Maria Achilleoudes is a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Certified Management Consultant, and trainer with extensive international experience in lean, quality management, and business transformation. She has led numerous process improvement projects achieving significant cost savings and efficiency gains across industries. As an independent consultant since 2001, her project work includes implementing Lean Six Sigma for a major bank and developing business models for a post-merger integration and a stock brokerage firm.

1. Maria Achilleoudes
Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt / Quality - Deployment Leader, Certified Management Consultant
27-12 23rd Avenue, LIC, NY 11105
maria.achilleoudes@cytanet.com.cy
EXECUTIVE PROFILE
Results oriented, Certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, Design for Six Sigma and Quality Deployment Leader,
Certified Management Consultant and Trainer. Extensive international lean, quality management, ISO 9000, Reengineering,
Business Transformation, Change and Project Management experience. Formalized an approach and a work plan to address
the identified business issues and led cross functional teams in order to achieve the objectives. Developed and implemented
effective policies, procedures and processes, significantly reducing operational costs and risk and improving product and
service delivery. Managed all aspects of the project, from inception through execution, close out and realization of benefits,
ensuring adherence to deadlines and achievement of objectives. Liaised with all involved functions and worked closely with IT
for process redesign and implementation. Managed all phases of change management from planning, to design, implementation
and sustainment of the change. Dual US and EU national. Fluent in English and Greek.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
INDEPENDENT MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT AND TRAINER, 2001 – Present
Consulting services in Lean Six Sigma, process redesign and re-engineering, post-merger integration, quality management,
ISO 9000, ISO 13485, project management, change management.
Experience mainly in services/ transactional sectors including: Financial Services, Transportation, Trading and
Servicing, Medical devices, Law, High Tech, Construction, Municipalities and other services/ transactional businesses
Sample Projects
• Implemented Lean Six Sigma for a major Bank. Defined service standards for credit card delivery, identified process
improvements to minimize defects, constructed the project plan and managed its implementation. Standardized the
new processes and made recommendations to the Bank’s management for implementing best practices to other
divisions. Improved Card delivery time by 50% and achieved 20% cost savings.
• Developed business model for post-merger integration of 350 coops under the Cyprus Co-operative Society’s
Supervision Development Authority, in accordance with European Union requirements. Improved current practices in
order to adhere to national and European regulations and achieve economies of scale. Defined new processes in the
merged coops implementing centralization, workflow simplification, IT changes, limits of authority, HRM processes,
reporting structures, roles and responsibilities. Identified potential union issues and resolution methods. Developed the
implementation plan. Business model implemented, achieving 40% improvement in operational efficiency and
effectiveness.
• Designed processes and prepared required documentation for a major Stock Brokerage Firm, to meet new Cyprus
Stock Exchange laws. Defined the implementation plan and coordinated necessary implementation actions. Assisted
with the preparation of the application to the Stock Exchange Authority. The company obtained Stock Exchange
License the first time of application to the SE Commission.
• Designed operational business model for a group of seven companies. Improved efficiency 50%.
• Developed ISO 9001 QMS for a fuel transporter, subcontractor of fortune 500 Oil Company, which was awarded by
the Oil company as the best operational system in Middle East.
• Developed ISO 9001 And ISO 13485 QMS for several industries, including a major French auto importer. Improved
current practices implementing process improvements as well as necessary controls to reduce operational and
financial risk. Developed KPI’s and the mechanisms for data collection and analysis. Developed the required
procedures, responsibilities and authorities for the efficient and effective operation of the company, including effective
mechanisms for subcontractor control and Human resource management. As a project manager, coordinated all
necessary activities during implementation till certification. Delivered all relevant training and carried out quality
audits. Operational efficiency improved by at least 40% and service delivery improved 50% or more. Certification
first time pass.
• Lead Assessor of the British Standards Institute (BSI) for ISO 9001, as an external resource for Cyprus, Europe and
Middle East.
• As an approved trainer by the Cyprus Human Resource Development Authority, offered open and in-house
training programs in the areas of ISO9000, Operational improvement, Office health and safety. All obtained
government subsidy.

2. Maria Achilleoudes, LSSBB, CMC Page 2
UNIVERSAL BANK, Nicosia, Cyprus, 1999 – 2000
Manager, Operational & Quality Improvement
• Oversaw management of organization & methods and user support areas. Responsible for day-to-day operations.
Supervised staff of 11 in user support, IT, and organization & methods
• Reviewed and resolved operational and technology issues. Supported all bank functions
• Increased efficiency through development and implementation of new processes and procedures
• Prioritized and coordinated systems development activities and introduced new technologies
• Improved efficiency by at least 66%. Introduced standardized processes for all bank branches and trade unit
• Member of General Manager’s Committee and Technology Committee
MARFIN FINANCIAL GROUP, Nicosia, Cyprus, 1988 – 1999
Quality Manager / Manager of Business Analysis (1997 – 1999)
• Coordinated staff of 24 for financial company with retail / corporate banking, insurance, credit card, and other divisions.
Responsible for operational issues and quality assurance / compliance.
• Developed company’s ISO 9001 QMS program, standards, and procedures. Conducted staff training on QMS.
Supervised program implementation and performed internal audits
• Facilitated successful ISO 9001 certification and increased service quality 40%.
• Formulated procedural changes to meet IT user, staffing, office space, and office technology needs Worked with
individual departments to identify user requirements and redesign processes
• Improved efficiency 30% and service quality 40% for Finance Department
• Selected to represent Association of Commercial Banks in Ministry of Commerce’s Technology Committee. Part of
team that reviewed European Computerization Standards and provided recommendations for adoption by Cyprus
Internal Consultant (1988-1997)
• Managed cross-functional re-engineering projects to improve quality and efficiency of operations.
• Achieved dramatic cost savings and major improvements in customer service levels
• Carried out complete project management, from inception and planning through to implementation.
• Coordinated 5 to 25 persons per project, and led several projects simultaneously
• Led projects relating to work method improvement, systems development, improved controls, human resource program
enhancement, methods documentation, user training, cost justification, and more
• Redesigned processes and procedures, implemented standardized procedures, defined roles, and communicated changes
effectively to end users. Conducted personnel training
• Reduced operational costs 20% and improved service times 50% by restructuring branch operations
• Improved collection process 30% and efficiency 25% by re-organizing credit and finance areas.
• Achieved 20% or better improvements in insurance, check clearing, staffing assessment and appraisal, and front line
staff service quality
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES (IBM), Jericho / East Fishkill, NY, 1985-1987
Sales Branch, Systems Engineer (1987)
• Assisted with hardware and software evaluations, financial analysis, and marketing
Quality Division, Quality Engineer (1985-1987)
• Qualified new hardware products. Planned and led reliability tests. Carried out statistical analyses and presented results
and summary reports to senior management.

3. Maria Achilleoudes, LSSBB, CMC Page 3
EDUCATION
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING & APPLIED SCIENCES, New York, NY
MS in Chemical Engineering; graduated Magna Cum Laude; Dean’s List
QUEENS COLLEGE / CUNY, Flushing, NY
BS in Chemistry; graduated Magna Cum Laude; Dean’s List
CERTIFICATIONS & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt Certification
Certified Management Consultant (CMC) – Institute of Management Consultants (International) / ICMCI, Institute of
Management Services (UK), the Human Resources Development Authority of Cyprus
Certified Trainer – by the Human Resources Development Authority of Cyprus
Certified by International Register of Certificated Auditors (IRCA) for ISO 9001
British Standards Institute (BSI) Lead Assessor for ISO9001
PUBLICATIONS, SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS & MEMBERSHIPS
Guest Speaker at several conferences on Quality and Productivity (Cyprus, Greece)
Author of Technical Paper on Dry Silver Migration (IBM TR no. 22.2720)
Author of newspaper articles on areas of expertise
Senior Member of American Society for Quality