Our People

A highly accomplished individual who has benefited from an international education and lived in a variety of international communities.

Eva has more than 15 years of professional experience in the mining and constructions sector in Greece, as well as in African countries. She has worked for many years in the UK as a bookkeeper and in sales. She joined the STAMKON to follow a new path in her career in the shipping and logistics sector.

Eva obtained the BA in Business Administration from London Metropolitan University and she currently undertakes the MSc in International Development at Birkbeck University of London.

Professor Michael Roe is a globally recognised research leader in the area of maritime and logistics policy and governance with a particular interest in the cross-disciplinary relationship between globalisation, international governance and the maritime sector. This interest has emerged from earlier work which focused upon shipping and ports policy-making in the European Union and across the Soviet dominated Eastern Europe.

Professor Roe has close links with a number of global institutions (the United Nations, OECD and World Trade Organisation) and a range of national policy-making bodies including those in China, Greece, Hong Kong, Poland, Sweden and Turkey. Recent publications have included a major new book on maritime governance and policy-making which examines the relationship between policy failure in shipping and the role of the industry in manipulating
globalised governance inadequacies. Work continues on modelling the nature of policy-making in shipping
with a focus on moving the current framework from those dominated by structure to process-based policies.

Ms.  Bessem Hamud is a Maritime Lawyer, Master in Maritime Affairs, with many years of work experience in the offshore industry.
The past 5 years working from Ciudad del Carmen for shipping companies dedicated to the Oil and Gas sector, in commercial/chartering role and advising several other companies on matters such as charter parties, sale and purchase and contract management.
Bessem Hamud holds a LLM in Law at the Universidade Positivo, in Curitiba, Brazil, and a M.Sc. in Maritime Affairs with emphasis on Maritime Law and Policy, by the World Maritime University, in Malmo, Sweden.

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Dr. George Vaggelas is Associate Professor at the Department of Shipping, Trade and Transport of the University of the Aegean (Greece) and a Research Fellow at Research in Shipping and Ports Laboratory. He was Partner and Managing Director at “Ports and Shipping Advisory” 2017-2020) and a member of the Greek Regulatory Authority for Ports (2014-2016). He has previously been an advisor to the President and CEO of Thessaloniki Port Authority S.A. (Greece) and an Adjunct Lecturer at the University of the Aegean.
George has more than 15 years of experience in consulting and research on port and shipping issues and he has been involved also in European and national projects examining the port and maritime industries. A specialist in passenger ports, port management, port economics and port policy issues, George has authored several papers published in international scientific journals and international conferences examining seaport economics and politics of seaports.
George Vaggelas holds a BSc (Shipping & Enterpreneurship), an MSc in Shipping Trade and Transport (STT), and a Phd (2008), from the School of Business, University of the Aegean, Greece. George’s PhD thesis examines the interface of the public and private sectors involvement in the port sector. The research has been financed by the Greek Ministry of Development, the Port of Piraeus SA, and the Organisation for Public Transport in Athens (OASA). George has also contributed as a Teaching Assistant (TA), to the undergraduate and programme of the Department.
He is active in the Port Performance Research Network (PPRN) a member of the International Association of Maritime Economists (IAME), and of the ‘Hellenic Association of Maritime Economists’ (ENOE).

Purchasing Manager with 10-plus years of experience in the shipping industry.

Excels in multi-tasking and employs strong leadership skills. Currently pursuing an EMBA (Executive Master of Business Administration) at the University of Piraeus, where she acquired her BSc (Hons) in Maritime Studies.

Resourceful, well organized with an internal drive to deliver with an aptitude in team building she enjoys guiding and training interns into becoming professionals in her area of expertise, making teaching a familiar skill.

One of her biggest achievements so far is assembling and developing of a brand new in-house Purchasing Department. Resulting in one of the biggest milestones in her career, becoming a Purchasing Manager in such a young age.

A Passionate, Innovative, Driven and Results-Orientated Logistics professional with a proclivity for problem solving, efficiency improvement, professional development and a consolidated understanding and experience along the areas of the Supply Chain Management.

Wade is a Logistics and Supply Chain Management Professional who has been working within the industry for over 10 years. He has worked in Export Shipping, Purchasing Management, Warehousing, and Vessel Coordination Planning, is trained in Sales & Negotiation, and is a trained Port Facility Security Officer.

He obtained his diploma in Shipping and Logistics, and his BSc (Hons) in Logistics & Supply Chain Management at the Caribbean Maritime University, and read for his MSc. in Procurement, Logistics and Supply Chain Management at the University of Salford.

Anna Chatzatoglou is a ship supply and procurement expert. She has been working for more than 20 years in the purchasing and technical departments of shipping companies having gained extensive expertise in the marine procurement sector.

Anna has obtained her BSc (Hons) in Shipping Studies and MSc in Shipping Management from the University of Piraeus (Greece). Yet, she is keeping up with latest requirements and new developments that are continuously added in the marine procurement field.

She has the diverse experience of working both for traditional shipping companies as well as stock exchange listed ones , bearing the experience in different management cultures and practices in work. She has also been engaged with contract agreements for supplies and services.

Currently she is working as a Senior Procurement Executive in a leading tanker shipping company.

A forward thinking and results-driven supply chain management professional who has experience designing and deploying ‘best-in-class’ procurement and strategic sourcing practices.

Trishaunna is a Purchasing Manager working in the Retail Industry and the Director of Dwyer Shipping Services. She has been working in the shipping industry for 8 years which includes working for mega companies such as Kingston Wharves Limited, Seaboard Marine and Gap Forwarding Inc to name a few.

She is skilled in lean purchasing, contracts management, negotiation, green-buying, customs regulations, logistics engineering, supply chain management, distribution & warehouse management, inventory control and leadership/change management.

A  proud graduate of the Caribbean Maritime University and University of Waterloo. She holds a BSc. degree in Logistics & Supply Chain Management, MSc. degree in Logistics Engineering and is a Certified Purchaser in Canada.

Ms. Yannica Hayles is a Logistics Professional with over 9 years experience working alongside a team at Delta Supply Company. She specializes in Procurement and is responsible for purchasing, shipping, pricing, and costing for all assigned brands, such as Karcher, Stens, Kholer, and Eliet to list a few.  Her Bsc. in Logistics and Supply Chain Management degree acquired from the Caribbean Maritime University allows her to be solely responsible for all shipping related logistics for over sixty (60) international suppliers for the company.

Through the use of a variety of progressive systems and applications, Yannica has developed a procedural method that improves the estimated overall shipping cost on company shipments; a method that assists the company in offering customers a more promising and competitive product price, as well as eradicating the company’s former rule of “No Sale Discounts Allowed” – as the company sub-dealers now benefit from a 10%-25% discount established within this developed method.

In her free time, Yannica loves to listen to audiobooks, and watch documentaries and animation.

Experienced manager in marine business for more than 17 years. Working as a Procurement Manager the last 8 years for two major Greek shipping companies involved in commercial and technical project management and business strategy.

I have been certified with an MBA degree from the University of Piraeus. However, started as a Marine Engineer on board vessels (graduated from Aspropyrgos Merchant Marine Academy, Greece) and then continued my studies obtaining the BEng in Mechanical Engineering (Coventry University, UK) and the MSc in Engineering Management (Liverpool John Moors University, UK).

Apart from my on-board experience as engineer I have worked for a multinational Swedish manufacturer for ships equipment as a sales and service manager where I enhanced my knowledge and professionalism in shipping business sector.

Eleni has worked in diverse fields and environments in maritime, including marketing, consulting, and finance.

She holds a BSc in Maritime Business from Solent University of Southampton (UK) and a MSc in Banking and Finance from London South Bank University (UK). The latter was achieved with a Distinction and with the honor to be the Dean of the class. For her achievements and exceptional performance, Eleni has received a full scholarship for attending a Master’s degree at London South Bank University.

She lives and works in the UK, and her experience with client management has been extensive, focusing on all key aspects including embedding the need to integrate sales planning in the firm’s processes, defining roles and responsibilities across different teams, managing clients’ needs and preparing all procedures. Currently, she has been working in the Accounting department of a Financial organization.

Iordanis is a Maritime Procurement officer, with more than 15 years of experience in maritime. He is a Procurement Officer at Spliethoff Group.

He holds a BSc in Shipping & Transport (Maritime law and insurance), from the London Metropolitan University.

He has worked as a consultant and lecturer in maritime.

Mustapha has been in the LNG industry for almost 15 years. He has a strong experience in various LNG ship types (Membrane and Moss), with different engines (Steam, DFDE). Currently, he is a Chief Officer to a leading company in the middle east, where they deliver clean energies worldwide.

As Chief Officer, he has carried out all the possible LNG operations such as tanks preparation, cooling down, loading, discharging, pre drydocking, STS operations.

Moreover, he has attended the outfitting and commissioning of a new LNG ship, where he have witnessed all the construction stages along with the sea and gas trials.

Akrivi, is the Finance Officer of the Company Efshipping Company S.A. which has been operating in the shipping sector for forty years. She started her career in the industry, entering the company after her postgraduate studies at Cardiff University. She started working for the founder of the company and continues with the second generation of the founder’s family.

She is experienced in bank loan evaluation, shipping market analysis, financial reports, cash flow, budgeting, and Sale and Purchase projects for second hand and new buildings in the bulk carrier and container sector due to her involvement in company’s fleet renewal and development. She is member of the Board of Directors of the vessels’ owning companies and other companies of the group. She has been involved in the implementation of other than shipping projects, in the area of energy and agriculture, diversified companies of the family. She is also the Business Consulting Manager for a company operating by the family in the area of agricultural products.

She holds a MSc degree in International Transport from the University of Cardiff, UK and a BSc in Business Administration from the American College of Greece. She holds a Certificate in Vessel Valuation from the Lloyd’s Maritime Academy and a Professional Maritime Diploma in Economics from the Hellenic Management Center in cooperation with the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers. She has attended a series of seminars in Finance, Sale and Purchase, Chartering, Insurance and postgraduate courses in Finance from the University of Strathclyde

Captain Iro Gidakou is working for the Maran Tanker company.

She has worked as a Captain on board LNG vessels. She is in the shipping Industry since 2004 and she has been working as an Officer on board vessels from 2008.

Iro, loves her job, the sea and the vessels. She is the first Cypriot female to qualify as Captain.

Dr O’Shaughnessy works as an invasive species consultant for an environmental consultancy company in the UK.

Kathryn obtained her Phd from the University of Plymouth (UK) in Environmental Science in which she studied coastal ecology and ecological engineering. She also holds a MSc degree in Coastal Marine and Wetland Studies from Coastal Carolina University (USA), a BSc in Marine Biology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington (USA) and a BA in Communication from the University of Dayton (USA). 

Her research interests are in understanding anthropogenic impacts on coastal ecosystems, with specific interests in the ecological differences between natural and artificial habitats. She has been working on using applied research and analyzing large datasets to support management and policy decisions regarding coastal fisheries, invasive species and artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico region, but has recently started assessing impacts and pathways of introduction and spread of invasive species in the UK.

Manikandan V comes with more than 15 years of experience in Maritime Industry which includes sea-time and donning multiple roles ashore right from a Trainer to a Manager.

His contribution to various organizations in the field of Education, Training and Development, has been well received and appreciated.

He obtained his Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) Degree from the University of Delhi (India) and Masters of Business Administration (MBA) in Shipping and Logistics Management from Academy of Maritime Education and Training, India.

George Laios is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Intermodal Shipbrokers. He has a long-term experience in ship financing working in top managerial positions at shipping banks, shipping companies and shipbroking houses.

George began his career with RBS as an analyst, primarily dealing with middle office matters and having administrative duties, including amongst others loan administration and review of the bank’s mortgaged vessels’ insurance arrangements. He gradually moved to the Relationship Managers’ team and ended his career with RBS as a Senior Director, He then moved to shipowning at NH Gotlanders and now he is at Intermodal Shipbrokers.

He is a distinguished speaker and a shipping lecturer.

He obtained his BSc in Shipping Business from the University of the Aegean (Greece) and the MA in International Banking, Economics and Finance from the University of Cardiff (UK).

Mrs Yasmine Elessawy is a marine surveyor based in London.

A professional with more than 15 years of experience in the maritime industry. She obtained her B.Eng.(Hons) in Engineering from the Marine Engineering and Naval Architecture Department/Faculty of Engineering, the University of Alexandria.

Her areas of expertise are shipbuilding, ship design and marine surveying. As a skillful surveyor, she has an eye for details along with professional skills.

Yiasmine is a talented naval architect with up-to-date on design software and great knowledge in shipyard practices. Alongside her fulltime work she lectured in the Faculty of Engineering and volunteered to teach number of sessions with charities.  Her teaching experience along with her hands-on experience in the maritime field, makes an excellent combination to produce a knowledge in a simple understandable way.

Yasmine is considered a role model and leader in her home country. In 2016, THE Alahram official national newspaper published an article on Yiasmine as the first Egyptian female marine surveyor.

Anastasia Tsakiridi is an Outbound Operations Area Manager at Amazon. She holds an MSc in Operations, Project and Supply Chain Management with distinction from the Alliance Manchester Business School and a first-class honors BSc degree in Geography from Harokopio University of Athens. Also, she is specialized in Geographical Information Systems (GIS) from the University of UCDavis and she has a Green Belt in Lean Six Sigma methodology. She has worked in the Hellenic Army for 12 years, serving in highly operational units and the Hellenic Ministry of National Defense.

Mr. Artemios Alifragkis has obtained the MA in Shipping Business (with scholarship) and the BSc Hons in Shipping, Transport & Logistics with Operations & Management from London Metropolitan University. He has also obtained the OEEK accredited Certificate in Computerized Accounting.

Artemios has more than 20 years of working experience in the crewing and human resources department. He is working in the Human Resources Deptartment, as a HR Supervisor, in one of the biggest and well-known Greek Shipping Bulk Carriers Company, owning and managing dry bulk carrier vessels. His daily tasks mainly include the stages of screening, selection, programming and preparation of seafarers in accordance with the National Conventions and Flag Regulations (IMO, MLC & Flag State), as well as general financial units (budget units’ preparation), interview with candidates, and educational parameters.

He has attended several conferences as well as professional development seminars, expanding his cognitive and professional field.

Artemios has also participated as a speaker and panelist in many shipping and business executive forums. Since 2008, he is lecturing at shipping undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

Captain James Foong received his ship Captain training in New Zealand Maritime School and passed the highest grade of seafarer qualification as a Master Mariner at age 28 certified by the Government of New Zealand, the youngest candidate during that year intake.

A maritime professional with high interest on shipping business and its sustainability strategies within the industry, with 15 years of working experience in maritime field, he spent most of his life at sea serving onboard vessels trading on international waters to assist in the world trade of international transport and logistics services. A member of The Nautical Institute London and NZ Company of Master Mariners. Awarded scholarship to pursue MBA in Shipping & Logistics from Middlesex University London, a program which accredited under CMI, Chartered Management Institute in United Kingdom.

Featured in “Maritime Matters” series interviewed by Jillian Jackson, the President of The Nautical Institute. An invited guest speaker by Safebridge to speak on seafarers’ point of view on the challenges at sea.

A team leader with strong communication skills; listen attentively and conveys his ideas clearly to the team. Enjoy problem-solving and working in fast-paced, collaborative environments that value individualization, teamwork and growth. Able to perform under pressure with tight deadlines, blends well in multinational culture.

Living on his own personal quote: “At the end of the day, we are all ordinary human beings, perhaps some, with extraordinary dreams.”

Jurgen Verreet is a shipping expert with over 15 years of experience in the sector. He holds a Master in Maritime Business from the University of Ghent and he is a member of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers.
He has worked as a contract manager at the Port of Antwerp and a shipping analyst at IHS Fairplay. His experience across the industry allows him to have a broad view of the sector and its challenges and the important features that any person aiming to work in the sector needs to understand.
In his most recent role, he supported the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers in the development and implementation of a large range of educational activities. This includes the supervision of the development of several of its books as well as the lead role in the development of its book on Shipping Economics.

Dr Vasileios Vrysagotis

High caliber expertise in Port Management Systems and Supply Chain Management from both the business and the academic perspectives.

Dr Vrysagotis obtained his Phd entitled: «Modeling and Evaluation Policies of Stock Management in Supply Chain Networks» and the MBA in Operations Management from Aegean University, and a BSc in Maritime Studies from the University of Piraeus.

Vasileios lectured for the Department of Logistics in the Tertiary Education Technological Institution, TEI of Sterea Ellada, served as Research Associate at the University of West Attica,  as External Associate in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition (D.F.S.N.) of the University of Aegean and as Senior Lecturer at Canterbury Christ Church University.

Vasileios has worked in the Car Carrier Department for MEDTRANS SA. Since 2018 he works at the Greek Regulatory Authority for Ports. His aspiration is to contribute through his professional and academic expertise to the development of sophisticated innovative methodologies that are currently applicable in maritime and port organizations targeting the advancement of their Strategic and Supply Chain Management systems.

Nicola is fully CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) qualified and has over 20 years’ experience in Human Resources working across various sectors (manufacturing, commercial, public and community-voluntary) always with a strong operational focus.

Her niche is working with managers to develop their people skills including coaching them through complex issues, together with a practical and commercial approach to all areas of the HR provision.

Delivering a consultancy service in HR, Nicola works with SME’s in her local area, usually directly with the Owner and leadership team in the organisation.

Nicola keeps up-to- date in the HR field by lecturing at the University of Plymouth Business School in the following areas:  Strategic HR Management,  Talent Management,   Organisational Behaviour,  Managing Change,  Leadership Practice,  Entrepreneurial Thought and Action and  People Management.

This duel approach helps to provide a balance of both practical and theoretical knowledge when dealing with students or Managing Directors alike!

Dr Arendras holds a BA (1965), MA (1966) and PhD with unanimous distinction (1968) from the Johns Hopkins University and he is in his 6th decade of international University teaching and training, most of which have been in the Pacific and Asia. His entry into the Pacific was through Hawaii when he was awarded a Postdoctoral Research Training Fellowship, Human Geography & Anthropology by the Social Science Research Council, and appointed Senior Fellow Affiliate at the East West Centre & the Univ. of Hawaii (1970). After three years of teaching for the UH postgraduate programme (ESL) and conducting research on Pacific Sociolinguistics, he taught for one semester on World Campus Afloat, Chapman College, Orange County, California. He was a Professor – Seafarer on board the SS Universe Campus, en route around Latin America, W.Africa, the Mediterranean (1974). Subsequently, for several decades he lived and worked in Asia, taught a great variety of subjects cantering on Language-Communication, Culture and Society. He lived with people of different beliefs, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Taoist, even Animists in the Malaysian jungle, and an even greater variety of languages and cultures. Culturally, throughout this Odyssey he was exposed to a multitude of cuisines as a consumer and producer, even taught to Malaysians and more recently his Indian Institute of Management Director in the Himalayan foothills how to make Greek Moussaka! Profound intercultural insights he also gained from cross-cultural marriage, the ultimate experience in interpersonal, ‘organizational’, and indeed ‘strategic’ communication, and the tasks of negotiation.

Nikos has more than 25 years working experience involvement in logistics & Supply chain management projects either as Logistics Manager or as SC Consultant, SC expertise focuses in retailing , pharmaceutical & transport industries and companies both multinational & national.
As a consultant the projects he has been involved in pharma/medical device and in retailing industry. As Director in a pharmaceutical company he has led Operations in Greece and Turkey with high expertise in Home patient Deliveries.. Currently he leads as SC Infrastructure and VIP for Easter Central Europe Middle East and Africa .
Instructor and developer in SC operations and Shipping logistics. Since 1997 he has given lectures to more than 2000 managers, which in total lecturing has sum up to 1400 hrs.

Silvina Bakardzhieva is a maritime lawyer with expertise in EU Law, International Maritime Law and Port policies. Since 2008 she has been working as Senior Legal Adviser at Bulgarian Maritime Administration.

Silvina has obtained her LLM/LLB from the Technical University, Varna (Bulgaria), Master 1 – Qualification Juriste from Université d’Artois (France), LLM in International Maritime Law from the IMLI – IMO (Malta). She has also participated in a number of sessions and updates for her profession at different parts of the world.

Silvina is a member of the Seafarers’ Trade Union (ITF) in Varna, the External Experts Database of Frontex, IAPH, IHMA, BIILC, ESIL, ASIL, WISTA, WIOMSA, WMUWA, IMarEST, CAS, ICCA, the Russian Arbitration Association, the International Association of the Law of the Sea, EAPIL, AWIMA, the Institute of Marine Engineering Science and Technology as well as Working Groups at EU level.

Mrs Grigoriou is the Managing Director of the Ocean Ship Supply Agency.

Katerina considers herself fortunate to be able to combine her long work experience in the industry of telecommunications and customer service, with her passion for sea and shipping.

As a Ship Supply Agent, her main concern is the appropriate supply of the ship with goods and technical stores, ensuring the obligated quality and timing of the supplies according to the requirements and focusing on the crew satisfaction.

She is an active member of WISTA Hellas.

Mr Tigkos has graduated from Hydra’s Marine Academy (Captain B Class) and currrently follows postgraduate studies in International Trade and Shipping Management. One of his passions is authoring and currently articles he has written can be found at the the Greek magazine ‘EFOPLISTIS’. Mr Tigkos has been working in the Maritime Sector for more than 10 years. His current assignment is as Crew Manager / Marine Manager.

Anna has graduated from the State University of New York Maritime College,and holds both a Bachelor of Engineering in Naval Architecture and a Master of Science in International Transportation Management. She sailed for several years aboard tugs as the Second Mate before coming ashore. She has worked as a Ship’s Agent, Container Terminal Operations Manager, Stevedore and a Navigation Instructor at SUNY Maritime College onboard their Training Ship Empire State. She is currently assigned the position of Operations Supervisor at Port Everglades.

Dr. Christos Patsiouras holds a PhD in Shipping from the University of Piraeus, department of Maritime Studies. He received an MSc degree in Economic and Business Strategy from the same University and a BSc degree in Management from the University of Ioannina.

He has taught Shipping Management, Shipping Marketing, Strategic Management and Marketing, Research for Business, Services Marketing in private colleges and public Universities.

Dr. Patsiouras has published articles in international scientific journals and in international conferences.

His research interests include Shipping Management, Shipping Marketing, and Strategy

Ms. Vasiliki Kalemi was born in Marathon, Attica and holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from NTUA, MSc in Marine Engineering Management.

she has worked for the Hellenic Registrar at she Quality Assurance Department. She is a certified Inspector of Quality Management Systems (EN ISO 9001: 2000, TUV AUSTRIA).

In 2013, TEKDOTIKI – SELKA 4M published the book entitled “Passenger Fire Safety” and since then she has been active as a seminar presenter on ship crews on “Prevention and suppression of fire on board”.

At the same time, she works as a freelance engineer, in studies and supervision of Fire and Distribution facilities in Public and Private projects.

She has also worked for a European Program Development and Implementation Consulting Company where she was responsible for implementing and implementing a Trans-European Program (Ireland, Italy, Spain & Greece) on industrial production planning (MRP / ERP). The program was implemented in a large Greek Industrial Unit to produce printed material and packaging materials. She is a certified European Program Management Consultant (IEKEM / TEE).

She has also worked in large Technical Companies that are active in the field of Fire and Distribution (study, supply, installation and supervision) in Public and Private projects as well as in heavy industry (refineries, power plants (PPC). ).

She has participated in conferences and seminars abroad and in Greece on Fire Safety and Shipping.

She speaks English and French.

Maria is the Head of Hull & Machinery Underwriting and has more than 20 years of experience in the marine insurance sector. She started her career as the Deputy Underwriter with the Hellenic Hull Mutual Association (HMA), later as Marine Insurance Broker and Head of the H&M Underwriting Department of Trinity Marine Services Ltd.

She holds a MSc in Education Graduate from the University of Edinburgh.

Despina is a Marine Insurance executive specializing in H&M, IV, War Risks, Kidnap & Ransom and ancillary (LOH, MII, CII etc.) covers. She is the head of the H&M department of Aries Marine Insurance Brokers and was part of the executive team who started with the company in 2009.
She was fortunate to combine her academic studies with work experience and has now been in the marine insurance business for almost 20 years working with well-established insurance companies and brokers internationally.
She has gained first-class experience in all aspects of Marine insurance working as Documentation Technician, Underwriting Assistant and Account Executive.
She was also one of the first professionals in the industry to gain insight into maritime security in conjunction with associated Marine Insurance, and an expert in the management of contract, insurance and legal related compliance issues.

Mrs Topaloglou is the founder and CEO of Orion International Brokers and Consultants. Ioanna Topaloglou is Greek but was born in Ankara, Turkey in 1951, and grew up in Iran.  She returned to Greece at the age of 12 where she completed her education.

She started her career in the Marine sector in 1970 and viewed shipping from the insurance side, the ship-owning side, and the broking side.  She has served as a General Manager of Allied Insurance Brokers in Piraeus for almost 20 years and in 2009 she established the Orion International Brokers and Consultants.  Orion deals with Marine Insurance and collaborates with all major international insurance markets worldwide.

Mrs Topaloglou is a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute in London, holding the title of Chartered Insurance Practitioner, a member of the Marine Insurance Brokers Association in Greece, a Member of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce, and a Member of the Board of WISTA Hellas.

Dr Paraskevi Papaleonida has been teaching Maritime English since 1995. She was trained in the IMO World Maritime University, where she attended a professional development course and gained expertise in assisting seafarers achieve communicative competence in Maritime English, as per STCW.

Paraskevi specializes in Maritime English teaching material development. She is the author of five Maritime English course books, based on IMO requirements, which are taught in state Merchant Marine Academies.

Paraskevi was awarded with distinction her PhD in English Studies from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. She also holds an MA in Women’s Studies from the University of York, UK. She worked as an adjunct lecturer at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and as an English for Specific Purposes Teacher in vocational training institutes. She works as an Oral Examiner in English Language Competence Examinations. She is also involved in editing technical English textbooks in marine engineering.

Elli Xenitidou has been teaching Maritime English at the Academy of Merchant Marine of Macedonia. She has also taught at different educational institutions.

She holds an MA in Teaching English as a Second Language and one in Creative Writing. She has worked as oral Examiner for Michigan University, London University and Palso.

Michael started his career at sea within the fishing industry based in Cape Town South Africa, once he decided to turn his sights onto the merchant fleet he completed his Maritime studies and started his cadet ship on Tankers where he sailed as cadet and then junior officer. He then joined the offshore towage and Salvage sector as Chief Officer and then Master. He continued his journey by sailing on the Ocean towage and salvage tug as well as offshore AHTS vessel. He had the privilege to have been involved in many of the large salvage operations both ashore and at sea. He decided a change was required and joined an Offshore Mining company where he sailed as chief officer to further develop his knowledge and growth. He then stepped a shore and have been the project lead for the review and rewrite of Safety management systems in compliance with the ISM code. For the past few years he has been actively involved in leadership training and research in alignment with obtaining additional academic qualifications.

Mr Georgios Kiourktsoglou is senior lecturer in the field of Strategy and Management at University of Greenwich. He has had substantial, hands-on experience (13 years) in down-stream oil (particularly in H.S.S.E.) negotiations, corporate strategy and retail sales. He is currently member in the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (Imarest), (U.K.), Chartered Management Institute (CMI), (U.K.), Technical Chamber of Greece (T.E.E.), American Nuclear Society (U.S.A.).

Working in Maritime and Environmental industries for the last 20 years has compelled Valerie to focus on improving people’s lives by simplifying the complex world of Maritime Environmental Regulations. She has worked in positions as varied as Fisheries Biologist for NOAA, to Environmental Protection Specialist for the US Department of Defense, to Marine Scientist for Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Currently working on Ocean Guardian, a platform designed to help mariners stay compliant with global environmental regulations, Val is realizing that goal. Valerie has a Bachelors in Biology from the University of San Diego and a Masters in Leadership and Environmental Management from Duke University.

Born in New York, U.S.A., Dorothea obtained her Juris Doctorate from St. John’s University School of Law in New York in 1996 (having already obtained her BA from the City University of NY in 1993) and was thereafter and remains to date, admitted to practice in the state of New York. During the early years of her career, Dorothea worked in medical insurance management, at the Queens County District Attorney’s office, and in private practice of law in NY. After relocating to Greece in 1997, Dorothea initially worked in local law firms and was involved in commercial as well as maritime law. In January of 1998, Dorothea formally entered the Marine Insurance Industry when she joined Allied Insurance Brokers Ltd. to manage the Marine Insurance Claims Department. In 2005, Dorothea joined SCB (Hellas) Inc., the Piraeus Claims Liaison Office for the Managers of the American P&I Club, (Shipowners Claims Bureau Inc., NY) as a Claims Executive and in 2009 took on the claims management as well as general management of the office. The American P&I Club is a mutual marine insurance association and member of the International Group of P&I Clubs and provides third party liability cover for ocean going world-wide trading vessels. In 2010 she became the first woman to be appointed to the Executive Committee of the N.Y. management company, Shipowners Claims Bureau Inc. In 2013 she was given the position of Regional Business Development Director for Europe Middle East and Africa and since June 2015, she holds the position of Global Business Development Director making her the first woman to occupy a top level global executive position in the history of the American Club and its Managers, Shipowners Claims Bureau, Inc.

Dorothea is active in the shipping industry and served on the Board of WISTA Hellas, part of WISTA International, (an international women’s shipping and trade association) for four years as Vice President, currently serves as a board member of the Piraeus Marine Club and is a member of the American Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, the CEO Club Greece as well as the Propeller Club. Most recently she was also appointed as a board member of the American Hellenic Hull Insurance Company, Ltd., a Cypriot registered, licensed, Solvency II compliant marine insurance company, a wholly owned subsidiary of the American P&I Club.

Peg Buchan has worked for Broward County Government for 17+ years, for the past ten as Assistant Port Director at Port Everglades. She is responsible for the Port Strategic Business Plan, coordination of Port legislative affairs, spearheading a Port wayfinding plan, and the selection and installation of $2M in public art. Previously she was the Port’s Director of Business Administration, the County’s Small Business Manager and Interim Director of Real Property. Peg holds a B.S. in Professional Management from Nova Southeastern University, Florida; and a Master’s Degree in Negotiations, Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding from California State University, California.

Seren Sapmaz graduated from Tarsus American College with a high degree as a salutatorian. After the graduation from Koç University Law School, she completed her legal traineeship at Istanbul branch of an international law office and continued to work as an associated after she was admitted to Istanbul Bar Association. She completed her LL.M degree at Istanbul Bilgi University with her dissertation on “The Carrier’s Liability on Deviation”

Seren is a member of the legal committee of the Health and Education Foundation (SEV), Soroptimist International (SI) of Etiler, Women International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA Turkey), Turkish Marine Environment Protection Association (TURMEPA), Koç University Alumni Association (KUMED) and Tarsus American College Alumni Association (TACMED). She speaks advanced level English and intermediate level French.

Publications

The Carrier’s Liability from Deviation, 2019 (unpublished LL.M degree dissertation)

Co-author, “A serious obstacle to the implementation of TCC Art. 1352/1-(t): Who is going to be the custodian of the vessel?” December 2016

Areas of Practice

• Maritime Law
• Transport Law
• Commercial Law
• Association Law
• Law of Inheritance

Passionate Chair of Fast Lines Belgium.
Skilled in the maritime industry for over 30 years.
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Shipping is a people’s business and that’s why I love it.
Assets are important but people make the difference!

Akrivi, is the Finance Officer of the Company Efshipping Company S.A. which has been operating in the shipping sector for forty years. She started her career in the industry, entering the company after her postgraduate studies at Cardiff University. She started working for the founder of the company and continues with the second generation of the founder’s family.

She is experienced in bank loan evaluation, shipping market analysis, financial reports, cash flow, budgeting, and Sale and Purchase projects for second hand and new buildings in the bulk carrier and container sector due to her involvement in company’s fleet renewal and development. She is member of the Board of Directors of the vessels’ owning companies and other companies of the group. She has been involved in the implementation of other than shipping projects, in the area of energy and agriculture, diversified companies of the family. She is also the Business Consulting Manager for a company operating by the family in the area of agricultural products.

She holds a MSc degree in International Transport from the University of Cardiff, UK and a BSc in Business Administration from the American College of Greece. She holds a Certificate in Vessel Valuation from the Lloyd’s Maritime Academy and a Professional Maritime Diploma in Economics from the Hellenic Management Center in cooperation with the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers. She has attended a series of seminars in Finance, Sale and Purchase, Chartering, Insurance and postgraduate courses in Finance from the University of Strathclyde

Anna has graduated from the State University of New York Maritime College,and holds both a Bachelor of Engineering in Naval Architecture and a Master of Science in International Transportation Management. She sailed for several years aboard tugs as the Second Mate before coming ashore. She has worked as a Ship’s Agent, Container Terminal Operations Manager, Stevedore and a Navigation Instructor at SUNY Maritime College onboard their Training Ship Empire State. She is currently assigned the position of Operations Supervisor at Port Everglades.

Despina is a Marine Insurance executive specializing in H&M, IV, War Risks, Kidnap & Ransom and ancillary (LOH, MII, CII etc.) covers. She is the head of the H&M department of Aries Marine Insurance Brokers and was part of the executive team who started with the company in 2009.
She was fortunate to combine her academic studies with work experience and has now been in the marine insurance business for almost 20 years working with well-established insurance companies and brokers internationally.
She has gained first-class experience in all aspects of Marine insurance working as Documentation Technician, Underwriting Assistant and Account Executive.
She was also one of the first professionals in the industry to gain insight into maritime security in conjunction with associated Marine Insurance, and an expert in the management of contract, insurance and legal related compliance issues.

Dr Konsta has more than 20 years of international experience in maritime and logistics education, designing and managing undergraduate and postgraduate courses, executive education portfolios, professional development and online courses which has been delivered around the globe at the top maritime centres. Her extensive teaching experience has been gained at various organisations, associations, colleges and universities, lecturing on undergraduate courses in shipping, maritime business and related subjects. She has also developed shipping departments and faculties for Colleges and Universities. Her writing experience includes 30 distance learning books, papers in refereed journals and conferences. She has also served as a reviewer for Maritime Policy & Management Journal and she is currently a reviewer for Journal of Traffic and Transportation Engineering.

She is the first woman Course Director at Lloyd’s Maritime Academy and the first woman in Greece serving as the Head of the Shipping, Transport & Logistics Department at a College in Greece (which collaborated with a British University offering shipping and logistics undergraduate and postgraduate courses).

Katerina has obtained her Phd from the University of Plymouth, titled as Maritime Policy and The Success of Nations: The case of the Greek flagged Ocean Shipping, being supervised by Professor Michael Roe and Professor Jingjing Xu. She holds a degree in Maritime Business and Maritime Law from the University of Plymouth (UK). Prior to this she studied Business & Finance at North Hertfordshire College (UK). Her postgraduate studies include International Shipping at the University of Plymouth (UK) and Maritime Studies with International Transport at the University of Piraeus (Greece). She has also obtained University teaching qualifications.

Katerina is a member of the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA), the Hellenic Association of Maritime Economists (HAME), International Maritime Lecturers’ Association (IMLA), the Piraeus Association for Maritime Arbitration (PAMA), Association of Greek Women Scientists, and the Chios Marine Club. Since 2018 she is a member of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee of the International WISTA.