»Growth doesn't always come from big moments«

Finding balance in
unexpected places

As Technical Leader in automation testing at Netcompany, located in Thessaloniki, Greece, Dimitra oversees automation strategies across multiple large-scale European Union systems. Her approach to leadership and technical challenges draws from many sources, including an unexpected one: eight years of aerial silks and trapeze training. 

»Aerial arts constantly push me to step outside my comfort zone, trust the process, and stay committed to long-term progress,« she explains. »It’s a great reminder that progress, whether in the air or in tech, is all about persistence and mindset.«

The parallels between her aerial arts practice and professional life are impossible to ignore. Both require meticulous attention to detail, the ability to remain calm under pressure, and the discipline to build complex skills through consistent, incremental practice. 

Where curiosity meets opportunity

Dimitra’s story begins the way many great tech careers do; with genuine curiosity and a willingness to explore. Born and raised in a small town near Preveza, she went on to complete her Computer Engineering degree at University of Patras and a Master’s degree in Informatics and Management at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, eventually finding herself at AUTh’s AI Lab, diving into PhD research on Knowledge Discovery from Business Data. 

»Due to funding limitations, I decided to transition from academic research into industry,« she reflects. This pivot opened up new possibilities for applying her analytical skills in practical ways. Over the next two years, she built valuable experience in the Greek tech market and earned certifications in REST API testing, CTFL, and SoapUI. By 2019, she was ready to take the next step in her career. 

That’s when Netcompany caught her attention. »One of the main reasons I chose to join was the scale and impact of the projects,« she explains. »I was looking for opportunities to work on complex systems for major European institutions, using modern technologies in a professional environment that matched my ambitions.« When she discovered that Netcompany had a dedicated in-house Software Testing team, the opportunity became even more compelling. »I could see they took quality seriously as a discipline, not just a checkbox,« she reflects. »It felt like a place where I could genuinely grow in the testing field and build a solid foundation for professional growth.«

Growth through trust

From day one, Netcompany provided a strong foundation for growth through hands-on experience, continuous learning, and early responsibility. Starting as a Senior Test Automation Engineer, Dimitra found herself in exactly the kind of environment she had hoped for. 

»I started in a greenfield project, which gave me the opportunity to design and implement testing frameworks from scratch,« she shares. »I was encouraged to explore new technologies, propose solutions, and gradually take ownership of technical areas.«

What made the difference wasn’t just the technical opportunities, but the people who believed in her potential. »The supportive onboarding process and mentoring I received early on, were key in helping me quickly adapt and evolve,« she reflects. »As I gained experience, I was entrusted with larger responsibilities, eventually leading automation efforts across multiple EU projects.«

»Before joining, I expected a structured organisation with challenging projects, but what I found exceeded my expectations,« she says. »I’ve been able to take on a horizontal role, contributing strategic value across multiple projects and supporting teams across different domains. This cross-project involvement has helped me develop both technically and professionally, while giving me visibility into different architectures, approaches, and challenges. The collaborative culture and emphasis on knowledge-sharing really made me feel part of a larger, supportive community from early on.« 

Within just over a year, she was promoted to Scrum Master, blending her technical expertise with project leadership skills and earning her PRINCE2 Agile Practitioner certification, before ultimately transitioning into her current role as Technical Leader in automation testing. 

Innovation in practice

Today, Dimitra’s work extends far beyond traditional testing boundaries. Drawing on her academic background in AI, she’s pioneering the integration of artificial intelligence into testing processes. »What I enjoy most about the tech world is its constant evolution and the ability to work with cutting-edge technologies,« she shares with evident enthusiasm. 

Her current focus on AI-enhanced testing perfectly captures this passion for innovation. Through proof-of-concept projects, she explores how AI can enhance testing and optimise development processes, a work that excites her because it combines practical engineering with genuine innovation. Her multilingual abilities in English, French, German, and Greek prove equally valuable when coordinating international teams, while her background in data science and agile project management positions her uniquely in Netcompany’s specialised testing domain.