Navigating Unexpected Twists

In the latest episode of the “Banking and Finance Leaders Shaping the Industry” podcast, Stephanie Girard, CEO of Women in Banking and Finance, engages in a captivating conversation with Anna-Maria Papatheodorou, Executive Assistant at ANZ and the winner of the WiBF 2023 Achievement in an Executive Assistant/Personal Assistant Role Award.

A Happy Accident

The podcast kicked off with Anna-Maria sharing her unexpected and unique career journey. In a candid recount of her early life, Anna Maria reveals that her entry into administration was a “happy accident.” After she initially pursued psychology but found herself drawn to dental nursing during a summer internship. Despite her initial enthusiasm, a challenging experience during a tooth extraction made her realise that dentistry was not her destined path.

“That was the end of my dentistry career. But, you know, in that there were other things that I learned. Admin procedures, scheduling appointments, doing accounts payable, talking to talking to patients that came in, I really loved that aspect of it, and I didn’t think there was a career out of that,” Anna-Maria recounted.

Leveraging Transferrable Skills and Diverse Knowledge

However, this setback became a stepping stone as she discovered her interest in administration while working at the dental practice. Reflecting on the importance of being open to diverse career paths and learning transferable skills, Anna-Maria emphasised that such experiences help individuals discover their true passions.

“I think you need to keep your mind open,” said Anna-Maria.

Adapting and Thriving

Highlighting her journey of adapting to evolving technologies, Anna-Maria stressed the significance of staying relevant in the fast-paced technological landscape, especially in roles like Executive Assistants.

“Technology moves really quickly, more so than what it did 10 years ago, every hour there’s a new program, new this, new that,” she remarked.

Embracing Openness

The conversation takes a personal turn as Anna-Maria opened up about her experiences with mental health before emphasising the need for openness and understanding in workplaces to support mental health.

“Don’t take yourself too seriously. Every mistake, or every setback is an opportunity to learn. I have a motto, there’s no mistakes, just solutions. If one day you fall down, that’s okay, take the time you need to get up and dust yourself off and keep going. I think if you stand still, you get lost, and you just need to keep moving, even if it’s just a tiny step,” Anna-Maria shared.

Building Strong Partnerships

The conversation then explored Anna-Maria’s insights into building effective working relationships with Senior Executives. Trust, honesty, and friendship are identified as key components in establishing successful partnerships. As Anna-Maria underlined the value of continuous learning and collaboration in building a robust professional relationship.

The episode stands as a testament to Ms. Papatheodorou’s resilience, openness, and dedication, showcasing that even unexpected turns in one’s career can lead to a fulfilling and impactful journey in the banking and finance sector.