global international project. She does not think that the current economic situation can somehow affect these goals. GenerationS might become the right basis for building any processes in general related to the development of the economy of more than one country, because they can build a cluster-based innovative economy of any country, understanding what methods, methodologies, and

fundamentals must be used to achieve success. Uncertainty is difficult, but it is what makes one stronger and allows thinking and acting faster resulting in being a step ahead. Women empowerment and thriving as a woman in this competitive industry Women entrepreneurs represent about one in three growth-oriented entrepreneurs active in the world today (According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor). It is more difficult for women to take leadership positions in Russia than in Europe or the USA. It's fair to say that success doesn't have a gender. Besides gender, there is another issue that sometimes women face. Age bias is a common problem as well. “You can be bursting with ideas, but your initiatives are not always perceived positively. People around you may think that due to your young age you are unable to fully assess the risks and think over the strategy correctly. This attitude is often confusing, so it's important to show strength in character,” states Ekaterina. In rapidly growing startups, a leadership position can be obtained quickly. The key is quality is the ability to move the process forward, quickly solve problems, and look for different ways to achieve goals. In this segment, some women become top managers by the age of 25. However, in large companies, everything is a little different: positions of a high level are usually reached by the age of 40 because it is important that you have experience and understanding of how to build processes, and how to manage people and tasks.

Recognition received by Ekaterina as an inspiring businesswoman “The biggest recognition for me as a businesswoman was at the moment when I realized that our project grew from a small one into an integrated platform that is well known among Russian companies (we've worked with key market players) and among our international partners (by connecting Russian startups with international markets),” Ekaterina exclaims proudly. Through the years their platform has proved itself professionally and productively, by bringing real value. For example, she recently had a conversation and she got a response stating“ we don't want to ask about what GenerationS is, what Ekaterina Petrova and her team did in the past because GenerationS is a reliable brand. And it does not require any additional words because GenerationS equals the quality of work in innovation.” Responsibilities as the Managing Director of GenerationS Ekaterina always thought that the director of innovation is the person who has to build a very transparent innovative process of working with a product/service, the process of integrating some innovative solutions into a company, working with clients, etc. But, in their company (RVC Management Company LLC), GenerationS is equal to a small business in which she has to act not only as the director of innovation but also as the general director of all those processes that occur. Her usual day begins with operational activities and pushing through various tasks. This requires a lot of meetings

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with the team because she believes it is very important to give feedback, get feedback, and process requests that come. “Well, of course, a large percentage of my day is occupied by communicating with clients. Communication and clarification of processes is the ultimate key to success,” she explains. Motivating herself and her team with work-life balance The stereotype that you can't have both – family and a successful career in society has been fought for a long time. “Happy family, career, and other life milestones and achievements depend only on you. It's in your power to find and maintain a worklife balance prioritizing one thing over another. Yes, sometimes this is not easy, but it is possible if you know how much time should be given to the family for the sake of harmony within and to maintain a healthy relationship and environment. At work, you have to constantly keep many tasks in your head, and the solution most often required is to stay here and now,” states Ekaterina. You need to set your priorities and build a system in which you can live comfortably One type of motivation is financial and the other one is non-financial motivation where there is a desire to create something worthwhile together, which, drives them as a team, because they believe in what they are doing. Ekaterina says, “We are motivated by the fact that we are each other's support, we get out of different difficult situations, and set clear goals for ourselves on what to do next.”

FEDERICO VASOLI Managing Pa ner

dMTV Global

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An Experienced Passionate Lawyer, Author, and Legal Consultant

ederico Vasoli is the managing partner of the international legal and tax advisory firm dMTV Global (www.dmtvglobal.com), headquartered in Singapore, and of its Maltese and Vietnamese offices. Federico has over fifteen years' experience in international business law. Federico is a cross-jurisdiction and cross-cultural lawyer, who considers himself as a very ethical person that values interpersonal relations, challenges, innovation and sound legal support that, makes a positive difference for businesses. Federico is the author of legal and business publications and regular speaker at MBA and other academic and executive venues. He was originally admitted to the Bar of Milan and by the Vietnamese Ministry of Justice as a foreign lawyer and currently assists clients primarily in dealing with domestic and international contracts and company law, foreign direct investments, asset protection, trusts,

international tax matters, in a multiplicity of industries, including AI, AR, blockchains, digital medicine and IoT. dMTV Global – Federico's pride and family legacy dMTV Global is a homage to Federico's family's legacy in the legal profession, which goes back to at least the XVIII century. The very acronym refers to the family's surnames, de Masi, Taddei and Vasoli. As a business it is still in its infancy, since it was set up in the second half of 2018, but Federico is proud that their financial results have been better and better year after year, despite the pandemic. As always, people are key and dMTV Global have what they consider the best local partners for each office. After setting up the headquarters in Singapore, they opened their subsidiary in Malta and, once he managed to finally enter Vietnam in 2020 during the

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pandemic, they opened their new offices in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The beginning of Federico's legal career In 2002, as a young law student, Federico did an internship in a law firm in Beijing. China was very different then and, compared to later years, much less of a trendy destination for students and businesses alike. He had already studied law in England and it was just after 9/11, so the two most popular destinations for his peers, London and New York, were not that appealing, hence he decided to go to Asia. “It changed my career and my life, I believe for the better,” he states. Federico claims that he shy away from awards: in most instances they are self-referential. He states that his best recognitions come from his colleagues, as well as his students, when they say they learnt something

from him, and from clients when they are happy with the work he does for them – a client once called Federico their “legal Picasso”. “I took it as a compliment and always smile when I think of this quip,” he says. Responsibilities as managing partner at dMTV Global As the managing partner, Federico is responsible for almost everything and anything, although he believes in delegating, while always being involved in every case. Before opening the ﬁrm in 2018, Federico worked in various law ﬁrms in Beijing, Milan, Brussels and

Barcelona and studied, after graduating in Law at Bocconi University, in Austria and France. Eventually he joined his family's law ﬁrm, de Masi Taddei Vasoli, based in Milan, whose expansion to Vietnam was his responsibility. “Indeed it was a privilege to become a partner of a then important boutique law ﬁrm at a young age and I tried to give back by avoiding to simply get a share of it, but rather by expanding the areas of practice”, says Federico. Success is an ongoing journey “As cliché as it may sound, I believe that success is the journey, as long as such journey is an active one

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(meaning that you are in charge of the few things you can at least in part control), that is adherent to your values without excessive compromising”, Federico answers. In his case, for instance, success is achieving professional results whilst still being able to have a healthy life and enjoying family and friends. Continuing with the metaphor, he says, “If life is a journey on a plane and you are not the pilot, at least know if you prefer tea or coﬀee when the ﬂight attendant asks”. Challenges help you grow making you stronger Federico believes that challenges are

like going to the gym - your muscles grow stronger and bigger if you train them, if you feel some pain. His take is that the earlier in life you face real challenges, the better: you may not be equipped with experience, but damages will likely be smaller. Federico says so, because he had it pretty easy until his early thirties, when the wake of the 2008 financial crisis hit really hard and he had to partly reinvent his business model and take some crucial decisions, such as leaving – on good terms – his family's law firm in Milan. “I would have preferred to receive some welldeserved wake-up calls earlier”, he states. Striving to maintain a work-life balance between in the legal profession Federico decided when he started the legal profession that he would put as many things he enjoys in life into it as possible, for instance languages, travelling, geopolitics and much more. In a way he has managed to tailor his job on himself. Then there is discipline and common sense: unless you are a certified workaholic, there is a limit to the amount of work one can do every day to the detriment of work quality itself, as well as other equally important activities and in any case being mentally and physically fit makes you work better. “I tend to be extremely responsive and to feel bad if I do not finish something before the end of the day, which means I focus, so that I try and conclude tasks as quickly as I can and then free myself from work”, he explains. Federico had to also almost entirely get rid of the sick habit of reading

work-related emails on his phone when he opens his eyes in the morning. Now, he first makes a list of the tasks he wants to complete that day and only then does he check his emails and messages, which in most cases are not as urgent as they can be perceived and therefore do not completely alter his schedule. He does however try to reply to everyone within 24 hours tops. As for his colleagues, Federico says that everyone is different, but certainly sharing responsibilities and fees is quite gratifying. And beyond that, showing real interest in them is important. Federico's future plans for himself and dMTV Global For a small firm like dMTV Global, Federico says that making plans in volatile times is hard, but they do want to tap into the American market. They already have some US clients and believe they can serve them well, particularly in the domains of fintech and foreign direct investments in Vietnam.

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His personal goals are right now related to fitness. “I have restarted Krav Maga and want to practise it to a level where I can qualify as an instructor and have discovered Pilates, which should make a sedentary lawyer like me more physically flexible,” states Federico. He also makes it a point to study Vietnamese every single day, maybe for only fifteen minutes, but every day. At the time of answering questions for this article, Federico has studied Vietnamese for 170 days in a row, without skipping a single day. Federico's message to aspiring lawyers is not to be self-referential: we do not live in a bubble made of intricate jargon and procedures; we are here to defend our clients' rights and interests and we therefore must know as much as we can about our clients and their worlds, on top of being prepared on the law ourselves.

CATERINA BERBENNI-REHM Founder and CEO

PROMIS@SERVIE

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Hard Work is a Virtue, Smart Work is a Talent

hen you identify a way of performing a task with intellect over efforts, you have achieved the way of success in this fast-paced business world. Caterina Berbenni-Rehm, Founder and CEO of PROMIS@Service, started her journey with a similar approach and she mastered the smart way of business. She believed in efficiency and quality which forms the foundation of PROMIS@Service, a Cloud and Intranet eco-system of interactive tools. Caterina was positive about her vision and as she kept going, her entrepreneurial journey sped up. Leading the way with an out of the box thought, Caterina's journey is a true inspiration. In this exclusive read, Caterina shares her success mantras that motivated her to achieve her dreams. What were your dreams and aspirations while growing up? My aspiration was to do everything I had to do, with minimum effort!

Whenever a task or goal was set before me, at school or, later, at work, I always looked for the streamlined method of achieving it. My mother said I was lazy, but, which of us, these days, can afford to keep throwing time, money and effort at the work in hand? This was the beginning of my dream to offer European businesses a way of getting necessary work done in the most efficient way possible. What led you into this field of work? My emotional intelligence never squared with technology, but when I met my husband, an informatics engineer working for KPMG, he convinced me that everyone was building mere hardware and machines without considering the 'soft' side of technology e.g. human-machine interaction, cognitive science, psychology, cross-cultural aspects, multilingual communication, rules and ethics at work. These nontangible aspects were precisely what fascinated me most.

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What were the initial challenges and setbacks that you faced? Everything we do centers on the question of how to make knowledge a tangible asset, because knowledge is the most valuable individual and human capital. The challenge at the beginning was to understand the multi-sector, multilayered, multinational, and multilingual requirements of the users, so we could address their problems in the best way. The major challenge here was to simplify all that complexity down to a “bird's eye view”, which meant we had ﬁrst to map the overall situation, analyzing the status-quo to get a comprehensive understanding of it. An innovation bringing a paradigm change in the delivery of new services, with high market potential, was never going to develop smoothly! It turned out to be a long and challenging, undertaking, which we would never have managed without a

trusted, international team and the support of European institutions. There were setbacks: it proved difficult, for instance, to demonstrate in practice how these methods and tools could make knowledge a 'tangible asset'; inventing and integrating the new business models into the digital platform's eco-system was not easy; and we experienced that where money can be made, certain business 'sharks' are sure to gather! It must be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to plan, more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to manage than a new system. For the initiator has the enmity of all who would profit by the preservation of the old institution and merely lukewarm defenders in those who gain by the new ones. © Niccolò Machiavelli Tell us in brief about the services of PROMIS@Service The business-enabling e-Platform PROMIS® is a Cloud and Intranet eco-system of interactive tools that allows organizations and institutions to find their way through the maze of laws, norms and other regulations to which they are subject and, at the same time, to structure their processes and experience in a way that results in improved operations and significant cost reductions. It is a new type of multilingual, knowledge-management system combined with the versatile Integrated Management System framework. Together, they form a powerful platform for structured process documentation, compliance management, trusted communitybuilding, multilingual communication, smart working and eMentoring.

In short, it is a comprehensive 'all-inone' approach in different languages (content included) with fully integrated machine translation technologies with access, also, to human post-editing, translation services. What is the significance of technology in your everyday business operations? Technology is now an integral part of my life, but I strongly believe it should be an instrument at the service of people, not the other way around. As both a woman and a manager, I am convinced it should be a tool that supports us all as we seek to improve the quality of our work and life. There is a great need to create a model of society in which man and woman, 'united without confusion and distinct without separation', build up a solid civil project of democracy with more and better jobs for all. © CaBeRe How do you define the growth of the company over the past few years? Recent market data for Governance, Risk and Compliance (eGRC) alone, shows the potential market growth from $31,5 bln in 2019 to $51,5 bln in 2024 at a CAGR of 10,3% for the forecast period. (Research & Markets, July 2019). Our company has built upon a solid foundation, developing and integrating every aspect of this complex undertaking, so that, with proper resources, it is now mature enough to expand at an international level. What is your vision for the company?

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We aim at remaining ahead of the competition, oﬀering interactive multilingual services for eGRC and the Circular Economy of Knowledge on a global scale. Circular Economy of Knowledge means how to Structure, Protect, Manage, Communicate, Share, Repurpose and Capitalise on multilingual Knowledge in an Integrated Way © 2016 CaBeRe Give us a brief of your life before PROMIS@Service After achieving a PhD degree, I started my career as marketing assistant for the General Director of FERRERO in Germany. After that, I directed a cultural exchange organisation with direct responsibility for 153 people. After nine years, I took a break from my professional career to devote my time to the upbringing of our son. I re-started as CEO at FUTUREtec GmbH leading an interdisciplinary team of experts in knowledge- and technology-transfer from research to industry, project management of research projects up to deployment. In 2000 we started the PROMIS® project, co-funded by the European Commission. Tell us about your roles and responsibilities as the CEO of PROMIS@Service and how does it make you feel? To be the CEO of a truly innovative company requires ﬂexibility, multitasking, a holistic approach, interdisciplinary skills and, most important, discipline and a great sense of responsibility towards employees

and clients. It requires collaborative & smart working between diﬀerent nations and continents, day by day. What are your greatest achievements? Among the achievements I am proudest of I count: Ÿ

The ability to combine professional and private life harmoniously. There's nothing easy about it!

Winning the loyalty of employees, partners and friends during crises and diﬃcult moments.

How do you manage to balance your personal and professional life? Simple answer: work is one of my hobbies, though I do love cooking! Describe yourself in one word and tell us what inspires you? Integrity. I am inspired by nature. There, every powerful or beautiful thing, like a daisy, a storm or Alpine scenery, has behind it a world of complex systems. What keeps you and your employees motivated? Integrating good people, into better teams, for mutual beneﬁt. © a Benedictine monk Success cannot be achieved without the trust and commitment that makes for good teamwork. Disruptive innovation is never the result of one person's work only, but of the input –minor or major- made by everyone involved, whether inside and outside

the company. It is like the interaction, say, between diﬀerent instruments of a symphony orchestra.

economic value, and who are at least as ambitious as we are, maybe more so.

All this keeps us highly ambitious, but also down-to-earth, and even a little humble!

And we are preparing recommendations, guidelines and standards, as relevant, involving international public and private organizations to implement solutions for all in a synergic approach. For the equitable economic and social development of emerging economies worldwide, it is vital to respect their own cultures, traditions and lifestyle.

What does the future of PROMIS@Service look like, globally? With the right balance between resources and the existing e-Platform, its multilingual services and content, we are ready to go global. How do you plan to widespread the company services? We are looking for Corporate Venture and synergetic partners who understand the importance of shortening the time to market of innovation with a high socio-

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Caterina is confident about her business know-how and she identifies her potential as an exceptional leader, who can lead her company to greater heights. She is headed towards her future goals with a focused mind and as she steams ahead, she will surely make a difference in the conventional business practices.