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
Something special is taking shape in Florida. Earlier this week, women from across the state gathered in Palm Beach Gardens as the FWA Florida Committee hosted its inaugural in-person event at DSM Capital Partners in celebration of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day. The program featured a forward-looking conversation on AI and technology in investing, followed by an interactive session on personal branding and executive presence led by FWA President Albana Theka and Florida Committee Co-Chair Marie-Helene Kennedy-Payen. Connections began the evening before at a dinner that set the tone for a day filled with energy, collaboration, and meaningful dialogue. By the time sessions began, the room already felt like a community. That’s what the FWA does best. Special thanks to Florida Committee Co-Chairs Marie-Helene Kennedy-Payen and Kari Desai, DSM Capital Partners for hosting, and all who joined. “Nothing beats the power of community and human connection. It was incredible to see women from across Florida come together for conversations that were insightful, energizing, and genuinely fun.” - Marie-Helene Kennedy-Payen
One of the things I value most about the Financial Women’s Association is the creativity of our members. I hear so many thoughtful ideas. New programs. Fresh perspectives. Ways we can continue to grow and evolve as an organization. That energy is a gift and it tells me people care. At the same time, one lesson I continue to learn as a leader is that ideas are only the beginning. What truly moves an organization forward is what happens next. Often, when an idea is shared, the natural follow-up is a simple question. Who would like to help take this forward? Sometimes there is immediate enthusiasm. Other times, there is hesitation. And that moment is important. It’s not about pressure. It’s about clarity. Many of us are balancing full careers, families, caregiving responsibilities, and personal goals. Capacity looks different for everyone and it changes over time. Being honest about what we can realistically commit to is part of good leadership. The most impactful ideas are the ones that come with a willingness to stay involved. That involvement doesn’t mean doing everything alone. It means helping shape the vision, building momentum, and partnering with others to bring it to life. Organizations thrive when ideas are paired with ownership. When members feel empowered not just to contribute suggestions, but to help guide them toward execution. Even small steps of follow-through create momentum and trust. At FWA, we welcome ideas. We value curiosity and innovation. And we also believe that commitment, in whatever form is realistic for you, is what turns good ideas into meaningful impact. When vision and follow-through come together, everyone benefits. That’s how we continue to build a strong, supportive, and sustainable community.
As the UAE continues to grow as a global financial & investment hub, women are increasingly helping shape decisions at the highest levels of business and governance.
When people think about leadership in the UAE, the public sector is not always the first in mind - yet it's a powerful example of women shaping the nation’s future.
