Welcome to the Leadership Echoes, a place where The Future, asks the simplest, yet, the most interesting questions to the executives of well-known companies, startups and innovators.
This time we have Dr. Maria Terzi the Co-Founder & CEO of Malloc – an AI-driven cybersecurity startup focused on mobile and app security. She holds a BSc in Computer Science Innovation and a PhD in Machine Learning and Recommender Systems from the University of Lancaster, funded by EPSRC.
During her PhD, Maria worked as a Software Engineering Intern at Google and later as a Research Associate at Cyprus University of Technology(2016-2018) and the KIOS Research and Innovation Center of Excellence (2018-2020), and as an Associate Lecturer at UCLan Cyprus (2016-2018) and the University of Cyprus (2018-2020). Maria has won two Google hackathons (2011, 2012), she was selected as a Secure and Private AI scholar by Facebook (2020), “Faces of Europe 2021” by the European Parliament, “35 under 35” by the European Commission in 2022, Woman of the Year award at the Innovation Track (MF Awards 2022), “20 Women in Tech” by Forbes Cyprus (2023).
Maria is also a member of the organizing team of hack{cyprus} contributing to the evolution of the technological ecosystem in Cyprus.
Let’s see what Terzi has to say…
1. Do you remember your first day on the job at Google?
At Google, Zurich, back in 2011. I arrived half an hour earlier and I was seated on a bench, looking at the Google Zurich office across the river. I was excited and at the same time a bit scared, thrilled by the unexpected, blessed and grateful that I got the opportunity to be there.
2. What is more difficult: being interviewed to join a team or doing the interviews yourself?
Certainly doing the interviews, particularly for the startup. Hiring for a very small team is super challenging as every person matters. Having someone in your team who does not fit – cannot keep up with the pace, cannot meet expectations and you can’t communicate well is a disaster.
3. What do you most value in your employees?
I value honesty, good character, commitment and work ethic. Particularly in the startup world, where the pace is fast and sometimes you need to work harder to achieve things, I need to trust and know that every person in my team is fully dedicated and has the passion required to make Malloc a success.
4. Which is a motto/quote you use in your work?
“We will make it happen”, and “We move on” after the not-so-happy moments.
5. If you were back to the start, what would you advise yourself for a great career?
I would advise myself to not hesitate, to not hold back, to not be afraid of criticism or if I would be accepted. As an introvert and a shy child, it took me some time to step out of my comfort zone and actually be me and pursue my dreams.
6. How do you pump up your creativity?
I like to take long walks in nature, sit by the sea, and take long drives while listening to music and I also love painting. I really enjoy spending time with myself. It helps me to reflect on my thoughts, and find peace and then is when I generate new ideas or find solutions to problems.
7. How do you balance work and personal life?
I don’t think I do, but I try to have them coexist with respect to the people around me.
8. What are the top five foods you like in Cyprus?
- Sheftalies (properly cooked),
- Tahini (tashi),
- Musakas,
- Eggplants,
- Stuffed vegetables.
9. Can you name your top five favourite places in Cyprus?
- Kormakitis – the village of my parents, in the occupied part of Cyprus near Kyrenia. The bread freshly baked by the grandmothers, the beautiful, untouched nature, the Sanduka beach and the little church of Saint George (οf Sporos) by the Kornos beach,
- Larnaca – the city I was born and raised in. I always find a unique calmness and peace when I am there,
- Platres – the smell of nature when you first wake up. The natural trails and the small waterfalls,
- Paphos villages – beautiful sunsets and charming places in Pomos, Kritou Tera, Latsi, Panayia, Simou,
- Nicosia city center – I love the old town, and the restored houses.
10. Who is your favourite author/book that helped your career?
In terms of my computer science career, my most valuable book was “Introduction to Algorithms” – it gives a good foundation of non-trivial algorithms and data structures.
In terms of shaping the way I think I have a few favorite books. Black Swan by Nicolas Taleb, Understanding Power by Noam Chomsky, Living My Life by Emma Goldman, Games People Play by Eric Berne.
11. Where would you advise our readers to go this summer?
Summer – Definitely the Paphos area, there is a place in Pomos that makes sandwiches with the most incredible view and a beach bar with umbrellas that has the most amazing sea in Cyprus. You can also rent a boat from Latsi and visit the Blue Lagoon.
Winter – There are too many beautiful villages with great wine and good restaurants. Kalo Panagiotis, Omodos, Fikardou, Lefkara.
