Sofia Konstantopoulou – Founder & Chairlady of Greek International Women Awards (GIWA)
+8 Sofia Konstantopoulou – Founder & Chairlady of Greek International Women Awards (GIWA)
Sofia Konstantopoulou – Founder & Chairlady of Greek International Women Awards (GIWA)
Sofia Konstantopoulou – Founder & Chairlady of Greek International Women Awards (GIWA)
Sofia Konstantopoulou – Founder & Chairlady of Greek International Women Awards (GIWA)
Sofia Konstantopoulou – Founder & Chairlady of Greek International Women Awards (GIWA)
Sofia Konstantopoulou – Founder & Chairlady of Greek International Women Awards (GIWA)
Sofia Konstantopoulou – Founder & Chairlady of Greek International Women Awards (GIWA)
The Greek International Women Awards – GIWA, were held for the first time in London, in 2017, at the British Museum and it seems that they are becoming an institution for rewarding the Excellence of Greek Women, internationally. The second GIWA will take place in Athens in 2021, under the auspices of our Greek Embassy in London, the General Secretariat for Family Policy and Gender Equality of the Ministry of Labor and the National Chamber Network of Greek Women Entrepreneurs.
GIWA President and Founder, Sofia Konstantopoulou talks about her vision and states:
«GIWA is the biggest celebration of successful Greek women in the world, a case that concerns us all. The purpose of these awards is not the ceremony itself, but the journey we take to discover these Greek women who thrive in their field, to inspire them to apply and truly honour them as we did at the British Museum in 2017».
Sofia, we have been waiting for almost 3 years since the first GIWA in 2017. Is it a three year time you will establish?
After 3 years, we and our highly esteemed judges are up to take the responsibility to reward and recognize the value of the Greek woman professional who dares to share her work with the world! The 2nd GIWA Awards Ceremony will take place in 2021 and that is because of the international crisis we are experiencing. Our online platform is already open and we receive high level nominations every day. Candidates can apply in the awards by 25 November. In the event of a change of date, we will update our website, as well as inform everyone through our official supporters and media sponsors, who communicate our messages to thousands of Greek professionals around the world, such as our favourite Volta magazine. Undoubtedly, our campaign continues and will continue until women’s influence is taken for granted and isn’t questioned.
We also have the presence of Ernst & Young. What does it ensure?
GIWA, as a non profit project, has a moral obligation to honour all candidates by evaluating them with the highest standards. These awards symbolize a national recognition and success of Greek women internationally. Having Ernst & Young next to us, we ensure the meritocracy and transparency of the results, and in combination with our judging panel which consist of a remarkable pool of professionals, we invite even more women to share their stories and become candidates, by highlighting their professional successes. Eftychia Kaselaki, Partner, People Advisory Services Leader, will be in charge of controlling the selection process on behalf of EY, while Mr. Panagiotis Papazoglou, CEO of EY Greece, will participate in the final phase of the process, as a judge of the Business & Entrepreneurship category.
Are the Greek International Women’s Awards synonymous with Greek Women’s Excellence alone or something more?
GIWA is synonymous with excellence, validity, respect, productivity, responsibility, transparency and ethics. Despite the humanitarian crisis we are experiencing, GIWA always goes hand in hand with tackling gender inequality and human continuity and evolution. Our motto is “Share your story and make a difference”.
Who would you like to thank for this event?
Willingness, hard work, professionalism, innovative ideas, volunteer work and dedication to our vision are characteristics of the GIWA committee. I would like with great appreciation and a lot of love to thank my ten colleagues. Without these unique personalities, GIWA would not be the same. This accomplishment would not be possible without the support of our sponsors, supporters, strategic partners, communication sponsors and the GIWA judges who are by our side and support us in all the ways possible. I would also like to thank and mention that GIWA is powered by Aphrodite’s Hill, one of the largest and best luxury resorts in Europe based in Cyprus. We especially thank our gold sponsor, luxury suites Crystal Waters and our silver sponsor, plastic surgeon Angeliki Kavouni. We are also proud to have MeXOXO by our side as a strategic partner, offering counselling sessions to women who want to apply. I can’t help but mention you, Fotini, who with your exceptional aesthetics and dedication to our work, make us shine even more. I am sure that through VOLTA we will source remarkable candidates and who knows, maybe the winners of GIWA. On behalf of the GIWA committee, ι would like to heartedly thank everyone and each one individually who shares the same values with us.
What is the selection process for candidates?
The application process is very simple and transparent. We invite women with Greek or Greek-Cypriot origin, over 18 years old who have an international dimension in their career to submit a candidacy. There is also the “nomination” option for someone who wishes to suggest woman and this is done through our website www.greekinternationalwomenawards.com.
In the application form, they are asked to answer specific questions that will allow them to highlight their achievements as well as their personality. EY will review and secure the validity of their application. The next phase is to be reviewed by the judges, 2 judges per category, and the final result is formed through public voting by our third judge, the public.
I wish you all health and strength and we are looking forward to welcoming you to the celebration of our winners in 2021 at the Hellenic Cultural Centre in Athens.
