Dimitris Maragkos holds a BA in Communication, Media and Culture from Panteion University of Athens and a Msc in International and European Studies from the University of Piraeus. For the last 11 years he works as a communication specialist in Organizations who Coordinate European and National programs for Education, Training and Research. Since May 2015 he is an Independent EU expert speaker in the Team Europe Network, coordinated by the Representation of the European Commission in Greece. Within this network he encourages dialogue between European institutions, young people and civil society. Currently he coordinates the "Knowledge and partnership bridges" Initiative in the National Documentation Center.

‘According to Dimitris we all need “bridges” in order to broaden our horizons and expand our network!’

Chrysanthi has over 10 years of experience in several aspects of design, ranging from game design, animation, UI/UX to print. Her multi-cultural background (having lived and worked in Luxembourg, the UK and France) has helped her acquire the qualities and experiences needed to be part of a successful team: open-minded, hard working, good listener, reliable and professional team player, respecting all collaborators. As of April 2017, she is the Creative Services manager of the "Knowledge and partnership bridges" Initiative in the National Documentation Center.

‘I believe that our generation is more creative than ever. We live in exciting times where one can develop successful business partnerships across multiple domains with people from all over the world, and ‘Knowledge and Partnership bridges’ is a means to that end!’

Valia Skoura holds a BA in Communication, Media and Culture from Panteion University of Athens and a Msc in History and Politics from Panteion University. For the last few years she prepares a PhD Thesis in History and Politics. She speaks 4 languages. She has worked as a journalist in TV channels, newspapers and radio. Currently she works as communication specialist for the "Knowledge and partnership bridges" Initiative in the National Documentation Center.

‘According to Valia, building “Bridges” between all Greeks means creating new ways of cooperation and conciliation that benefit ourselves and the country as well.’

Nancy has been working in research almost all of her life, holding a PhD in Humanities and steadily conducting interdisciplinary research. She started working for the Initiative on the basis of her broad methodological background, the variety of her collaborations and her fluency in six languages. She is active on issues related to the evolution of young scientists and the conditions of conducting research in Greek reality. Within the "Knowledge and Cooperation Bridges" Initiative she is working on the mapping of the ecosystem for the initiative, on the Greek Expats networking and on proposing actions for the Initiative that arise within this framework. 

‘Nancy thinks that healthy co-operation is the foundation for every advancement may it be our career or our intellectual and personal life, and a safe way towards achieving our goals, since "if you want to go far, go together".’

Andreas Kalaitzis is a software engineer and web developer with extensive experience in designing and implementing large-scale projects, following the technology trends and adopting agile techniques. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science and a Master's Degree in Advanced Information Systems in University of Piraeus. Over the years, he has developed diverse web-based applications with a methodical yet creative approach, using open-source back-end and front-end development technologies, as well. He is passionate about technology, innovation and startups! Andreas is the developer of “Knowledge and Partnership Bridges” web platform.

Ioanna Vlachou is a graduate from the Law School of Athens and the Master’s European Law Program of the University of Leiden and she has been a researcher in Athens' Jean Monnet European Centre of Excellence. Since 2013, she has been practicing law, handling cases of various disciplines successfully, while in the past she had had the chance to work for the European Commission, having acquired valuable experience in the ‘backstage’ of EU law and policy making and implementation. She is a member of the national pool of Trainers for Erasmus+/Youth. She has participated in European Youth Conferences as a youth representative of Greece.

"Through “Bridges” Ioanna wishes to make good use of her knowledge, competences and experiences gained in Greece and abroad and contribute to the development of Greece and of its young people ’transforming nuances of the brain drain to a genuine chance of enrichment and constructive interaction'."

Theodore is an Economist and a Researcher specializing in Maritime Economics. He is a Ph.D Candidate at University of Piraeus, in the Department of Maritime Studies while holds an executive MSc degree in Maritime Economics and Logistics from the Erasmus University of Rotterdam, and a Bachelor degree in International and European Economic Relations from the Democritus University of Thrace. In addition to his sound academic background, he has acquired considerable working experience, through his participation in European and domestic research groups with diverse backgrounds, as well as through his multiple collaborations with reputable public and private entities. By being devoted to what he undertakes, Theodore works with enthusiasm, is synergetic and motivational, always searching to contribute “out of the box” ideas.

‘According to Theodore, demolished bridges shall be rebuilt, to annihilate the space amongst us, and allow young scientists and workforce that fled abroad to find their way back.’

Polina studied International Relations at the University of Macedonia, Thessaloniki and Cultural Studies at Sabanci University in Turkey, where she has lived for much of her life. She has concentrated on the notion of the home as a space wherein cultural identities are produced through orality and memory. She is a member of the Border Crossings Network, an academic network focusing on anthropology and ethnography in the Balkans, and the Human Economy Programme, the University of Pretoria which focuses on economic anthropology. In the past, she worked at the Tomato Industry Museum, Santorini (in research) and now provides the Initiative with administrative support.

‘For Polina, people networks are of great value and can bring beneficial results for both the individuals themselves and for society.’