Dr. Effi Staiou is a passionate mentor and educator who has been working with young people for more than 15 years, helping them grow, connect, and take action. She currently teaches at the Department of Industrial Engineering at Yaşar University, where she inspires students to explore new ideas in quality management, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

Dr. Staiou holds an MSc in Mechanical Engineering from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece, an MSc in Operations Management from the University of Manchester, UK, and a PhD in Quality Management from the University of Macedonia, Greece. Her professional journey includes over 20 years of experience as a consultant and manager in both the private and public sectors, guiding teams and organizations toward better processes and impactful results.

She has played an active role in numerous European projects—especially Erasmus+ initiatives—focused on empowering young people, strengthening digital skills in youth work, and promoting entrepreneurship education. Through these projects, Dr. Staiou has mentored countless young participants, helping them develop their ideas into real initiatives that make a difference in their communities. Her work bridges education, innovation, and social impact, always driven by a belief in youth potential and the power of collaboration.