DORA BAKOYANNIS, M.P.
Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Greece
Former Mayor of Athens
Born in 1954, Dora Bakoyannis was educated at the German School of Paris. After studying Political Science and Communication at the Ludwig-Maximilian University of Munich, she continued her studies in Political Science and Public Law at the University of Athens. She speaks fluently English, French and German.
She is a member of the Greek Parliament, Coordinator responsible for Economy and Development for Nea Demokratia, and member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (EPP/CD group).
She has been consecutively elected as a member of the Greek Parliament since 1989.
From 1990 to 1992 she served as Under-Secretary of State and from 1992 to 1993 as Minister for Culture.
She was the first female Mayor of Athens(2002-2006) and the first female Greek Foreign Minister (2006-2009). Moreover, she was the President of the United Nations Security Council (2006) and the Chairperson of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe(2009).
In 2003, he has been awarded the International Leadership Award by the International Centre for Women and her valuable contribution to culture was recognized by the 14th International Symposium Fontana di Roma. In the same year, upon the invitation of Romano Prodi, then President of the European Commission, she joined a group of 12 high-level independent figures from Europe, as a member of a prestigious round-table conference, contributing proposals on the social character, cultural identity and economic future of new Europe.
Dora Bakoyannis was voted World Mayorin 2005.
Since 2006, she has been included in the Forbes annual list of the Worlds’ Most Powerful Women for three consecutive years.
In 2008, she was awarded the “Emperor Maximilian Award – European Award for Regional Policy and Local Government” by the State of Tyrol and the city of Innsbruck.
In 2009, she was elected the First Female Foreign Associate of the French Academy in Humanities and Political Sciences.
In 2013, she became a Meritus Doctor of the European Polytechnic University of Bulgaria, for her endeavours regarding Bulgaria’s and South-eastern Europe’s path towards the EU.
In the same year she was awarded the OSCE Medal for her contribution to the approach between NATO and Russia at the Corfu Summit, during her chairmanship of the OSCE in 2009.
Additionally, Dora Bakoyannis has been awarded with the following honours:
2003, Grand Commander of the Order of Makarios III (Cyprus)
2004, Commander of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland (Poland)
2004, Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana, Cavaliere di Gran Croce (Italy)
2005, Commander of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Hungary (Hungary)
2006, Grand Cross of the Order of Danebrog (Denmark)
2006, Grand Cross of the Jerusalem Patriarchate
2007, Grosses Goldenes Ehrenzeichen am Bande, Der Republik Österreich (Austria)
2008, Grand Cross of the Order of the Phoenix of the Hellenic Repubic (Greece)
As a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe:
Dora Bakoyannis served as Chairperson of the Committee of Political Affairs and Democracy from 2014 until 2016 and Chairperson of the Sub-Committee on relations with the OECD and the EBRDfrom 2016 to 2018. She has been the Co-Rapporteur for the Russian Federation (Monitoring Committee) and the Rapporteur on “Threats against humanity posed by the terrorist group known as “IS”: violence against Christians and other religious or ethnic communities” (Political Committee). Currently, she serves as Rapporteur for the Syrian crisis (Political Committee) and the functioning of democratic institutions in Poland (Monitoring Committee).
Moreover, she is a full member of the following bodies:
– Committee on Political Affairs and Democracy
– Committee on the Honouring of Obligations and Commitments by Member States of the Council of Europe (Monitoring Committee)
– Sub-Committee on External Relations
– Sub-Committee on relations with the OECD and the EBRD
Dora Bakoyannis is known worldwide for her adamant stance against terrorism.
Eric Burdon
Eric Burdon
Eric Burdon, one of the most distinctive and soulful voices in rock and roll, is an accomplished painter, author, composer, recording artist and traveling bluesman for over 50 years. His musical journey began in the coal-mining town of Newcastle, England, where he immersed himself in American blues and jazz. Driving force of the Animals, Burdon helped lead the British Invasion with their first international hit, “House of the Rising Sun.” A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member since 1994 and named one of the 100 Greatest Voices of All Time by Rolling Stone Magazine, Burdon’s long string of hits includes “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” and the Vietnam-era anthem, “We Gotta Get Out of This Place.”
His psychedelic-era classics include “San Franciscan Nights,” “Monterey” and the anti-war, “Sky Pilot.”
Founder of multi-ethnic funk outfit War, Burdon broke new ground with “Spill the Wine.”
Burdon has shared the stage with legends such as Chuck Berry, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Witherspoon and Otis Redding – and was cited by cutting edge musicians Patti Smith and Iggy Pop in their personal top tens.
In 2012, Burdon received hard-earned kudos from Bruce Springsteen in his keynote speech at South by Southwest. Burdon joined Springsteen on-stage and was soon back in heavy demand. An EP with garage rockers the Greenhornes was quickly followed up with the acclaimed, full-length LP ‘Til Your River Runs Dry.
Nikos Chatzinikolaou
Lifetime Achievement Award for journalism in Greece
Nikos Chatzinikolaou was born on October the 9th 1962, in Alexandroupolis, Evros. He started working as a journalist in 1983 covering education topics for the newspaper “MESIMVRINI”.
In 1984, he received the “Botsi” award forjournalism. He then moved to political reportingand started his collaboration with the Sunday edition of the newspaper “Akropolis”, the newspaper “Ethnos” and the magazines “ENA”and “STATUS”.
He worked at radio stations: “ATHINA 9,84”, where he was a member of the founding committee, “ERA”, “SKY 100,4”, “PLANET” and “STATUS FM”.
In 1989, he started his collaboration with MEGA TV. From 1998 until 2003 he was the General Manager of the News and Information department at the station.
From 2003 until 2007, he collaborated with ALPHA TV, firstly as the Executive Vice President and General Manager of the News and Information department and later, as the Chairman and CEO of station.
From April 2007 until October 2011 hecollaborates with ALTER TV station as the main news anchor.
In September 2007 along with Andreas Kouris,he founded «Real Group», which consists of the radio station “Real Fm 97.8” in Athens, “Real Fm 107.1” in Thessaloniki, “Ellinikos 93,2” in Athens, the Sunday newspaper “Real News” and the news portal “Real.gr”.
In 2012 he founded his personal site-blog “Enikos.gr” and the financial news blog “Enikonomia.gr”.
From September 2013 until June 2016, he collaborated with STAR Channel TV Station as the main news anchor.
Since January 2017, he is the anchorman of themain news section of ANT1 TV Station.
Nikos Chatzinikolaou is the President of the Athens Daily Newspaper Publishers Association and a board member of European Newspaper Publishers Association (ENPA).
Stéphane Rolland
Stéphane Rolland is one of the very few Couturiers in the world to perpetuate the unique Savoir-Faire of the French Haute Couture.
At the age of 4, Stéphane draws his first sketches; his fine taste for fashion promptly becomes a clear evidence.
By his adolescence, his fascination for architecture and modern art will shape his style; a style that will come to be his worldwide recognized signature.
At this moment, he defines his Masters as Cristobal Balenciaga, Oscar Niemeyer and Constantin Brancusi and will be guided by their common thread : the way they play with balance and space.
Recently graduated from the school of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture Parisienne, and following Pierre Bergé’s advice who sees a bright future in him, he gets an interview at the famous Maison Balenciaga. The story finally begins. Stéphane Rolland becomes at the age of 21 the youngest creative director in Paris.
At the age of 24, Stéphane launches his own Ready-to-Wear line and signs with the Maison Pierre Balmain an exclusive license of luxury uniforms. It is an immediate success and 170 companies around the world will trust Stéphane Rolland with their image.
The grail. At the age of 30, Stéphane Rolland earns theofficial title of Couturier and signs for 10 years the Haute Couture and Ready-to-Wear collections of the Maison Jean Louis Scherrer on avenue Montaigne.
Stéphane dresses the Cinema as well as the Theaterand for 5 consecutive years, he becomes an official partner of the Cannes Film Festival.
His costumes for the play Amadeus will get him two nominations at the French Molière Awards in Paris.
In 2007, Stéphane Rolland opens the doors to his Maison de Haute Couture, dubbed by the Fédération de la Couture and the Ministry of Industry.
He describes himself as an orientalist who plays with minimalism and preciousness. Each gown is a sculpture, carved in gazar or crepe. His unique creations are worn nowadays by the most demanding women and celebrities from all over the world.
Vassili G. Apostolopoulos
Vassili Apostolopoulos was born in Athens in 1972 and graduated from the Moraitis School. He received his BSc in Management from the London School of Economics with first class honours and his MBA from Cambridge University. He also holds a PhD in Health Economics from the University of Athens.
Dr. Apostolopoulos is the CEO of Athens Medical Group, the leading health care services group in Greece and Southeastern Europe. The Group is listed at the Athens Stock Exchange (ASE). Dr. Apostolopoulos is also the CEO of G. Apostolopoulos Group, whose activities extend beyond health, in insurance, real estate, and trade.
He is, moreover, the President of the Hellenic Entrepreneurs Association (E.EN.E), member of the General Council of the Hellenic Federation of Industries (SEV), member of Greek Medical Tourism Council (ELITOUR) and member of Business Council of Greece –Qatar. He is, also, a member of the Advisory board of the Hellenic Observatory at the London School of Economics (LSE), member of the Board of Directors of the Center for International Business and Management (CIBAM) found at Cambridge University and a member of Chatham House in London.
Dr. Apostolopoulos is President of Hellenic Alumni Association of LSE (HAALSE) and member of the Board of Directors of “Athens Club”, the most historic club in Greece.
Dr. Apostolopoulos is also founding member of Hellenic club “Dielpis Racing and Touring”, founding member of the Board of Directors of the Cyber Security International Institute (CSIi) in Athens, and an active member of the Monaco Yacht Club since 2002.
He is the recipient of the “Giuseppe Sciacca” international award for his humanitarian work and has received a special honorary from the Mayor of Fournoi Island for his contribution to the local community. He has also received an award from the chief of the Greek Coast Guard for his contribution to the corps and by the Greek Police Union for his contribution to the policemen of Attica. Moreover, he has been recognized for his contribution to the American Greek Society by the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater New York. In 2018 he received the Corporate Social Responsibility and Entrepreneurship in Healthcare Award.
In 2020 he was awarded the “Lifetime Achievement Award” of the British Council, given for the first time to a Greek, and in May 2021,in Monaco, he received the ‘Leadership in Healthcare & Corporate Social Responsibility Award’ at the ‘Maria Callas Monaco Gala & Awards’, which was held at the Hotel De Paris, under the patronage, and in the presence of H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco.
In July 2021, the Athens Medical Group was recognized as the ‘Gold Protagonist’ of the Decade 2010-2020, in the field of Medical Services, by Direction Business Network.In March 2022, he received the Innovative “Entrepreneur of the Year” Award by EY.
He is married to Roy Danalis and is the father of four children.
Vassilis Georgountzos
VASSILIS GEORGOUNTZOS, MD PhD
Coordinator Director of the Radiology and Breast Imaging Department at the State General Hospital of Athens” G. Gennimatas”
Director Coordinator in the Radiology and Breast Imaging Department of the State General Hospital of Athens, G. Gennimatas. (PhD Thesis on the Breast Cancer Screening).
Vice – President of the Hellenic Society of Senology(awarded by the Academy of Athens).
Vice – President in the 21st SIS (International Society of Senology) world – Congress on Breast Cancer and Breast Health Care (4-6 May, 2023, Rhodes island).
Has also been
- Sector manager of the medical department (General Hospital of Athens, G. Gennimatas).
- Director of the Hellenic School of Senology.
- Responsible Radiologist of the European Program ‘Europe against Cancer’, organized by the European Union, the Hellenic Oncological Societyand the Greek Ministry of Health.
- Scholar of International Organizations (attended Universities and Breast Cancer Centers inCambridge, Nottingham, Edinburgh, Guildford, Bologna, Florence, Milan) – subject: Screening of Breast Cancer.
- Member of the National Central Health Council on Oncology.
- Organized the Breast Cancer Unit at the University Hospital ‘Attikon’.
