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OUR TEAM

Meet the people behind Ecogenia.

OUR FOUNDERS

“Igniting a cultural shift in Greece whereby social service is seen as a career prospect and an opportunity to retain young talent in the country, all the while driving sustainable development.”

Erika
Spagakou

co-founder

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about erika
"Working together to create opportunities for young Greeks to find meaningful work in Greece while also prioritising sustainable development."

Lia
Papazoglou

co-founder

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about lia

OUR TEAM

Eleni is a special education teacher who was advising Ecogenia on their education pilot program in Chania before moving into a part-time coordinator role with the organization. In this role, she will oversee the program execution of the education pilot program, which includes: developing the curriculum for the after-school program as well as training and managing the cohort team on the ground.

Eleni
Antoniadou

Education Program Coordinator
(Seasonal)

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It’s about healing. Healing mentally, healing the community with service and healing the environment through conservation work.

Vasilis
Diamantopoulos

Program Coordinator

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A Greek-American from San Francisco, Melina's background is in international affairs, human rights, and social impact. Since receiving her M.A. in International Public Management from SciencesPo Paris School of International Affairs, she has worked for UNDP, UNICEF, and a social impact consulting firm. Melina has been a part of non-profits in the U.S., Greece, and France, focusing on a variety of issues, but all towards achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. She has a B.A. in Political Science from Barnard College of Columbia University. 
 
Melina is inspired by Ecogenia's mission and vision, and excited to be a part of a global team of incredible people committed to being a part of building a better future for Greece.

Melina
Dunham

Development Manager

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Angelos Orfanidis has a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and Social Administration, a Master's Degree in Digital Media, Communication, and Journalism, and is currently a Ph.D. Candidate at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, investigating ESG, the Banking Sector, and Marketing. Angelos is the founder and general manager of Advertary PR, a Thessaloniki-based agency that provides communication and marketing solutions based on diligence, devotion, and creativity. In the business department of Mediterranean College (Thessaloniki), Angelos will be a lecturer teaching marketing this academic year. He is fluent in English, French, and Italian. He has participated in several seminars, conferences, and symposiums. He has worked in the private sector in marketing and public relations departments of organizations and businesses. Angelos is a very active individual who enjoys politics and helping. He can also be seen writing on local or national news websites, highlighting key social and political problems.

Angelos
Orfanidis

Communications Coordinator
(Part-time)

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Stefanos has been involved with Ecogenia since the very beginning, advising the co-founders on strategic partnerships and program development, as well as fundraising efforts. In his role as Program Development he oversees the coordination of priority projects, including Ecognenia's pilot program applications.

Stefanos
Papadosifos

Program Manager

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Ecogenia is the first NGO in Greece that promotes sustainability through civic engagement, training and employment opportunities for young people. Through a service year model, Ecogenia connects Greek youth with organisations dedicated to creating sustainable solutions to environmental and societal challenges.

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Erika Spagakou

Co-founder

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Erika Spagakou is the Co-founder and Communication & Advocacy Director of Ecogenia. She graduated with a BA in Political Science & Public Administration from the National Kapodistrian University of Athens majoring in European and International Affairs, and holds an MSc in Environment and Sustainable Development from the University College London. 

A dedicated sustainability advocate with over 15 years of experience in energy, female and youth empowerment and social innovation, Erika has a track record working in the public sector at the national, regional and international level. She has lived and worked in Greece, the UK, Belgium and the United Arab Emirates, contributing to the mission of organizations like the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the European Commission (DG Environment), Zayed Sustainability Prize, NEOM Green Hydrogen Company, the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, and the Greek Ministries of Culture & Sports, Tourism and Education. 

Driven by her commitment to social impact, Erika co-founded Ecogenia in 2020 with a goal to mobilize Greek youth in climate action through a paid civic service term. Leveraging her experience in governance, policy and stakeholder engagement, Erika is responsible for Ecogenia’s advocacy and policy strategy, managing critical relationships with the communities the organization works in, as well as national stakeholders that are key to creating the enabling environment for civic service to scale nation-wide. 

Through her work, Erika aspires to ignite a movement whereby civic service acts as a vehicle to retain and develop Greece’s young talent, creating the climate-minded workforce that will catalyze the country’s green transition.

Lia Papazoglou

Co-founder

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Lia Papazoglou is the Co-founder and Program Director of Ecogenia currently residing and working in Litochoro, Greece. She graduated with a BA in International Affairs and Environmental Studies from Wagner College in New York City. She served as an AmeriCorps member twice. She was first a member of the inaugural NYC Civic Corps working to build capacity in low-income communities through revitalization projects, adult and childhood education, and financial literacy with New York Cares. Then, Lia served as a Development Fellow at GRID Alternatives focusing on renewable energy access, education, and workforce development projects. After nearly 10 years in the social impact and renewable energy space, she received her MSc in Sustainable Development at the University of Surrey in the U.K., graduating with distinction. Lia now also serves as the Climate Programs Director for the Business Council on Climate Change in San Francisco, working to incubate and scale climate solutions in the Bay Area and beyond. She has been working in the nonprofit and social impact sectors for over 12 years, with expertise in programme design, development, and management. She has a demonstrated passion for civic engagement and its intersection with sustainability. Lia also brings her 20 years of experience working with youth. This includes managing youth-based volunteer projects, writing curriculum and trainings for youth and volunteers working with youth, and overseeing extra-curricular youth development in various capacities.