My Journey
Psychology
Philosophy taught me to ask questions. Psychology helped me understand people.
Perhaps life had its own timing.
My first choice was Psychology, I didn’t get in on my first attempt. Instead, I completed my degree in Philosophy and Anthropology and a few years later returned to Psychology, this time while already working in the corporate world.
What felt like a detour eventually became a gift. Philosophy taught me to ask questions. Psychology helped me understand people. Together, they continue to shape the way I am and work today.
Customer Care
Without realizing it, I had already started designing my own leadership philosophy.
If I were ever a manager, I would want people to feel differently.
I started my career in an entry-level Customer Care role and back then, I never imagined myself becoming a manager or leader. What I did find myself doing was paying attention.
Moments of control, pressure or micromanagement showed me the worst in people rather than their best. More than once, I remember thinking:
Years later, when I became a team leader, project manager and people manager myself, that map became practice. I remain grateful for all the people who contributed to my map, both the examples I wanted to follow and the ones that taught me what I wanted to do differently.
Coaching
I thought coaching would change how I worked. It changed how I lived.
Curiosity opened the door. Coaching changed the way I live.
A turning point came when I attended a development program for new people managers. One of the topics was coaching. Curiosity quickly became something much bigger.
Through coaching I began to understand myself better, make different choices and approach both work and life more intentionally. The more I experienced its impact, both personally and professionally, the more I wanted to learn, practise, build communities around it and integrate it into the way I lead and support others.
Over time coaching naturally expanded into emotional culture, values work, compassion, motivation and leadership development. What started as an interest in helping people perform and grow became a broader curiosity about what helps people thrive – not only at work, but in life.
Today
This is where my journey has brought me.
Along the way, themes of balance, meaning, connection, creativity and playfulness became increasingly central to my work and life.
How can people perform at their best without sacrificing their wellbeing or personal life in the process?
How can leaders create meaningful results without creating unnecessary pressure?
How can work feel both purposeful and human?
These questions continue to interest me and drive the work I do.
While continuing my own journey, I now create spaces where people can explore what brings them fulfilment, make space for reflection and take action with greater awareness and intention.
NEONA's Story
For a long time, this work existed without a name.
Through coaching conversations, workshops, leadership programs, articles, communities and countless moments of learning, reflection and growth, I was already doing the work. What was missing was a home for it.
When I finally decided to create one, I spent time reflecting on the energy and principles I wanted it to carry: awareness, connection, freedom, curiosity, growth and …a little more colour.
One day, while sitting with these questions, I looked at Neona, my dog, peacefully resting on the couch. The name suddenly appeared and immediately felt right.It wasn’t the result of a branding exercise, it felt more like recognition than invention. NEONA became a simple reminder of the principles I try to bring into my work and life.
That’s also a reminder that some of the most important decisions come from paying attention to what gives us energy and joy.
Why I do this work?
Over the years I have been fascinated by what helps people flourish, what support them genuinely thrive. Bringing the colour back to work means bringing back awareness, emotional honesty, connection, creativity and meaning. Work doesn’t have to feel grey to be productive!
I have seen people achieve remarkable things when they feel trusted, supported and connected to their strengths.
I have seen leaders create meaningful impact when they lead from awareness rather than pressure and I have seen teams become small ecosystems where people contribute, learn, support one another and succeed together.
These experiences continue to shape the way I coach, facilitate and design learning experiences.
Experience & Credentials
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ICF PCC Certified Coach
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25+ years in Corporate Consultancy, Leadership and Culture
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First Emotional Culture Deck Certified Consultant in Eastern Europe
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Barrett Values Centre Certified Consultant
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Applied Compassion Training, Stanford University CCARE
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Trained in Imagery Coaching, Motivation Buttons, Generative Coaching & Evolutionary Coaching
More than the certifications themselves, what matters to me is how they come together in practice — in conversations, workshops and experiences that feel relevant, human and useful.
A few elements that shape the way I work:
Start with strengths, not deficits
I don't see people as problems to fix. I am interested in strengths, values, motivations, emotions, aspirations and untapped potential. Often meaningful growth begins by noticing and using more consciously what is already there.
Create space, not pressure
I believe people think more clearly, learn more deeply and make better choices when they have the space to reflect, explore and discover their own answers.
Turn awareness into action
Reflection matters, but so does application. Whether through coaching, workshops or organizational programs, my intention is always to help people translate insight into practical action, meaningful conversations and sustainable change.
Things that bring colour back to my life… and work
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Big Talk
I enjoy conversations that quickly move beyond “What do you do?” into “What are you dreaming about?”, “What matters to you?” or “What are you learning about yourself these days?” The best conversations often leave me with a new perspective or a new friend.
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Play First. Figure It Out Later.
I believe deep reflection and silliness can coexist surprisingly well. I enjoy doodling workshop ideas, laughing from ear to ear, making jokes, dancing in the kitchen and occasionally singing as if nobody is listening (which is probably for the best).
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Nature is My Thinking Partner
Many of my best ideas arrive while walking through forests, travelling to new places, watching waves, feeding deer in a park or simply sitting quietly outside. Nature has a way of helping me see things more clearly and remember what really matters.
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Dogs, Deer & Alpacas
I share my life with two wonderfully enthusiastic Vizslas, who remind me every day that joy, curiosity and greeting each morning as if it's the best day ever are surprisingly good life strategies. I also have a soft spot for deer, alpacas and pretty much any animal that inspires wonder, gentleness or an irresistible urge to stop and say hello.
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Collecting Sparks
I collect questions, stories, books, metaphors and unexpected moments. A jewellery shop owner in Greece, a conversation on a plane, a quote in a book or a chance encounter can easily become inspiration for a workshop, an article or a coaching conversation.