BULLETIN Issue 2, 2024

WISTA Hellas Events

WISTA Hellas Gala Dinner & Award Ceremony

A Night to Remember at the WISTA Hellas Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony!


WISTA Hellas Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony brought together members, supporters, and industry leaders for a night dedicated to excellence, inclusion, and fostering a future of opportunities for all.


Highlights of the Evening:


We proudly honoured exceptional women who lead by example:


- Ms. Semiramis Paliou, recipient of the Leadership Award, recognized for her impactful roles in shipping through Diana Shipping Inc., her dedication to marine environment protection as President of HELMEPA - Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association and INTERMEPA and her commitment to actively pursuing and supporting diversity and the empowerment of women throughout her career.


- Ms. Rodiani Giagkidou, Vice Commander, and Ms. Katerina Xanthou, Lieutenant of the Hellenic Coast Guard, celebrated for their outstanding contributions to the Coast Guard, acting as role models for young women.


The evening was more than an awards ceremony; it was a celebration of the values and commitment that drive our mission, a warm exchange of wishes for the festive season, and a reflection on the vital role WISTA Hellas plays in the Greek shipping industry.


Thank you to everyone who joined us in making this event truly memorable. Together, we continue to empower, inspire, and lead the way forward.


Special thanks to our Platinum Sponsor Hill Dickinson LLP, Gold Sponsors Bureau Veritas Group and Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp., Silver Sponsors Latsco Marine Management, UK Defence Club, and UK P&I Club and Supporters Baseblue, Gard AS, Gulf Retail UK, NEREUS SHIPPING S.A. and Tototheo Global.

Elpi Petraki has been re-elected as President of WISTA International for a second term

Elpi Petraki was re-elected as President for a second term during the WISTA International AGM and Conference 2024 in Limassol, Cyprus. We couldn't be prouder!

Members' Gatherings

WISTA Hellas September Gathering

The traditional WISTA Hellas members' September meeting, marking the start of the new season, was held at the beautiful premises of Ms. Ioanna Topaloglou. It was wonderful to see longtime members, along with past presidents and board members, connecting with the younger generation in such a warm and welcoming environment. A heartfelt thank you to our host and to everyone who joined us!

Race for the Cure WISTA Hellas Team

WISTA Hellas members proudly participated in the #RacefotheCure in Athens. In addition to being a professional networking organization, WISTA supports initiatives that raise awareness about health issues and advocate for all women to have access to preventive exams. We were honoured to join thousands of Athenians, of all ages and backgrounds, in this meaningful event, united for a shared cause!

WISTA Hellas October Gathering

WISTA HELLAS’ October event brought together three of our members, Mrs. Lydia Argyropoulou, Mrs. Anna-Maria Papakosmopoulou and Mrs. Georgia Zarkadoula, all ex-seafarers, to share their experiences and answer questions from the audience. The discussion was lively, with different perspectives offered, but one common theme emerged: when pursuing a seafaring career, persistence and resilience are essential to achieving your dreams. Equally important, however, is working in an environment where company policies support diversity and equal opportunities.


It was encouraging to hear that progress is being made, particularly with the increasing number of women entering the seafaring profession over the past five years.

WISTA Hellas November Clean Up

Making a Difference Together: A Successful Beach Cleanup Initiative!


WISTA Hellas was thrilled to partner with HELMEPA - Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association for a meaningful beach cleanup initiative. Despite the challenging weather, our members showed incredible enthusiasm and commitment, turning out to make a positive impact on our environment.


We were especially inspired by the hardworking students from Campion School who brought energy and determination to the task. Their efforts were a shining example for the younger children who joined us, showcasing the power of teamwork and environmental stewardship.


A heartfelt thanks to Ioanna Krassaki from HELMEPA, who guided us with clear instructions and shared valuable insights throughout the event. We’re also deeply grateful to our sponsor Lockton P.L. Ferrari, who not only supported this initiative but rolled up their sleeves and participated in person during the cleanup.


Together, we made significant progress in maintaining the beauty of our beach. Let’s continue to work toward a cleaner, healthier environment for all. Stay tuned for more opportunities to get involved!

WISTA Hellas November Gathering

Monthly Member Gathering Recap: A Panel on Social Media & Professional Development. 🌟


This member gathering spotlighted a dynamic panel discussion featuring four esteemed members from our association, all experts in the fields of communications, public relations, and human resources. The event focused on the intersection of social media and professional development, providing a wealth of insights and actionable advice for attendees.


Our panelists generously shared their personal experiences, highlighting best practices for leveraging social media to enhance professional growth, build personal brands, and foster meaningful connections. Their expertise underscored the power of thoughtful digital engagement in today’s professional landscape.


Thank you to all who attended and contributed to the discussion!


Panel (in alphabetical order):

Dr. Niki Kalogiratou, Maria Photou, Maria-Christina Tsemani, Artemis Vamvakopoulou.

WISTA Hellas Education and Training

Scholarships 2024 - 2025

WISTA Hellas is delighted to declare its scholarships for postgraduate studies 2024-2025 in collaboration with leading educational universities and institutions.



Πανεπιστήμιο Πειραιά

Oικονομικό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών

ALBA Graduate Business School

BCA College




We're always delighted to see our members benefit from WISTA Hellas initiatives. You give us power to keep up the hard work.

ALBA LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

The WISTA ‘Women in Leadership' Executive Program, in partnership with ALBA Graduate Business School, was wrapped up successfully, with a record breaking attendance of 24 participants emphasizing the course's industry standing. Building strong networking relationships and mastering our leader skills is a crucial part of our upskilling actions.


Warm congratulations to all the incredible women with demanding careers who participated in the program. Your dedication, commitment, and openness to embracing new perspectives is truly inspiring!


We are grateful to NorthStandard P&I club for facilitating the course development, and acknowledge Alba Graduate Business School for their outstanding and consistent cooperation.


After all, authentic leaders are learners!

National & International Presence




On the 16th of October the BoD of WISTA Hellas had the privilege of meeting with the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Mr. Stylianides.


The discussion took place in a collaborative spirit, exploring potential synergies and focusing on strategies to enhance cooperation. We look forward to initiatives that align with the mission and vision of our association.

Many thanks for inviting us to the insightful discussion among the Alba Graduate Business School Shipping Alumni. We listened with great interest to the engaging contributions from all the panelists, including Elena Athoussaki, a WISTA Hellas member.


The moderator suggested a comparison between the traditional Greek shipping company and the corporate model, to which Elpi Petraki, President of WISTA International added her valuable insights. WISTA Hellas member Dr. Iliana Christodoulou Varotsi participated in the closing remarks in her capacity as an ALBA Visiting Lecturer.


We are also proud that WISTA Hellas, in cooperation with ALBA, offers a full scholarship for the Shipping MBA.




In view of WISTA UK 50th Anniversary celebrated at International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) premises, Maria Kyratsoudi, Board Member of Wista Hellas, participated in a panel discussion about how the industry is assisting shipowners to navigate alternative fuel options, manage the decarbonization requirements as well as their commercial and insurance implications. One of the key aspects that has been discussed is that energy transition is not merely a technical issue but a human one.


WISTA Hellas' Members Alexandra Couvadeli and Eva Kelesidou participated in this occasion.


Congratulations to WISTA UK for this amazing event!

WISTA Hellas President and Treasurer had the pleasure of attending the NAVIGATOR SHIPPING CONSULTANTS Conference on the beautiful island of Chios, alongside numerous WISTA Hellas members and many colleagues from the maritime industry. The event kicked off with a visit to Oinousses and a tour of the Merchant Marine Academy, where 24 inspiring women cadets are currently enrolled.


WISTA Hellas is committed to maintaining open communication with all maritime academies, especially those in smaller communities, to support the next generation of female maritime professionals.


On the second day, we were thrilled to attend the panels and proud to see WISTA Hellas members actively engaging in the discussions.


A huge thank you to the organizers for putting together this impactful 3-day event!

We extend our heartfelt thanks to our member Elisabeth Cosmatos, WISTA Hellas ambassador in Northern Greece, for representing the Board of Directors at an event introducing shipping to students in Alexandroupoli.


Our Association remains committed to supporting young talent and fulfilling our mission to attract more people to the industry. We are also proud to back initiatives beyond the capital, and we're especially grateful to Aggeliki Tsolakidou for the invitation and for ensuring the inclusion of women on the panel.

The President of WISTA Hellas participated in a panel discussion at the #WomeninBusiness forum hosted by #ICAPCRIF. Though this forum has been held for a decade, this year marked the first time WISTA was invited, enabling us to introduce our members to a broader audience and to connect with women leaders from traditionally male-dominated sectors.


Fellow Panelists:


Zeta Ziova

Maria Gkouma

Elina Papathanasiou


Moderator Maria Gianniou, PhD

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Helen A. Thanopoulou, who traveled to the island of Oinousses to represent our Association during the ceremony welcoming the new cadets at the local Merchant Marine Academy.


Our mission is to inspire young people to pursue a career at sea while fostering a culture of meritocracy and equal opportunities for all, including advocating for women seafarers. Who better to embody and share these values than Helen A. Thanopoulou, a distinguished figure in academia and a valued member of our Association for many years!


We’re happy to share that two of our Association's esteemed members, namely Samantha Lourandou, board Member and Theofano Somaripa. participated in prominent panels, proudly representing WISTA Hellas.


Theofano Somaripa, representing Wista Hellas as a speaker at the 3rd CSN Greece Shipping ICT Conference.


This milestone highlights the Association's role as a trusted industry expert, capable of advising conference organizers on selecting knowledgeable and impactful panelists.


We’re especially committed to ensuring that talented women maritime professionals, members of our Association, have the opportunity to share their expertise and shape industry conversations. Together, we continue to foster diversity and excellence in every forum.


Many congratulations to numerous other WISTA Hellas members who participated in these events representing their companies.






Maria Kyratsoudi, one of our esteemed Board members, delivered an impactful speech at the recent meeting of the ΕΛΛΗΝΙΚΗ ΕΤΑΙΡΕΙΑ LOGISTICS (EEL), representing WISTA Hellas and advocating for our shared priorities.

We believe these engagements not only amplify our voice but also foster inclusivity and open doors to partnerships that advance our collective goals.


Thank you to our members for your unwavering commitment to advancing our mission and values!

We are proud to share that Marina Papaioannou, a valued member of WISTA Hellas, participated in the recent CAREER4SEA panel discussion representing our Association.



Samantha Lourandou, WISTA Hellas Treasurer recently participated in an event introducing the maritime industry to students at the merchant marine academy on Crete island.


It was a wonderful opportunity to help the younger generation gain insight into the practical aspects of life at sea and to highlight the importance of creating an environment of equal opportunities for all. This event also allowed us to connect with and inspire young women, introducing them to the mission and values of our association.


Many thanks to Isalos.net for extending an invitation to WISTA Hellas!






Thanks to WISTA Germany and DNV for hosting a Meet & Greet at DNV booth at SMM Hamburg. Such a treat to bump into fellow WISTA Hellas members Sara Jones and Mags Moroney.

Participation as panel judges at 21st Lloyd's List Greek Shipping Awards of Akrivi Brikou, Vice President of WISTA Hellas and Eleni Polychronopoulou, President of HEMEXPO.



President of WISTA Hellas participated at a panel discussions of "Ναυτική Ασφάλιση - Πώς οι γεωπολιτικές ζυμώσεις επηρεάζουν την ναυτιλία" organized by Isalos.net.


WISTA International News

WISTA International AGM & Conference 2024

We are excited to share a glimpse of WISTA Hellas’ participation in the recent WISTA Annual Conference that took place past October in Cyprus.


Our delegation was the largest by far, and we want to extend our sincere thanks to all our members who contributed to this fantastic presence. The conference, organized under the auspices of the Republic Of Cyprus and the Shipping Deputy Ministry of Cyprus, was a resounding success with participation from international organizations such as the IMO and ICS and key decision-makers.


We also celebrated the inauguration of new chapters and are proud to announce that our very own Elpi Petraki was re-elected as President of the Association!


We hope everyone found the event engaging and took full advantage of the opportunities to network, learn, and experience the value that our association brings, in line with its mission and vision.


A big congratulations and thank you to WISTA Cyprus for an excellent event!

IMO - WISTA

Women in Maritime Survey 2024

Calling the maritime community! Your voice matters!


The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and WISTA International are conducting a global survey to capture information about a company's workforce, information about leadership and also the policies in place to support diversity.


Data from this survey will provide clear metrics to identify gaps, track improvement and allocate resources (including money and guidance). It's also a great way to celebrate those that are getting it right - both at sea and on shore.


Click here to participate: https://lnkd.in/exKTcWtw

Proud for our Members


It was with great admiration to watch our Elpi receiving the Greek Shipping Personality of the Year Award.


As Elpi quoted:

"This award is greatly appreciated – especially based on my role as President of WISTA International as it brings awareness to the association and our work towards a more diverse, inclusive maritime industry. Despite being a personal award, there is no question that the teams I am part of contribute in no small way to my standing in our sector. I’d like to give heartfelt thanks to all at WISTA, at ENEA Management, the Hellenic Shortsea Shipowners Association- EENMA, the Hellenic Maritime Museum and World Maritime University for all that they do, and for being part of this journey. Thank you to the judges for the recognition – it was a proud moment indeed. And, to the organizers too, for the usual exceptional evening."


The Award was presented by Christina Margelou, Member of WISTA Hellas.







INTERCARGO proudly welcomes Metaxia Psalti as Vice-Chair from 1 January 2025, marking a historic moment as the first woman to join Executive Management Committee.



Share your achievements and accomplishments on the Bulletin with fellow Members and the industry! Send us an email to wistahellas@wista.gr

Interviews - Articles

Interview_Voice of Greece_ERT_Irene Notias


Interview_Voice of Greece_ERT_Marina Papaioannou


Interview_Voice of Greece_ERT_Vivi Kolliopoulou


Interview_Voice of Greece_ERT_Danae Bezantakou

Share your professional opinion and expertise with your fellow Members and the industry!

If you are a WISTA member, send your published journal articles to wistahellas@wista.gr to be published on our Bulletin.

WISTA Hellas Upcoming Events

WISTA Hellas invites its members to our traditional Pitta Cutting Ceremony on Wednesday, 22 January 2025 at 18:00. Join us for an evening of networking and celebration as we welcome the new year together. Place to be announced soon.

Don’t miss out on our upcoming events!

Stay tuned for the upcoming WISTA Hellas events for which you will be notified by email in due course or check our website www.wistahellas.gr

Social Responsibility

WISTA Hellas's initiative for raising funds to support “ARGO” is still on.


Please support this initiative and ARGO, by making a direct contribution to the bank account stated below.


National Bank of Greece

IBAN: GR8701101770000017760627335

SWIFT: (BIC) ETHNGRAA

Reference: "WISTA Hellas member" (and state also your name)


SRONSORS OF OUR

GALA DINNER & AWARD CEREMONY 2024

WSTA Hellas | Website
Linkedin  Facebook  Instagram  
This email contains information which is confidential and may also be privileged. It is for the exclusive use of the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient. please note that any form of distribution, copying or use of this email or the information in it is strictly prohibited and unlawful. If you have received this email in error, please destroy all the copies and report to sender. WISTA Hellas cannot accept any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of this message as it has been transmitted over a public network. If you suspect that the message may have been intercepted or amended, please call the sender. No liability is accepted for any harm that may be caused to your systems or date by this email.
 
Third party information: 
Wista Hellas has done its utmost to ensure the validity of third party information contained in some of our emails. However, we do not accept responsibility for any damage or inconvenience resulting from the use of this information, related downloads or external links.

We are grateful to Akereon Business & IT Consulting for their continuous support