Team
Konstantinos (Costas) Apodiakos, was born in 1956, in London. He holds a B.A. in Economics from Manchester University. Now retired, he ended his working career as CEO of Victoria Steamship Company Ltd., London. As of 2004, and as result of his life and work being inextricably linked to the sea, Costas has been an active supporter of various environmental projects, more so regarding the protection of the Mediterranean Sea and believes that successful business can only be achieved when the natural environment and our basic human values are fully respected. He is the President of the Swiss-based Thalassa Foundation. Costas speaks Greek and English. Costas enjoys sailing, swimming, riding motor bikes and he is interested in history, astronomy and philosophy.
Vera Alexandropoulou has a legal and financial background, with studies at the Athens Law School and post graduate studies at Heidelberg and Harvard Universities. She is a qualified Greek lawyer since 1998, UK Solicitor since 2004, registered at the Cyprus Bar since 2016 and has gained deep knowledge and global prospective on ports and the maritime sector. She has worked for the Harvard Business School, a major law firm in NY specialised in shipping, one of the biggest UK Law Firms renowned globally and for the Piraeus Port Authority – PPA. Vera founded – in 2005 – the VA law firm also combining business for social causes. Vera is an expert in shipping, energy and environmental Law. As of 2013, Vera serves as Vice President of the Swiss based Thalassa Foundation that focuses on the protection, sustainable management and preservation of the Mediterranean Sea’s biodiversity. She speaks English, French, German and Spanish fluently, and understands Chinese. She likes swimming, travel and yoga.
Loukia was born in Athens in 1971 Loukia holds a degree in Law from the School of Law of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and in Acting from Athens Conservatoire Drama School. Since 2008 she works as Press and Communication Officer in Greek environmental NGOs. She has participated in numerous European projects focusing on the protection of the marine environment, e.g. SEE MARINER, LIFE AMMOS, LIFE DeBAG, MEDSEALITTER, SEAlly. In these capacities, she has coordinated multiple awareness-raising campaigns, consultation seminars and other participatory events, designed and and implemented Communication Strategies, organised a variety of dissemination activities, also building strong rapport with the press. Loukia loves the sea, travels and theatre.
Christina holds a B.A. in Economics from the American College of Greece-Deree. She has worked across industries for foreign and Greek organisations but also as a free-lancer for community building and communications projects of different scales. She has been consistently committed to work in social/environmental/animal welfare, including working as a Project Manager for environmental causes, especially marine flora and fauna and as a Communications and Community Building Officer for an NGO sheltering unaccompanied refugee children. In 2005 , Christina also founded and successfully led - through 2024 - an non-profit active in Animal Welfare Education for schoolchildren of all ages, public and municipal institutions, as well as in Pet-Assisted Therapy for disabled minors and adults. Both of these programmes were licensed by the Hellenic Ministry of Education.
Natasa Sapouna was born in 1993 in Larissa, Greece. She holds a degree in Marine Sciences from the University of the Aegean and a Master's degree in Integrated Management of River Basins and Coastal Areas from Aristotle University. She has participated in programs at the University of Barcelona and the University of Algarve, gaining valuable knowledge and experience in environmental research and protection. Actively engaged in volunteer work, she takes part in initiatives that promote animal protection, striving for a fairer and more sustainable world. She loves the sea, music, and diving.