Welcome to the Leader’s Insights, a place where The Future, asks the simplest, yet, the most interesting questions to the executives of well-known companies, startups and innovators.
Today we talk with Dr. Katerina Sofocleous studied at the University of Surrey, UK. In 2008, she was awarded her PhD in Mechanical and Material Engineering. She is co-founder of AmaDema, the first innovative company of advanced composite materials in Cyprus.
AmaDema focuses on the enhancement of advanced composite materials using nanotechnology. She is the co-inventor of spearhead patented technology of the company, NanoWeld. AmaDema has the Certificate of Innovative Enterprises from the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy and in 2021 won the Industrial Innovation Award from the Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Federation (OEB).
During the last 8 years, she has been a principal investigator and a key contributor in securing more than 5M € in equity-free funding for AmaDema. In 2023 she was awarded the Forbes 20 Women in Tech in Cyprus award and at the moment she is nominated for the Madame Figaro – Women of the Year award 2024 in the category of Innovation.
Katerina is a firm believer in gender equality and empowerment of women in the Engineering industry, and this is reflected in AmaDema’s actions and goals.
Let’s see what Dr. Sofocleous has to say…
1. Do you remember your first day on the job at AmaDema?
First, I need to define my first day at AmaDema. My work for AmaDema started in 2015 in different cafes around Nicosia, but my very first day as an AmaDema employee was in May 2018. It was a mixture of feelings. I was very excited to start working full time at my own company, devoting my time to doing what I love but on the other hand it was a bit lonely, as I was working alone in the office for a couple of months until we were able to have other full-time employees.
2. What is more difficult: being interviewed to join a team or doing the interviews yourself?
I believe that it is more difficult being interviewed, as there, you and what you have achieved is reviewed and compared with other candidates and you have to show your best self to strangers, where after 15-20 minute talk, they will form an opinion about you and judge if you are the best choice for their team.
3. What do you most value in your employees?
Their passion for their job and to feel that they believe in what they do, they share the company’s vision, that is not just a job that they have to do, but understand that the company’s success is their success as well. To bring and support their ideas and solutions to the table. They are a well-bonded team, they support each other and that is something I am very proud of.
4. Which is a motto/quote you use in your work?
“It is ok to fall, but it is a must to get up and try again”. In my line of work, research, innovation and engineering, it is very rare for anything to work for the first time. There is a lot of trial and error involved. That’s why you can’t be disappointed when you face failure. You review and learn from that failure and you try again with different parameters until you find the ones that work.
5. If you were back to the start, what would you advise yourself for a great career?
To be more prepared for my return to Cyprus, as back then opportunities were limited. Maybe even convince myself to stay a few more years abroad to get more experience. Not to feel disappointed for every rejection I had received during the first years of my return as these were not reflected in my abilities rather than the immaturity of the industry here.
6. How do you pump up your creativity?
The best way to pump up my creativity is to take my mind off work for a few hours each week, spending quality time with my kids, going for a date with my husband or going for dinner with friends. Talking, relaxing and unwinding is the best pump up of my creativity.
7. What is a talent you would like to have?
To be able to function without sleeping, as the hours of the day are never enough, it would be helpful to gain a few extra hours a day.
8. How do you balance work and personal life?
This is the most difficult task to maintain but the most necessary one. I am always on call for work even on weekends and on holidays but I can screen what needs my immediate attention and cannot wait and what could wait until Monday morning. My priority in life is and always will be my two children and it is important for them to feel that their mother is present and always by their side. So usually this work/personal life is balanced by fewer hours of sleep per day!
9. What are the top five foods you like in Cyprus?
- Souvlaki in Cypriot pitta – typical Cypriot,
- Soulva – but from specific people, cooking soulva well is an art,
- Machalepi with rose water – sweet and very refreshing,
- Avgolemono soup – for the cold winter nights,
- Rose Ice cream from local makers.
10. Can you name your top five favourite places in Cyprus?
- Protaras strip – for its beautiful beaches,
- Petra tou Romiou – for its magical scenery,
- Omodos – graphica cypriot village in the mountains,
- Konnos Bay Beach – crystal blue waters and golden sand,
- Ledras street – old town Nicosia.
11. Which personality, throughout history, do you admire most?
Marie Curie, a woman scientist in the 1800s fought for her place among the greatest minds of her time. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize, the first person to win a Nobel Prize twice, and the only person to win a Nobel Prize in two scientific fields.
12. Where would you advise our readers to go this summer?
Be adventurous this summer, go out of your comfort zone, travel to places you have never been before, meet new people and learn about other cultures. Try new things and create new memories. Don’t forget to take a lot of pictures but take the time to appreciate what you are seeing through your own eyes and not through the lens of a camera.
