Three decades, one team: Our people reflect

This year marks a special milestone for us – 30 years of growth, collaboration, innovation. But it’s clear to us that, while achievements and numbers tell part of our story, it’s the people behind them who truly make the difference.
To celebrate this anniversary, we asked some of our colleagues to share their thoughts, experiences and reflections on this journey. Here’s what they had to say.

How and when did your journey at Relational begin?

Matthildi Passa, Service Management Solutions Team Manager:
My journey with Relational started in July 2006. I passed two interviews — one with my supervisor and one with the director. I still remember those days as if they were yesterday, with great respect and warmth.

Vasilis Stathoulias, Business Analysis Team Manager – MiTOS:
Ah, May 2006. It feels like yesterday and a lifetime ago all at once! I remember the exciting buzz of a growing tech company distinctly. Back then, Relational was a tight-knit crew of about 40-45 bright minds, a far cry from the nearly 250 of us today, stretching across borders. It was a time that you could feel the energy in the air. I joined eager to learn, and little did I know, I was stepping into an adventure that would shape my professional life for almost two decades.

Anastasios Kantzavelos, Advisor to the Board:
My connection with Relational dates back 20 years, to a particularly demanding project abroad where I first had the chance to collaborate with Yannis.  That first encounter made a lasting impression. Yannis showed me an incredible sense of reliability and approach ahead of time, and I, too, felt trusted to provide my share. That shared reliance formed a foundation of profound trust.

Mara Apostolopoulou, Director of Business Intelligence:
My journey started in 2003, a couple of years after completing my Master’ s degree. Relational was recommended to me as a good place to work by one of Relational’ s customers at the time.

Alexis Argyris, Business Transformation Specialist:
In 2006 while I was looking for a company that might be interested in developing its own software products.

Stefania Briasouli, Associate Talent Acquisition Specialist:
My journey started 10 months ago.

Vasilis Tsintilas, Pre-sales Director:
My journey at Relational began in 2005, a pivotal time both for the company and for my own professional development. I was drawn to Relational because of its strong reputation in delivering innovative data management and business intelligence solutions, as well as the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technologies. From the very beginning, I was impressed by the company’s collaborative culture and the emphasis on continuous learning. Over the years, I’ve had the chance to grow alongside Relational, taking on new challenges, contributing to key projects, and witnessing firsthand how the company has evolved to meet the changing needs of its clients. It’s been a rewarding and transformative experience.

What makes Relational special to you?

Matthildi Passa:
Relational is special to me because of its strong commitment to collaboration and teamwork. From my first day here, I felt welcomed and supported by my colleagues. It is a caring environment where I could learn and expand my abilities! After a while, Relational becomes family.

Vasilis Stathoulias:
What makes Relational special? It’s genuinely a mix of things, but at its core, it’s the teamwork and the incredible bonding that happens when you face challenging situations together. We’ve always had this wonderful “family culture” where everyone knew everyone – a real sense of shared purpose. We’ve celebrated wins, navigated countless late nights, and often found ourselves in the trenches, problem-solving side-by-side. Those moments, forged under pressure, that’s what truly makes Relational feel like home. It’s more than just a job; it’s a shared journey.

Anastasios Kantzavelos:
The collaborative and supportive culture. I received incredible support and insights from colleagues outside my immediate team, which really accelerated our progress.

Mara Apostolopoulou:
Relational has become through the years something close to a family for me. I have spent half my living years working  in Relational. We share sometimes complicated but strong relationships filled with respect and a common target.

Alexis Argyris:
The values of its core management team.

Stefania Briasouli:
Relational is a company that cares and supports its employees while also challenges them to grow. Managers and their employees trust and respect each other and have a shared commitment to both individual and company success.

Vasilis Tsintilas:
What makes Relational special to me is the strong sense of purpose and collaboration that has been consistent throughout my time here. Since 2005, I’ve seen how the company invests in its people, encourages innovation, and genuinely values long-term relationships—with clients and employees alike. There’s a culture of trust and openness that makes it easy to grow, share ideas, and take initiative. Beyond the technology and the projects, it’s the people—their dedication, professionalism, and team spirit—that truly make Relational a unique and inspiring place to work.

What is an important lesson you’ve learnt from your time here?

Matthildi Passa:
Working on a variety of customer environments and projects, I’ve learned the importance of adaptability. I’ve seen how quickly priorities can shift. When we faced unexpected challenges in a project, I learned to pivot my approach and embrace change rather than resist it. This experience has not only enhanced my problem-solving skills but also helped me become more open to new ideas and solutions.

Vasilis Stathoulias:
One of the most profound lessons I’ve learned, especially from those early years of intense travel, is the power of integrity and professionalism in building bridges across cultures. I remember projects where we’d be rolling to production environments late into the night, only to face a non-performing system – talk about character building! Culturally, working in places like Poland was an eye-opener. Initially, the approach of some of our Polish colleagues felt very distant; it was hard to break through. But through persistent professionalism, unwavering integrity, and consistently delivering results, we built trust. Over time, many of them became genuinely good friends. It taught me that no matter the technical challenge or cultural barrier, a professional approach and a genuine desire to deliver can overcome anything.

Mara Apostolopoulou:
As long as you try and work hard, the right people will appreciate it, the wrong will take advantage. I have learned how to distinguish them and work with the former.

Alexis Argyris:
You need to regard your professional career in a principled way, be true to what you believe is of value and not pay too much attention to the ups and downs of daily life

Stefania Briasouli:
Every obstacle is an opportunity for growth.

Vasilis Tsintilas:
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned at Relational is the value of adaptability—both in terms of technology and mindset. Over the years, the industry has evolved rapidly, and so has our company. Being able to embrace change, stay curious, and continuously learn has been essential not only for delivering value to our clients but also for personal growth. I’ve also learned that collaboration and open communication are key to solving complex challenges—no matter how advanced the tools we use, it’s the human connection that drives success.

If Life at Relational was a book or movie, what chapter/scene would you be in? And what role would you have?

Matthildi Passa:
Mission Impossible! The scene I’m thinking of is our team inside a customer’s data center, freezing from the air conditioning… trying to connect the blue and red wires to restart a downed server. We have already enforced all ITSM processes according to ITIL best practices, doing our best to save the customer and minimize the impact of the server’s downtime!

Vasilis Stathoulias:
If life at Relational was an epic adventure, I’d definitely be that seasoned character who steps in when the chips are down, not with a sword or a magic spell, but with a few well-chosen words. I’d be the one who takes people out of trouble with my words – perhaps by clarifying a complex technical issue under pressure, mediating a cross-cultural misunderstanding, or simply offering a calming perspective when things feel chaotic. Think of me as the seasoned diplomat or the wise elder of the expedition, the one who can untangle a verbal knot and get everyone back on track, heading towards the next milestone.

Anastasios Kantzavelos:
If ‘life at Relational’ were a movie, I’d report that I’d be in the middle of an action-packed ‘team challenges’ scene. Picture a scene where an AroTRON implementation project is facing unexpected challenges. The atmosphere is electric, but instead of dread, there’s a spilling over of team energy and determination.
My role in that scene would be the Orchestrator. I’d be the person who would be actively linking between different departments or team members so that necessary information can pass smoothly and that there are quick problem-solving sessions. My lines would be about asking the right questions to identify root causes and suggesting innovative solutions where different skill sets would be integrated together and where challenges would become opportunities. Ultimately, I would be a significant contributor to arranging for that pivotal moment when the team, through actual relational work, experiences a breakthrough and offers a successful solution.

Mara Apostolopoulou:
I would be in most chapters jumping from lead to supporting roles depending on the chapter/scene requirements.

Alexis Argyris:
Imagine a book that describes the evolution of a small software company trying to develop and promote its products in the global market. I would like to contribute in such an effort.

Stefania Briasouli:
Despicable me and I would be Agnes.

Vasilis Tsintilas:
If Life at Relational were a book, I’d be in one of the early chapters—perhaps the part where the foundation is being built for the growth and transformation that follows. My role would be that of a steady, supporting character, someone who helps shape the direction of the story, not always in the spotlight, but consistently contributing behind the scenes. I’d be the team member who helps connect with people, push through challenges, and keep things grounded as the plot develops. It’s the kind of role that may not be flashy, but it’s essential to the story’s progress.

What do you think sets our people apart from other places you’ve worked or know?

Matthildi Passa:
All of my colleagues work passionately toward the best outcome, with positive energy and no toxicity — even during challenging projects. We approach situations with seriousness and professionalism, but also with a sense of humor that helps release tension without complaining.

Vasilis Stathoulias:
It’s a unique blend of qualities that truly shines when the going gets tough. There’s incredible resilience here, a genuine ability to navigate complex challenges that would make others fail. But it’s more than just individual strength; It’s that collective sense of responsibility, that inherent drive to collaborate and push through, no matter the obstacle. It creates an environment where people don’t just solve problems; they conquer them together. And speaking of conquering, seeing our teams drive the rise of the MiTOS platform from its R&D stages to a mature, enterprise-grade product and be a part of that process, has been nothing short of inspiring.

Mara Apostolopoulou:
Relational cares about its people. It recognizes that people are its best asset.

Alexis Argyris:
Since 2006 the only thing that remained stable in the company is its core management team.

Stefania Briasouli:
The fact that there is a strong sense of community and a collaborative spirit that can foster teamwork and a supportive environment. This can lead to better problem-solving and a more positive overall experience for all the employees working here.

Vasilis Tsintilas:
What truly sets the people at Relational apart is the unique blend of professionalism, humility, and team spirit. It’s rare to find such a consistently high level of expertise paired with a genuine willingness to help each other grow. There’s no ego—just a shared commitment to doing great work and solving problems together. Whether it’s a tight deadline, a tough client request, or a late-night deployment, people step up, support one another, and usually manage to squeeze in a good laugh too. That balance of technical excellence and human connection is something I haven’t seen anywhere else.

What are your hopes or wishes for the company’s future?

Matthildi Passa:
I hope our company continues to grow and succeed by maintaining the strong reputation it has built over the years. I also wish for us to preserve our strong culture of collaboration and support as we expand, ensuring that every employee feels valued and engaged.

Vasilis Stathoulias:
My hopes for Relational’s future are deeply rooted in the past two decades of growth and innovation. I truly wish for us to continue expanding into new markets, taking our proven solutions and unique approach to even more corners of the globe. Hand-in-hand with that, I’m incredibly excited to see us keep developing groundbreaking new products. The journey with the MiTOS platform, watching it evolve from concept to a robust, microservices-based enterprise solution, has been a testament to our R&D capabilities and forward-thinking vision. My wish is that we continue to foster that spirit of innovation, always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in financial software, and always remembering the strong foundations of teamwork and family culture that got us here.

Anastasios Kantzavelos:
My hope for the future of Relational is that we become a strong international player through continued innovation and unparalleled customer fixation. My dream is to see us not only keeping pace with technological advancement but even progressing ahead with leading-edge solutions that redefine the boundaries of possibility for our clients.

Mara Apostolopoulou:
In the upcoming years, I wish that Relational continues to have a vision that leads to innovation and new opportunities. As we advance to the evolving landscape, I wish it remains anchored in integrity and makes its ethics the foundation of every achievement.

Alexis Argyris:
To move on based on its people and its intellectual properties.

Stefania Briasouli:
I hope that the company will foster a culture of collaboration, respect, and empowerment where employees feel valued and motivated to contribute their best work.

Vasilis Tsintilas:
My hope for Relational’s future is that we continue to grow as a trusted, innovative company—especially by embracing emerging technologies like AI. We’re already strong in data and analytics, so I see a natural opportunity for us to lead in helping clients unlock real business value through responsible AI adoption. Whether it’s smarter automation, predictive insights, or AI-enhanced decision-making, I believe we can stay ahead by combining cutting-edge tech with the solid expertise and ethics that have always defined us. At the same time, I hope we continue to nurture the collaborative, people-first culture that makes Relational such a great place to be. That combination—innovation with integrity—is what will set us apart in the AI era.