NextGen Leaders Powered by Dialectica: Business & Tech Skills Week

Can a single week change the way you think about your future?

That’s the question we asked the cis and trans women who joined the NextGen Leaders: Business & Tech Skills Week, an initiative we proudly powered in collaboration with WE LEAD. 

Their answer? A resounding yes.

Because when learning is practical, guidance is honest, and support is collective, knowledge becomes actionable, and action leads to progress. This practical approach to learning equipped our participants with the confidence and readiness to tackle real-world challenges.

Over the course of four packed days, nine Dialecticans shared their expertise across career development, technology, leadership, and legal frameworks. By the end of the week, participants didn’t just leave with advice; they went with a practical career roadmap.

Career Confidence Starts From Within

The week began with one of the most common (and important) questions in the job market: What are recruiters actually looking for?

Christina Gkiortou and Angeliki Papoutsani from our Talent Acquisition team shared practical insights on how to tailor a CV, prepare for interviews, and approach career planning with a long-term perspective. Their main message: “The CV is just the beginning. What matters is showing who you are and how you can bring value to the role.”

The day wrapped with an open Q&A with Dimitris Psaltoulis, Chief People Officer, who emphasized the importance of setting personal goals and committing to your own path before advocating for it externally.

Business Thinking, Human Focus

On Day 2, after a brief welcome by Panagiotis Papachristofilou, Global Head of Marketing & Communications, we shifted toward the business side of tech.

Katerina Karagiorga, Global Director of Consulting Strategic Accounts & Commercial Operations Surveys, shared how client-centric thinking can transform careers, not just companies. Understanding who you're building for, and why they care, is at the core of sustainable value creation. As she put it: “It doesn’t matter what you want to build. What matters is what problem you’re solving.”

Next, Stefania Diamantara, our Deputy General Counsel & VP of Compliance, shed light on the legal frameworks that shape the tech landscape, from GDPR to AI regulation. She showed how legal literacy isn’t just for lawyers; it’s essential for anyone operating in today’s digital environment.

“The more directly an AI system influences and manipulates, the stricter its obligations become,” she told us, and through real-life examples she made one thing clear: technology without legal awareness is incomplete.

Technology in Action

Day 3 was powered by tech and gave participants a behind-the-scenes look at how we build and scale products at Dialectica.

Theofilos Karageorgiou, Senior Director of Product Management, explained what it takes to move from idea to execution, highlighting that good leadership is less about being the smartest person in the room, and more about asking the right questions.

Then, Eleni Michaletou, Senior Cloud Engineer, walked through the infrastructure that powers Dialectica’s platforms. She showed that tech isn’t just code, it’s the invisible layer that supports every digital experience, and it’s shaped by people who think critically and build responsibly.

Redefining Leadership

We closed the week with a deep dive into leadership, self-awareness, and purpose.

Katerina Stoli, Director of Leadership Coaching, led a session on building your personal brand and leading your career with authenticity. She reminded participants that non-linear paths are not a liability; they’re often your superpower.

More specifically, she said: “The biggest mistake we make in career development is underestimating our background and everything we’ve already achieved, especially if it doesn’t fit the ‘traditional’ profile. Non-linear paths aren’t a weakness. They’re a strength. And smart employers know it.”

Finally, Michael Petychakis, CTO, joined a live Q&A and shared his perspective on leading tech teams, navigating rapid growth, the strategic role of AI in shaping the future, and why passion is the most valuable thing you can bring to your work: “Let passion guide you. Commit to what you love and let your projects speak for you. Whether it’s a GitHub link, a personal initiative, or a volunteer project - what stands out on a CV isn’t someone looking for a job. It’s someone who truly loves what they do”

Our ESG Commitments in Action

ESG isn’t just a set of checkboxes — it’s a guiding principle. Our partnership with WE LEAD and our outreach to emerging talent in Greece and beyond demonstrated our dedication to engaging with local communities and supporting career access. 

Most importantly, by investing directly in underrepresented groups and equipping cis and trans women with practical tools for growth, we reaffirm our mission to foster a truly diverse and inclusive culture.

Because at Dialectica, we don’t just talk about impact.

We create it, together.