Despina Spanou

Evaluator
DISC Type : dsc

Deputy Director General for Communications Networks and Technology at European Commission

Brussels Metropolitan Area, Belgium

Overview

Despina Spanou is a Deputy Director-General at the European Commissions DG CNECT, focusing on cybersecurity policy and digital trust. Her extensive career includes leading the EUs cybersecurity strategy, consumer policy, and serving in the cabinets of multiple Commissioners. She holds a Ph. D. in European Law from the University of Cambridge.

She is a prominent advocate for increasing diversity within the technology sector. A founding member of the Women4Cyber initiative, she actively promotes bringing more women and young people into the cybersecurity field to address the skills gap and enhance digital security across Europe.

She is a founding member of the Women4Cyber initiative, which champions female participation in the cybersecurity field.

Personality Overview

Fast But Analytical

Thorough Evaluator

Quality Focused

They are not very likely to become strong advocates of your product or service  They have a unique set of diverse traits where they are decisive and methodical but can sometimes be extra cautious and skeptical They focus on the results, but can still be quite procedural and analytical about how to get there

Topics They Care About

Women in Cyber
As a founder of Women4Cyber, she is a vocal advocate for bridging the gender gap in the tech industry and frequently speaks on empowering women in cybersecurity.
EU Cyber Policy
She leads cybersecurity policy at the European Commission and was instrumental in negotiations for key legislation, including the EU Cybersecurity Act.
Cyber Skills Gap
She consistently advocates for the need for more cybersecurity experts in Europe and played a key role in the creation of the EU Cybersecurity Skills Academy.

Media Appearances

Despina Spanou – European Commission profile. Featured in European Commission

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Despina Spanou – Deputy Director General for Communications Networks and Technology at European Commission. Featured in The Org

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Despina Spanou, Director for Cybersecurity, European Commission (Video 1). Featured in YouTube

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Work History

11-2025
Deputy Director General for Communications Networks and Technology at European Commission
1-2025 - 11-2025
Principal Adviser on Cybersecurity at European Commission
1-2020
Visiting Faculty Member at Harvard Kennedy School
12-2019 - 12-2024
Head of Cabinet of Commission Vice President M Schinas at European Commission
2-2017 - 12-2019
Director for Digital Society, Trust and Cybersecurity, Management Board member of ENISA. at European Commission

Education

1998 - 1998
Ph.D from University of Cambridge
2010 - 2010
International negotiations from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford

More Information

Social Presence :

Prographics :

Exp : 27 Location : Brussels Metropolitan Area, Belgium Job Level : Mid-senior Designation : Deputy Director General for Communications Networks and Technology at European Commission
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Insights For Selling To Despina

During A Call Or A Meeting

DO's

  • Be prepared for comments or questions that are critical of your product or your claims
  • Showcase your competitive superiority clearly when possible or address it at the minimum
  • Help them weigh the risks by sharing objective proof points instead of anecdotes and examples

DONT's

  • Avoid too much small talk, just a few formal pleasantries should be fine
  • Don’t nudge them to do something by using the logic that others have done the same
  • Avoid inviting them for any social interactions until you have built some rapport with them

When Cold Calling

When Writing An Email

While Negotiating & Closing

    The secret to closing fast with Despina is

  • ROI matters the most to them, followed by process and finally proof of results
  • Will you ever get a clear answer from Despina

  • They might hesitate a little, but will go ahead and say no when necessary (or asked)

Insights For Deal Planning

    How fast (or slow) will Despina move?

  • They are unlikely to move very fast, especially when it comes to new products or services
  • Can Despina take some risk or not?

  • They have relatively low risk-appetite and are not very likely to go for something unproven and risky

You And Despina

Personality Compatibility


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