Colonel Taxiarchis Sardellis

Program on Security and Strategy,

Strategy International, Senior Scholar

Taxiarchis Sardelis is currently the Defence Attaché of the Hellenic Republic Armed Forces located at the Embassy of Greece in Washington, D.C USA. Colonel Sardellis has held many professional and military positions such as: Head Branch of Bilateral Cooperation, International Relations Directorate of the Ministry of Defence. Staff officer in the Office of the Inspector General of the Army, Liaison Officer of the Greek Army Staff to the US Army Training and Doctrine Command, Ft. Monroe, Virginia, USA. He was also Staff Officer of Training and Exercises Department of the NATO Headquarters in Larisa, Greece. He commanded the 595 Air Assault Battalion of the 71^st Airmobile Brigade. He was also Company Commander, Operations Officer and Deputy Commander (X.O) of an Infantry Battalion in Lesvos island, Greece and earlier as staff Officer in the Defence Planning and Procurement Directorate of the Army General Staff. Colonel Sardellis has attended and conducted classes and multiple seminars on foreign and security Policies at Universities and Institutions such as Harvard, at NATO’s Defense College as well as Oberammergau at NATO School. A much awarded officer with honorable positions and medals for his national and international military and professional services, Coloner Sardellis graduated from the Hellenic Military Officers Academy, the War College of the Hellenic Republic and the NATO Defense College.

Colonel Sardellis speaks, English, Italian, French and basic Spanish.

Georgios Mantzouris

Program on Space Systems Engineer and Outer of Space Politics,

Strategy International, Senior Scholar

Mr Georgios Mantzouris is a Ph.D candidate in the University of Northern Greece in Xanthi, studying space systems engineering in the electronics engineering department. He holds a Master of Science in Space Systems Engineering (with Distinction) and a Master of Science in Astronautical Engineering (with Distinction) from the University of Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey California. He has participated in two product teams designing satellite systems that are flying on orbit with NPSAT satellite. Currently he cooperates with various academic teams and environments designing very small satellites. His primary area of interest is the applications of microsatellites to maritime security operations. He has participated and attended various schools and conferences in Great Britain, United States and other European countries. He is a Lieutenant in the Hellenic Navy and has served in various types of naval units such as gunboats and frigates, as communications, electronics engineer and deck officer. He is a graduate of the Naval Junior War College and from other naval technical schools. His interests pursuing a Ph.D. are mainly space operations, space maritime surveillance, space law and space politics in the maritime environment. He has written various research papers and articles in national and international journals and periodicals.

Mr. Mantzouris speaks fluent English. He is married with three kids.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Christos Venetis

Program on Information Security Strategy

Strategy International, Senior Scholar

Mr Christos Venetis graduated from the Hellenic Army Academy in 1983. He served as an Infantry officer in a variety of command and staff positions. He participated in a NATO’s peacekeeping mission, as commander of Greek Force in Vlore, Albania in 1997. In 1998 he transfered at the newly organized Army Branch of Research & Informatics were he served as stuff officer at National Defense General Staff as director of informatics Office of Army Corp’s Headquarter. Mr. Venetis was also director of informatics department and training officer of the Supreme Joint War College. He participated in numerous international meetings, collaborations on new technologies and multinational exercises. He also participated in conferences on development C2 systems and information systems security, technical seminars and conferences on Entrepreneurship Development. Mr Venetis graduated from the Department of Economical Studies of Aristotle University. He holds a Masters Degree in Management Information Systems from University of Macedonia. He is also a graduate of the Supreme War College. in 2009 Mr. Venetis retired (Apr 2009). Since then he works as instructor of finance and information technologies were he teaches courses in Public Institutes. He is also a business development consultant in the IT sector. 

Mr. Venetis speaks English.

Mr. Charalampos (babis) Michailidis

Program on International and Corporate Strategic Development 

Strategy International, Senior Scholar

Mr. Michailidis is the Strategic Development Director of the Russian Center in Thessaloniki, a Cultural and Education Institute of the Russkiy Mir Foundation. He holds a Masters of Sciences, experting in Production Management and Production Technology, from Aston University in Birmingham UK, and a BSc (hons) in Production Engineering, from University of Surrey, Guildford UK. He has a considerable in-depth experience in Strategic Management, working as a Commercial and Technical Director in various Organizations for 28 years. His is a person with excellent leadership skills and with a progressive record in managing large-scale operations and events, building loyal staffs that exceed organizational expectations. His specializations over these years were in Data Visualization (Visual Storytelling) and Corporate Change Management - guiding individuals and Organizations through change, possessing a unique combination of management, teaching and consulting experience. Mr. Michailidis is a dynamic leadership speaker and change agent. Combining Visual Storytelling with Strategy, his cutting-edge keynote speeches, create stronger leaders, clearer direction and accelerate individual and organizational performance.

Mr. Michailidis speaks Greek and English.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Lt. General (LTG) (Rt) Serafim PAPAPOSTOLOU

Program on NATO Operations.

Strategy International, Senior Scholar

Papapostolou Serafim graduated from Hellenic Army Academy in 1975. He served in Armoured and Reconnaissance Units for more than 20 years. He became Commander of the 12th Armor Battalion (1993) and C’ Reconnaissance Battalion (1994-1995) in the borders area of Trace. For one year (1993-1994) he was deployed in North Iraq (Kurdistan), Commander (Suleimaniyah Sector) of UN Guards Contingent (UNGCI). He has served at the Hellenic Army HQs as Staff Officer responsible for the development of Main Battle Tanks fleet (1988-1992) and for Armaments Planning and Procurements (1997-1999). In August 1999 he moved to the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, where he became the senior officer for Operational Planning and Operations in Balkans. He served twice in the Former Yugoslavia, first (1992) as a military observer for a short period in Croatia, and second for one year, in KFOR Kossovo (2000-2001) as a Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of 34th Mech Brigade (Hellenic Armed Forces in Kossovo). After his redeployment, he appointed in Hellenic National Defence General Staff as Director of National Crisis Management Center (2001-2003). Additionally, he has served through staff assignments primarily in operations, plans, and crisis management. His assignments include three NATO tours: one as Military Assistant to Hellenic Military Representative at NATO HQs, Brussels (1995-1997), one with Joint Command South-cent (JCSC) at Larisa Greece (2003-2004), as J5 Branch Chief and his final staff assignment was as Assistance Chief of Staff (ACOS) Support of NATO’s Rapid Deployable Corps (NRDC-SP) Valencia, Spain (2004-2007). His last active duty assignment was Chief of Staff (COS) of C’ Corps/NATO Deployable Corps – Greece (NDC-GR) (2007-2009). He retired from the Hellenic Army on 13 February 2009, after more than 37 years of distinguished service. General Papapostolou is a recognized leader and pioneer in conceptualizing, planning, and executing national security operations from humanitarian relief to major combat operations. 

General Papapostolou, Speaks English and Greek.

Email

Olga Gaziteri

Program: Energy and International Security,

Strategy International, Junior Scholar

Ms. Olga Gaziteri graduated from the Department of Political Sciences of Aristotle University. She holds a Master’s degree in International Relations, European Policy and Diplomacy, University of Macedonia. She has obtained a diploma in Public Relations, Political Communication and Image Maker from the Center of Public and International Relations of Greece. She interned at the UNESCO chair (University of Macedonia), on issues of international legal instruments and on women’s rights-International Acts and Declarations. She was a consultant of political communication and an assistant at political campaigns. Miss Gaziteri made her practise at the Municipality of Kalamaria Thessaloniki, after been chosen from the department of Political Sciences of the Aristotle University,as a scientific assistant for Educational programmes. Olga is currently attending the Masters in Energy Systems with Specialization in Energy Management at the International Hellenic University. 

Ms. Gaziteri speaks Greek, English, French.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ourania Sakkoula

Program: International Communication and Security,

Strategy International Junior Scholar

Ms. Ourania (Rania) Sakkoula, graduated from the Institute of Professional Training of journalism, following from her degree in Political Science at the University of Aristotle in Thessaloniki. She is concluding her Master degree in International Relations and European Studies with a specialization in diplomacy at the University of Macedonia in Thessaloniki. She was a consultant and execution officer for European Programming. Ms. Sakkoula was recently a political candidate at the Peripheral elections as a Peripheral candidate elector in November 2011.

Ms. Sakkoula Speaks English, French.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Vasileios Stathopoulos

Strategy International, Junior Scholar

Mr. Vasileios Stathopoulos is an attorney-at-law before the Court of First Instance of Athens. He graduated from the Law Faculty of Athens (2007) and pursued his master studies in France. He holds a master degree in Law and European studies from the Robert Schuman University of Strasbourg (2008), a master degree in International Relations and International Security from the Institute of Political Science of Toulouse (2010) and a postgraduate diploma in European Public Law issued by the European Public Law Organisation (EPLO). He is now completing his second degree in the Faculty of International and European studies of Panteion University. Mr. Stathopoulos has extensive working experience in EU institutions, having previously served as a MEP’s assistant in the European Parliament and as an intern in the Legal Service of CEDEFOP. In 2011, he had his first book publication with the title “Diplomats and Soldiers of the EU: the role of Great European Powers within the European Security and Defense Policy”.

Mr. Stathopoulos speaks English, French and basic knowledge of Spanish and Italian.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

John Karagiannopoulos

Program on International Strategies & Tactics,

Strategy International, Junior Scholar

Born in 1975, John is currently a public servant in municipality of Alexandria Imathias in central Macedonia. He is a graduate of Political Science and History from the University of  Sunderland (UK). He also obtained a Masters Degree in Diplomatic Studies from the Department of International Relations and Diplomacy from the University of Leicester (UK). He has developed a great interest in Public and International Affairs and is actively involved in political affairs within the boundaries of his municipality.

He speaks French and he is fluent in English language.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Hazel Han

Korea Representative of Strategy International

Program on Security and Strategies in ASIA, Junior Scholar

Hazel holds a Bachelor of Arts from Trinity College (Hartford, Connecticut, USA) in Political Science and honors in German Studies. She completed her senior thesis on Politics of Immigration and Integration in Germany and the EU by focusing on a common EU integration policy. Most recently, she interned at the European Studies program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington DC, USA. Previously, she has worked at the Office of International Programs at Trinity College and Amnesty International USA in Washington DC. During her undergraduate years, she also received the Connecticut and Baden-Württemberg Scholarship and studied at the University of Ulm and the University of Mannheim in Germany. She plans to pursue her MA in European Politics in the near future. Currently she resides in Seoul, Korea.

Hazel speaks English, Korean (native language) and German.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Nikolaos Georgiopoulos

Program on International Monetary and Financial System.

A Macrofinancial Approach Strategy International,

Strategy International, Junior Scholar

Mr. Georgiopoulos is a financial economist with extensive experience in risk management, financial stability and policy. He has graduated from the University of Lausanne and he is defending his PhD at the Vienna University of Economics in financial stability and corporate finance. He has worked as a junior economist at the International Monetary Fund in Washington DC, as a researcher at the Vienna University of Economics and now as an enterprise risk manager at the largest Austrian insurer, Vienna Insurance Group. He is a part time consultant in corporate finance and financial modeling for private clients. He has been interviewed by Greek and international media such as Kerdos newspaper, Flash radio and the Associated Press, while articles of his have shown up in various online media. His professional and scientific work has been presented at the Central Bank of Portugal, the Technical University of Vienna, the Vienna University of Economics and the International Monetary Fund. His interests include risk management and the international financial and monetary system. 

Mr Georgiopoulos speaks Greek, English and basic German.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Eleni Andreou

Program on International Legal Issues/Mediation

Strategy International, Junior Scholar

Eleni is currently a law student at the University of Nicosia (Cyprus). During her studies holds the position of the Vice-President of the Law Society of University of Nicosia. She is also an active participant for the publication of a legal magazine in Cyprus.She creates and manages a website regarding recent worldwide issues which puzzle the contemporary society. Her interests are in Politics and Law Studies at a global level, with special interest in the Cyprus issue.

Ms. Andreou speaks Greek and English.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sevasti Tsimaki

Program on Security Economics and International Democratic Institutions

Strategy International, Junior Scholar

Sevi holds a BA in Political Science and an MSc in International Strategy & Economics from the University of St Andrews. She is currently a PhD candidate at the University of West Macedonia, studying international economics and democracy. She is also finishing an MSc in Management. She has conducted research at City University during her thesis on the ethics of Google. She has worked for Greenpeace and AIESEC, has interned for the Hellenic Ministry of Health, for NGOs in London and Scotland. She was an assistant of political campaigns and elections for several years and has attended various seminars on international relations. Her research interests include the international economic relations, democratic peace theory, security, trade and peace, game theory.

Sevi speaks Greek, English, French and currently studying German and Arabic.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Theofani Tsakiri

Theofani (Fani) Tsakiri has graduated from New York University College, located in Thessaloniki with a Bachelor in International Relations. She has previous working experience as a political party member and activist of the Socialist Party in Greece. She is also member of the UN Thessaloniki Youth association and activist of the European Socialist Political party.  She is an active member at the Genocide Intervention Network and Amnesty International. Most of her work is concentrated along research, managerial and management as well as organizing areas of think tanks. Ms. Tsakiri is keen on research on international management, international organizations work and think tank creation.

Fani speaks Greek, English and German.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Marianthi Karakoulaki

Program on US Foreign and Security Policy in the world Arena

Strategy International, Junior Scholar

Marianthi Karakoulaki holds a BA in Mediterranean Sciences with a major in International Relationsand Organisations, from the University of the Aegean, Department of Mediterranean Studies. FromSeptember 2011 she attends the University of Birmingham, Department of Political Science andInternational Studies (POLSIS) in order to study for an MA in International Relations (Security). Sheparticipated in several NGO’s and is currently a member of “Young Professionals in Foreign Policy”.While a student at the University of the Aegean she organised for two consecutive years the “MareNostrum Convention” where she also participated as a speaker. She is currently the founder andeditor of the online magazine “The Globalised World Post” (The GW POST). Her main academic interests include the US Foreign and Defence Policy, the US domestic policy, International Security,Conflict Management and Peacekeeping.

Marianthi Speaks English, Turkish, Basic Spanish and French.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Zenonas Tziarras

Program on  Peripheral and Global Governance & relations with Turkey

Strategy International,  Junior Scholar

Zenonas Tziarras is currently a PhD student of Politics & International Studies at the University of Warwick, UK, where he researches Turkish Foreign Policy and Grand Strategy. He holds a BA in Mediterranean Studies (pathway in International Relations), from the University of the Aegean, Greece, and an MA in International Relations and Strategic Studies from the University of Birmingham, UK, where he participated in the research programs “Post-Soviet Politics” and “Natural Resources and Conflict Management”. Zenonas is a columnist for the online magazine “Global Politics” as well as co-editor of the online magazine “The Globalized World Post” (TheGWPost). He attended specialization courses in International Security at the University of Delhi, India, and he has been a researcher and Intern at the Peace Research Institute of Oslo Cyprus (PRIO CC). He has been published in Cypriot and Greek newspapers. His main interests lie in Turkish Politics/Foreign Policy, Foreign Policy Analysis, Security/Strategic Culture, Geopolitics, (Grand) Strategy, and Ethnic Conflict & Conflict Resolution. You can also find zenonas' personnal work on his website here.

Zenonas speaks Greek (native), English (fluent), Turkish (basic).

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.