People & ideas at Deutsche Börse
Release date: 13 Jan 2025
Helene Georgopoulos decided to complete a 100-kilometre walk to push her personal limits and support people with disabilities. Join her on her inspiring journey and learn how teamwork and community support helped her achieve this impressive goal.
Helene Georgopoulos has always had a passion for supporting diverse communities, especially people with disabilities, who often face significant challenges and discrimination. “Everyone deserves equal opportunities and support,” she says. This belief is reinforced by the fact that 80% of disabilities develop over the course of a lifetime. She is also motivated by a family member with a disability, whose daily struggles and resilience move her deeply.
The desire to push personal boundaries and make a difference inspired Helene to undertake a 100-kilometre walk to raise money for people with autism. The preparation was intense and included various conditions such as rain, darkness, and different diets. “Preparation is key, you can’t just wake up one morning and decide to walk 100 km the next day,” she says. Helene started training in June, having made the decision in April. The focus? Walking rather than running.
Helene was not alone in this endeavour. She was part of a team of six, including a close friend she runs with, her brother-in-law, and three others – two of whom she had met before but didn't know well, and one who was a new acquaintance. Their close families were there to support them during the breaks, handling logistics, bringing meals and breakfast, and being there at the finish. They also received many messages and phone calls during the walk, which boosted their morale.
The route of the 100 km walk was as challenging as it was beautiful. Starting in Durbuy, the trail-type routes led mainly through the forest. The team had three different loops to choose from: one of 30 km, one of 20 km, and one of 10 km. They arranged it so that they could cover a total of 100 km within 30 hours. They decided to do the scenic 30 km route first, followed by the challenging 20 km route before nightfall. During the night, they repeated the 30 km route through the forest and finished with two 10 km routes. Whatever route they took, one thing that was always in their favor was the weather. With sunshine during the day and a cool, dry night, the journey became even more memorable.
The support from family, friends, and colleagues was crucial for Helene. During the walk, she never thought of giving up, despite initial doubts. The biggest challenge for Helene was maintaining her physical and mental stamina, especially in the final stretch. The toughest moment came at 90 kilometres; she knew the end was near, and she started to feel pain all over. But motivation and group support helped her to reach the goal. “I think I shed a little tear when I arrived,” Helene said.
Helene's dedication to teamwork and supporting people with disabilities is also evident in her professional life. In June 2024, she participated in an inclusive orienteering race together with Clearstream colleagues in Luxembourg, where teams of two to five people, with or without disabilities, compete in a race for one hour, alternating between running and cross cycling. “It was a wonderful experience. Working with colleagues I don't usually collaborate with to tackle this unique challenge was an amazing experience. Seeing Clearstream's strong team spirit in action, even outside the office, was truly inspiring and uplifting”, she tells us.
Helene joined Clearstream as a recent graduate in 2006. Her very first job interview was with Clearstream, and despite having no prior knowledge of the company, the positive experience left such a strong impression that she decided to start her career there. One of the reasons why Helene is still part of our One Global team today? The many diverse tasks within the company. “There is such a variety of jobs within Clearstream so that you can change roles without leaving the company. Since 2006, I have learned a lot and grown both professionally and personally,” she says.
Today, Helene is a product manager at Clearstream Fund Centre. Rather than a single outstanding project, Helene values the many small achievements and challenges she has overcome. Values such as dedication and perseverance, which also drove her on her journey to mastering the 100-kilometre walk, are just as crucial to her professional success and her role as a product manager. These core values continue to guide her, preparing her for new challenges and strengthening her commitment to supporting people with disabilities.
