Fully skilled for remote work and collaboration
Zoe Nowak
Scaling Impactful Ventures
Ronse
Summary
I am a results-driven intrapreneur with over 20 years' experience in scaling impactful ventures in alternative tourism, local food systems and startup ecosystems.
My expertise spans operations set-up, quality management, certification processes and partnership development, with a focus on creating sustainable change.
I'm energized by transforming complex challenges into actionable strategies, driving innovation, building resilient business models and aligning multi-stakeholder teams.
Overview
2024
2024
years of professional experience
14
14
years of post-secondary education
8
8
Certifications
8
8
Languages
Work History
Head of Product
Soil Food Web School
9 2023 - 8 2024
- Conducting market research to drive product positioning and communication strategies in collaboration with the marketing department.
- Leading cross-functional teams in product enhancements, aligning with market needs and customer feedback.
- Managing the product development team, overseeing the lifecycle of educational products from inception to launch.
- Implementing product strategies resulting in significant increases in student engagement and satisfaction.
Special Projects Lead
Soil Food Web School
05.2022 - 09.2023
- Leading cross-functional teams to deliver urgent and high-impact projects.
- Focusing on problem solving, innovation and the development of new initiatives addressing critical business challenges.
- Driving project launch strategies and streamlining existing marketing operations.
- Managing the integration of marketing efforts with product development.
Head of Strategy & Partnerships
Pierra Creta
05.2019 - 12.2021
- Building a cross-sector partnership to establish sustainable winter mountain tourism in Crete
- Coordinating the development of a strategic plan with local stakeholders
- Lobbying local and central government
- Advising local businesses on the creation of tourism services and products
Business Development Manager
Foodakai
01.2018 - 02.2019
- Identifying the value proposition and ICP based on customer interviews.
- Optimising sales and marketing operations, which resulted in doubling sales in one year.
- Creating new marketing material.
- Managing Public Relations.
Advisor to the Vice Minister
Ministry of Economy & Development of Greece
01.2016 - 12.2017
- Designing a framework to support the Greek startup ecosystem.
- Evaluating the impact of the first government funds dedicated to the growth of startups.
- Designing and co-ordinating the Agrifood, Tourism & Industry Forum to promote the consumption of Greek products.
Strategy Consultant & Mentor
Orange Grove
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Preparing Incubator operations.
- Strategic planning and supporting the Incubator management transition from the Dutch Embassy to the Athens Startup Factory.
- Mentoring tourism and agri-food startups.
Co-Founder & Sustainable Regional Development Expert
Local Food Experts
1 2013 - 11.2021
- Consulting on various projects related to sustainable tourism and destination management.
General Manager
Cretan Quality Agreement
01.2009 - 12.2012
- Establishing Greece's first quality label and certification organisation to promote the Cretan Diet, a best practice for sustainable regional development.
- Setting up the certification department and the quality standards for “Cretan Cuisine” and “Open Wineries” labels according to ISO 45011.
- Managing the SMED programme for Crete in partnership with UNWTO, for Destinations of Excellence.
- Designing the Region of Crete’s food tourism strategy for the whole island.
Education
Postgraduate program - Economical and Regional Development
Panteion University
09.2005 - 06.2009
Postgraduate program - Quality Control and Environmental Management
Technical University of Crete
Chania, Crete 09.2003 - 06.2007
Erasmus - Student Exchange - Department of Environmental Studies
Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona
09.2000 - 06.2001
Environmental Engineering Degree - undefined
Technical University of Crete
Chania, Crete 09.1997 - 06.2003
Skills
Problem Solving
Organizational skills
Decision Making
Critical Thinking
Design thinking
Project Management
Strategic Planning
Resourcefulness
Communication Skills
Teamwork Leadership
Product quality assurance
Product marketing
Websites
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 09/04/79
- Nationality: Greek British
Certification
Strategyzer Coach Academy Innovation Sprints
Training
- Soil Food Web School Foundation Courses 2024
- Ai tools in Marketing Masterclass 2024
- Non Violent Communication 2023
- Holistic Management 2022
- NISI Business and Marketing Masterclass 2020
- Digital Storytelling 2019
- Startup Accelerator Manager, Global Accelerator Network (GAN) 2017
- Culinary Tourism Professional Certification 2015
- Digital Marketing and Management of Tourism 2011
- Advanced Presentation Skills 2011
- Food Safety Systems Audiotor - HACCP 2003
Hobbies
- Life Long Learning
- Crafts
- Martial arts
- Meditation
- Winter swimming
- Volunteering
References
References available upon request.
Software
Google Workspace
Microsoft Office Suite
Online Project Management (Mondaycom, Trello, Asana)
Online Collaboration (Slack, Zoom, Miro)
CRM (Hubspot)
Time Management Systems
AI tools (market research, marketing, etc)
Timeline
Strategyzer Coach Academy Innovation Sprints
11-2023
Strategyzer Mastering Business Models
10-2023
Strategyzer Mastering Value Propositions
10-2023
Strategyzer Mastering Business Testing
10-2023
Special Projects Lead
Soil Food Web School
05.2022 - 09.2023
Head of Strategy & Partnerships
Pierra Creta
05.2019 - 12.2021
Business Development Manager
Foodakai
01.2018 - 02.2019
Advisor to the Vice Minister
Ministry of Economy & Development of Greece
01.2016 - 12.2017
Strategy Consultant & Mentor
Orange Grove
01.2014 - 01.2016
Master NLP Coach
12-2010
Accredited Partnership Broker
12-2009
General Manager
Cretan Quality Agreement
01.2009 - 12.2012
Postgraduate program - Economical and Regional Development
Panteion University
09.2005 - 06.2009
IEMA Approved Environmental Management Auditor - ISO 14000
12-2004
UKAS Approved Auditor of Quality Management Systems ISO 9001:2000
12-2003
Postgraduate program - Quality Control and Environmental Management
Technical University of Crete
09.2003 - 06.2007
Erasmus - Student Exchange - Department of Environmental Studies
Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona
09.2000 - 06.2001
Environmental Engineering Degree - undefined
Technical University of Crete
09.1997 - 06.2003
Head of Product
Soil Food Web School
9 2023 - 8 2024
Co-Founder & Sustainable Regional Development Expert
Local Food Experts
1 2013 - 11.2021
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