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As financial ecosystems grow more digital and globally interconnected, corporate accounting and tax strategy firms are evolving rapidly to offer integrated solutions that blend financial accuracy with forward-looking tax planning. Firms are evolving from traditional number-crunching roles to becoming proactive partners in financial decision-making, helping organizations navigate tax complexities, mitigate risks and unlock value through effective structuring and planning.
Maria Zarotiadou strategically combines business strategy with a mission to drive inclusive growth. As the Managing Director of Plan of Business and Plan Career, Maria is a seasoned strategic marketing expert and certified business coach. She holds academic credentials in Business Administration and Marketing, both anchored in gender equality.
A certified Business Coach and holder of the EU’s WISE4Women certification in women’s social entrepreneurship, Maria has served as a Gender Equality Advisor at the General Secretariat for Family Policy and Gender Equality. Her commitment to deliver impactful and signature learning experiences through workshops, webinars, and seminars are featured at events hosted by Skywalker.gr, Plan of Business, and more.
Take us through the formative years of your life. What key influences played a pivotal role in shaping your life’s trajectory.
Growing up in Athens, Greece, I was fortunate to be influenced by individuals who embodied resilience and a strong sense of community, most notable my parents and teachers who instilled ambition and a lifelong commitment to learning. It was during my university and postgraduate education in the UK and Scotland, that my worldview expanded significantly, laying the foundation for a globally minded, purpose-driven career.
Choosing to study business administration and marketing, was a bold move grounded in a commitment to gender equality. The experience confirmed that sustainable impact stems from intentional learning and capacity-building. I carry forward the principle that meaningful change starts with bold decisions and commitment to empower others through knowledge and opportunity. I learned that sustainable change demands preparation and conviction, and today, every initiative I lead is grounded in the belief that education, training, and inclusive leadership create lasting impact.
Take us through your professional journey and key areas of specialization as a gender equity expert and business coach.
Starting out in traditionally male-dominated sectors, I gained first-hand experience with systemic barriers that shape the workplace. These insights led me to specialize in gender policy, bias prevention, inclusive leadership, and organizational culture transformation, all aimed at driving meaningful change. From business planning and expansion strategies to inclusive leaderships development, I equip clients with actionable tools to thrive in competitive markets. I have also served as a business speaker, sharing practical insights and fostering transformation through engagements on entrepreneurship, marketing, human resource, and gender equity.
My areas of expertise include strategic planning, leadership growth, and gender-responsive business development. In additions to personalized coaching, I have spent nearly 10 years delivering impactful content through conferences, seminars and webinars focused on business strategy, marketing, HR and gender equity.
Introduce us to Plan of Business and the underlying idea behind the company. What different responsibilities do you shoulder as the company’s Managing Director?
Founded in Athens 16 years ago, Plan of Business provides financial consulting and accounting services, from budgeting and reporting to on-site financial support. The firm helps business owners and executives make informed financial decisions and drive long-term growth. Under the guidance of Founder and CEO George Eglezakis, the firm remains dedicated to delivering top-tier expertise while pushing beyond conventional service boundaries.
In my capacity serving as Managing Director, I pivot between guiding the strategic vision, mentoring our talent, troubleshooting complex challenges, and driving hands-on into critical projects. I focus on long-term growth and client engagement, and I remain an active participant in the day-to-day momentum. It is a demanding role, no doubt, but it is also one of the most fulfilling aspects of my professional journey.
What strategies or tools do you leverage in your role as a business coach?
My structured yet personalized approach leverages tools like SMART goal setting, SWOT analysis, and the Eisenhower Matrix to turn vision into actionable plans. I guide clients through real-world market research and competitive analysis while addressing mindset barriers such as self-doubt and fear of failure. Through confidence-building techniques, I empower them to lead with clarify and resilience. From tailored toolkits to custom dashboards, these systems help clients stay focused and aligned with their goals.
What key business challenges do you encounter in your work as a gender equity expert and how do you navigate through these roadblocks?
Driving gender equality initiatives requires more than policy, it involves challenging deeply embedded beliefs and systems. Resistance often stems from outdated views that see inclusion as a social add-on, rather than a catalyst for innovation, productivity, and long-term growth. A major roadblock to sustainable inclusion is when organizations prioritize optics over impact without gender-disaggregated data and clear KPIs, most companies struggle to diagnose problems or track progress. I tackle these issues by embedding equity into strategy and operations.
Meaningful change is the result of vision, resilience, and a deliberate path forward
Driving meaningful equity starts with education that pairs compelling narratives with data-driven insights. From rethinking hiring practices to aligning evaluation system. I work to institutionalize equity across operations. Small milestones are recognized as strategic progress points in the long-term transformation journey.
How is Greece evolving to achieve gender equity in its corporate world?
The rise of gender equality initiatives in corporate governance is reshaping business practices and leadership dynamics across industries. Law 5172, in effect since 2025, enforces EU compliance by setting board gender representation thresholds, 25 percent for listed firms and 33 percent for major corporations. The law calls for transparent, criteria-based nominations and mandates annual reporting on gender balance initiatives. Sanctions for non-adherence are significant, including financial penalties of up to €3 million. Still, with unified commitment from all the stakeholders, tangible and lasting change is within reach. Greece’s strategic approach reflects a forward-thinking balance, pursuing economic resilience while embedding social responsibility at the heart of national growth.
Maria Zarotiadou, Managing Director, Plan Of Business
Maria Zarotiadou guides businesses to elevate brand presence and optimize actionable business planning. As Managing Director of Plan of Business and Plan Career by Plan of Business, Maria Zarotiadou brings almost 20 years of experience in strategic marketing, business coaching and gender equality advisory. Her thought leadership extends to mentoring emerging entrepreneurs through Women on Top, Startab, and Prince’s Trust International initiatives. She continues to deliver impactful learning experiences through workshops, webinars, and seminars across Greece’s top entrepreneurship platforms.
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