In the second episode of Expats Unpacked, the spotlight turns to Gala Grigoreva, Chief Marketing Officer at Adsterra and a recognized leader in global brand marketing. With over 14 years of experience across mobile, Web3, and AdTech industries, Gala brings more than just marketing expertise to the table—she is also a certified yoga and well-being coach, and a passionate advocate for organizational growth through holistic employee support.

Gala steps away from the boardroom to reflect on her personal journey—how life unexpectedly brought her to Cyprus, what fuels her passion for well-being at work, and why community building is at the heart of her mission.

Cyprus wasn’t on Gala’s relocation roadmap. It became a necessity when geopolitical circumstances in her home country pushed her to make a life-changing decision—while pregnant, she and her family moved to the island for safety and stability. Two and a half years later, Cyprus has become more than a refuge; it’s become home.

Contrary to the common expat stereotype that Cyprus is “boring” or lacking in culture, Gala paints a very different picture. “My life here is far from boring,” she says, describing a vibrant social scene, new friendships, community initiatives, and the birth of her youngest daughter on the island. Her active involvement in local events, including TEDx talks and women in tech meetups, proves that life as an expat in Cyprus can be dynamic, creative, and fulfilling.

A consistent theme throughout Gala’s journey is the power of connection. She highlights how Cyprus’s close-knit social fabric creates a unique space for partnerships and collaborations. “Your reputation matters, and community-driven initiatives can lead to powerful results,” she notes.

But her story goes beyond community building—it’s also about advocating for balance and well-being, especially in the workplace. Gala shares how personal challenges, including professional burnout and a difficult divorce, led her to discover yoga—specifically Kundalini yoga—as a transformative tool for resilience and self-care.

Well-being, Gala explains, is no longer a “nice-to-have” but a core element of a healthy workplace. She believes leaders should lead by example, and she integrates mindfulness and wellness practices into her own routine—and subtly encourages her team to explore them too.

While not everyone on her team embraces yoga or meditation immediately, she sees progress through quiet influence. “When they see that I manage a big team, juggle projects, raise kids, and still find time for mindfulness—it opens minds,” she says.

At Adsterra, she’s helped establish stretching and yoga sessions, both in-person and online, alongside access to gym memberships. Yet she emphasizes that true organizational well-being goes beyond perks—it requires a human-centric culture. “Gym passes and therapy apps are no longer unique. What matters is creating a safe, empowering environment where people can thrive.”

Gala points to data that supports the business case for well-being: companies can expect a sixfold return on every dollar invested in employee wellness. Regular mindfulness practice leads to increased engagement, better communication, higher retention, and stronger team collaboration. In fast-paced industries like tech, where turnover is high, well-being can be a strategic advantage.

Aside from her corporate and coaching roles, Gala is also a driving force behind major community events in Cyprus. She’s been behind two TEDxModuls events, and is now preparing for the Cyprus HR Summit and an upcoming Women in STEM networking event on International Women’s Day.

These gatherings are not just about professional growth—they’re about building bridges between locals and expats, creating inclusive spaces for connection, learning, and celebration.

Asked for advice on achieving work-life balance, Gala reframes the idea entirely. “Work and life are not separate—they’re intertwined. You don’t need to ‘endure’ work just to live afterward.” Instead, she urges people to reflect on what balance means to them personally, create daily rituals (whether in the morning or at night), and develop self-awareness to avoid burnout.

Her book recommendation for those seeking a sustainable approach to high performance? Cadence, a guide for HR professionals that emphasizes cycles of peak performance followed by recovery—an idea she believes all leaders should embrace.

Catch the full episode of Expats Unpacked featuring Gala Grigoreva on YouTube and Spotify. And while you’re at it, don’t miss Urban Canvas FastForward’s new podcast spotlighting artists and cultural voices in Cyprus, or Breakpoint, our flagship podcast featuring high-profile leaders across industries.