The people of ELIZA are all looking in the same direction, all striving to prevent violence against children, all carrying the same message: “Zero Tolerance for Child Abuse.” In order to ensure that our goal is achieved we are following many different directions, informing, educating, building structures for the identification of abuse. For the people at ELIZA early prevention and identification of abuse is the most important step towards a healthy adult life.
The ELIZA Family
![](https://eliza.org.gr/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Eliza_Child_Abuse_Schema34-1200x1200.jpg)
Board of Directors
Our office
Scientific Council
The well-known painter, sculptor and stage designer, Marina Karella is the Founder and President of the ELIZA Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
Born in Athens, she studied art and stage design with Yannis Tsarouchis and completed her studies at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris.
With her husband Michael, with whom she has two daughters, Alexandra and Olga, she has lived and worked as an artist, in New York, Paris and Athens.
Throughout her highly successful artistic career she has exhibited in cities around the world, such as New York, Paris, Athens, Los Angeles, Madrid, Brussels, Rome and London, while her works are displayed in leading museums and foundations.Her deep concern for children who have suffered abuse and neglect and her determination to create an institution for their protection in Greece led to the founding of the ELIZA Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children by Marina Karella and her husband, in 2008.
Historian, traveler and author Prince Michael of Greece, son of Prince Christopher of Greece and Princess Francoise d’France, was born in Rome and spent his childhood in Morocco, Spain and France. After the death of his mother in 1953 he lived with the family of his uncle the Comte de Paris and received his degree in Political Science from the University of Paris.
Returning to Greece, he served in the Greek army for four years and in 1965 he married painter/sculptor Marina Karella. They have two daughters, Alexandra and Olga.
In 1970, Prince Michael of Greece published his first book, Ma soeur l’histoire, ne vois- tu rien venir? and received the Priz Cazes.
This was followed by over 20 publications, among which:
- biographies (Louis XIV: l’envers du soleil)
- historical novels (L’imperatrice des adieux, La Bouboulina, La nuit blanche de Saint-Petersbourg, La Conjuration de Jeanne, Le vol du Regent,)
- autobiographies (Memoires insolites)
Prince Michel has received many literary awards and his books have all been translated into many languages.
With his latest, Une promenade singulaire a travers l’Histoire, he stands among the outstanding contemporary writers of history.
Prince Michael’s deep concern for abused and neglected children led to the founding in Greece of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children ELIZA, together with his wife Marina Karalla, in 2008.
Entrepreneur with a degree in Business Administration from Deree College, she later married and moved to live in New York. Upon her return, she opened the store “Magia,” the first concept store in Athens. In 1996, she decided to move to Santa Monica, California, to study jewelry design at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Upon her return, she presented her first collection, which immediately received great acclaim both in Greece and abroad.
In 2014, she decided to change direction by closing the historic “Magia” and opening her eponymous store, Ileana Makri, on Patriarch Ioakim Street, showcasing her unique collections as well as selected designs from international jewelry designers and accessories.
At present, her collections are sold in the world’s largest stores such as Barneys New York, Dover Street Market, and Net-a-Porter, and her jewelry is worn by celebrities such as Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Lenny Kravitz, Halle Berry, Rihanna, and others. She has also designed jewelry specifically for ELLE.
Daphne Economou is a philologist and author, holding a degree in English Literature from the University of Cambridge.
Today, she has two children (her son, Themis, passed away at the age of 17), four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. She has volunteered for many associations, but since 1972, she has devoted herself to children with disabilities, without losing her interest in other topics related to art and child protection. Currently, she is the President of the Board of Directors of the Society for the Protection of Spastics/Open Door.
In 1999, she was elected President of the International Cerebral Palsy Society (ICPS) and has been invited as a speaker to many international conferences.
She was honored with the Gold Cross of the Order of Beneficence by the President of the Hellenic Republic.
She has published three books: “Saturday’s Child, a journey through an Indian Childhood,” “81 Cadogan Square” (in Greek and English), and a collection of poems.
She is a founding member and General Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Eliza Society. She deeply believes in the work carried out by ELIZA.
Olga Geroulanou-Voti speaks fluently in five languages and holds a BA magna cum laude from Brown University, an MA from Cambridge University, and completed the Executive Program at Harvard Business School.
She is the Honorary President of Teaching Matters, a non-profit organization aimed at improving the quality of education through technology and developing educators in public schools in the United States. Teaching Matters’ services transform the way educators collaborate in public schools, helping the most effective educators develop the skills needed to lead their peers and promote school improvement.
Over two decades, Teaching Matters has worked with over half of New York City’s 1,750 public schools. Last year, they provided extensive programming to approximately 3,000 educators, reaching 80,000 students in over 100 schools, mostly in underserved areas. (http://www.teachingmatters.org)
After an international career in classical music management and production, Olga Voti served as a consultant to the 92nd Street Y Tisch Center for the Arts’ music program, where she also served as Director of Music Programming from 2003 to 2009, creating comprehensive music education programs for various age groups.
Prior to this, she served as director and/or consultant to numerous European cultural organizations, such as the Bibliothèque Nationale de France and the Philharmonia Orchestra in London. Additionally, she was a board member of the Paris Opera, President of the Philharmonic Orchestra Foundation, and of the Miller Theatre at Columbia University. She served as co-chair of the Board of the New York Public Library for nearly ten years. She was also a board member and chair of the Nom/Gov committee, as well as the Audit committee of CollegeSpring, a U.S.-based national exam program for underserved students.
She recently joined the board of FAPE, a public-private partnership aimed at providing permanent American art to U.S. embassies worldwide, contributing to the cultural diplomacy mission of the U.S. Department of State. (http://www.fapeglobal.org)
Olga’s Greek heritage has led her to be deeply involved in the reconstruction of Greece after its economic crisis.
She is the President of the Greek Initiative, which helps develop the international outreach arm and fundraising efforts of ELIZA – Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, in America.
Qualified Tour Guide
Diploma in Photography – AKTO School
Former Member of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Sailing Federation
1975 Mission Leader of the Hellenic Sailing Federation at the Pre-Olympic Games in Montreal, Canada
Former Vice President of the Nautical Club of Athens and Public Relations Officer
1987-1989 Public Relations Advisor to the Committee for the Bid of the Olympic Games ATHENS 96
1990-2000 Vice Chair of the Women’s Committee of the International Sailing Federation
1999-2004 Member of the Public Relations Committee of the Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games ATHENS 2004
Vice Chair of the ISAF Regional Games Committee
2012-2021 Hellenic Sailing Club – Member of the Board of Directors
2002-2018 – General Secretary of “Friends of Merimna”
2009-2018 Union “Together for the Child” – General Secretary
Founding member and member of the Board of Directors of ELIZA, actively involved in various areas.
Angelika Gouskou is highly trained in the field of Commercial and Corporate Law, holding a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Athens and postgraduate studies from various international universities. Her experience in law, combined with her writing activity, makes her recognized in the field.
She actively participates in organizations and committees dealing with the legal aspects of the business world, while her involvement in corporate governance issues reflects her depth of knowledge in this area.
In addition to her professional activity, she contributes selflessly to nonprofit organizations, such as the Corporate Governance Hub, demonstrating her commitment to social responsibility and the improvement of the business environment.
Finally, as a member of the Board of Directors and legal advisor of ELIZA, she contributes to the achievement of the organization’s goals by offering her expertise in legal matters.
Markella Karella is the office manager of the Chief Executive Officer at Star Bulk Carriers Corp. Born in Athens, she attended Moraitis School and Abbotsholme boarding school in England, where she served as Vice President of the student community. She earned a degree in Business Administration from Royal Holloway, University of London.
She began her career at the luxury boutique hotel Hempel in London and later worked for 6 years as a senior sales manager at the Hotel Grande Bretagne.
Since 2009, she has been working at Star Bulk (a shipping company listed on the American stock exchange). She also remains very actively involved in the hospitality industry, managing 15 luxury villas in Antiparos.
She actively participates in events and activities organized by ELIZA.
Entrepreneur
Former Member of the “Friends of Merimna” Association
Founding member and Treasurer of the Board of Directors of ELIZA for many years, actively involved in all areas of the organization’s activities.
Jenny Balasinou began her career path at 12 as a tennis player, living in a sports campus of Pierre Barthes in France, travelling to many countries with her team. After an accident, shedecided to enter the fashion and television industry. As a presenter she had a widetelevision audience throughout Greece with the lifestyle programs- which she co-hosted.
In 2000, her life took a turn and she embarked on an entrepreneurial journey with a longseries of companies and initiatives. These include BEAUTYWORKS cosmetic chain stores,sold in 2011 to a major cosmetics firm, the personal blog JENNY.GR, which evolved to become one of the largest, most influential women’s sites in Greece, acquired by LiquidMedia group in 2019. She is a founding member of the Greek open community,IMPACTALK.GR. In an exclusive collaboration with MOTHERCARE, she presented her collection of baby and toddler clothing “Pom & Jenny”. And, in 2022, she established thecompany GIFTED GREECE, aiming to promote Greek traditional products internationally.
Today, Jenny Balatsinou is Executive Consultant & Concept Creator at JENNY.GR and hosts “ΒΟΞ” (VOX), a podcast series, hosting accomplished women. Additionally, Jenny isthe founder of the institution “Hautes Grecians.” Hautes Grecians supports talented Greekfashion designers, both locally and internationally. Its events are linked to philanthropic purposes and initiatives with a social impact.
The heart of Jenny Balatsinou’s work is the empowerment of women, towards leading more conscious, creative and fulfilling lives. Her path has led her to become involved with numerous volunteer and women’s programs. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the association, ELIZA, which aims to: “Zero Tolerance for Child Abuse”, and she actively contributes to the association’s actions of extroversion and communication against chlidabuse.
She is married to the politician and Minister of Civil Protection, Vasilis Kikilias, with whom they have a son, Panagiotis-Antonios. From her previous marriage to Petros Kostopoulos,she has two daughters, Amalia and Alexandra, and a son, Maximus.
Professor of Pediatric Infectious Diseases
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Dr. Vana Papaevanggelou, after completing her medical studies at the Medical School of NKUA, trained in the USA (NYU Medical Center) in Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases. Upon her return to Greece, she engaged in clinical, research, and educational activities at all three University clinics of NKUA since 1996. She actively participated in the education of medical students and residents, and since 2013, she has been the director of the 3rd Pediatric Clinic at “ATTIKON” University General Hospital. She is the scientific director, along with Professor K. Tsolia, of the Postgraduate Program of NKUA entitled “Pediatric Infectious Diseases”. She organizes the first English-language elective course for undergraduate students of NKUA through the Erasmus European Program. Her research focuses on vaccine-preventable and congenital infections.
She is a member of the Expert Committee of the Ministry of Health for COVID-19, the National Vaccination Committee, and the hepatitis committee of KEELPNO. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic and European Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases (ESPID). She served as vice-president of the Hellenic Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (2012-2014). She has published more than 150 international research papers with an h-index of 33 and more than 3400 citations.
Since 2020, she has been operating the second Child Safety Care Unit at “ATTIKON” University General Hospital and is a member of the Scientific Committee of ELIZA.
Marie Agaliotou was born and raised in Athens.
With studies in Business Management in Greece and postgraduate studies in England, she has been active in the field of communication and marketing since 1990 until today.
She has served for several years as a managerial executive in multinational companies in Greece and abroad, designing and implementing communication and CSR programs, specializing in corporate relations, corporate communication, and crisis management. Since 2016, she has been providing services as a Strategic Communication Consultant to foreign funds, start-ups, and NGOs. Additionally, she has developed volunteer work with associations such as Elpida, Floga, and Klimaka, organizations implementing social integration programs for vulnerable population groups.
In 2021, she founded the company MA Communications.
She is married and has one daughter.
Throughout his international professional career in the banking sector, Mr. Ioannis Zafiriou held positions covering the entire spectrum of financial activities. His first position was at Bankers Trust in New York, from where he subsequently moved to Milan, Italy, focusing on domestic government entities, financial institutions, and companies in the derivatives sector. From this position, he introduced structured derivatives into the Italian market.
In 1990, he joined the Investment Banking Department of Credit Suisse (Credit Suisse First Boston, CSFB) and, with a team of colleagues, founded a subsidiary of the Credit Suisse Group, focusing on promoting structured derivatives in transactions targeting the international institutional clients of CSFB (governmental organizations, financial institutions, and corporations). In 1998, he became Head of the European Fixed Income and Equity Department at CSFB, addressing institutional clients in the European region. From this position, he managed transactions involving the bond market, derivatives, foreign exchange, and led the teams responsible for structured financial products and sales in the Investment Banking Department for Europe. He served as a member of the International Executive and Management Committee of CSFB.
In 2004 (until 2020), he took over the Wealth Management Department of Credit Suisse and created an International Investment Banking Department, named Credit Suisse Solution Partners. The aim of this department was to meet the complex needs of the bank’s large institutional private clients. It included structuring and executing equity financings, mergers and acquisitions, investment structures, derivatives, as well as investments and financings in the real estate sector. He participated as a member of the Board of Directors of the Bank’s Private Banking.
Mr. Zafiriou holds a BA in Economics from Amherst College and an MBA in Finance from the NYU Stern School of Business in New York. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Financial Stability Fund (FSF) for Greece from 2012 to 2015. Since July 2020, he has been a member of the Board of Directors of Lambda Development.
During the last two years, he served as Treasurer of the Board of Directors of ELIZA.
She was born in Karpero, Grevena. She grew up in Trikala, Thessaly, and in September 2017 permanently moved to Athens.
She studied European Civilization. She worked in the private education sector for 25 years and was involved in tourism for 18 years.
Additionally, alongside her professional career, she actively participated in philanthropic humanitarian organizations: She was the founding President of the Soroptimist Club of Trikala, elected Vice President of the Soroptimist Union of Greece, and subsequently became the Goodwill Coordinator of the Soroptimist Union of Greece.
From 2009 to 2017, she served as President of the Regional Department of Trikala of the Hellenic Red Cross. Upon her departure, she was awarded the title of Honorary President of the Department.
In 2018, she was elected to the Central Administrative Council of the Hellenic Red Cross. She was re-elected in the repeat elections in 2019 and resigned in September 2020.
Since June 2021, she has been elected to the Board of Directors of the ELIZA Association and actively contributes to all its actions.
Xenia Papastavrou has dedicated her career to initiatives that achieve positive social impact.
She served as Director General of the Hellenic Society for the Protection and Rehabilitation of Disabled Persons (ELEPAP) from March 2023 to June 2024 and prior to that she served the state as Director of the Organisation for Provident Benefits and Social Solidarity (OPEKA) from October 2019 to March 2023.
From March 2019 until her appointment to OPEKA, she was the Secretary for Quality of Life of the New Democracy political party. Prior to that she was Head of the Development Department of the Bodossaki Foundation.
She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Food Bank – Foundation for the Fight against Hunger, the first organization in Greece with the sole purpose of fighting hunger and food waste. Her volunteer work there in 2005 inspired her six years later to develop a simple and sustainable food rescue model which later evolved into the NGO known today as Boroume. One of Europe’s leading food rescue organisations, it has so far managed to rescue and provide over 80,000,000 meals worth over €120 million.
For 13 years she worked as editor-in-chief at the Lambrakis Journalistic Organization and as project manager at the Lambrakis Foundation, and has taught Theory of Knowledge at the Moraitis School. She holds an MA Hons in Philosophy and Ancient Greek from the University of Edinburgh and an MSc in Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management from the LSE.
Eleni Athanasiadi graduated from the School of Physical Education and Sports Science of Athens. After graduating as swimming champion, she worked for twelve years as a swimming instructor for young children at major sports clubs. She then worked for fifteen years in administrative support at various multinational companies. In her capacity as
Head of Secretariat and secretary of the Board of Directors since ELIZA’s foundation, Eleni carries out a broad range of duties.
“Having shared the vision of ELIZA’s founders since the very beginning, I continue, after all these years, to believe in the great work carried out by our Society. As a professional, but also as a mother, and with a real understanding of how important it is for all children to have the love and support they so need, I hope that through my work I can continue to contribute in my own way to creating a better and safer future for all children.”
Gerta Mouskai is a graduate of the Department of Sociology of the Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences. Alongside her undergraduate studies she attended and actively participated in training activities concerning vulnerable social groups. She has research and writing experience in Feminist and Biosocial Criminology. She is a postgraduate student of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Portsmouth and is also studying at the Department of Gender Studies at Linköping University.
After completing her undergraduate studies, she worked for over two years in the field of child protection as an Accompaniment Support Expert for Unaccompanied Minors and Victims of Sexual and Gender-Based Abuse.
Gerta joined ELIZA in 2023, taking on the role of creating and implementing strategies that ensure ELIZA’s sustainability and growth while actively participating in the planning, coordination and implementation of the national programs implemented by the organization to protect children at risk of abuse and/or neglect.
Emy holds a Master’s degree and an undergraduate degree from the Department of “Marketing and Communication with New Technologies” of the Athens University of Economics and Business. Since 2010 she has been working in the field of communication in companies and organizations, having gained expertise in the design of integrated communication strategies, crisis management, as well as in cultivating relationships with media representatives.
Emmy joined the ELIZA family in 2016, taking an active role in the design, coordination and implementation of national programs aimed at the protection of children at risk of abuse and/or neglect, as well as in the communication of the Association’s actions. From 2020 onwards, she will focus her efforts and experiences on the dissemination of ELIZA’s work in order to mobilize all Greeks on the need to prevent and recognize violence against children at the earliest possible stage.
Iro Kotsopoulou is a graduate of Social Work and Social Administration, while since 2015 she has been working as a social worker. She has a Master’s degree in European Social Policy and Human Rights, as well as in Education Sciences. More specifically, she has worked on European asylum and migration policies, sociology of education and children’s rights. At the same time she has completed the specialized training program in Counselling at the University of Ioannina.
Since 2015 she has worked in the support and protection of asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in NGOs and International Organizations, and since 2020 she has been working in child protection. In 2022 she started working as a school social worker in secondary education, supporting children and families. She joined the ELIZA Team in 2024, and is a handler of ELIZA Line 10454, while implementing trainings related to child abuse for teachers and other professionals.
Metaxia – Maria Dimitraki is a graduate of the Department of Social Work of the University of Crete and has specialized in Systemic Psychotherapy from the Society for Systemic Therapy and Intervention in Individuals, Families and Wider Systems. She holds a Master’s degree in Primary Health Care from the University of Thessaly and has completed a specialization program in Special Education from the National Kapodistrian University of Athens.
She has previously worked in child protection agencies in Greece and abroad, and is currently an external collaborator of the Laboratory for the Study of Health Behaviour and Road Safety at the Department of Social Work of the Hellenic Mediterranean University. In addition, she provides counselling and psychotherapy sessions privately. She is a member of ESYTHEPAS and in June 2024 she joined the ELIZA team as an operator of line 10454 while implementing trainings related to child protection to teachers and professionals.
Holder of a Law degree from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (A.U.Th), with a postgraduate degree in “Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure Law” from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA). Specialization in a 3-year Mental Health Promotion Program at the A’ Psychiatric Clinic of NKUA, King’s College & E.T.H.I.C.S.
Entered the Prosecutor’s Office in 1978, becoming the second woman in Greece to do so. From 1983-1990 and 1995-1998, served as a Prosecutor for Minors in Athens. In 2012, became Deputy Prosecutor of the Supreme Court (Areopagus), serving as Prosecutor of the Supreme Court from 2016-2019.
Undertook 37 trips to EU and non-EU countries and participated in EU bodies (Eurojust, FRA, EJTN, etc.) as well as international ones (IAP, UN, etc.). Has numerous scientific works presented at local and global conferences on issues concerning minors and detainees. Following her retirement on June 30, 2019, continues to offer her services to international and Greek organizations on matters of human rights and children’s rights, with a focus on Child-Friendly Justice.
Elektra Koutsoukou, PhD in Children’s Rights, Lawyer, studied law in Greece (Athens), Germany, and Austria, and was certified by Harvard University in matters related to child protection, with honors. She has extensive teaching experience at the University of Athens Medical School, the University of Peloponnese, where she is a scientific collaborator, the Hellenic Open University, where she is a member of the teaching staff, the International Olympic Academy, the Greek Police School, and the European University of Cyprus, among others.
Her publications include articles in Greek and foreign journals, in the press (e.g., “KATHIMERINI”), as well as monographs: “Legal Protection of Children in Greece,” “Social Welfare in Modern Greece: Childhood and Family,” the “Guide to Managing Cases of Child Abuse and Neglect,” the “Protocol for Managing Cases of Sexual Abuse by the Police,” and the “Guide to Maternity Benefits and Leaves for Self-Employed Women.” Additionally, she contributed to the monograph “Criminal Phenomenon in Greece Today” and co-edited the collective volume “The Cyber Space Society.”
As a scientific collaborator at the Eliza Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, she has trained approximately 12,000 professionals on abuse issues (judicial officers, educators, doctors, nurses, police officers, etc.), participated in research programs, served as legal advisor to Child Safety Units, and is the Coordinator-Supervisor of the ELIZA 10454 Helpline and a member of the Scientific Council.
She has served as a member of the School Violence Committee of the Ministry of Education, collaborated with the National Center for Social Research, the General Secretariat for Youth, the Institute of Educational Policy, the Institute of Child Health, the European and Constitutional Law Center, among others. She has been awarded by the Stassinopoulos Foundation, the Rodi Roufou Kanakari Foundation, the Greek-American Association AHEPA, among others, for her work in human rights. In December 2022, she was selected as an expert on child protection within the framework of the Action “National Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanism for Policies of Social Inclusion and Social Cohesion.”
Psychiatrist George Nikolaidis holds a PhD from the University of Patras and postgraduate degrees in the philosophy of mental disorder (Department of Philosophy, King’s College & Institute of Psychiatry, Maudsley Hospital) and Psychoanalytic Studies (Centre for Psychotherapeutic Studies, School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield). He has worked in physical-psychosocial rehabilitation centers and day centers. Since September 2005, he has been the Director of the Department of Mental Health and Social Welfare at the Children’s Health Institute. Since September 2014, he has been the Deputy Director of “The Smile of the Child” Children’s Shelter and since November 2014, he has been responsible for the Greek program of the Lumos organization for the deinstitutionalization of child protection services.
Ms. Vana Papaevangelou, after completing her studies at the Medical School of the University of Athens, trained in Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases in the USA (NYU Medical Center). Upon her return to Greece, she has been involved in clinical, research, and educational work at all three University clinics of the University of Athens since 1996. She has been actively involved in the education of medical students and residents, and since 2013, she has been the director of the 3rd Pediatric Clinic at the Attikon University Hospital. Together with Professor Tsolia, she is the scientific coordinator of the Postgraduate Program “Pediatric Infectious Diseases” at the University of Athens. This year, she is organizing the first English-language elective course for undergraduate students of the University of Athens through the European Program International Intensive Infectious Diseases Course (I3DC, https://www.ideal-program.com/i3dc.html). Her research focuses on vaccine-preventable diseases and related infections. She is a member of the Expert Committee of the Ministry of Health for COVID-19, the National Vaccination Committee, and the hepatitis committee of the Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention (HCDCP). She is a member of the Boards of the Hellenic and European Societies of Pediatric Infectious Diseases (ELLEPID and ESPID). She served as vice president of the Hellenic Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (2012-2014). She has published more than 150 peer-reviewed articles with an h-index of 33 and more than 3400 citations.
Alexandra Soldatou graduated with honors from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She specialized in Pediatrics at the University of Iowa, USA, and obtained the American Board of Pediatrics certification. She underwent further training at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London and subsequently completed her doctoral thesis at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She visited the Child Abuse Program at Yale University with a scholarship from the State Department. She has received a Fulbright scholarship for research on the prevention of child abuse at Yale University. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics and a member of the Ray E. Helfer Society.
With studies in Political Science, Communication, and Research in Athens and the United Kingdom, Nikos Sympouras has been working in the field of Research, Media, and Communication for 33 years. With significant experience in strategic communication program planning across a wide range of advertising categories (consumer products, retail, financial services, automotive, new technologies, etc.), he possesses deep knowledge of consumers and markets and believes in the human factor and innovation as key drivers of development and success. He has held the position of CEO of Tempo OMD since 2015, leading the strengthening of the company’s leadership position in the Greek market (including, among others, Rank 1 in RECMA qualitative evaluation since 2018, Media Agency of the Year for 4 consecutive years, Digital Media Agency of the Year, and most awarded IAB MIX Agency in recent years), while having served in senior management positions at Dentsu Aegis Network, Carat, Isobar & iProspect, and Nielsen AGB. In his free time, he enjoys reading and sailing.
The Scientific Team
Every step we take at ELIZA is designed and implemented following our collaboration with experienced specialists, scientists dedicated to the proper protection of vulnerable children and families. ELIZA thanks them all warmly for the knowledge they impart daily, but also for their vision which acts as a beacon, illuminating our every action.
Resmiye Oral, Professor of Pediatrics at the Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Director of the Child Advocacy and Protection Program at the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock
Lida Anagnostaki, Psychologist/Psychotherapist for Children and Adolescents, Assistant Professor TEAPI/EPKA
Eleana Armao, Developmental Psychologist MSc, PhDc
Anthi Vasilakopoulou, Social Worker, Institute of Child Health
Evangelia Diamanti, Child Psychologist, Child Safety Care Unit ELIZA, 3rd Pediatric Clinic, University of Athens, ATTIKON University General Hospital
Olga Themeli, Assistant Professor of Forensic Psychology, University of Crete
Andreas Kalampalikis, Obstetrician/Gynecologist, “Alexandra” Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Katerina Katsaouni, MSc Child Rights
Konstantinos Katsos, Forensic Pathologist, Doctor of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Athina Komninou, Psychologist
Afroditi Kontakou, Pediatrician, Child Safety Care Unit ELIZA, 3rd Pediatric Clinic, University of Athens, ATTIKON University General Hospital
Maria Kyriazi, Pediatrician – Developmental Specialist, Attending Physician A’ University Pediatric Clinic, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokratio General Hospital of Thessaloniki
Elpidoforos Mantadakis, Director of Pediatric Clinic, University General Hospital of Alexandroupolis
Marina Martinou, PhD Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience, Scientific Collaborator of the Union “Together for the Child”
Stamatina Matzalarda, Child Psychiatrist, Child Safety Care Unit ELIZA, General Hospital of Thessaloniki “Papageorgiou”
Elisavet Michaelidou, Pediatrician – Director of Child Services, 3rd Pediatric Clinic, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hippokratio General Hospital of Thessaloniki
Lina Michala, Assistant Professor of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, University of Athens, ALEXANDRA Hospital
Sophia Bekatorou, Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist, Mentor, Double Olympic Medalist in Sailing
Olga Nikolaidou, Pediatrician, Child Safety Care Unit ELIZA, General Hospital of Thessaloniki “Papageorgiou”
Alexandros Panos, Pediatrician, B’ University Pediatric Clinic, Children’s Hospital “P. & A. Kyriakou”
Hara Spiliopoulou, Professor of Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology, School of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Yuli Triantafyllou, Child Psychiatrist, Child Safety Care Unit ELIZA, 3rd Pediatric Clinic, University of Athens, ATTIKON University General Hospital
Nafsika Tsipa, Child Psychologist, B’ University Pediatric Clinic, Children’s Hospital “P. & A. Kyriakou”
Mariza Tsolia, Professor of Pediatrics and Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Director of the 2nd Pediatric Clinic of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (EKPA) at the Children’s Hospital “P. & A. Kyriakou”
Konstantinos Fissas, Psychotherapist and Project Manager at AMKE SYMPLEXIS
Maria Fotoula, Director of Pediatric Clinic, General Hospital of Thessaloniki “Papageorgiou”
Maria Psarakou, Psychologist, Institute of Child Health
U.S. Steering Committee
Chairs, Members, Junior Members
Chairs:
Lee Ann and George Anderson
Froso Beys
Kalliope Karella -Rena
James Lambert
Alexia Kondilys Leuschen
Maria Los and Nikos Notias
Olga and George Votis
Members
Marina Couloucoundis
Amandine Freidheim
Maria Kotsonis
Marina Livanos
Dr. Stella Lymberis Latussakis
Carey and Arthuros Mangriotis
Zandra Pappas
Katrina Pavlos
Tatiana Papanikolaou Perkin
Donnay Poyiadis
Carlene Soumas
Kris Togias
The Hellenic Iniative
Thr Kallinikion Foundation
The Arete Foundation
Junior members:
Fani Harlafti
Konstantina Katsimeni
Alexandra Kostopoulos
Maximis Kostopoulos
George Votis jr.
Ambassadors
Dimitris Mothonaios
Peggy Stathakopoulou
Sophia Bekatorou
Maria Polyzou
Dorothea Tsouloukoglou
Haris Papathanasiou
Christos Giannakas
Kostas Apergis
Elena Kontogoni
Aphrodite Alexiou