Alex Patelis is the Chief Economic Advisor to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. He has more than three decades of experience as an economist, strategist and analyst, working in a variety of positions in New York, London and Athens, including at Goldman Sachs and Merrill Lynch.
The FWA is pleased to announce the following additions to our lineup for the FWA's 2024 International Business Conference (IBC) in Greece. These speakers will share unique insights into the economic climate and innovative spirit that fueled Greece’s economic reinvention and path to success.
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Alex Patelis is chief economic adviser to Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
He has over three decades of experience as an economist, analyst and strategist, working in a variety of positions in New York, London and Athens.
Alex started his career with the US economics research team at Goldman, Sachs & Co. in New York, where he worked under Bill Dudley, Chief US economist as well as a proprietary FICC trader in the same firm. In London, he joined Citigroup Asset Management as a quantitative economist. At Merrill Lynch, he held a variety of positions, including Global head of FX & Debt strategy, as well as Managing Director of Global Research, Head of International Economics. In this capacity, Alex managed the research teams responsible for the firm's outlook on all economies outside North America, including developed and emerging countries in EMEA, the Pacific Rim region and Latin America, as well as foreign exchange, local currency and external debt bonds. For their research, Alex and his team won a variety of awards, including from Extel and Institutional Investor. He was also Chief Economist at PSQR, a global discretionary macro hedge fund.
More recently, Alex was President of Patelis Macro, an independent research boutique he launched in 2010, which focused on global macroeconomic analysis to select clients around the world.
Alex earned a Ph.D. in Economics in 1997 from Princeton University, USA, where his thesis advisor was Professor Ben Bernanke. Titled “Asset returns and monetary policy”, part of his thesis was published in the Journal of Finance. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Mathematics from Sussex University, UK.
Maria Rita Galli is the CEO of DESFA (Hellenic Gas Transmission System Operator) Until recently, she was Executive Vice President Business Development and Asset Management at Snam SPA, a leading global energy infrastructure company and was Chairman of the SENFLUGA Energy Holdings, SA. a consortium controlling two-thirds of DESFA's share capital.
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Maria Rita Galli is the CEO of DESFA (Hellenic Gas Transmission System Operator). Until recently she held the position of the Executive Vice President Business Development & Asset Management at Snam S.p.A, a leading global energy infrastructure company and was the Chairman of the SENFLUGA Energy Holdings S.A., a consortium controlling 66% of DESFA's share capital.
Ms. Galli started her career at Eni in 1997, as a graduate in nuclear engineering from the Milan Polytechnic University. At Eni, she went through various roles within the International Business Development Department, joined relevant international projects and was involved in M&A activities. As a member of Eni's Board of Directors, she also oversaw the operations of some of the Group’s companies abroad (Galp, Distrigas, eni Gas&Power Trading BV, eni Gas&Power France, GVS GmbH, etc.)
Since 2006, she has been in charge of the International Business Development unit and, from January 2010, she has been in charge of the International Business Development and Assets Management department.
In October 2016, she joined Snam as the Head of Business Development and International Asset Management.
Eleni Bathianaki is founding partner at Halcyon Equity Partners. She has 23 plus years of experience in investment banking, strategic advisory and private equity positions. She holds Board positions in a number of Greek companies and is a mentor in Endeavor Greece.
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Eleni Bathianaki
Managing Partner
Founding Partner at Halcyon Equity Partners SICAR
Halcyon Equity Partners GP S.à r.l. is the GP manager of a private equity fund based in Luxembourg, Halcyon Equity Partners S.C.A. SICAR (the "Fund"), with a f € 117million total commitments, expected to reach € 170 million by the end of 2024. Halcyon Equity Partners S.C.A. SICAR is backed by private and institutional investors, including the European Investment Fund, the Hellenic Development Bank of Investments. Halcyon Equity Partners S.C.A. SICAR will invest in Greek non-listed mature Scale-up SMEs and Small Mid-cap companies with strong management teams depicting a competitive edge and a scalable business model, with an organic and/or inorganic growth potential. The Fund’s investment strategy seeks to identify investment opportunities that are driven by innovation and entrepreneurship, while focusing on implementing a strong value-creation roadmap for the investee companies, accelerating their growth and delivering superior value to all stakeholders. Halcyon is the first female led PE fund in Greece.
- 23+ years of experience in investment banking, strategic advisory and private equity positions
- Previously, she was a Partner and a member of the founding team of EOS Equity Partners, since 2016, a Greek Private Equity Growth Fund with € 150m assets under management. She was a Key Executive of the fund, member of the Investment Committee and a Board member of the fund’s manager
- She was responsible for the souring, origination, operational, structuring and strategic advice throughout the investment period and divestment of the portfolio companies. She was also responsible for the legal, operational (reporting to LPs) functions of the fund as well as key relationship with the supranationals (EIF/EBRD)
- Prior to this role, she was a Senior Manager at Piraeus Bank Group Strategy/Transformation unit, leading several strategic projects for the Group including a number of M&A and capital issuance transactions during the period 2009 to 2016, for a period of 7 years
- Eleni worked in the Investment Banking Group of Morgan Stanley being responsible for the origination, advisory and execution of M&A and capital market transactions for public and private sector corporates in Greece and CEE region for 2 years
- She started her career at Citigroup Global Market Investment Banking Unit in 2002, being involved in multiple M&A, privatization and capital market transactions across a very diversified number of sectors and a regional focus on Greece, CEE and North Africa, for 7 years
- She holds a Banking and International Finance Degree from City University Business School London and a MSc in Accounting and Finance from the London School of Economics
- She holds Board positions in a number of Greek companies. She is a mentor in Endeavor Greece and a Member of the Board of Directors in the Greek NGO, Desmos
The FWA's International Business Conference (IBC) is a week-long executive-level experience designed to raise your international business awareness while immersing your senses in a dynamic culture. This year, we are traveling to Greece to learn about Reinvention as a Path to Success while socializing, networking and enjoying the sights, sounds and tastes of Athens and Santorini. Join us May 11-18, 2024!
Register now - 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.
