Speakers

Meet our 2022 Speakers

KEN SEGALL
Ad Creative Executive, Author

Ken Segall is the man who came up with the "i” used in the names of many Apple products. The ad agency creative executive found the key to success through simplicity when christening already iconic products such as the iBook, the iPod, iPhone and iPad. As he explained to Steve Jobs, who hated the idea at first: "i for Internet, i for imagination, i for individual". Segall worked with the late new technologies visionary as creative director and writer for twelve years, both during his time at NeXT and when he returned to Apple in 1997.
Segall headed up the team that created the legendary Think Different Apple campaign, which was key to breathing new life into a brand that was struggling. In fact, Segall co-wrote the first advert in history to win an Emmy, titled The Crazy Ones. He is currently an independent consultant and devotes most of his time to giving talks all over the world.
In his talks, Segall, who also worked for tech corporations such as Intel, Dell and IBM, as well as BMW speaks about the never-ending war between complexity and simplicity. He is wholeheartedly committed to promoting the advantages of the latter and advocates turning it into a business principle. To win over his audiences, he presents Apple’s approach and demonstrates how simplicity can improve an organization, making it faster, smarter and more efficient, along with fostering strong customer loyalty.
Apple’s transformation, from being on the verge of bankruptcy to becoming the most valuable company on earth, is one of the most exciting stories in the business world. Segall tells this story in Insanely Simple, a book in which he describes Apple’s vitality after the company made a comeback and Jobs’ obsession with simplicity, which turned into a guiding concept for innovation, communication and organization in Apple. In 2016 he took up the idea again in his book Think Simple.

JEREMY WHITE
Tech Journalist, WIRED, Speaker, Consultant

Jeremy is senior innovation editor of Wired, the influential technology and trends magazine that covers innovation and the businesses that are building the future. He is in charge of analysing and identifying emerging trends and technological shifts that will impact consumers and businesses alike. From the Internet of Things to AI, smart homes to smart cities, flying cars to passenger drones, Jeremy has first-hand experience of emerging trends as well as personal contact with the global business leaders driving them.
As Wired's senior innovation editor, Jeremy is tasked with seeking out and evaluating products at the very cutting edge of innovation and design. Jeremy also edits all the special supplements for Wired, including the luxury annual, Wired Desired.
His expansive knowledge of the product world and forecasting design and tech trends has seen him be commissioned for consultancy services to some of the world's largest consumer brands on industrial design and user experience.
Jeremy also appears regularly on the BBC and Sky News representing the magazine.
He has been writing about technology and design for more than 15 years and is also currently the technology expert for Telegraph Luxury, the Robb Report, Boat International, and Harrods.
Before Wired, Jeremy was digital editor for How To Spend It at the Financial Times, and prior to that was technology editor at Esquire magazine.
Jeremy curates the live product experiences at Wired's events, charged with bringing together exclusive displays showcasing the latest developments in automotive, technology, design, and art.

MARJAN VAN AUBEL
Head of Marjan Van Aubel Studio

Marjan is the head of Marjan Van Aubel Studio, an award-winning design practice with permanent collections at Moma New York, Victoria and Albert Museum London and various other locations. She has been awarded the Wallpaper Life-Enhancer of the Year Award for 2022. Her philosophy and purpose is to design stylish buildings and objects, integrating them with solar energy cells, thereby creating sustainable solutions for people to use in their daily lives. In order to do this, Marjan collaborates with major companies such as Cos, Timberland, Swarovski and others.

JOAO ADAO
Former Managing Director for Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp in South America

In his most recent role as Managing Director for Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp in South America, Joao led a significant business acceleration by creating a winning culture based on accountability and agility.
After 30 years at multinational companies including P&G, Boston Consulting Group and Facebook, Joao now advises business leaders on transforming Organizational Culture into a super-power to deliver their Digital Strategy.
Joao is a Mechanical Engineer, and has an MBA from the University of California, Berkeley. A native of Portugal, he has lived in the United States, Italy, the Netherlands and Argentina, and is currently based in Barcelona, Spain.

@PUNK6529
Collector, investor and thought leader in the NFT space

Punk6529 is among the world’s foremost collectors, investors and thought leaders in the NFT space, well-known for his extensive tweetstorms on NFTs and decentralization. 6529 is a leading advocate of the "open metaverse" - namely that the architecture of the metaverse should be decentralized and interoperable and, specifically, that NFTs could serve in this role.

MARGRETHE VESTAGER
Executive Vice President of the European Commission for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age and European Commissioner for Competition

Margrethe Vestager is a Danish politician currently serving as Executive Vice President of the European Commission for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age since December 2019 and European Commissioner for Competition since 2014. Vestager is a member of the Danish Social Liberal Party, and of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party (ALDE) on the European level.
Prior to joining the European Commission, she served in the Danish governments of Poul Nyrup Rasmussen as Minister for Ecclesiastical Affairs from 1998 to 2000 and Minister of Education from 1998 to 2001. She was leader of the Social Liberals from 2007 to 2014, and served as Minister of Economic Affairs and the Interior under Helle Thorning-Schmidt from 2011 to 2014.
Following the 2014 European Parliament election, Vestager was nominated as Denmark's European Commissioner in the Juncker Commission, becoming Commissioner for Competition. In the 2019 European Parliament election, she was one of ALDE's seven lead candidates.[ After the election, Vestager was nominated as the Renew Europe group's candidate for President of the European Commission. After the election of Ursula von der Leyen as President, Vestager was re-nominated as Denmark's Commissioner. She retained her Competition portfolio while also becoming one of the Commission's three Executive Vice Presidents, with responsibility for "A Europe Fit for the Digital Age".
In her capacity as Commissioner for Competition, Vestager has gained international recognition for investigating, fining, or bringing lawsuits against major multinational companies including Google, Apple Inc., Amazon, Facebook, Qualcomm, and Gazprom. She has been described as "the rich world's most powerful trustbuster» and "the world's most famous regulator"

MARIYA GABRIEL
European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth

Mariya Gabriel is a Bulgarian politician and a member of the GERB party serving as European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth since 2019. She served as Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from 2009 to 2017.
In the European Parliament she served as Vice-President of the European People’s Party (EPP) group, Vice-President of EPP Women and head of the Bulgarian EPP delegation. She was first appointed to the European Commission in 2017 as European Commissioner for Digital Economy and Society to fill a spot left vacant by the departure of Kristalina Georgieva.

Dr. MARIA TERZI
Co-Founder and CEO of Malloc

Dr. Maria Terzi is the co-founder and CEO of Malloc - an AI-driven privacy and data security startup. Maria holds a Ph.D. in Machine Learning and Recommender Systems, funded by EPSRC. She has previously worked at Google, the KIOS Research and Innovation Center of Excellence, and the University of Cyprus among others. Maria has won two Google hackathons and she was selected as a Secure and Private AI scholar by Facebook. She is in the organizing team of hack{cyprus} contributing to the evolution of the technological ecosystem in Cyprus.

KYRIAKOS KOKKINOS
Deputy Minister to the President for Research, Innovation and Digital Policy

Kyriacos Kokkinos is the Deputy Minister to the President for Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, since March 1st 2020.
He previously served as the Chief Scientist for Research & Innovation of the Republic of Cyprus, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Research & Innovation Foundation and Member of the National Board of Research & Innovation.
He is a distinguished professional with 30 years of experience in Executive Management, Technology and Business Consulting, served at senior Executive roles in global corporations such as IBM Europe (Executive Director & Partner) and PwC. He also served at the Board of Directors of many Organisations, including Invest Cyprus (Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency - CIPA), the Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO), the Cyprus Port Authority (CPA), and the Board of Trustees of the Cyprus Institute.
He is the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions for professional excellence, including the ‘Business Leader of the Year Award’ 2016, by Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and the ‘Quality Leader Award 2015’ by Cyprus Quality Association.

ANDREAS NEOCLEOUS
CEO Of CYTA

Andreas Neocleous is the first CEO of Cyta, Cyprus’ largest telecommunications organisation, to have been appointed from the private sector. On assuming his duties in January 2019, he redefined the organisation’s vision and set it on a course of growth and dynamic evolution, which has since resulted in a significant increase in revenue and profitability.
Under his leadership, Cyta dealt effectively with COVID-19, simultaneously supporting households, businesses and all state services. During the same period, he negotiated and signed a landmark agreement allowing the broadcasting of all Cypriot football matches by all the island’s TV platforms.
Before taking up his duties at Cyta, he was, among others, Director of Business and Customer Experience at MTN Cyprus, Commercial Manager at Ericsson and a Senior Technology Analyst at Goldman Sachs in London and New York. Through the course of his career, he has gained deep knowledge and experience of issues relating to leadership, reform, modernisation and corporate culture transformation.
He has a PhD in Telecommunications & Digital Signal Processing and a Master of Engineering in Electrical and ElectronicEngineering, both from Imperial College, University of London.

MICHALIS ZINIERIS
Director, Technology Consulting of Deloitte

Michalis leads Deloitte’s Technology Consulting Practice in Cyprus. He has over 12 years of technology advisory experience across FTSE 500 companies in the UKI and Europe, focused on working with CIOs and IT Executives to plan and execute IT Transformation programmes of work for global IT functions. In the current climate where technology and the focus on customer is at the heart of everything, Michalis specialises in helping clients shape their modernisation agenda for their IT current estate and positioning their journey to new IT and Cloud adoption around business needs.
Michalis holds an MEng in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from Imperial College London and an MSc in Investment Management from Cass Business School in London. He is a member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology and is certified in AWS, Azure, Cisco technologies and PRINCE2 methodology.

AVEROF NEOFYTOU
President of the Democratic Rally,
Candidate for President

Averof Neofytou was born in Argaka, in the District of Paphos, on 31/7/1961.
After completing his secondary education at the Gymnasium of Polis Chrysochou, he studied Economics and Accountancy at N.Y.I.T. University, in Long Island, New York.
In 1991 was elected as Mayor of Polis Chrysochou, a post which he held until 1996 when he was elected DISY MP for Paphos.
He was appointed Minister of Communications and Works on 25 August 1999. He served the Ministry until 28 February 2003.
On 25 May 2003 was elected Deputy President of the Democratic Rally.
On May 2006, May 2011, May 2016 and May 2021 he was re-elected as Member of the House of Representatives.
On May 2013 he was elected as President of the party, following the election of Mr. Nicos Anastasiades to the Presidency of the Republic. He was re-elected as President of the Party for a second term in May 2018. The Democratic Rally is the ruling party in Cyprus since 2013.
He served as Chairman of the House Standing Committee on Foreign and European Affairs between 2011 until 2016. He also served as the Chairman of the House Standing Committee on Financial and Budgetary Affairs between 2016 and 2018.
He is also the leader of the Cypriot delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and a member of the Euro-Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly (EMPA).
He is married to Maria Selipa and has one son, Pericles.

ANDREAS MAVROYIANNIS
Former Diplomat,
Candidate for President

Andreas Mavroyiannis was born in Agros in 1956. He graduated from the Kykkos Secondary School and went on to study Law at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He holds a Master's degree in International Law and Political Science from the Faculty of Law of the Paris-Panthéon-Assas University and a PhD in Political Sociology from the University of Paris-Nanterre. He was also holds the internationally acclaimed Diploma of The Hague Academy of International Law in 1984.
Andreas Mavroyiannis was a diplomat for 34 years, serving as Ambassador to Ireland, France, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Cyprus to the United Nations in New York and as Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the EU. He was a member of the Committee of Legal Advisers of the Council of Europe and Cyprus’ representative to the UN Preparatory Commission for the International Seabed Authority.
He also served as Vice-President of the UN General Assembly, President of the Fifth Committee of the UN General Assembly and as Vice-Chairman of the Committee for the election of the new Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. He has served as Chairman of the United Nations Committee on Relations with the Host Country, chaired United Nations Committees and Conferences and was Vice-Chairman and Rapporteur General of the 3rd UN Conference on Financing for Development.
From October 2011 to January 2013 he served under President Demetris Christofias as Deputy Minister of State for European Affairs, a portfolio that included the overall responsibility for preparing and running the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2012.
In 2013 he was made a Grand Officer of the Order of Diplomatic Merit of the Republic of Romania and in 2015 he was awarded the National Order of the Legion of Honour of the French Republic.
Since 2018 he has been an Adjunct Professor of Public International Law.
Andreas Mavroyiannis also served as Director General of the Ministry of Interior and was for several years a member of the negotiating team of the Greek Cypriot side for the talks to solve the Cyprus problem and from 2013 to 2022 as the Negotiator in the talks for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

NIKOS CHRISTODOULIDES
Former Foreign Minister,
Candidate for President

Nikos Christodoulides was born on 6 December 1973 in Paphos.
He holds a B.A. in Political Science, Economics, Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies from the City University of New York, Queens College, with postgraduate studies in Political Science at New York University. He holds a Ph.D. from the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, University of Athens.
He was a career diplomat from 1999 to 2018. During this period he served, among other positions, as Consul General at the High Commission of the Republic of Cyprus in the United Kingdom, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus in Athens and Press Officer during the Cyprus Presidency of the EU Council at the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Cyprus in Brussels.
He also served as Director of the Diplomatic Office of the President of the Republic (2013-2018) and as Government Spokesperson (2014-2018). On 1 March 2018, he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, a position he held until his resignation on 11 January 2022.
He was a Special Scientist and Lecturer at the Department of History and Archaeology of the University of Cyprus between 2007 and 2010 in the field of History of the Post-War World. He is the author of the books "Cyprus Solution Plans, 1948-1978" (2009), "Athens - Nicosia Relations and the Cyprus Problem, 1977-1988" (2013) and "Geopolitical Realities in the Cyprus Solution Plans (1948-1978)" (2021).

DEMETRIS LOTTIDES
Digital Agenda Cyprus Summit Founder

With the launch of the magazine Must in 1999, Dimitris Lottidis established a small magazine publishing business that, along with his brother Christis, has grown into one of the most significant media conglomerates in the nation. He is regarded as one of Cyprus' media industry's forerunners. He founded numerous Cypriot print and digital publications (such as Man magazine, Beautiful People Magazine, DECO, and WiZ Guide), as well as Must fashion, street festivals, and other events. In 2008, he spearheaded the initiative to publish the historic Athenian newspaper KATHIMERINI in Cyprus as a collaboration with its parent newspaper KATHIMERINI, with the goal of creating Cypriot media characterized by quality and propriety, supporting Cyprus's European direction. He founded the Digital Agenda Cyprus Summit, which aims to establish an annual regional technology conference that will support the country and the broader region as a hub for the exchange of ideas and solutions for humanity's future.
He studied journalism and law at the Kapodistrian University of Athens and has a Master's degree in Communication Policy Studies from the CITY University of London. He is a supporter of biodiversity and sustainable development, serves on numerous boards and associations for the media industry, and has been publishing articles on a regular basis for 25 years.

YIANNIS OLYMPIOS
Founder V+O Group

Giannis began his career in the field of communication with the Greek Foreign Ministry. He is a leading consultant in the fields of privatization, acquisitions and crisis management. He has consulted major Greek companies and managed key foreign investments in the country. Giannis is active member of important think tanks in Greece and abroad.

GEORGE TZIORTZIS
Digital Economy and Transformation Advisor to BoC

With more than 23 years of professional experience in Transformation and Technology, George has been working with the Bank of Cyprus since 2017 either as a member of the Bank or an advisor to support the leading organization in its efforts of digitalization. He has been responsible for managing the Information Technology, Change Delivery and Digital Transformation functions and was tasked with transforming the Information Technology function based on a next generation operating model, defining and delivering the Digital Transformation roadmap for the Bank, developing. Digital Economy enablement model and delivering change through process optimisation, re-organisation and automation. Currently he is acting as an Advisor to the Bank of Cyprus while leading the EY Cyprus Consulting practice. In the past George also held several management positions within KPMG in the USA, Switzerland and Cyprus where he managed and delivered transformational engagements for clients in different countries and industry sectors with a focus on Banking, Government and Telecommunications.

ANTONIS POLEMITIS
Chief Executive Officer Of The University Of Nicosia

Mr. Polemitis currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the University of Nicosia and EDEX, as a Board member of EDEX and UNICAF, and as a member of the Council of the University of Nicosia. The University of Nicosia (UNIC) serves over 13,000 students, along with over 15,000 additional students in its affiliated academic institutions. UNIC is the largest university in Cyprus, by number of students, and is the largest English language university in southern Europe.
Mr. Polemitis helped found the world-leading Digital Currency / Blockchain Initiative at the University of Nicosia, co-taught the first university cryptocurrency course in the world, and is regularly quoted in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Wired and other publications as an expert on cryptocurrency issues.
Mr. Polemitis was previously a principal at ACG Capital, a privately held multi-billion dollar investment firm focused on buying and building businesses in financial services, business services, education and oil and gas.
Mr. Polemitis holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, where he graduated with highest distinction as a Baker Scholar (top 5%), and a B.S. in International Studies, Accounting and Computer Information Systems from Indiana University, where he graduated with highest distinction as a Wells and Chancellor's Scholar (top 21 students). Mr. Polemitis also studied at the University of Paris IV (Sorbonne) in Paris as an undergraduate. Mr. Polemitis is an Eagle Scout and Friend of The Explorers Club, the world’s premier scientific exploration society.

Dr. PIERIS CHOURIDES
Dean of the Business School of European University Cyprus

Dr Pieris Chourides holds an MSc in Strategic Management with a PhD in Knowledge Management from Derby University in UK. He worked in the automotive industry in strategic management roles with Toyota and Rolls Royce and lectured for years in UK and Switzerland on Strategic Management and Knowledge Management. He returned to Cyprus to head the Research and Strategic Planning Department of the Cyprus Employers and Industrialists Organization before returning to academia at European University Cyprus. Currently he is the Dean of the Business School and before taking up his post as Dean, he was the Head for European University Cyprus’ Internal Processes and Quality Unit.

ELENA MELI
Manager Business Development & Operations, Jinius by Bank of Cyprus

Elena Meli is the Manager Business Development, Alliances & Operations of Jinius, the new digital economy platform by Bank of Cyprus.
She is responsible for building and establishing relationships with customers, identifying new opportunities, managing and developing alliances with other digital ecosystems and key stakeholders in the economy. She oversees and takes care of the customers’ Jinius journey all the way.
Elena genuinely cares about the progress of people and the society. Her contribution has been fundamental from the very beginning of the conceptualisation and formation of the Jinius’ vision. She holds the passion, drive, and know-how required to introduce innovation to the market, as well as the expertise to onboard key stakeholders of the economy, in this tremendous effort that is required to effectively digitalise the Cypriot economy.
Elena holds a BSc degree in Computer Science and MSc in Information Science (Business Informatics).

ANDREAS PAVLOU
Digital Services Director, Delema MCCANN Cyprus

Andreas Pavlou holds a BSc in Computer Science and an MBA in Marketing from the St. John’s University in New York. He has been employed at DELEMA MCCANN CYPRUS since 2005 and he is currently serving as the Director of Digital Services.
Andreas believes that a learning culture holds the key to success. He believes that change can only lead to improvement, as the marketing industry is rapidly adapting and has transformed to a consumer dominant “ballgame”. At the same time, external factors that have massive impact, affecting both the consumers and the markets, have become more frequent than ever. This means that both brands and individuals can no longer remain “static”. The ability to adapt and master change is a challenge that can only be addressed with constant learning and a willingness to change, while always having in mind the end goal of your strategy.
We learn from our mistakes, we fall, we push on and evolve.

Meet our 2021 Speakers

@JulianWheatland

Julian Wheatland was formerly Chairman of SCL Group and COO & CFO of the Cambridge Analytica / SCL group of companies. From 2015 to 2018 he oversaw the growth of the group into one of the most influential data analytics companies in the world, employing ground-breaking analytics technology and targeted communications, which have shaped the advertising industry and the current debate around data privacy and personal data. In 2018, following the media controversy surrounding Cambridge Analytica, Julian stepped into the role of Group CEO in order to close the company down.
Julian is a veteran of fast-growing technology companies and an expert in the opportunities, pitfalls and dangers that scaling technology businesses can bring. In the fields of AI, machine learning and data analytics, he argues for a greater emphasis to be placed on transparent and ethical corporate oversight which can keep pace with technology developments, rather than an over-reliance on government and regulatory supervision.
Julian Wheatland now serves as Chief Executive Officer of Cornerstone FS pls, an AIM listed company utilising advanced financial technology to deliver payment and currency solutions to corporate finance departments.

@Optimisontour

One of the world’s most respected thinkers on technology and societal trends,
‘Reluctant Futurist’ Mark Stevenson is a strategic advisor to governments, NGOs and corporates, helping them face the grand systems challenges of our time and understand their (changed) role in meeting them, or dying gracefully if they need to.
Though branded a ‘futurist’ by others Mark is more, as one client puts it, ‘Chief Annoying Question Asker’. He helps organisations change the way they feel, think, invest and operate in order to answer the intertwined questions the future is asking us – on climate change, inequality, the retreat of democracy and the failures of the markets to price risk properly (to name just four).
His two bestselling books, An Optimist’s Tour of the Future and the award-winning We Do Things Differently map out some existing and proven solutions to our current dilemmas.
He is Futurist Without Borders for Medicines Sans Frontiers (UK), Global Ambassador for Client Earth and a strategic advisor of climate change to the UK Ministry of Defence.

@Anetttu

Having lived and studied in different countries, Anett has learned to appreciate living in a digital society. Anett believes that all processes and structures of public services should be accessible and simple for every single citizen. Based on her academic background in political science, Anett focuses on enhancing good cooperation between the public and private sector to create a comprehensive and supportive environment. Her goal as a Digital Transformation Adviser at the e-Estonia Briefing Centre is to explain the Estonian digitalisation experience and thus inspire leaders and decision-makers alike to create a better tomorrow.

@KenHughesIE

Ken Hughes is now acknowledged as being one of the world’s leading authorities on consumer, shopper and cyber shopper behaviour. He is internationally renowned for helping his largely blue-chip client base to understand the physical, digital and future consumer.
With 20 years’ experience as CEO of a consumer insight agency, he blends his understanding of consumer & cyber psychology, digital anthropology, behavioural economics and retail futurology to explore the needs of the new consumer and predict the changes to come.
Ken advises some of the biggest brands in the world on customer experience, omnichannel strategy, artificial intelligence, shopper marketing, retail trends, the millennial / Gen Z shopper and the peer-to-peer economy. As an accomplished author, TED speaker, part-time university lecturer and actor, his performances are insightful and thought-provoking. His presentations are infamous for their sheer energy, entertainment and passion, not to mention his generous Irish wit.
As a behaviouralist and life strategist, he is also passionate about change, disruption, success, innovation, personal development and motivation. He brings this to life in his work with high performance athletes and executives all over the world.

@hugh_montgomery

Dr Hugh Montgomery is a Professor of Intensive Care Medicine at University College London (UCL), where he also directs the Centre for Human Health and Performance. He is a broadcaster, fiction author, scientist and clinician.
He still works clinically, caring for patients in an Intensive Care Unit in North London. Here, he had a frontline role in caring for Covid patients. He is also on the Council of the UK Intensive Care Society, chaired the UK National Emergency Covid Critical Care Committee, consults for an international pharmaceutical company on novel vaccine development, and is the principal investigator for trials of a novel therapy.
Hugh has an interest in Artificial Intelligence as applied to Health and has worked with Google Deepmind and Google Health.
In innovation, Hugh holds patents for new metabolic therapies, (for cancer wasting and prevention of injury in stroke); new technology for patient hydration; a novel mask for the removal of pollutants; and a new asthma inhaler. He chairs the board of Cambridge-based adaptive learning company Obrizum.

@FedericaMog

Federica Mogherini is the Rector of the College of Europe, in office since September 2020.
She co-chairs the United Nations High-Level Panel on Internal Displacement since January 2020.
From 2014 to 2019, she served as the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.
Previously, she held the office of Italian Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (2014) and was a Member of the Italian Chamber of Deputies (2008-14). In her parliamentary capacity, she was Head of the Italian Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and Vice-President of its Political Committee (2013-14); member of the Italian Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (2008-13); Secretary of the Defence Committee (2008-13); and member of the Foreign Affairs Committee. She also coordinated the Inter-Parliamentary Group for Development Cooperation.
Federica Mogherini is a member of the Board of Trustees of the International Crisis Group, Fellow of the German Marshall Fund, member of the Group of Eminent Persons of the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization, member of the European Leadership Network for Multilateral Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation, and member of the Board of Directors of the Italian Institute for Foreign Affairs (IAI). She has been a Fellow of the Harvard Kennedy School and holds a degree in Political Science from the University of Rome “La Sapienza”. She was born in Rome in 1973, lives in Belgium and has two daughters.

@Ckpassas

Christos joined Zaha Hadid Architects as a Senior Designer in February 1998 and has been a key member in the development of the overall artistic evolution of the Studio, its business development, the office culture and leader of a wide range of build and unbuilt projects and competitions within the practice.
He received his architecture degree with Honours as a Fulbright Scholar at the Pratt Institute’s School of Architecture in Brooklyn, NY in 1995. He was registered as an Architect at Technical Chamber Cyprus 1996, a member of the Architects Registration Board in the UK since 2000 and a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects since 2014. He received his Graduate Design Diploma in 1998 in Advanced Architectural Design at the Architectural Association, London.
Christos taught Parametric Design and Urbanism at the Architectural Association with Patrik Schumacher in London between 2007 and 2010, working on the exploration of digital and parametric techniques for the formation of large urban settlements.
He subsequently went on to serve as Guest DAAD Professor in the Dessau Institute of Architecture (HA) at Bauhaus, Dessau, from 2008 to 2012 working on the implementation of digital design strategies for large scale objects with a complex geometry and character, exploring uniqueness, diversity and complexity. He regularly participates in design juries at universities across the UK and Europe, and is a frequent guest lecturer in parametric design, design thinking and the role of Architecture.
He is currently Honorary Professor at the University of Technology, College of Architecture and Urban Planning of Qingdao until 2022.

@rorysutherland

Rory is the Vice Chairman of Ogilvy, an attractively vague job title which has allowed him to co-found a behavioral science practice within the agency.
He works with a consulting practice of psychology graduates who look for ‘unseen opportunities’ in consumer behaviour - these are the often small contextual changes which can have enormous effects on the decisions people make - for instance tripling the sales rate of a call centre by adding just a few sentences to the script. Put another way, lots of agencies will talk about "bought, owned and earned" media: we also look for "invented media" and "discovered media": seeking out those unexpected (and inexpensive) contextual tweaks that transform the way that people think and act.
It is a hugely valuable activity - but, alas, not particularly lucrative. This is because clients generally do not have budgets for solving problems they did not know they had.
Before founding Ogilvy Change, Rory was a copywriter and creative director at Ogilvy for over 20 years, having joined as a graduate trainee in 1988. He has variously been President of the IPA, Chair of the Judges for the Direct Jury at Cannes, and has spoken at TED Global. He writes regular columns for the Spectator, Market Leader and Impact, and also occasional pieces for Wired. He is the author of two books: The Wiki Man, available on Amazon (at prices between £1.96 and £2,345.54, depending on whether the algorithm is having a bad day), and the best-selling Alchemy, The surprising Power of Ideas which don't make Sense, published in the UK and US in May 2019.
Rory is married to a vicar and has twin daughters of 18. He lives in the former home of Napoleon III - unfortunately in the attic. He is a trustee of the Benjamin Franklin House in London and a Patron of Rochester Cathedral.

@PenHadow

Hadow is explorer, conservationist and author. Pen Hadow has written books including the best-seller, Solo, self-filmed a TV documentary for National Geographic, presented a series on BBC Radio 4, and contributed to numerous TV documentaries and books about adventure and exploration. Hadow is an Honorary Patron of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, British Exploring Society, Scientific Exploration Society, and The Explorers Club (UK Chapter).
Pen Hadow is a leading explorer of the Arctic Ocean, now dedicated to advancing protection for the wildlife and ecosystem in the international waters around the North Pole.
Hadow leads the 90 North Foundation (www.90northfoundation.org) which is advocating an upgrade of the existing fishing and shipping agreements to create a North Pole Reserve through a subsequent Arctic Treaty System. He is also director of the annual scientific research and public engagement programme, Arctic Mission, which supports the Unit’s work.
The 90 North Foundation is introducing a significant new perspective on the Arctic’s diminishing sea ice, revealing that the environmental issue is less about the geophysics of a melting layer of frozen sea water, and far more about the potentially catastrophic loss of a globally unique “floating ice-reef ecosystem” which includes some of the world’s most iconic species – polar bear, walrus, bowhead whale, orca, narwhal, beluga and seal.
In 2017 Arctic Mission sailed two 50’ vessels into the North Pole’s international waters, the first non-icebreaking vessels in history to do so, to demonstrate the increasing accessibility of these waters to surface commercial shipping, fishing, tourism and mining, and therefore the human threat to the wildlife already- stressed by its reduced sea-ice cover habitat.
Previously, Hadow led the multi-award-winning £7.5m international scientific research programme, Catlin Arctic Survey (2007-2012) investigating the rates, causes and impacts of the Arctic’s rapidly melting sea ice.
In 2003 Hadow became the first person to trek solo, and without resupply, across the Arctic’s sea ice from Canada to the North Geographic Pole – a feat that took three attempts over 15 years ... will likely never be repeated due to climate change. He is also the first Briton, without resupply, to both the North and South Geographic Poles from their respective continental coastlines.
Hadow’s affinity with the polar regions and its wildlife began through his extraordinary childhood connection with the dying words of Captain Robert Falcon Scott (‘Scott of the Antarctic’) and his son, the world-renown naturalist and WWF founder, Sir Peter Scott.

@danielsusskind

Dr Daniel Susskind explores the impact of technology, particularly artificial intelligence, on work and society.
Daniel Susskind is a Fellow in Economics at Balliol College, Oxford University, where he teaches and researches. In conjunction with this he is the co-author of the best-selling book, ‘The Future of the Professions’ (2015). Based on the authors’ in-depth research of more than ten professions and illustrated by numerous examples this book assesses and questions the relevance of the professions in the 21st century. Laterally he has written ‘A World Without Work’ (2020), described by The New York Times as “required reading for any potential presidential candidate thinking about the economy of the future”. His TED Talk, on the future of work, has been viewed more than 1.5 million times.
Previously Daniel Susskind worked in the British Government – as a policy adviser in the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit, as a policy analyst in the Policy Unit in 10 Downing Street, and lastly as a senior policy adviser in the Cabinet Office.

@ItsDonRobbie @AFTVMedia

Robbie has become one of Arsenal Football Club's most well-known fans in recent years due to his successful YouTube Channel, AFTV, and its affiliated social media platforms. AFTV is the world's biggest Arsenal football fan channel and has received over 1.18 billion views and 1.39 million subscribers to date on YouTube alone.
Formerly a BBC reggae radio host and surveyor, Robbie Lyle quit his job in 2012 to work in social media full-time.
This year Robbie launched a new social media channel, Don Robbie, across all the platforms to reach a wider sporting fan base. It is doing well, and growing with half a million followers across all the platforms to date.
Robbie has frequently appeared on UK national media platforms such as BBC, ITV and Talksport. In 2018 Robbie produced the fan popular ‘Real Football Fan Show’ for Channel 4, and in March 2020 he hosted and narrated the nominated award ITV documentary entitled “Under Their Skin,” which looked at racism in football.
Robbie has been a pioneer in the football media world - he is one of the most prominent black personalities in UK sports media and is one of the only black personalities to own a successful media company in UK sport.
According to stats gathered by statsmash.com, AFTV is worth $1.7million as of January 2021.

@SKyriakidesEU

On 1 December 2019, Ms. Kyriakides became the European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety.
In the area of health, she is leading the Commission’s work on Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, to help improve cancer prevention and care and is in charge of developing a new Pharmaceutical Strategy to ensure that Europe has enough affordable medicines to meet its needs.
Her responsibilities also include supporting Member States in improving the quality and sustainability of health systems, creating a European Health Data Space to promote health-data exchange and support research. She is also in charge of ensuring full implementation of the European One Health Action Plan against Antimicrobial Resistance and working towards a global agreement on antimicrobials.
On food safety, Commissioner Kyriakides is leading the new ‘Farm to Fork’ strategy for sustainable food, covering every step in the food chain from production to consumption. Her responsibilities also include ensuring enforcement of animal welfare laws and promoting European standards globally as well as ensuring enforcement of EU laws on food safety and animal and plant health and leading the work to protect plant health, reduce dependency on pesticides and support low-risk and non-chemical alternatives.
During the COVID-19 crisis, she has been leading the Commissions work to coordinate the EU’s health response and support Member States to tackle the outbreak. This includes working to ensure that essential goods and services can flow freely across borders, essential medicines and medical devices are available at affordable prices, and leading the EU’s efforts to secure access to safe and effective therapeutics and vaccines.
Previously, Ms. Stella Kyriakides worked as a clinical psychologist in the Mental Health Services of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Cyprus in the area of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry,  from 1979-2006. In 2006, she was elected to the Cyprus Parliament and was re-elected in 2011 and 2016 for the Democratic Rally party, of which she was the Vice-President.
In 2012, she was appointed Head of the Cyprus Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). In 2017 she was elected President of the PACE, thus becoming the 30th President of the Assembly.
She founded the First Breast Cancer advocacy organisation in Cyprus, Europa Donna - Cyprus where she served as President from 2000-2015. She was also President of the European Breast Cancer Coalition Europa Donna.
She received many awards in recognition of her relentless efforts and work in support of women’s rights, children and patients’ rights and had numerous publications, research contributions/articles on children related matters and cancer in Cyprus and other European countries.

@yianniskarousos

Yiannis Karousos was born on 21 November 1979 in Ayia Napa.
He holds a BSc (Hons) in International Hospitality and Tourism Management from the University of Surrey, UK, where he specialized in strategic development of tourist destinations. Additionally, he holds an MBA (Joint) from the French ESSEC Business School and Cornell University, USA. He has also been awarded the tittle of Chartered Marketer from the UK Chartered Institute of Marketing.
Prior to his appointment as a Minister of Transport, Communications and Works on December 3, 2019, he served as the Mayor of Ayia Napa (2013 - 2019) and as Municipal Councilor of Ayia Napa (2006 - 2013).
He also assumed the positions of the President of the Famagusta Province Tourism Development and Promotion Society, the President of the Ayia Napa Sewerage Board and the President of the Ayia Napa - Paralimni Sewerage Board Consortium. He was the founder and President of the Youth Council of Ayia Napa, he served as Chairman of the Tourism Committee and as a member of the Cultural Committee of Ayia Napa Municipality. Additionally, he was a member of the Board of the Charitable Foundation ‘Despina’, which supports children with diabetes.

@Petrides_C

Constantinos Petrides assumed office as Minister of Finance of the Republic of Cyprus on 3rd of December 2019. Prior to his appointment, he served as Minister of Interior (1 May 2017 - 3 December 2019) and Deputy Minister to the President of the Republic of Cyprus since (1st March 2013 – 30 April 2017).
In 2006 he was hired at the European Commission in Brussels where he worked as an economist at the Directorate General for Agriculture and the Directorate General for Competition until September 2011. During his stay at the European Commission he served as negotiator of trade liberalisation agreements between the EU and third countries and also worked on issues of public aid in the field of transportations.
From 2000 until 2006 he served as Senior Officer at the Association of Cyprus Banks and as representative of the Association to the European Banking Federation and the National Euro Changeover Committee.
During the negotiations for Cyprus’ accession to the EU in 2000 he worked on issues of harmonisation at the Directorate for EU-Cyprus relations of the Planning Bureau.
He studied Economics at the University of Nottingham and then acquired an MSc in Political Economy of Transition in Europe from the London School of Economics and Political Sciences.

@Christodulides

Nikos Christodoulides was born on 6 December 1973 in Paphos.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Economics, and Byzantine and Modern Greek Studies from City University of New York, Queens College, with postgraduate studies in Political Science at New York University and Diplomatic Studies at the University of Malta. He holds a doctorate from the Department of Political Science and Public Administration of the University of Athens.
He was a career diplomat between 1999 and 2013. During this time he served as Director of the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Spokesperson of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU in Brussels, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Cyprus in Greece, Director of the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Consul General at the High Commission of the Republic of Cyprus in the UK.
Prior to his appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs, he served as Director of the Diplomatic Office of the President of the Republic of Cyprus (2013- 2018) and Government Spokesman (2014-2018).
He was a Lecturer and Research Associate at the Department of History and Archaeology of the University of Cyprus between 2007 and 2010. He is the author of two books, Plans for Solution of the Cyprus Problem 1948-1978 (2009) and Relations between Athens and Nicosia and the Cyprus Problem, 1977-1988 (2013). He has also published extensively in domestic and international journals.
He is married to Philippa Karsera and has four daughters, Ioanna, Ekaterini, DespinaMaria, and Phoebe.

@kyriac_kokkinos

Zoi is a Specialist in Pediatrics, Faculty Member at the European University, specialized in Epidemiology, Infection Control and Antimicrobial Stewardship at the Johns Hopkins Hospital USA (HEIC Department, JHH). She holds two MSc (Masters), one in Medical Research Methodology (AUTH, GR), and one in Nanotechnology (AUTH, GR) and a PhD in infectious diseases in immunocompromised children with leukemia. She has received the European Infectious Diseases Society Fellowship Award in 2017 and she is currently active Member of several European Committees and Expert Guideline Groups in infectious Diseases (ECIL8, ESPID, IPFN, ESCMID, C4C). She is reviewer in several peer review international journals and she has more than 50 publications in international Journals. Zoi is a Scientific member of the COVID-19 National Committee at the Ministry of Health in Cyprus and Scientific Consultant of the Minister of Health. She is representing Cyprus at the EU scientific advice platform on COVID-19 under the auspices of the European Commission. Zoi is participating in several EU COVID-19 projects and she is the National Coordinator for the new COVID-19 EU Horizon program VACCELERATE, the pan European Vaccine Trial Network.

@neocland

With more than 20 years of professional experience in Information Technology and Management Consulting, George joined Bank of Cyprus in late 2017 to support the Bank in its efforts of digitalization and stepped into being the Chief Information Officer in September 2019. In this role, he is responsible for managing the Information Technology, Change Delivery and Digital Transformation functions. He is tasked with transforming the Information Technology function based on a next generation operating model, defining and delivering the Digital Transformation roadmap for the Bank and delivering change through process optimisation, re-organisation and automation.
Before joining the Bank of Cyprus and since 2000, George held several positions in KPMG in the USA and Switzerand before joining KPMG Cyprus and establishing and leading the Management Consulting function where he has managed and delivered transformational engagements for clients in different countries and industry sectors with a focus on Banking, Government and Telecommunications.

Constantinos Yiorkadjis is the Mayor of Nicosia sinceJanuary2, 2012. He holds two bachelor’s degrees with distinction (Magna Cum Laude with GPA 3.83), one in Economics and one in Business Administration, both from Boston University.
During his long professional career, he had the opportunity to work in the highly competitive environments of the US and Europe, as well as in the demanding environments of developing markets in Asia and Africa.
While still in university, he started working at Thermo Electron, Waltham Massachusetts, as a junior member of their treasury department, focusing mainly in the buying of currency futures.
In 1993 he joined the Hellenic Bottling Company (HBC), first in Greece as a merchandiser and then as head of MIT organisation in the marketing department and later on as assistant to the HBC products brand manager. In December 1994 he moved from HBC to Molino, where he took the position of Marketing Manager for Coca-Cola Iasi, Romania.
In July of 1995 he became Marketing Manager for Molino Romania based in Timisoara. In 1998 he took over the General Managers’ position for the sales territory and the production facility of Oradea.
In January 2000 he joined FRIGOGLASS as Regional Operations Director and he took under his responsibility three production facilities (Ireland, Romania and Spain) as well as the Key Account responsibility for Coca-Cola, selling ice cold merchandisers to over 100 countries. In 2002 he became the Marketing Director of Frigoglass Cool Division having under his responsibility Product Management, Product Development, Sales/Competition and Coke Global strategy.
In December 2005 he moved back to Cyprus with his family and in June 2006 accepted the position of marketing manager at CCHBC Cyprus (Lanitis Bros.).

@MichalisTweets

Michalis Sophocleous is the Executive Director of the Glafkos Clerides Institute, former Member of the Parliament and the former Director of the President’s of the Republic of Cyprus Office.
He has a long involvement on political issues and policy making in local, European and International level. He was responsible for the Nicos Anastasiades Government Program in 2018 and now is the head of the Democratic Rally’s Political Conference Steering Committee. Besides being a prominent member of the Nicos Anastasiades campaign committee for the 2018 Presidential Election, Michalis was also the campaign manager of Ioannis Kasoulides for the presidential election of 2008 and the coordinator of the support movement for the re-election of Glafkos Clerides in 2003.
Professionally, he was the Director of Takis Sophocleous Architects and Communications Manager of the well-established Photos Photiades Group.

Gustavo Manduca (born 8 June 1980) is a former Brazilian footballer who played mainly as a left winger, and a current coach.
He also holds an Italian passport, and played professionally in five different countries, mainly in Portugal, where he represented six teams in seven years, including a very brief spell with Benfica. He amassed Primeira Liga totals of 91 games and 15 goals, during three seasons.
In 2006 signed with AEK Athens and in 2010 signed with APOEL, remaining with the club until his retirement.

Michalis leads Deloitte’s Technology Consulting Practice in Cyprus. He has over 10 years of technology advisory experience across FTSE 500 companies in the UKI and Europe, focused on working with CIOs and IT Executives to plan and execute IT Transformation programmes of work for global IT functions. In the current climate where technology and the focus on customer is at the heart of everything, Michalis specialises in helping clients shape their modernisation agenda for their IT current estate and positioning their journey to new IT and Cloud adoption around business needs.
Michalis holds an MEng in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from Imperial College London and an MSc in Investment Management from Cass Business School in London. He is a member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology and is certified in AWS, Azure, Cisco technologies and PRINCE2 methodology.

Architect Engineer NTUA (1987), Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture, DUTH, on the courses of Architectural Design
(from 2001 to this day).
In 1989, Theoni Xanthi together with Gerasimos Zakynthinos and Thodoris Androulakis, founded their architectural office in Athens, dealing mainly with large-scale public projects as well as private projects.
In 2008, the office was entitled XZA-Architects (http://xza-architects.gr/). XZA-Architects have so far received many and important distinctions, as presented in numerous publications. In total, the office has received 31 awards and distinctions for architectural studies, either in competitions or for build projects. In 2005 the project Starting Area of the Classical Marathon Race won the "Dimitris Pikionis Award for Public Open Space and Landscape Architecture" and in 2007 it was selected as the official Greek participation in the Mies van der Rohe international architectural competition.
Since 2012, Theoni Xanthi has been active in Cyprus as a lead architect, winning several distinctions in architectural competitions, including the International Architectural Competition for the New Cyprus Museum (2017), winning the first prize among 129 entries.
She has carried various publications and lectures and has participated in workshops and conferences aiming to promote dialogue regarding architectural education and practice.

@neokyma13

Professor of Physics at the University of Cyprus, he studied at the University of Grenoble, while completing his postgraduate studies at the National Technical University of Grenoble with a scholarship from the French Government. Member of the academic community of the University of Cyprus since 1992, he was Vice President and President of the Department of Physics, as well as Vice Rector for Academic Affairs. He is the Rector of the University of Cyprus, an office he was elected to in November 2010.
Its name is fully intertwined with the development course of the Foundation's research, with intense research activity at both local and European level. Particularly important is his contribution to the creation and consolidation of the University Liaison Office with Industry and Business. His rich literary work is recorded in scientific books, journals and articles published by reputable publishing houses. He is married with two children, Anthos (19 years old) and Ioannis (13 years old). His wife is Loukia Makri from Kythrea.

@mariankh_

@lphylactou

Dr. Nikos Drosos is an Assistant Professor in Career Guidance and Counselling in the European University Cyprus and the Coordinator of its relevant master (MA) programme. He has been working in the field of counselling and career guidance for more than 15 years, having undertaken the supervision, development, implementation and assessment of various international career counseling projects. He is currently scientific responsible for 3 European projects (Erasmus+, Creative Europe) regarding work re-nitegration of socially vulnerable groups. He has participated with presentation in more than 30 international and 50 Greek conferences , and he has published more than 25 papers in peer reviewed journals, 10 book chapters and 5 books. He is a member of the Scientific Committee of the European Doctoral Programme in Career Guidance and Counselling (ECADOC), a member of the Board of Directors of the Pan-Hellenic Union for Psycho-social Rehabilitation and Work Integration (PEPSAEE), and Vice-President of the Greek Union for Supported Employment (ELETYPE). He has taught in postgraduate programmes in the National and Kapodestrian University of Athens for many years. He has numerous awards for his social activity, and for academic excellence. He is, also, the co-creator of the "ARIADNE" career tests (www.ariadne-project.gr) that have, already, helped more than 15,000 students in Greece and Cyprus decide their future career.

Andreas Violaris was born in Nicosia in 1980. After graduation from Grammar School (1999) and his studies in Journalism and Media Studies at Middlesex University in London (2001-2005), he started his career as a Sports Journalist. He has experience in many different fields in the Media industry (newspaper, radio, television, digital). He is currently working at SPOR FM 95 and for the last ten years as a sportscaster for CYTAVISION with a specialization in European football (Premier League, Champions league etc).

@marineconomidou

Marina Economidou was born in Nicosia in 1985. She is the editor in chief of Kathimerini newspaper and since 2014 is the political editor and columnist of Kathimerini. She holds a master degree in political communication from the University of Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne, a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Cyprus, a diploma of French literature and language from the University of Paris 4 Sorbonne. She speaks English and French.

@byronioannou

Byron Ioannou (Ph.D.) is an Associate Professor of Urban Planning at Frederick University. He has also taught Urban Design and Sustainable Built Environment in a number of universities in the Mediterranean region. He studied architecture and planning at the National Technical University of Athens and planning law at Leeds Beckett University. He is an accredited expert on the built environment by several EU bodies. He has a diverse portfolio of research and design projects of different scales, six of them awarded. His current research focuses on planning law and inclusive urban development, social and environmental aspects of built space, mobility, density, and sprawl.

@PXanthoulis

Pavlos Xanthoulis has been in the field of journalism for 28 years and for the last 17 years he has been in Brussels, as an accredited correspondent in the EU. With a report on a daily basis from the day of the accession of Cyprus and topics that touch on the whole spectrum of Cypriot relations and interests in the EU. He had worked for Cypriot and foreign Media, including Associated Press TV and later APTN, Simerini-Sigma TV, Politis, Phileleftheros and ANTENNA, in which he continues to work. Since the beginning of 2021, he has been working for Kathimerini Kyprou, with reports and articles.

@michalispersianis

Michalis Persianis has been Corporate Affairs Director at Bank of Cyprus since 2015.
Michalis worked as a correspondent for the Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones from 2011 to 2014, and as Head Editor for Economy and Finance at Kathimerini newspaper (Cyprus edition) from 2009 to 2014. From 2005 to 2009 he was Head of Research (Presidential campaign) and Parliamentary staffer (European Parliament) for Mr Ioannis Kasoulides.
Michalis was also co-founder of Intelanco Bespoke Analysis (2012-2014), worked as an analyst for the Institute of World Politics (2005), and provided political support to George Vassiliou, the Chief Negotiator for Cyprus' accession to the European Union.
Michalis sits on the Board of Directors of the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre and on the Board of Directors of the BoC Cultural Foundation.
He earned his BA in Political Science from Rutgers University, New Jersey, in 2002, and went on to earn an MA in International Economics and European Studies from John Hopkins University in 2005.

@polemitis

Meet our 2020 Speakers

Jacqueline Kassteen has 20 years of marketing experience in international education, student travel, publishing, lead generation, retail, and financial services.
Kassteen is known as a “top industry analyst” with extensive breadth and depth of knowledge in international education and marketing. She is a proactive, lateral thinker - able to create synergies across an organisation and craft innovative, multi-channel strategic approaches in marketing (inbound and outbound), communications, and product development. She has worked as an intrapreneur across a variety of organisational sizes and structures, enabling others to capitalise on changes in the market, and creating opportunities for brand development and revenue generation.
Now an entrepreneur, she launched 2 companies in 14 months. Kassteen is the Owner and Managing Director of Jackfruit Marketing, a consultancy, project management, and training company, and FruitFame.com, an award-winning platform dedicated to showcasing success stories in marketing, recruitment, enrolment and retention.
Kassteen works with clients as a consultant and project manager, offering marketing expertise in the international education industry. She advises on recruitment and retention strategies through the use of online and offline marketing techniques, agencies, social media, alumni, product development, as well as competitive analysis and research.

Asif is Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion at adidas, prior to which he was the Head of Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging for The Telegraph Media Group. He was previously the Head of Diversity and Inclusiveness for EY Financial Services and the Head of the Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Unit for the City of London Police. He is a Multi-Award Winning Diversity and Inclusion expert with over 15 years experience and a proven track record in achieving operational and strategic targets, managing quality, performance, risk and change.
He is a passionate and inspirational Global Leader, co author and a renowned keynote speaker with the ability to empower individuals and create a truly inclusive environment for all. Asif has been key in implementing D&I activities and programmes as well as connecting with stakeholders at all levels of organisations to build strong and influential relationships with influencers. Asif acts as a role model, providing governance across businesses on D&I and is committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all.
Asif has received a number of accolades for his work that include the Mosaic (Prince’s Trust) Award for mentoring, Police Officer of the Year Award, the Civil Servant of the Year Award, the prestigious Asian Professional Award and the highly commended Head of Diversity Award at the European Diversity Awards. Asif was honoured in 2017 in the Queen’s birthday honours list with an MBE for his services to Policing and the Communities and is a member of the HR Guild, The Worshipful Company of Security Professionals and is a Freeman of the City.
He is currently a leadership fellow at St George's House at Windsor Castle, a Judge for numerous Awards including the CIPD Awards, BIMA Awards, Personnel Today Awards and the Lord Mayor's Dragon Awards, an Ambassador for Remembering Srebrenica, Member of the APPG (All Party Parliamentary Group) on Hate Crime, Special Advisory to the charity Penny Appeal, a trainer for the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights and a Special Sergeant with the City of London Police.

Lady Kinvara Balfour advises companies big and small (Jimmy Choo, Richemont, Smythson, UBS, Evian, Coutts to name a few) on what is cool out there in the zeitgeist. She understands the worlds of tech, fashion and popular culture and the psychology that drives them.
Having won the Lloyd’s Fashion Challenge, a national competition in fashion design as judged by Vivienne Westwood, at the age of 16, Balfour started her career working for Westwood, and Tomasz Starzewski. Roles at Condé Nast and Telegraph Magazine, where she was Style Editor, followed. In 2004, Kinvara was appointed London Editor at DailyCandy.com; she launched the brand to mass acclaim (the US web phenomenon was acquired by Comcast in 2008).
In 2012 she launched a digital blog platform for Time Out; its first foray into digital form. In 2014, she was appointed founding partner of tech startup StyleCard. In 2016 Balfour was Digital Consultant for Vanity Fair UK, directing the publication’s digital content. In 2016, she acted as Senior Advisor to Silicon Valley start-up SWNG, joining a team headed up by co-founders Tommy Stadlen and Fred Blackford, and chairman, Twitter co-founder Biz Stone. SWNG was acquired by Microsoft in 2017.
As of 2014, Balfour hosts Fashion in Conversation for Apple Inc., a series of interviews with global icons at the Apple store which is available to an audience of over 900 million on iTunes. In 2014, she was one of the few women invited to speak at President Obama’s Global Entrepreneurship Summit. Balfour is the creator of THE VISIONARIES, a series of mini-films shot on iPhone, filmed and directed by herself, which feature the thought leaders of the world. In addition, she was recently Executive Producer on the twice BAFTAnominated ‘McQueen’, the feature documentary about the late fashion designer Alexander McQueen. She resides and works between California and London.

Mr. Polemitis has two decades of experience in higher education, private equity, and software development.  He has a deep understanding of global higher education, having served as a CEO, investor, board member, instructor and technology developer in the field.  He has been a principal or advisor for a broad range of corporate financings in the United States, Europe, Latin America and India, ranging from multi-billion dollar industrial buyouts to early stage venture capital.  He has also led the development of high-scale cloud-based technology platforms in multiple industries.
Mr. Polemitis currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the University of Nicosia and EDEX, as a Board member of EDEX and UNICAF, and as a member of the Council of the University of Nicosia.  The University of Nicosia (UNIC) serves over 13,000 students, along with over 15,000 additional students in its affiliated academic institutions.  UNIC is the largest university in Cyprus, by number of students, and is the largest English language university in southern Europe.  As CEO, he is responsible for the administrative and economic activities of the University. He previously led the strategic initiatives at EDEX that led to the financing and development of UNIC’s Medical School and online learning unit.
Mr. Polemitis helped found the world-leading Digital Currency / Blockchain Initiative at the University of Nicosia, co-taught the first university cryptocurrency course in the world, and is regularly quoted in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Wired and other publications as an expert on cryptocurrency issues.  He was a member of the national committee that designed the blockchain strategy for Cyprus.  He was also the founding CEO of Global Semesters, a study abroad organization affiliated with the University of Nicosia that has served students from over 700 universities in the United States and Canada.
Mr. Polemitis is the managing partner of Ledra Capital, where he led early-stage investments in, or software development of, Software-as-a-Service platforms in the areas of higher education, cryptocurrency, online video publishing and legal research.  Mr. Polemitis was previously a principal at ACG Capital, a privately held multi-billion dollar investment firm focused on buying and building businesses in financial services, business services, education and oil and gas.   At ACG, Mr. Polemitis led the investment efforts in the fields of higher education and business process outsourcing (BPO).
Prior to joining ACG Capital, Mr. Polemitis was a partner based in New York and London in the private equity practice of Mercer Management Consulting (now Oliver Wyman), one of the world's leading strategy consultancies. At Mercer, Mr. Polemitis helped top-tier private equity firms and merchant banks improve their performance across the whole investment cycle from investment selection to portfolio optimization to exit strategy.  His research at Mercer on optimal financing strategy in private equity has been published in Buyouts and cited in the Financial Times.   At Mercer, he also consulted on growth strategy and customer relationship management to, among others, a top three information technology firm, a top three oil and gas major and two of the five largest investment banks.
Mr. Polemitis holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, where he graduated with highest distinction as a Baker Scholar (top 5%), and a B.S. in International Studies, Accounting and Computer Information Systems from Indiana University, where he graduated with highest distinction as a Wells and Chancellor's Scholar (top 21 students). Mr. Polemitis also studied at the University of Paris IV (Sorbonne) in Paris as an undergraduate.   Mr. Polemitis is an Eagle Scout and Friend of The Explorers Club, the world’s premier scientific exploration society.

Prof Leonidas A. Phylactou received his Bachelor’s degree in Medical Biochemistry with honours from the University of Birmingham, UK in 1992 and his PhD in Molecular Genetics/Gene Therapy from the same University in 1995 in collaboration with the University of Connecticut Health Center, USA. Upon completion of his studies, he moved to Oxford University as a post-doctoral scientist where he led a research team on the use of catalytic RNAs as tools for gene therapy in the brain and muscle. Upon returning to Cyprus in 1998 he was employed at The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics (CING) where he established a research team to investigate and develop novel ways to study gene function and exploit gene therapy approaches. In 2005, he was appointed as the Head of the Department of Molecular Genetics, Function and Therapy, which he still directs.
From 2012 until 2015, Prof. Phylactou served as the first Dean of the newly established post-graduate school of the CING, the Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine (CSMM).
From March 2014 to July 2015, Prof. Phylactou served as the Acting Chief Executive Medical Director of the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics and Acting Provost of the Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine. In November 2015, he was appointed as the Chief Executive Medical Director of the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics and the Provost of the Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine.
During his scientific career Prof. Phylactou has secured research funding from several local and international funding organisations and published extensively in the areas of molecular genetics, gene function and gene therapy. He also serves on the Editorial Boards of international peer-reviewed journals.

Before assuming office as the CEO of Cyta in January 2019, Mr Neocleous main work experience comes from three large multi-national companies (Goldman Sachs, Ericsson and MTN). His time as a Senior Technology Analyst at Goldman Sachs (London and New York), introduced him to the corporate financial world at the highest level. His time in Ericsson Cyprus allowed him to make a smooth transition from technology to business while at the same time adjusting to the Cyprus business environment. Very importantly, his assignment in several Senior Management positions in ΜΤΝ Cyprus offered him priceless experience in leadership and organizational culture change in a demanding and multi-cultural global environment.
His academic qualifications include a Masters of Engineering in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and a PhD in Telecommunications & Digital Signal Processing, all from Imperial College, University of London.

Michalis Persianis has been Corporate Affairs Director at Bank of Cyprus since 2015.
Michalis worked as a correspondent for the Wall Street Journal/Dow Jones from 2011 to 2014, and as Chief Editor for Finance at Kathimerini newspaper (Cyprus edition) from 2009 to 2014. From 2005 to 2009 he was Head of Research (Presidential campaign) and Parliamentary staffer (European Parliament) for Mr Ioannis Kasoulides.
Michalis also worked as an analyst for the Institute of World Politics (2005), and provided political support to George Vassiliou, the Chief Negotiator for Cyprus' accession to the European Union.
Michalis sits on the Board of Directors of the Bank of Cyprus Oncology Centre and on the Board of Directors of the BoC Cultural Foundation.
He earned his BA in Political Science from Rutgers University, New Jersey, in 2002, and went on to earn an MA in International Economics and European Studies from John Hopkins University in 2005.

After her studies in Marketing in London, she started her career in the family petroleum company Petrolina Hellas in Greece.  In 1985 she retuned to Cyprus and founded DELEMA, one of the largest and most creative communication agencies in Cyprus, affiliated with MCCANN Worldgroup, the largest and most effective communication network in the world. She is the president of FED (Self-Regulation association) and SDEK (communication agencies association).  She also served as vice-president of the European Association of Young Entrepreneurs YES for Europe.
DELEMA is a full service agency, offering services such as Strategy development, Creative, Media, Online and Digital, PR, Events and Promotions.
DELEMA’s work has been recognised in international competitions (London International Advertising Awards, Ermis Awards και European Digital Communication Awards) and has been awarded in Cyprus (Carob Awards, Cyprus Digital Awards και Cyprus Responsibility Awards).

Demetris Demetriou was born in Nicosia in 1981. He studied Electrical and Computer Engineering (Faculty of Engineering) at the University of Patras in Greece. He holds an MBA in Business Administration from the University of Cyprus.
He served as a Vice-President of the Youth Organisation (NEDISY) of the Democratic Rally in Cyprus (DISY) from 2009 to 2011. He has also been the President of the Organisation of Young Scientists (ONE) of DISY from 2013 to 2017. Since July of 2018 he is the spokesperson of DISY. In 2016 he has been elected as Member of the Parliament in Cyprus with DISY for the area of Nicosia.
As MP he is the Deputy Chairman of the House Standing Committee on Legal Affairs, member of the House Standing Committee on Agriculture and Natural Resources and of the House Standing Committee on Transport, Communications and Works and he serves as a leader of the delegation of the House to the Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group on Europol.

Christoforos Charalambous has been working for more than two decades in universities where he has held researcher and faculty positions. Relatively recently he has undertaken a top management position at Frederick University, one of the largest universities in Cyprus.
Dr Charalambous holds a BSc in Computer Science from the Department of Computation at the University of Manchester where he ranked as the top graduate, and a Master’s degree with specialization in artificial intelligence from the same university. He obtained his Doctorate from Brunel University in London where his research, funded by Unilever Research Laboratories, concentrated in the field of optimization of complex systems.
Academically, he concentrated in solving complex optimization problems and the improvement of operations in the process industry through the introduction of novel digital solutions. He has successfully completed a significant number of externally funded research projects as project and scientific coordinator and his work has been published in esteemed international scientific journals and conferences. At the same time, he has acted as a consultant in fields of his expertise for various Cypriot organisations as well as multinationals operating in Europe.
For the past five years, Dr Charalambous is serving Frederick University from the position of Director of Administration and Finance while he also holds the position of Vice-President of the University Council. From this position, he oversaw the administrative restructuring and modernization of the university services while at the same time he led the development of distance learning education at the university. Additionally, in collaboration with a team of academics and external consultants, he oversees the strategic action of integrating and adopting state-of-the-art technologies in the educational process as well as the development of novel solutions for the provision of a more efficient and effective educational framework that addresses the challenges of the new decade.

Professor Dr. Kostas Gouliamos, Rector of the European University Cyprus, elected
Ordinary Member of European Academy of Sciences and Arts (2018). He pursued an academic career in Canada and Greece. He is Honorary Professor at Lanzhou City University, Nanyang Normal University and Wuhan Business University in China. He was Member of the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) of the European Social Survey (ESS): an innovative research project that won Europe’s top science award, the Descartes Prize. He served as Senior Editor and serves as member of Editorial Boards of eminent academic journals. His published work has been translated in various languages of the world. He appointed (2017-2019) by European University Association (EUA), Council Member of Experts for ‘Research and Innovation Strategies for Smart Specialization’ RIS3’.

Meet our 2019 Speakers

Andreas Ekström
Award winning journalist, author and digital futurist

Andreas Ekström is an award winning Swedish journalist, author and digital futurist. His topics reach across issues of digitalization, media, politics and culture. Ekström has been a keynote speaker at conferences all over the world and often serves as a digital thought partner for leaders and boards of directors.
Ekström is also an active reporter and often uses journalistic methods and principles in his work. With a solid background in stage and tv production, Ekström is an experienced moderator and facilitator, able to craft high quality content and drive discussions. He is also a senior staff writer and columnist at Sydsvenskan, a daily morning paper in Malmö, Sweden.
Ekström, an author of seven books, wrote a bestselling book about Google and has since been a keynote speaker, consultant and commentator on all things digital around the world.
Andreas Ekström gained his biggest international audience through TED. His TED talk, recorded in Oslo, Norway, has reached over a million views to date. His passion is to educate for digital equality. He hopes to see a world in which wealth is shared – not only financially, but also in terms of knowledge and influence.

Ken Hughes
World’s leading Consumer & Shopper Behaviouralist CEO Glacier Consulting

Ken Hughes is now acknowledged as being one of the world’s leading authorities on consumer and shopper behaviour, internationally renowned for helping his largely blue-chip client base to understand the future of consumerism.
With over 18 years’ experience as CEO of a consumer insight agency, he blends his understanding of consumer & cyber psychology, digital anthropology, behavioural economics and retail futurology to explore the needs of the new consumer and predict the changes to come.
Ken advises some of the biggest brands in the world on customer experience, omnichannel strategy, shopper marketing, retail trends, the millennial and Gen Z shopper and the peer-to-peer economy. As an accomplished author, TED speaker, part-time university professor and actor, his performances are not only insightful and thought-provoking, but are infamous for their sheer energy, entertainment and passion, not to mention his generous Irish wit.
As a behaviouralist and life strategist, he is also passionate about change, success, personal development and motivation, which he brings to life in his work with high performance athletes and executives all over the world.
Every year, Ken shares his thought-disrupting insight with tens of thousands of delegates globally, as one of the most popular keynote speakers booked on the international conference circuit relating to the future of consumerism. Regularly voted best speaker at events to which he is invited to speak, he believes in engaging and delighting event attendees at every opportunity.

Daniel Bobroff
Founder of Coded Futures and formerly the co-founder and Investment Director of ASOS Ventures

Daniel Bobroff believes in the power of everyone to be a game changer. He is acknowledged as one of the World’s leading retail technology speakers. Passionate about the digitalization of retail and the changing customer experience, his unusual journey has led to a unique perspective that informs many of the World’s best-known retailers, agencies and brands. He is motivational and visionary, but always provides a roadmap.
Daniel is the founder of Coded Futures, a creative technology advisory firm focused on the future of retail, and formerly the co-founder and Investment Director of ASOS Ventures, the online fashion company’s venture capital division. In over two decades as an innovator, entrepreneur, mentor and investor, he has pioneered advertising in video games, developed chart topping video games that sold in their millions, and is, today, a leading thought leader and keynote speaker in the world of retail and fashion technology.
Daniel is also acknowledged as the pioneer of in-game advertising – “selling Mario to the admen” - starting an advertising medium that is today an eight-billion-dollar market. He built Microtime, the first and for over a decade the leading digital advertising agency for in game advertising and advergaming. Close contact to the gaming world led Daniel to build and lead Deibus Studios, a video games developer with studios in both the UK and France and which emerged as a leading talent for extreme sports, creating games for PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo, achieving combined sales in excess of 50 million units.
Daniel has founded, invested in and led companies within a range of innovative technologies including virtual reality, visual search, e-commerce and ad-tech.
At the World leading online fashion retailer ASOS, Daniel created the company’s venture capital arm. His mission was to identify and invest in the latest innovations within retail and fashion technology. He built an enviable network of cutting-edge retail tech talent, developing partnerships covering the latest in marketing, production and customer experience.
Scouting for the latest innovations across retail’s value chain, Daniel talks about the technology driven future of retail. He evangelizes the need for personal, immediate, and interactive mobile experiences, new filters, the importance of culture and how all retail businesses will become technology businesses. He is a highly demanded international speaker, recently delivering keynote addresses for the Retail Institute, Salesforce, Google and Facebook.

Andreas Neocleous
CEO of CYTA

Anastasia Sideri
Communications Director, Central and Eastern Europe The Coca‑Cola Company

Anastasia Sideri holds a degree in Chemical Engineering, and brings with her 32 years of professional experience in the Marketing, Strategic Communications & Public Affairs fields.
She started her career with Procter and Gambleand held a series of senior positions in large greek and multinational companies, including FAGE, Boutari, DIAGEO, DHL and the Athens International Airport
She joined The Coca-Cola Company in 2002 and is currently providing Communications leadership in 26 countries in Central and Southeast Europe.
She is a founding member of the Hellenic Network of Corporate Social Responsibility and the Hellenic Communications network and served as Board member in the Hellenic Advertisers Association. She is  currently the President of the Women in Business (WIB) Committee of American Chamber of Commerce in Greece and Board member in various charitable organizations.
She is an advocate of lifelong learning, is NLP trained, speaks 6 languages and is very active in areas related to Effective communications, Crisis communications,  CSR,  Volunteerism, Ethical leadership, Accountable Marketing, Growth mindset and Women and Youth empowerment . She is a speaker in fora and conferences around the globe in all areas above and in 2018 became a Tedx Talker at the Agricultural University of Athens
She is a mother of two children, 23 and 21 years old,  and lives with her husband in Athens Greece.

Margaritis Schinas
Vice-President-designate for Protecting
our European Way of Life

Mr. Margaritis Schinas is a Greek politician and he is the new Greek Commissioner to the European Union in charge of the core priority protecting our European way of life.
On the 18th of July, 2019, Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced his intent to nominate Mr. Margaritis Schinas as the Greek Commissioner to the new President Elect Ursula von der Leyen.
On the 10th of September, 2019, President Elect Ursula von der Leyen, announced the appointment of Mr. Margaritis Schinas to the Vice Presidency of the European Commission leading one of her top priorities on protecting our European way of life.

Harris Georgiades
Minister of Finance of the Republic of Cyprus

Harris Georgiades was born in 1972 in Nicosia.
He was appointed as Minister of Finance of the Republic of Cyprus on 3rd April 2013 and was reappointed on 1st March 2018. He had the leading role in the implementation and successful conclusion of the reform and consolidation program for the Cyprus economy after the financial crisis of 2012-2013. He participates in the Eurogroup and the ECOFIN. He was elected Chairman of the Board of Governors of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for the period 2014-2015 and is a member of the Board of Governors of the International Monetary Fund, the European Investment Bank and the European Stability Mechanism. He was selected by POLITICO as one of the 28 most-influential Europeans for 2016. He is a member of the Young Leaders for Europe community of the World Economic Forum. Prior to his appointment as Minister he was a Member of the House of Representatives with the Democratic Rally Party (2011-2013). He also served as Press Spokesman and as member of the Executive of the Democratic Rally. He studied International Relations and Economics (BA, MA, 1992-96) at the University of Reading, UK and was a post-graduate researcher at the Institute of European and International Studies, University of Reading (1996-98).

George Nounesis
Director & Chairman of the Board of the National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos” (Tesla Greece)

George Nounesis is the Director & Chairman of the Board of the National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos” for a four-year term (2017-2021), an institution that is associated with Tesla Greece. Dr. Nounesis studied Physics at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. He obtained his PhD at the School of Physics and Astronomy of the University of Minnesota. He completed a three-year Postdoctoral training at the Chemistry Department of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Executive Education Program on “Innovation for Economic Development”at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He is currently the Director of the Biomolecular Physics Laboratory at Demokritos. Prior to returning to Greece he held Research Staff appointments at the Center for Materials Science and Engineering at MIT and at the Francis Bitter National Magnet Laboratory. He has spent sabbatical leaves at the Centre de Recherche Paul Pascal at CNRS and the Chemistry Department of the University of Bordeaux I as an Invited Professor. His research is mainly focused on structural and thermodynamic studies of nano-structured soft materials as well as biomolecules, primarily proteins. For his work he has received awards and distinctionsfrom the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the John S. Latsis Public Benefit Foundation, the Empirikion Foundation, the United States Department of the Navy and the Graduate School of the University of Minnesota. He serves as an Expert Reviewer of several National and International Research Funding Organizations in the European Commission, the USA (NSF), Poland, Turkey, Belgium and Greece.

Dr. Marina - Lida Coutarelli
Founder of “Communication Lab”

Dr. Marina - Lida Coutarelli has studied communication and political science at Brown University in the United States, and holds a Ph.D. in Communication Crisis Management from the University of Oxford.
In 2008, she founded “Communication Lab”, a Crisis, Communication and Management company. Also, since 2011, she is the founder and president of the organizing committee of the top multi sport event, Spetses mini Marathon and the Spetsathlon.
She has been honored as one of the 40 most important women of the world in the field of Public Relations of the IPRA (International Association of Public Relations Professionals) and also a National Champion in the RSM Entrepreneur of the Year & Rubain D’ Honneur Recipient category , at the European Business Awards sponsored by RSM

Daniel Domscheit-Berg
Network security expert and former WikiLeaks spokesperson in Germany

A network security expert by trade, Domscheit-Berg is an advocate for transparency and freedom of speech by heart, deeply caring for equal access to knowledge and information in a globalized world. In 2011, he was named by Foreign Policy magazine in its FP Top 100 Global Thinkers,
Daniel Domscheit-Berg, born in 1978, helped build the WikiLeaks platform from late 2007 to September 2010, and acted as its spokesperson under the pseudonym Daniel Schmitt. He quit WikiLeaks over disputes about its strategic orientation, lack of transparency and management style. Domscheit-Berg wrote a book about his experiences "Inside WikiLeaks“, which was published in early 2011, was translated into 23 languages and was one source for the subsequent Hollywood movie "The Fifth Estate".
Before WikiLeaks, Domscheit-Berg worked for various fortune 500 companies, mainly building enterprise-scale wireless and wired networks for the automotive and transport industries.
Domscheit-Berg today is involved with various internet projects relacted to privacy and anonymity, and furthering the decentralization of the Internet's infrastructure, Running a small innovation lab in Brandenburg's countryside, he passionately teaches kids about electronics and technology, and grows vegetables in a networked garden. In 2015, he will be working on bringing the open fiber broadband revolution to Germany.
He has presented and debated on future chances as well as risks in a digitized and networked world in a multitude of both national and international conferences and fora, spanning a broad range from universities via commercial venues to the World Economic Forum, and is regularly present in national and international media on said topics.

David Clarke
FBCS, Chief Technology Officer The Trust Bridge

David has been recognized as one of the top 10 influencers by Thompson Reuter top 30 most influential thought-leaders and thinkers on social media, in risk management, compliance and regtech in the UK.
David is a highly experienced Chief Information Security Officer/Cyber Security & GDPR Management Consultant with a deep knowledge of Global project delivery and operational leadership. He operates across FTSE (Financial Times Stock Exchange) 100, SME (small to medium enterprise) and start-ups within Financial Services, FinTech, Telecoms, Technology and Utilities sectors developing strong coherent cyber security, GDPR data protection and privacy strategies.
David created a Global Infrastructure for the world’s largest private trading network, trading $ 3 trillion a day, and has managed Multiple Global Security Operations Centres.

Georgios Lakkotrypis
Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry

Before assuming office as Minister of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism in March 2013, Yiorgos Lakkotrypis was Managing Director for Microsoft Cyprus and Malta, and subsequently Public Sector Director at Microsoft Central & Eastern Europe. A Fulbright scholar, Lakkotrypis also holds a Mathematics and Computer Science (BSc) degree from the University of Keele and completed his MBA at the University of Colorado.

Thalia Karafilidou
Editor-in-Chief Vogue Greece

Thalia Karafyllidou was born in Thessaloniki and is a graduate of the American College of Anatolia. She studied Law at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and Communication at the Kapodistrian University of Athens and received her Master’s in Intellectual Property Rights from the University of Manchester. She is a PhD candidate at the same university on “Copyright law and the new business models in the film industry”. She worked as a PR Manager at the Thessaloniki Film Festival for 5 years and held senior positions in the field of international media in Greece and England. In 2018, Conde Nast International named her Editor in Chief of the Greek edition of Vogue, making her the youngest Editor in Vogue's history worldwide.

Kyriacos Kokkinos
National Chief Scientist for Research & Innovation of the Republic of Cyprus

Kyriacos Kokkinos is National Chief Scientist for Research & Innovation of the Republic of Cyprus, a Member of the National Board for Research and Innovation (NBRI) and the Chairman of the Board of Research and Innovation Foundation.
He has served in PWC Cyprus as Executive Director and in IBM as Executive Director & Partner, IBM Europe, with 30 years of experience in the Technology Consulting and Services Sector, the most recent role being the leader of European Consulting practice in Cognitive Computing – Analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Having received numerous awards and recognitions for professional excellence, he serves at the Board of Directors of several organisations, including the Board of Directors of the Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency and the Board of Trustees of Cyprus Institute.

Yiannis Olympios
Founder V+O Group

Despo Lefkariti
Managing Director DELEMA MCCANN

She begun her career in Greece, working for the family petroleum business Petrolina S.A. In 1985, upon her return to Cyprus, she founded DELEMA McCANN, one of the largest and most creative communication groups in Cyprus, affiliated with MCCANN WORLGROUP, the largest communication group in the world. She is the President of the Cyprus advertising Self Regulation Organisation (ΦΕΔ), has served as Vice-President of YES for Europe (the European Federation of Young Entrepreneurs), as President of SDEK (Cyprus Association of Communication Agencies) and on the Board of various public companies and organisations. DeLeMa was selected by the EU as a «good practice» for gender equality.

Nikolaos Mavridis
Founder and director of the Interactive Robots and Media Lab (IRML)

Nikolaos Mavridis, PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), is an Academic and Consultant specializing in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence. Founder and director of the Interactive Robots and Media Lab (IRML), he has served as faculty at numerous institutions, including New York University (NYU) AD and Poly, among others. Before his PhD, he was awarded an M.Sc. from UCLA, and a M.Eng. from the Aristotle University, all with Suma Cum Laude. He has received significant media attention, such as coverage of IRML projects from media of >20 countries, including the BBC, Agence France-Presse etc. He is the author of >80 peer-reviewed academic publications, and has served as vice-chair of the Hellenic Artificial Intelligence Society, bid preparer and TC member that brought the World Robot Olympiad to Abu Dhabi, founding chair of the IEEE UAE Robotics and Automation Society, and mentor in The Next Generation Initiative. Nikolaos has also completed further PD courses from the MIT Sloan School of Business, and courses in International Relations from LSE, as well as courses in Social Entrepreneurship from Berkeley HAAS. Furthermore, he is a board member at several companies, and has been an invited keynote speaker at more than 50 venues worldwide, including the Singularity University summit, a TEDx Speaker four times, including Athens and Geneva, as well as a speaker at the World Forum for Democracy in Strasbourg. He has also served as Judge for the Dubai Prime Minister's Office "Drones for Good" and "Robotics and AI for Good" international competitions, and is a mentor for the MIT Enterprise Forum, and a member of the MIT Educational Council.

Athanasios Ellis
Editor in Chief, Kathimerini English Edition

Athanasios Ellis is Editor in Chief of Kathimerini English Edition, published in Greece and Cyprus along with the New York Times as a single paper. A former long time Washington bureau chief, he has interviewed many influential personalities - among them Turkish leaders Erdogan, Gul, and Davutoglu, French Presidents Macron and Sarkozy, European Commission Presidents Junker and Baroso, IMF managing directors Lagarde and Strauss Khan - and has reported from foreign capitals other than Washington, including Beijing, Tokyo, Brussels, Berlin, London, Paris, Rome, Ankara and Cairo.
He has appeared on international media to analyze Greek elections, the Greek economic crisis, and Greek-Turkish relations. He holds a B.A. from Boston University in Economics and Political Science, and a M.A. from B.U. in International Relations.

Michalis Sophocleous
CEO Glafkos Clerides Institute

Michalis Sophocleous is the CEO of Glafkos Clerides Institute, and a member of the Executive Committee and Political Bureau of Democratic Rally, Cyprus’ ruling party. Until March 2018 he was the Director of the President’s of the Republic of Cyprus Office, and responsible for Nicos Anastasiades election manifesto. A prominent member of the Nicos Anastasiades 2018 campaign committee, he was also the campaign manager of Ioannis Kasoulides for the presidential election of 2008, the coordinator of the support movement for the election of Glafkos Clerides in 2003 and a columnist for Kathimerini newspaper.

He has a long involvement in political issues, especially on the Cyprus Problem, International, European, South-eastern Mediterranean Politics and issues surrounding political ideology. He is well known for his dedication to reforms and technological developments. He has also been a business strategy and communication consultant for major Cypriot companies and an active member of important think tanks in Cyprus and abroad.

Jean Abou Assi
Director in Deloitte Digital ME

Is a director in Deloitte Digital ME, he has a track record of implementing and leading large scale digital programs, and is well versed in the entire digitization journey from strategy to delivery. He has extensive expertise in delivering cutting-edge digital customer experiences and products. Jean works closely with senior executives, business owners, marcom, creative and delivery teams, and digital product owners to elevate the human experience and make digital journeys work for customers.

Cleopatra Kitti
Founder of the Mediterranean Growth Initiative

Cleopatra is the founder of the Mediterranean Growth Initiative the only real time data analysis platform for the economies of the Mediterranean championing regional trade and market opportunity for investors and policy makers; a certified independent Director and Non-Executive director of Eurobank Cyprus (financial services); Louis Plc (regional travel and tourism); INSEAD’s ambassador to Cyprus for its Independent Directors Network focusing building capacity and sharing knowledge on good governance; member of the international advisory board, International Crisis Group, the international NGO working to prevent war and shape peace.

Tonia Sotiropoulou
Actress, Influencer

Born and raised in Athens, Greece, actress Tonia Sotiropoulou graduated from the George Kimouli College and Giles Foreman center for acting in London. She has established her career in cinematography in London, where she has been living for 7 years. She has worked and collaborated with directors such as Sam Mendes, Bret Ratner, Peter Strickland, Noel Clarke, and Nikos Perakis. Mrs. Spyropolou commutes between London and Athens, and is the brand ambassador to Intimissimi, Oriflame, Audemars Piguet, and Adidas Greece. Additionally, she works alongside organizations such as WWF Greece, “Alma Zois”, and Save a Greek Stray.

Professor Elizabeth O. Johnson
Dean, School of Medicine, European University Cyprus

Dean Elizabeth O. Johnson is a Professor of Anatomy at the School of Medicine, European University Cyprus, and she currently serves on the Federative International Programme for Anatomical Education (FIPAE) of the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists (IFAA). Dean Johnson was trained in Functional Neuroanatomy and Psychoneuroendocrinology at Cornell and the University of Maryland, and did her post-doctoral training in Molecular Neuroendocrinology & Chemical Neuroanatomy at the National Institutes Health. Her research focuses on neurosciences, particularly on stress and stress-related disorders. Johnson’s scientific record lists over 150 invited lectures, 300 contributions to the international scientific literature where here published original work as amassed over 10,000 citations. She is on the Editorial Board of core journals, anatomical textbooks and atlases, such as Grey’s Anatomy for Students, and has written her own textbook on Neuroanatomy

Meet our 2018 Speakers

MARGARITIS SCHINAS
Chief Spokesperson of the European Commission

Margaritis Schinas is the current Chief Spokesperson of the European Commission, and a Deputy Director General at the Commission's DG Communication. He has in his life been a politician and a European Union civil servant. He served as a Member of the European Parliament from 2007-2009. He has worked at the European Commission since 1990 and held since a number of senior posts mainly in the private offices of Commissioners.

ALEXIS PAPACHELAS
Greece's Kathimerini Executive Editor

In 2014 he was presented with the John Dewey Award for Distinguished Public Service from Bard College, awarded annually to alumni of the college for extraordinary contributions to the public interest. The magazine Politico included Papachelas as one of 27 most influential Europeans in the European Union. Papachelas has won a number of journalism awards, including journalist of the year, for his personal work and reports on his television programs. He has contributed columns for the New York Times and the Guardian and has been a guest at meetings of the Bilderberg Club. He is general secretary of the Greek Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP).

YIORGOS LAKKOTRYPIS
Minister of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism

SEBASTIAN WALDBAUER
Senior Product & Price Manager Digital Services & E-Mobility at BMW Group CSEU

Sebastian WALDBAUER (1989, born in Austria) holds a BA in Export-oriented Management from University of Applied Sciences Krems (Austria) and a MSc in Advanced Management Practice from the University of Bath (United Kingdom). Mr. Waldbauer has worked for PwC in the area of Strategy & Operations consulting with focus on projects in the area of sustainability as well as project management. Additionally, he gained valuable experiences in the diplomatic area working for the Ministry for European and International Affairs of Austria, (based in Geneva, Switzerland), focusing on human rights, public health and humanitarian affairs. Since 2014 Mr. Waldbauer is working for BMW Group Central and Southeastern Europe with his current position as Senior Product Manager for Digital Services & E-Mobility products.

Dr. STELIOS HIMONAS
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Of Energy, Commerce, Industry and Tourism - Cyprus Digital Champion

Stelios D. Himonas was born in Athens, Greece, on May 2, 1962. He received the BE, MS and PhD degrees from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, USA in 1985, 1986 and 1989, respectively, all in electrical engineering. From 1989 until 1997 he was an Associate Professor at the Department of Electrical Engineering at the New York Institute of Technology, USA. From 1994 until 1997, he collaborated with the Multimedia Communications Research Group of Bellcore’s Applied Research Division in Morristown, New Jersey, USA. Since 2012 he was appointed as Digital Champion of Cyprus. Digital Champions are ambassadors for the Digital Single Market, appointed by their Members States to help every European become digital.

JIVKA PETKOVA
Multimedia Chief Editor of European Commission

Jivka Petkova is currently the European Commission Multimedia chief-editor and Head of Unit in the Spokesperson's service. She contributes to the Commission's communication strategy and coordinates preparation of corporate communication material, she is responsible for the speeches of President Juncker and ensures liaison on media-related issues with the Commission Representations in the EU Member States. As Political Adviser to the Managing Director in the European External Action Service and as Adviser t the Director on Human Rights and Democracy she followed different human rights, global and multilateral issues.

GEORGE MAKKOULIS
Co-Founder Avocarrot

PANOS PAPAGEORGIOU
Co-Founder Avocarrot

After graduating Imperial College, George and Panos, along with Conno Christou and Giorgos Eracleous, founded Avocarrot. Based in San Francisco and Athens, Avocarrot (now Glispa - Connect) is a high-growth native advertising supply-side platform (SSP), which combines programmatic advertising and real-time bidding technologies so that it can generate the right ads at the right time for the right users in order to maximize the effectiveness of a mobile ad. In 2016 Avocarrot was acquired by the ad tech giant Glispa for more that €20m. Both George and Panos are considered among those world class engineers that are leading the innovations in programmatic advertising.

TANIA GIAKOUMAKI
Digital Marketing Consultant

Tania has a long-standing experience as an innovative thinker with highly strategic mindset and broad-based experience in marketing, communication and business development. She started her career in the Public Relations Sector and quickly moved to one of the biggest global communications groups (Lowe and Partners) handling key accounts in the FMCG, Banking and Tobacco Industry. After almost nine years she followed a marketing career path in expertise pioneering the Greek market followed by dedicated General Manager positions on leading Digital Communication Agencies (XPLAIN, BAKERS DIGITAL).

Speakers

Meet our 2022 Speakers

Meet our 2021 Speakers

Meet our 2020 Speakers

Meet our 2019 Speakers

Andreas EkströmAward winning journalist, author and digital futurist

Ken HughesWorld’s leading Consumer & Shopper Behaviouralist CEO Glacier Consulting

Daniel BobroffFounder of Coded Futures and formerly the co-founder and Investment Director of ASOS Ventures

Andreas NeocleousCEO of CYTA

Anastasia SideriCommunications Director, Central and Eastern Europe The Coca‑Cola Company

Margaritis SchinasVice-President-designate for Protecting​our European Way of Life​

Harris Georgiades​Minister of Finance of the Republic of Cyprus

George NounesisDirector & Chairman of the Board of the National Centre for Scientific Research “Demokritos” (Tesla Greece)

Dr. Marina - Lida CoutarelliFounder of “Communication Lab”

Daniel Domscheit-BergNetwork security expert and former WikiLeaks spokesperson in Germany

David ClarkeFBCS, Chief Technology Officer The Trust Bridge

Georgios LakkotrypisMinister of Energy, Commerce and Industry

Thalia KarafilidouEditor-in-Chief Vogue Greece

Kyriacos KokkinosNational Chief Scientist for Research & Innovation of the Republic of Cyprus

Yiannis Olympios​Founder V+O Group

Despo Lefkariti​Managing Director DELEMA MCCANN

Nikolaos MavridisFounder and director of the Interactive Robots and Media Lab (IRML)

Athanasios EllisEditor in Chief, Kathimerini English Edition

Michalis SophocleousCEO Glafkos Clerides Institute

Jean Abou AssiDirector in Deloitte Digital ME

Cleopatra KittiFounder of the Mediterranean Growth Initiative

Tonia SotiropoulouActress, Influencer

Professor Elizabeth O. JohnsonDean, School of Medicine, European University Cyprus