Angela Maridaki, was born and raised in Greece. She studied Greek Literature and Linguistics in University of Athens. While her family anticipated that she would pursue an academic career in these fields, Angela charted her own course by entering the hospitality industry. She began her journey as a hostess in Athens, quickly immersing herself in the diverse roles within the industry—from waitress to bartender, manager and ultimately, bar owner. In late 2012, Angela's career took a significant turn when she was recruited by Diageo as Reserve Brand Ambassador for Athens and Southern Greece. This pivotal role defined her professional identity and instilled a strong framework that has guided her career. Over the next six years, she led the local World Class educational and competition program, co-designed engaging consumer-facing events such as “Fine Drinking Cocktail Festival” and orchestrated experiential brand activations at trade shows and customer events. In 2019, Angela transitioned to the marketing team, taking on the role of Culture & Entertainment (PR) lead for Reserve brands in Greece. This position marked the beginning of her extensive journey in Marketing and Brand Management across both local and regional roles where she continued to expand her expertise within the luxury drinks industry. In her latest Diageo role Angela was appointed as Tequila Europe Advocacy Manager at Centre of Excellence of Europe, a position that allowed her to return to her roots in advocacy and education. Among her greatest achievements was the elevation of tequila educational programs for Diageo's prestigious portfolio. Throughout her career, Angela has actively championed female professionals, by building communities and creating resources that help close the gender leadership gap.