He was born in Volos. He studied journalism at the University of Urbino in Italy. At the same time, he entered the media in 1988 and from that moment he works continuously at TV, Radio, Papers and in 2001 he published his own magazine “wish”. The last nine years he’ s the GM of “Thessalian Radio Television” in Central Greece.
Stelios D. Sarantis was born in 1990, lives in Trikala and is married and father of two children. In 2013 he graduated from the School of Chemical Engineering of the National Technical University of Athens. In 2014 he served his military service as a Reserve Officer of the Artillery and in 2015 he was discharged as a Reserve Second Lieutenant. In 2018 he obtained his Master’s Degree (MSc) in Food Science and Technology from The Ohio State University, USA. Since 2024 he has been Chairman of the Board of Directors of HELLENIC DAIRIES S.A. Since 2022 he has been a member of the board of the Association of Industries of Thessaly and Central Greece. He speaks English, German and Romanian. He is also a member of the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) and the Technical Chamber of Greece.
Dr. Kyriakos Pozrikidis is a graduate of the School of Economics of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and holds a post-graduate degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Wales. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Macedonia. He has authored books regarding Exhibiting Marketing and has published numerous articles regarding his scientific and research interests on several scientific journals and congresses. He has served as a member of the Board and as President of the European Tourism Trade Fairs Association. He is a member of the Board of the Global Association of Exhibition Organizers (Union des Foires Internationals). He served as the president of the Central European Fairs Alliance – CEFA. He is a certified member of the International Association of Professional Exhibition Organisers (IAEM). He is Vice-President of the Greek Exhibition Industry Association (SOKEE). He currently serves as CEO of TIF-HELEXPO, the national exhibition agency.
Ismini Papakirillou is the Chief Executive Officer of Hellenic Development Bank, a position she holds since February 2024. Previously she worked for the European Investment Fund (EIF), part of the European Investment Bank Group, covering European Commission mandates across a range of different thematics. From 2010 to 2019 she worked for the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private investing arm of the World Bank, handling direct investments across a range of financial instruments, sectors and geographies. Prior to IFC she worked for three years as a portfolio manager for Global Tactical Asset Allocation strategies at APG Investments, one of the largest institutional investors in Europe. She has also worked in Paris and Athens covering investments in industry and private equity.
She has degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the London School of Economics (LSE).
Ioanna-Alexandra Saitis was born and raised in Larissa, Greece. She holds a degree in Business Administration from the Athens University of Economics and Business and
an MBA in Finance from SDA Bocconi University in Milan. Her professional journey began at Unilever-Elais in Athens, followed by leadership roles in prominent companies within the agro-food sector. With her family’s legacy in the industry as a source of both knowledge and inspiration, she developed strong expertise in Sales, Marketing, and Financial Management. This path led her to Intercomm Foods SA, where her vision and commitment to excellence brought her to the position of Chief Executive Officer. She also remains a shareholder in export-oriented agro-food enterprises that actively contribute to the Greek economy.
Her leadership has been recognized with notable distinctions, including the Entrepreneurship Excellence Award from AUEB in 2018 and her inclusion in Fortune Greece’s “Most Powerful Women in Business” in 2020. Beyond her executive role, she participates actively in professional associations, underlining her dedication to innovation, sustainability, and economic growth. This dedication is further reflected in her belief that “Every success is rooted in teamwork. By encouraging a collaborative spirit, everyone can achieve more together, reach shared goals, and turn new ideas into reality while driving innovation.”
Alexandros Papachatzis is Professor of “Arboriculture” and, since September 2023, the Head of the Department of Agriculture – Agrotechnology of the University of Thessaly.
He is a graduate of the Higher School of Agriculture of Athens (Agricultural University of Athens), majoring in Plant Science (MSc.). He holds the first Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.) in “Agricultural Management” and the second Doctoral Degree in “Arboriculture”.
Former member of the Scientific Council of the “HELLENIC AGRICULTURAL ORGANIZATION – DIMITRA, (ELGO – DIMITRA)”, of the Ministry of Rural Development & Food (MINAGRIC).
Also, former member of the Board of Directors of the International “Circular Economy & Climate Change Institute.
Founder and Director of the Institutional Laboratory of “Horticulture & Soil Resources, HORTLAB”.
His Research Activity and the Provision of Agricultural Advisors, from European and National Research Programs that he Coordinated/Coordinates and Directs, exceeds over 7 million euros!
In his professional activity in the private sector, he was an Administrator in Agricultural Companies with nationwide and international activity with “crop restructuring” programs in third countries, as well as Chairman and CEO in a Multinational Commercial and Industrial Company (Société Anonyme) with Cotton Ginning Plant.
Vasileios Moraitis is Operations Manager at “APOSTEIROSI S.A.”, with extensive experience in hazardous waste management and the implementation of circular economy solutions. He serves as Treasurer of the Association of Industries of Thessaly and Central Greece (AITCG) and is coordinator of the Working Group on “Sustainable Development, Competitiveness and Start-ups” He studied Physics and holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Management from Imperial College London, an MBA, as well as a MicroMaster in Supply Chain Management from MITx. He is a licensed environmental consultant by the Ministry of Environment and a certified Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor (ADR – member of PSSAMEE). His professional career focuses on bridging industry and the environment, with the aim of promoting circular economy practices and supporting the green transition.
Prof. Nicholas Dercas
President of Thessaly Water Management Organization (TWMO)
Agricultural University of Athens, Natural Resources Management and Agricultural Engineering Department.
Professor Nicholas DERCAS, is the President of Thessaly Water Management Organization (TWMO), Director of Agricultural Hydraulics Laboratory of Agricultural University of Athens. He was Vice-Rector of Academic and Administrative Affairs of Agricultural University of Athens (2019-2022) and Head of Natural Resources Management and Agricultural Engineering Department (2013-2017)
UNIVERSITY STUDIES
He is an Agricultural Engineer (AUA), a Hydraulic Engineer (S.Sp. Institut National Polytechnique de Toulouse / France), and a Civil Engineer (National Technical University of Athens). He holds a Master of Science/DEA (University of Montpellier II) and a PhD in Hydraulic Engineering (University of Montpellier II / France).
RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
His research interests cover the area of applied agricultural hydraulics, irrigation systems and management, water distribution networks, water resources management, crop water requirements, biomass and energy crops. He has participated in several international and national research projects.
His research work was published in peer-reviewed journals and international conferences. He is a reviewer of international scientific journals and research proposals. He is a member of the French Academy of Water.
Honors
Career
2002 – 2003, Specialist of the Department of Export, Department of Weapon and Military Equipment Imports, Ministry of Defense of Kazakhstan
2003 – 2004, Third Secretary, Department of Europe and America, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan
2004 – 2005, Assistant to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
2005 – 2005, Second Secretary, Center for Cooperation with the OSCE, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan
2005 – 2009, First Secretary, Embassy of Kazakhstan to Poland
2009 – 2010, Special Adviser to the Director, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
2011 – 2012, Associate Programme Officer, TND Department, OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights
2013 – 2015, Head, Pan-European Cooperation Division, Department of Europe, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan
2015 – 2017, Deputy Director General, Department of Europe, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan
2017 – 2020, Counsellor, Deputy Head of Mission of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Hellenic Republic
2020 – 2022, Director General of the Department of Europe, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan
2022-2025, Minister-Counsellor, Deputy Head of Mission of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, Deputy Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Kingdom of Belgium and Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
Since January 2025, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Hellenic Republic
Date and place of birth, 5 September 1981, Astana, Republic of Kazakhstan
Education
Ambassador designate of Bangladesh to Hellenic Republic Mrs. Nahida Rahman Shumona just completed a 04-year tour of duty as the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Brunei Darussalam. She is a senior career foreign service officer who has served in various diplomatic roles over the past two and half decades.
Prior to her appointment as High Commissioner to Brunei, Shumona held the position of Director General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, heading the Consular & Welfare Wing and the Regional Organizations Wing. She has also served as Chargé d’Affaires at the Bangladesh Embassy in Brasilia, as well as Counsellor/Acting High Commissioner at the Bangladesh High Commission in Ottawa. Earlier in her career, she served in Kolkata and Canberra.
Shumona holds a Master’s degree in Diplomacy and International Trade from Monash University, Australia, and Master’s and Honours degrees in English Literature from the University of Dhaka. She also received a fellowship in Transboundary Water Law from the University of Geneva.
She has keen interest in social issues involving children and women, she supports a number of charities for underprivileged children and children with special needs across Bangladesh, Brazil, Brunei, India and Nepal. She is an avid reader, nature enthusiast and cultural collaborator. She also has interest in interfaith dialogue, sustainable living and gender equality.
Shumona is married to Additional Secretary (Retired) of the Government of Bangladesh Mr. Aslam Iqbal, and they have two sons.