Chef Maria Loi is an internationally acclaimed chef, restauranteur, entrepreneur and philanthropist with a passion for health and wellness. Loi shares many delicious recipes in the PBS TV series “The Life of Loi: Mediterranean Secrets”.
FWA Announces First Five International Business Conference Speakers for 2024
February 21, 2024
VIPs and experts will share insights into Greece’s transformation from debt crisis to success
The FWA’s annual International Business Conference (IBC) is an executive-level experience designed to raise your international business IQ while immersing your senses in a dynamic culture. This year, we’ll travel to Greece from May 11-18 to learn about Reinvention as a Path to Success while socializing, networking and enjoying the sights, sounds and tastes of Athens and Santorini.
We’re excited to announce the following speakers, who will share their insights into the economic climate and innovative spirit that fueled Greece’s economic reinvention and path to success.
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Chef Maria Loi is an internationally renowned entrepreneur, author, television personality and philanthropist working to change the world - one healthy bite at a time. Known as the Julia Child of Greece, she is the founder and face of a lifestyle brand that nurtures a healthy body and soul, melds the inspiration of ancient Greece with a modern approach to the Mediterranean diet, cooks up a heaping dose of happiness, humor and joy and helps people boost their immunity and improve their health, wellness and longevity.
Chef Loi is known for her expertise in a variety of sectors including film and media; hospitality and entertainment; telecommunications; restaurants and food products, packaging, and marketing. Her government and media relations consulting and lobbying clients have included Net Med International (Film Net), Super Channel International, ITT Corporation (ITT Sheraton and ITT Caesars), and Nokia Telecommunications among many others.
Chef Loi is passionate about sharing the magic of all things Greek – especially the culinary treasures, recipes and practices passed down through the generations and from her grandfather. Deeply popular and beloved in Greece and a food superstar in the U.S., she exudes kindness, friendliness and warmth, makes a friend of everyone she meets and lights up rooms with her
bountiful energy, infectious smile and hearty laugh.
The founder of Loi Food Products, a specialty brand built on traditional ingredients from Greece; her frozen pies, pastas, beans, botanical herbs, refrigerated dips, honey and olive oil are sold on QVC, at Whole Foods Markets and in other stores.
The author of more than 36 cookbooks, she is also host of the award-winning show, THE LIFE OF LOI, on PBS, which debuted in December 2022, and has since saturated 98% of the top 50 television markets. Winner of the International Telly Award (44th Annual Telly Awards) in Online Series – Food & Beverage, and now winner of ‘Best Chef in a Series’ from the 15th Annual Taste Awards. The Life of Loi aims to build an inspirational and educational movement around the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle – from ancient to modern, food to culture and everything in between. Season 2 is scheduled to premiere April 27, 2024.
The namesake of Loi Estiatorio in Manhattan, Chef Loi has cooked for celebrities and Presidents. But she most enjoys gathering with a roomful of diners over a good meal filled with laughter and stories and passing out smiles and homemade cookies to children who visit her restaurant.
Named an official Ambassador of Greek Gastronomy by the Chef’s Club of Greece, Chef Loi is also a passionate and dedicated philanthropist who supports a wide variety of causes focused on children and the underserved.
Vassiliki Lazarakou is Chair of the Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC), Greece's markets regulator, where she oversees market intermediaries, listed companies and market surveillance. She sits on the board of the European Securities Markets Authority (ESMA) and is admitted to both the Athens and New York Bar.
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Vassiliki Lazarakou, JSD
Chair of the Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC)
Member of the Management Board of ESMA
Member of the Board of IOSCO
Chair of the ESAs Joint Sub-Committee on Securitizations
Member of the Bureau of the OECD Corporate Governance Committee.
Vassiliki Lazarakou is Chair of the Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC) since September 2019. She is also a Member of the Board of Supervisors of European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) and has been elected as Member of the Management Board of the ESMA. She is also chairing ESAs Joint Sub- Committee on Securitizations.
Vassiliki Lazarakou is a member of the IOSCO Board for a 2 year term (October 2022 –October 2024) since HCMC was elected by the European Regional Committee (ERC) as its Representative to the IOSCO Board.
She has also been re-elected as a member of the Bureau of the Corporate Governance Committee of the OECD for the year 2024.
Dr. Lazarakou has a Doctorate in Law (JSD) from New York University School of Law, New York, U.S.A. and an LLM in International Legal Studies from the same University as well as a Bachelor in Law from the Athens University, School of Law. She is a lawyer admitted at both the Athens Bar and the New York Bar Association with expertise on capital markets, M&As, privatizations, corporate and commercial law and other similar issues. She has worked for more than 20 years as a Partner at several law firms and for more than 10 years she was heading the relevant Banking, Capital Markets and Finance Department of such Firms. From 2012 -2015 she was also a First Vice-Chair of the HCMC.
Yianos Kontopoulos is CEO of Hellenic Exchanges, comprising the Athens Stock Exchange, Athens Exchange Clearing House and Hellenic Central Securities Depository. Prior to joining Hellenic Exchanges, he held senior strategist roles at CQS, UBS, Eurobank Group, Salomon Brothers and Merrill Lynch.
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Yianos Kontopoulos joined the Athens Exchange Group as CEO in 2022.
He has long and successful international experience in global capital markets. He was a Partner, Chief Macro Strategist at CQS Fund in London, with previous service at UBS and Merrill Lynch, and he was CEO at Eurobank Asset Management.
He has worked in senior management positions in capital markets in New York, London, and Athens.
He started his career on Wall Street at Salomon Brothers. He was Managing Director at two of the largest international investment banks, UBS, and Merrill Lynch, where he created and led large teams of leading analysts, building an extensive international network of contacts with major and significant investment firms around the world.
In Greece, he was Chief Investment Officer of Eurobank as well as CEO of Eurobank Asset Management, the largest mutual fund management company in the country. He has also worked in key positions in hedge funds abroad with billions in investments in global markets.
He is the Chairman of the Stock Markets Steering Committee, a Member of the Board of Directors of the American - Hellenic Chamber of Commerce, a Member of the Board of the Council on Competitiveness of Greece, and a Member of the Working Committee of the Federation of Euro-Asian Stock Exchanges (FEAS).
He was born and raised in Thessaloniki.
Yianos Kontopoulos holds a Ph.D., M.Phil., and M.A. in Economics from Columbia University and an A.B., also in Economics, from Harvard University.
Vasilis Tsaitas is the Group CFO of HELLENiQ ENERGY, a leading energy group in southeast Europe that is pioneering the energy transition in the region. With a keen focus on sustainable energy solutions, Vasilis is at the forefront of the company's transformation efforts to improve its carbon footprint by 50% by 2030.
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Vasilis Tsaitas is a graduate of Business Administration from University of Piraeus and MBA from INSEAD, as well as a Fellow at the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, with over 20 years of experience in finance and strategy in the energy sector.
Vasilis started his career at Shell Hellas, where he held the role of Financial Controller. He worked for HSBC investment banking in London, focusing on M&A advisory for European Oil & Gas and utility companies. He also has professional experience in the development and financing of RES projects. He joined HellenIQ Energy Group in 2011 and has been responsible for Investor Relations and international capital markets. Since February 2022, he holds the position of Group CFO.
Dika Agapitidou is the Founder and Director of Athens Economics Ltd – JLL Alliance Partner, an economic and commercial real estate consultancy and agency. She is a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, a founding member of the Greek branch of the International Council of Shopping Centres and a member of Hellenic Valuation Institute.
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Dika Agapitidou is the Founder and Director of Athens Economics Ltd – JLL Alliance Partner, set up in 1993. She is a Member of the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors), a founding member of the Greek branch of the ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centres) and a member of ELIE (Hellenic Valuation Institute).
Her background is in Economics, Planning & Econometrics and she has been professionally involved in commercial real estate since 1988, when she was appointed Head of Forecasting at Jones Lang Wootton in London.
Prior to that, she worked as a consultant for the Greek government (Home Office), international organizations (EU & OECD), and academic establishments (LSE) in Athens, Brussels, Paris, and London.
In her present role as director of Athens Economics Ltd – JLL Alliance Partner, and together with trusted colleagues from a multidisciplinary background, she provides commercial real estate and economic research/advice as well as valuation and agency services to domestic business and multinationals.
She is the co-author of one book (IOVE, 1995), has written numerous articles, which have appeared in Greek and English newspapers and specialist periodicals and is a frequent panelist in real estate conferences and seminars in Greece and abroad.
Dika speaks Greek (native), English, French & Spanish, is married and a mother of three.
Register now for this unique opportunity to expand your worldview and raise your professional profile!
Registration Deadline: April 1, 2024
The roar of the crowd, a Liberty comeback win, and the connections sparked in the owner’s suite made July 13 a day that perfectly captured the spirit of the Financial Women’s Association. FWA members and friends gathered at Barclays Center not only to watch an exciting WNBA game but to celebrate community, inspiration, and collaboration. From courtside cheers to suite-side introductions, the atmosphere was electric as conversations sparked across every corner of the room. It was a chance to build new relationships and strengthen existing ones while enjoying world-class basketball. Moments That Mattered What made the day truly memorable was more than the final score. It was the opportunity to connect with leaders, colleagues, and friends in a unique setting. As Laura Smith Dunaief, FWA Wall Street Exchange Co-Chair, shared, “So much fun! Great networking and an exciting game!” Nina Batson, FWA Past President, summed it up perfectly, “Another great FWA event!” One first-time FWA attendee said, “It was my first FWA event and I left inspired and energized by the incredible women I met.” The event would not have been possible without the leadership of Keia Clarke, CEO of the New York Liberty, the support of Robert Windrem of NetsDaily, Programming Committee Chair Patti Domm, FWA Executive Director and COO Alissa Desmarais, and the talented photographer Leya Yusupov who captured the day’s energy.
During week 4 of the Wall Street Exchange Program , participants were engaged in a highly interactive session about career opportunities in Strategic Communications (StratComms), a field with which only 50 percent of the interns were familiar. Heather Wallach and Jordan Resnick from Joele Frank shared that, for those with a passion for storytelling and writing and with exceptional attention to detail, StratComms offers an opportunity to flex those skill muscles by helping firms manage crises, communicate clearly, and develop company narratives. While many firm relationships might begin with transactional engagements, they often evolve into long-term partnerships. StratComms requires coordination and cross-communication with other partners that form a firm’s advisory circle, such as Investor Relations and Public Relations firms. This makes relationship-building and other interpersonal skills valuable attributes. While a degree or background in finance is not required, Jordan Resnick shared advice for those interested in entry level opportunities. She recommended following business news platforms to learn and stay current and writing a cover letter that expresses curiosity and interest in the field. The WSE Committee extends its gratitude to Joele Frank and its speakers for an insightful session and for their support of FWA and the Wall Street Exchange Program.
Our Tastes of New Jersey series continued earlier this month with two dinners at Monticello’s in Red Bank on July 9 and July 12. Both evenings reminded us why these gatherings matter: authentic conversations, shared stories, and the chance to connect beyond titles and LinkedIn headlines. As one attendee said: “Absolutely fantastic evening. Each of you have such interesting backgrounds and experiences. It was a pleasure.” – Maggie Kriebelt The discussions covered everything from work-life balance to travel and even astronomy, creating a space where members could learn from and inspire one another. “Such a nice evening. A pleasure dining with all of you.” – Debra Curran Many thanks to Past President Nina Batson for making these evenings possible: “What a fantastic time. Thanks to Nina for facilitating it.” – Susan Aufiero-Peters We are bringing this same energy to Summit tonight, with Clinton and Westfield coming up soon. Join us at the table...
The Financial Women’s Association had the great honor of visiting the Consulate General of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in New York City. We were warmly welcomed by Her Excellency Amna Ali Hamad Bin Zaal Almheiri and her team, who graciously shared their time and insights on the UAE’s remarkable journey of economic development, visionary leadership, and global engagement. Our visit marks the beginning of preparations for the FWA’s 2026 International Business Conference , which we are thrilled to host in the UAE next April. We extend heartfelt thanks to Her Excellency and the Consulate for their generous support and to Elynore Moran for her seamless coordination and professionalism. Each year, the FWA’s International Business Conference explores a region where fundamental investment and business opportunities are emerging. Since 1978—when we were one of the first U.S. delegations to visit China after its reopening—FWA has brought delegates to more than 30 countries across six continents. In every destination, we meet with senior government officials and business leaders to gain firsthand insights into economic conditions and policy strategies that shape global finance. For nearly five decades, the IBC has empowered our members to deepen their understanding of international markets and bring that knowledge back to their careers, companies, and communities in the U.S. As we look ahead to 2026, we are excited to spotlight the UAE’s dynamic role in finance, technology, and global diplomacy—and to further cultivate cross-cultural dialogue and professional exchange.
