ABOUT
TEDxATHENS
TEDxAthens creates unique gatherings and events designed to catalyze and stimulate creativity, entrepreneurship, social change and inclusion. TEDxAthens is a proud member of TED’s independently organized TEDx events program, and the first ever TEDx event in Greece, established in May 2009. It amplifies great ideas worth sharing and implementing to the world. To date, it has curated more than 200 talks from world-renowned thinkers, doers and innovators. These talks have been viewed more than 7 million times online. It is, by acclamation, the most impactful and influential platform for ideas in Greece and the wider Balkans region.
TEDxATHENS
PURPOSE
TEDxAthens is a team of 70+ passionate volunteers, who believe in creating opportunities for change, by delivering high-quality content born from all aspects of life, through conferences, adventures and social projects, in order to educate, motivate, inspire and become catalysts of change both locally and internationally.
ABOUT THE
TEDx PROGRAM
TEDx brings the spirit of TED’s mission of ideas worth spreading to local communities around the globe. TEDx events are organized by curious individuals who seek to discover ideas and spark conversations in their own community. TEDx events include live speakers and are organized independently under a free license granted by TED. Each TEDx team operates independently from TED and its TEDx sister events in the same country and city.
HOW WE
MAKE IT HAPPEN
TEDxATHENS
THE TEAM
Dimitris Kalavros-Gousiou
Founder & Curator
Dimitris "DKG" Kalavros-Gousiou is a 30-year-old technology entrepreneur and investor. He serves as Co-Founder and General Partner at Velocity.Partners, a pre-seed and seed Venture Capital Fund active in Greece and SEE.
He is best known as the Founder and Curator of TEDxAthens, the most impactful platform for ideas, dialogue and talks in Greece. Prior to his role at Velocity.Partners, Dimitris co-founded Found.ation (a leading startup acceleration and innovation hub in the Balkans), TechTalent School (a coding school) and TechTalent Pool (a recruiting SaaS for developers).
From 2011 to 2013, Dimitris served as a Referrer for pre-seed investment firm HackFwd, leading its pipeline in Greece and Southeast Europe.
DKG holds a Law degree from the University of Kent at Canterbury and an LLM (Master of Laws) in Computer and Communications Law from the Queen Mary University of London.
He is a 2X alumnus of U.S. Department of State "International Visitor Leadership Program", classes of 2013 and 2017, the latter under the prestigious "Gold Stars" program, and a member of the Global Shapers Community of the World Economic Forum.
Dimitris regularly speaks on the topics of entrepreneurship, technology, design thinking, digital storytelling and leadership.
Dimitris Kokkoris
Producer
Dimitris is a design and print communication specialist, a social connector and an adventurer. He holds a degree in Printing Management and Information Technology from Rochester Institute of Technology, USA. He started his career at his family's business, Dot Repro, a creative print services provider, and has been occupied there ever since. From a very young age, he has been training and competing in several disciplines of mountain and water sports as an amateur athlete. He has been a founding member of Young Leaders, the Hellenic Young Entrepreneurs Association. He is a BoD member of the Costeas-Geitonas Schools Alumni Association. Contributing, donating, volunteering and helping others in need have defined most parts of his life. His latest endeavour is in the adventure travel industry, being the co-founder of Cannibals Adventures, a sea-kayaking adventure travel company. Dimitris is passionate about simple and effective design. As an action-sports and adventures addict he spends lots of time in the outdoors. He also spends lots of time in his kitchen at home cooking for family and friends. When he doesn't pet his three cats, he loves to travel, meet new people and develop his personal skills.
Tina Chalofti
Head of Partnerships
Tina is a member in TEDxAthens organizing team for 7+ years now, currently offering volunteering service as Head of Partnerships. She is a business consultant, co-founder and Managing Director in consulting firms Excellence & Lean Management Consultants and Active Safety Exipp. She holds a BSc in Maritime Economics and an MBA in Total Quality Management, both from University of Piraeus and a diploma in Digital Marketing & Social Media from Athens University of Economics & Business. She is passionate about service quality, customer satisfaction and event management. She is currently adapting to a vegan way of life and trying to keep up with life moto 'work hard - stay humble'. She loves her dog Rita, chocolate & sunsets.
Paris Gavriilakis
Hospitality Director
Paris is what you would say, your ordinary guy next door! Social, likes to hang out with his friends, meet new people, always greets you with a smile and always has…sugar and coffee if you are out! He is part of the TEDx Athens family for 6 years and head of the Hospitality Team for the last 3. On the day of the event you would probably find him following speakers around SNFCC, making sure they are happy, well fed and on time for their speech! If you see him give him a hug or a high five! This ordinary guy and the team he is part of are going to be there, to make sure, you can have the most extraordinary experience you could possibly have!
Mike Triantafyllidis
Program Development Manager
Unfinished business or uncharted waters, Mike has a bachelor degree in Geography of Harokopio University and a Master Degree in European Policies and Urban Planning. It wasn’t long however before Marketing and Comms proved to be his true passion, as he discovered that the creative path they offer provides with numerous possibilities for self- expression. His TEDxAthens role is to develop the volunteers program! He is a Digital Strategist for McCann, and a proud member of the TEDxAthens team since 2016. Fluent in both English and French he is always keen on trying out new applications concerning Technology and Social Media.
Dena Argyropoulou
Content Curation Manager | Head of Podcast
Dena has been part of the TEDxAthens family since 2016. Ever since insight meditation helped her navigate the unknown, painful territory of heartbreak, she’s been teaching the technique as a way to find clarity of mind and live with wisdom, courage and compassion. As a podcast host and producer, she loves having meaningful conversations with interesting people around the world. She currently lives in Athens, Greece and after living in California for 19 years she misses maple glazed donuts the most.
Kostas Fryganiotis
Web Developer | Photographer
Kostas is a Photographer and Web Developer. He studied Chemical Engineering in the NTUA. He is the co-founder of Nevma, a leading Web Design and Development company in Greece and a freelance photographer. He is also a main member of the WordPress Greek Community and co-organizer of the Athens WordPress Meetup, WordCamp Athens & WordCamp Europe conferences. He loves food, sports, food after sports, videogames with food, walking in mountains (food afterwards) and taking photos of any kind (i tried food but i want to eat it), especially landscapes and people. Be ready for the last one... and bring your best smile!
Anna Spyrou
Logistic & Purchases manager
Anna had spent 12 years in retail industry when she decided to enter the world of marketing, take all she had learnt and turn it into successful brand stories. She also acquired a variety in sciences, having a BSc in Education from University of Athens and an MBA from Alba Graduate Business School, blending a creative vision with a technical business mind. At TEDxAthens, she’s part of Operations and Experience rocket team. Having worked in different environments, helped her become an expert on product development and brand strategy. Great times of inspiration about the next “one more thing” are happening while boxing or taking long walks, also during travelling and experiencing new cultures, tasting wines and having gin(ious) conversations. Sometimes as a loner, sometimes with what she considers as most precious, her people, her friends. The people that define her as a sunshine with unflagging enthusiasm, a rainbow that can’t be let down. Her vision can be described by two of Steve Job’s famous quotes “We're here to put a dent in the universe. Otherwise why else even be here?” & “If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking”. Cliché but true.
Foteini Geraki
Media Coordinator
Foteini’s life-long purpose is to help teams and organisations empower their mission through effective communication. Along with her intercultural background studying and working in the UK, US and Greece, she has contributed to ThedxAthens with a transparent and borderless point of view. In her daily life, Foteini is a Business Transformation Consultant, supporting companies in adopting and succeeding into the digitalised future.
Maria Kounalaki
Web Site & App Manager
Maria is a Cretan, thrilled newbie in the crew of TEDxAthens and loves it already. She is a Computer Engineering and Informatics graduate and she is currently attending her MSc in Human-Computer Interaction. Yes, exactly, she loves interaction especially when it has to do with new people and experiences. She also has professional background in sports and group training. Passionate about everything she engages herself with, team player, challenge hunter, cocktail lover, creative and hopelessly romantic, she loves traveling and spending her free time with her awesome friends, family and Meraklis, her best dog buddy. Her hobbies include outdoor activities, photography and sketching. She always tries to remind her self to “look for the bare necessities, the simple bare necessities”, enjoy the moment and smile.
Valia Sarmatzi
Account Manager | Legal Advisor
Valia has been a proud member of the TED community since 2015 under various roles. Her goal is to live this experience to the fullest, stay motivated, hear new ideas and meet new people in order to assist in the transformation towards an upgraded way of life. She holds and LL.B and an LL.M, as well as a Degree in Finance and is currently a Corporate Legal Manager in an international shipping company. Her areas of expertise are anti-corruption, anti-money laundering, sanctions and data compliance. On a personal level, she is a beach-volleyball player and enjoys road trips and traveling abroad. The best phrase to describe her would be 'challenge seeker'.
Manos Gkiourkas
Financial Controller
Manos is a financial analyst and joined the team in 2020. He has a Master in Applied Economics from UoM. Currently, works for a multinational company in the FMCG sector, coping with boring numbers. In TEDxAthens he tries to counterbalance these boring numbers with excited people and the great experience of the event. Loves travelling, basketball and recently tries to play the guitar. He would tell you an economics joke, but there's not enough demand.
Soti Vayena
Digital Marketing Manager
Soti is not a Greek singer, even though she wishes she was. She joined TEDxAthens as a Digital Marketing Manager in 2022, and eventually became the “momager” of the most social, digital, vibrant, happy and super efficient team of the event. In real life she is the mother of two, writes children’s fiction, doesn’t like to cook, and works as a Senior Digital Marketing Manager in Tech. Her specialization is in Conversational Marketing, she is an expert in Content Marketing and hates reporting, but that’s life in Digital Marketing guys, data and reporting. She has studied in AUEB and other places, and just joined an e-learning for creative witting, just to fill some empty slots in her (too-busy) schedule! Find her @LinkedIn, read her @Facebook, just follow her @Insta (she doesn’t post regularly there cause her daughter calls her “Insta- Karen”).
Yiannis Fakitsas
Production Manager | Performers Account Manager
His passion for new challenges and his love for unique and amazing experiences are the main two reasons that brought Yannis to the door of TEDxAthens. He is a graduate of the Department of Business Administration at the University of Piraeus and works as an Account Executive in a P.R. Agency, while at the same time he is collecting many unique experiences from volunteering. What he considers most important than all he has acquired, is the friendship with exceptional people. In his free time, you will find him strolling with his bike in the suburbs of Athens, eating in one of his many secret spots or organizing his next trip. One of his favorite quotes: "Life is short, just have fun and learn the most".
Nikos Katsiantonis
Speakers Coach
Nikos is an entrepreneur in the real estate and home renovations industries, a real estate investor and a public speaking coach. He believes that “If a person has a great idea and masters the art of public speaking, they can change the world!”. This is why he joined the TEDxAthens' organizing team back in 2016. He lives with passion, loves to be challenged and remembers to say "Thank you" & "I'm sorry".
Nik Levantis
Ticketing Services Manager
Picture an enthusiastic early adopter who is very fond of technology, transformation projects and any future-engaging activity. Nik loves to construct and deconstruct, is intrigued by challenges and often perceives himself as an agent of change. He considers communication as a valuable asset and practices the art of soft power following a career in Marketing. To revitalise, he either zones out in a pool or explores more of all the food out there.
Natasa Bokidi
Experience & Side Events Project Manager
Natasa is passionate with all aspects of social life and communication, but she could easily isolate herself in a deserted island. Has over 10 years of experience in event management, client service and graphic design. She is patient, a good listener and loves troubleshooting. Her happy spot will always be by the sea and her big love is volleyball, chocolate, a good glass of wine (and gin), an intriguing conversation, traveling, dancing and lately some arts & crafts (not always with great success). Long lasting love with a fluffy dog called Mousakas. Newbie at TEDxAthens as an “Experience & Side Events Project Manager” in charge of the f&b section making sure everyone eats on the event date!
Chrysanthi Maistrou
Motion Designer
Chrysa is an enthusiastic motion designer working in advertising, with a vivid interest in all upcoming trends regarding her field. She is often described a quiet power with a keen interest in travelling, cinema and creative cooking. Her participation in TEDxAthens branding team is a challenge to evolve her skills and take on new things.
Athina Spanou
Hospitality Manager
Athina's hunger for knowledge and determination to turn information into insights have made her pursue a career in Business Intelligence. She is always interested in a new challenge, and what a greater challenge than the "Unknown". That is why Athina has joined this year's Hospitality team. To explore the unknown and push herself to turn an idea into action. You will find Athina either playing beach volleyball or taking her dog for a long walk in her free time. She is also passionate about traveling and the cinema. Her favorite motto: "Believe you can and you're halfway there".
Antonia Panagiari
Traffic & Print Production Manager
Antonia is an optimist at heart and a passionate individual always searching for exciting ideas and challenging concepts. Through a cultural and career journey that brought her form the Netherlands to Greece and from Marine Logistics to the world of Marketing & Advertising, she had the opportunity to explore several aspects of her personality and skills. She is persistent, highly reliable and an enthusiast by nature who always enjoys working on creative projects. An old soul with a young mindset (as her friends describe her), in her free time she enjoys spending time at home with good friends and cold wine. Her happy place is by the sea at sunset and at the airport about to fly to new destinations. A first timer at TEDxAthens she has the role of Traffic & Print Production Manager.
Dimitris Soulanis
Experience & Side Events Project Manager
We are all part of humanity and I believe we need to do our best to support the mision of creating a better place for the next geneations. I am value-driven, human-centric and characterized by a strong willingness to help. My favourite quote is from Henry Ford: "Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success."
