President - CEO
Dimitra, the originator of the venture called EXELIXI ZOIS (Life Evolution). Mother of a rowing champion but also a friend since their age difference is very small. She is an Executive Management postgraduate student of the English-speaking ALBA University and has also studied Hotel Management at Vienna’s Modul University. Since then Dimitra has worked in the area of Public Relations, Event Management, Marketing and Communication at some of the largest hotel companies in Greece, Spain and Austria. One of her successes is her participation in the organization of the NATO conference.
Dimitra continued her successful career with nationwide acclaim in the automotive field. She also participated in setting up a large hotel chain (Grecotel group of 18 hotels). She later worked as a Project Manager at an NGO.
Currently, she is the Commercial Director at SNFCC, where she oversees the country hire department of third-party events, hosting over 500 corporate events, organizations, social events, conferences and ideas dissemination events (such as TEDx Athens). In addition, it oversees visits by heads of state and key figures.
Above all, however, Dimitra is a mother. During her son’s school years, she was always on parenting boards. There she set up on her own initiative a parenting school and, at the same time, she actively participated in the participation of students in European programs, in whatever way, supporting the work of teachers. At the same time, she is a member of the Boards of the Egypt Maritime Club, where athletes have had great success in recent years in Olympic Games, World, European and Pan-Hellenic Championships. Her great love for her son and all the children led her to take more active action today. Although her personal time is minimal, she did not hesitate for a moment to pursue the minimal chances of accomplishing the difficult task of creating EXELIXI ZOIS (Life Evolution). She was inspired to create EXELIXI ZOIS (Life Evolution) after meeting with a 17-year-old girl during one Christmas visit to a girls’ hospitality institution as President of Parents and Guardians of the 1st Old Faliro High School 5 years ago. The young girl’s agony about the future also became Dimitra’s agony, too. Today, however, thanks to her efforts and with the full support of the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, she is attempting to make a substantial contribution to empowering children living in closed childcare institutions.She speaks English, German and Spanish.
Dimitra is the President and Founder of EXELIXI ZOIS (Life Evolution).
President - CEO
General Manager
Maria is a PhD Candidate in the field of Communication and Media, holder of the Master’s Degree “Journalism and New Media” as well as the Master’s Degree “Political Communication and New Technologies” of the University of Athens. Her focus is mainly on representations of social issues in the media and in Health Communication.
Among other research, she has been involved in the coverage of refugee crisis in 2015 and participated in COST ACTION lS1308 in 2017 on the subject of “Populism in Europe” as an assistant researcher and analyst for Greek newspapers. In this project, a comprehensive analysis was carried out for media content in twelve European countries.
Maria has worked as a journalist on TV broadcasts, in the press office of a clinic as well as in university faculties.
She has been employed as an Administration representative and Lead Auditor in the implementation and execution of the System Quality Management (ISO 9001:2005) in organizations with the aim of improving their performance.
She has completed the programme “The Entrepreneurship in Practice” by the Investment Laboratory Applications of the University of Athens and at the same time the programme “lmpact on Health” of Ashoka Hellas regarding the strengthening of social enterprises specifically designed for the health sector. She has also participated in the designing and conducting social clinics both on islands and mainland.
In EXELIXI ZOIS, Maria is the General Manager.
General Manager
Financial Advisor, Strategic Communication and Resources Manager
Achilleas Karadimitriou is communications expert, Adjunct Lecturer at the Department of Communication and Media Studies of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. He holds a Ph.D. Degree in the Policy of the European Broadcasting Field from the University of Athens and has worked as research associate in various European research programmes related to media and communication field (The Media for Democracy Monitor 2020, ISCH COST Action – Populist Political Communication in Europe, YouthActiv – Jean Monnet – Information and Research Activities, 11 Nations Study of Comparative Political Knowledge and Media Consumption).
He has worked as journalist – communications expert in the programme “Young Citizens and Constitution”, co-financed by the Themistokles and Dimitris Tsatsos Foundation – Centre for European Constitutional Law and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) and as communications specialist in various institutions.
He has also been Adjunct Lecturer in AMC College in Athens (in collaboration with Queen Margaret University of Edinburgh, BA Media Production-Journalism strand) and Tutor in various adult learning educational institutions. His research interests and academic publications focus on media policy and regulation, news framing, journalism practices as well as on new media use in the context of the participatory culture of new media field.
Financial Advisor, Strategic Communication and Resources Manager
Project Management Support
Olympia raised two exceptional young people 21 and 24 years old. She is distinguished for her social activism. In addition to her role as a mother, she actively participates in the community, developing volunteer projects in various fields.
She is a founding member of the Corporate Social Responsibility program “Leftover Heart”. Combining her love of giving with sports, she volunteered in competitions aimed at raising money for vulnerable groups and at Special Olympics. She has been involved in running and managing services in a large catering company always with her conscious commitment to the principles of corporate responsibility.
She has excellent communication and cooperation skills within the group, supporting and empowering the people around her.
At EXELIXI ZOIS (Life Evolution) Olympia in our team is in charge of Administrative Support and Service Management.
Project Management Support
Volunteer & Sports Network Coordinator
Stefanos was born and raised in one of the poorest countries in the world, Sudan. The difficulties helped him to understand from the outset the value of solidarity and help to and from fellow human beings.
Sport allowed him to overcome his difficulties in a beautiful way. In this regard, he has managed to combine his two most beloved sports and children’s occupations through his studies at the Department of Physical Education and Sport (TEFAA) at the University of Athens.
He has had a long career in the private sector in Greece and abroad with his main position of Manager in a marina in Saudi Arabia. However, his love for progress and development has come through attending many certified seminars and postgraduate studies in personal development (Life Coaching). The next step was to deal with the ESCS ecosystem. These elements brought him close to the EXELIXI ZOIS (Life Evolution) team.
At EXELIXI ZOIS (Life Evolution), Stefanos is in charge of managing the volunteer network and organizing sports programs.
Volunteer & Sports Network Coordinator
Research Fellow Partner - Assistant professor of Career Counseling and Business Decision Making at National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Mrs. Katerina Argiropoulou is an assistant professor of Career Counseling and Business Decision Making at the Paedagogical Department of Secondary Education of the Philosophy Department of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She has completed both postgraduate and doctoral studies on Counseling and Career Advice at the University of Athens .For many years she has actively participated in many national and European research programs and by working has
gained a significant amount of experience .Her research and author’s work include a substantial
number of papers presented at national or international journals, while her work has been
presented in Greek and International conferences. She has acted as the scientific consultant and
editor of two books .Her scientific interest focuses on modern career approaches decision making as
well as the development of the skills of research and career planning. She is a member of the International Educational and Career Advice Company (IAEVG) and the Greek Consulting and Orientation Company (ΕΛΕΣΥΠ).
Research Fellow Partner - Assistant professor of Career Counseling and Business Decision Making at National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Psychologist - Career Counselor
Aristeidis Lorentzos was born in Athens. He studied Psychology at Panteion University of Social and
Political Studies. He
also has a Master’s Degree at Counseling and Career Guidance at Psilosophy
School at National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
He is fellow research of Counseling and Career Guidance Laboratory of the Department of
Educational Studies at National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Aristeidis Lorentzos has
working experience as a Psychologist and Career Counselor in many mental health centers of both public and private sector.
At EXELIXI ZOIS, Aristeidis works as a career couselor.
Psychologist - Career Counselor
Consultant of Sports Programs
Sotiris’ love for sports led him to designate Department of Physical Education & Sport Sciences as the only choice of his studies. He graduated in 2000 and then obtained a Master’s degree in Economics and Public Administration at the Panteio University specializing in Regional Development.
His involvement, during his university days, with the Sports Camps “SKOURAS” and “GALIS”, reinforced his belief in the value of voluntary contribution as well as the interrelated association that binds sport and volunteering.
He worked in the Department of International Relations in the Athens Paralympic Games in collaboration with the Hellenic Ministry of Sports and was in charge of Volunteering in the finals of the Champions Cup in Volleyball (2005), the final of the World Cup in Athletics (2009) and the Athens Marathon (2010).
In January 2006 as Director of LIFE and SPORTS he was assigned with the handover ceremony of ALEXANDREIO MELATHRO by the Ministry of Sports and at the same time was awarded by the S.F.E.I for spreading the idea of volunteering in Greece.
For the last 10 years he has been in charge of Social Responsibility at Hellenic Athletics Federation (S.E.G.A.S.), as well as head of strategic communication for the Greek Olympians Association. He has been a speaker on issues related to sport and its social aspects at international conferences, while in Greece he has collaborated with the National Center of Public Administration and the entities of the Regional Authorities of Greece.
In recent years he has created the voluntary campaigns “MARATHON FOR GREECE” and “ATHLETICS IN THE LAND OF CULTURE” in collaboration with S.E.G.A.S. and the Region of Crete, whereas he is in charge of the Torch Relay for the Authentic Athens Marathon since 2016.
In EXELIXI ZOIS, Sotiris is a consultant of sports activities & programs.
Consultant of Sports Programs
Educational Department Coordinator - Special Education Teacher & Dramatherapist
Elpida holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy, Education and Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Special Education Needs and Disabilities from the University of Athens.
Furthermore, she is completing her studies for her four years Diploma in Dramatherapy from The HERMA Institute of Dramatherapy, by the standards of European Association of Psychotherapists (EAP) and National Organization of Psychotherapy Greece (NOPG).
Her main interests concern the empowerment of self-sufficiency of vulnerable groups, through funded programs, such as the “ESTIA” program by the UNHCR Refugee Agency. In addition, she works
voluntarily with human-centered institutions on supporting human needs through social projects.
Her core values are driven by the principles of teamwork, respect, cooperation, solidarity and philanthropy. She believes in the power inside every human to evolve and make the impossible possible.
At EXELIXI ZOIS, Elpida is in charge of the Educational Department. Additionaly, she coordinates Psychoeducational sessions and groups of creativity and self expression, through Dramatherapy techniques.
Educational Department Coordinator - Special Education Teacher & Dramatherapist
Psychosocial Department Coordinator - Psychologist
Sofia Papatheodorou is a Psychologist, graduate of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, holding a Master’s degree in Counseling and Vocational Orientation, and is continuing her education on psychodynamic psychotherapy for children and adults.
Since 2014, she has worked for the Municipality of Paleo Faliro, at the support center of PEPSAEE
for the unemployed, in secondary education, and in private practice.
Over the course of her career she has collaborated with organizations such as GSEE and the
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.
She also participates as an educator in the lifelong learning programs of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and in writing scientific books in the field of career counseling.
At EXELIXI ZOIS, Sofia coordinates the Psychosocial Department & issues Vocational guidance sessions.
Psychosocial Department Coordinator - Psychologist
Psychosocial Department - Parallel Support Co-education
Katerina Papatoukaki was born in Athens and she is a social worker. Her academic background includes a Bachelor’s degree in social work at Tei of Athens and a Master’s degree in Strategies of Developmental and Adolescent Health at School of Medicine in University of Athens. She is continuing her education in systematic psychotherapy at AKMA center. Concerning her working experience, she has completed 500 hours in significant health and mental health units. She has worked at the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Lifeline Hellas, at the Municipal Health Clinics of the Municipality of Athens, at the Standard Kindergarten of Kallithea and Children’s Villages SOS Greece. In parallel with her working experience as a social worker, she worked voluntarily at a child mental health center in Athens and at Ark of World. She is also a certified member of the Society of Social Workers in Greece (S.S.W.G) and in Greek Society of Adolescent Medicine
(G.S.A.M.).
As far as research is concerned, she is a scientific author of a study about childhood sexual abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder in adulthood.
Since 2019, Katerina works at EXELIXI ZOIS as a research associate, in the psychosocial department.
Psychosocial Department - Parallel Support Co-education
SPECIAL EDUCATOR
Papaioannou Anastasia is 27 years old and was born in Athens. She studied Psychology at the American College of Greece and the Open University of England and is a licensed psychologist. She then completed her postgraduate studies in Child Psychology at the University of Central Lancashire in England and graduated with honors. She is also a Play Therapy trainee and a certified member of Play Therapy (PTUK – Play Therapy UK). She has been trained in the analysis of bio signals in MATLAB and EEG environments (encephalograms). Her involvement with children began in her student years as a key member of children’s camps (group leader, community leader, and coordinator). Her voluntary actions also focused on children and adults in vulnerable social groups.
She completed her internship as a psychologist at the National Children’s Psychiatric Hospital of Athens and specialized in cases of autism spectrum disorders, hyperactivity and attention deficit disorder (ADHD), developmental disorders and learning disabilities as well as in the administration of psychometric tools etc. At the same time, she did an internship at the SOS Children’s Villages of Greece and specialized in Art Therapy in children. Her professional career began in the SOS Children’s Villages of Greece, as a psycho-pedagogue and member of a scientific team of an emergency program in child protection.
At EXELIXI ZOIS Anastasia is working as a special educator at a Special School in Athens.
SPECIAL EDUCATOR
Chemistry Teacher
Marianna is a PhD candidate at the Pharmacy School of University of Athens, in the field of Natural Products Chemistry and holds an MSc in Biotechnology from University of Essex, UK and a BSc in Chemistry from University of Ioannina, Greece. She has worked in the field of Clinical Research in pharmaceutical companies and in Benaki Phytopathological Institute in Athens. She has participated in several training programmes in Teaching Natural Sciences and Intercultural Education and she is Certified Instructor for Adults from EOPPEP (National Organization for the Certification of Qualifications & Vocational Guidance in Greece). She teaches at Second Chance Education Schools and at Public Institutes of Vocational training, at specialization of Pharmacy Assistants. Also, she is teaching at Enhancing Teaching Programmes of Secondary education in Greece. She has volunteered in cultural and environmental organizations in Greece and abroad. Also, she speaks English and Italian.
At EXELIXI ZOIS (Life Evolution) Marianna teaches Chemistry, Physics and Biology at the collaborative institutions of children’s care.
Chemistry Teacher
Mathematics Teacher
Dionysis is trying to share his passion and curiosity for the mysteries of the world with fellow people through mathematics, the secrets of the sea and his active involvement with civic affairs.
His initial graduate studies in Greece (School of Environment, University of the Aegean, Lesvos – Mytilene) and in the UK (Earth and Ocean Science, University of Brighton) were related to environmental studies which he combined with free diving and scuba diving. He has worked in the catering sector and in the press from a very young age until the day he became a diving instructor
and professional diver for marine and fishing works. In 2014 he was accepted at the Mathematics Department of the University of Patras, being able to follow what has always aroused the greatest
excitement for him. Since 2018, i.e. the year he graduated, his love for pure mathematics has become both the motive and tool in order to communicate with children & teenagers and offer them whatever he has learnt through the various jobs he had over the years, everything he has come to understand and whatever he can conceive about mathematics. When he is not teaching mathematics to children, he teaches them to dive with safety by working for diving centers in various Greek islands. What could not have been missing from his everyday life is sports and physical activity. Therefore, Dionysis actively participates in free diving games and devotes his evenings to the apprehension of Algebra and the number theory.
At EXELIXI ZOIS (Life Evolution) Dionysis teaches Maths at the collaborative institutions of children’s care.
Mathematics Teacher
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