People & governance

Question 1

Dr. Vasileios Laopodis
Founder & President, CulturePolis

Answer

Dr. Vasileios Laopodis is the founder and president of CulturePolis.

He studied Physics (University of Athens), Computer Science (DEA, Doctorat) and Business Administration (IAE/MBA) in Toulouse, France. He worked in the private sector as an ICT Engineer and Director for organisations including IBM, FIAT and major banking institutions, while also teaching at universities and technological institutes.

Between 1988 and 2006, he served as a Senior Official at the European Commission, leading policy initiatives and projects in Research, Technological Development, Innovation, ICT, Standardisation and the Information Society.

He has been a founding member and president of several international professional organisations, including the Greek Computer Society (EPY), IFIP and CEPIS, and is the author of more than 200 scientific publications and 12 books.

In 2006, he founded CulturePolis, a civil society organisation based in Corfu, Greece, promoting cultural, social and environmental cooperation across Greece, Europe, the Mediterranean and North Africa.

Question 2

Nikolaos Goumenakis
Partner, CulturePolis

Answer

Nikolaos Goumenakis studied Mathematics at the University of Athens and Computer Science (MSc.) in the United States.

He worked in the private sector in both the USA and Greece, notably at IBM as a Systems Engineer and later as Head of Sales for major banking institutions, including the National Bank of Greece.

He was a member of the Greek Computer Society (EPY), contributing to the development and promotion of specialised information systems for the banking sector.

He is a partner of CulturePolis and is actively engaged in Artificial Intelligence, having published monographs on its applications and future prospects in Greece and internationally.

Question 3

Maria-Louiza Laopodi
MSc, Management Advisor

Answer

She studied Interior Architecture (Kent, BA Hons) and Cultural Management (Edinburgh, MSc). She has more than 20 years of experience in creative management and the digitisation of cultural content and heritage collections. She has served as a Capacity-Building Expert for the European Capitals of Culture and as a member of the Greek Working Group on Tourism, Culture and Creative Industries of the General Secretariat for Research and Innovation of the Ministry of Development (2020–2023). She is an Associate Member of EIT Creativity & Culture. She was a founding member and served on the board of CulturePolis for many years, and for the past two years has been Management Advisor for Operations and Management matters.

Question 4

Georgia Kanellopoulou
Environmental Engineer

Answer

Georgia Kanellopoulou is an experienced Project Manager with a Diploma in Geoenvironmental Engineering and two MSc degrees in Environmental Engineering and Environment and Sustainable Development. She has extensive experience in projects across Greece that combine environmental protection and conservation, cultural heritage preservation and sustainable tourism development. She has also coordinated participatory workshops with local communities for integrated development strategies, focusing on the management of natural and cultural heritage and promoting innovative approaches such as Ecomuseums and Geoenvironmental and Cultural Routes. She currently serves as an advisor to the CulturePolis management team on the planning and operation of rural infrastructure and specialised training initiatives for GENESTIA / CorfuGen.

Question 5

Persa Koumoutsi
Writer and Arabic Literature Translator

Answer

Persa has been the Director of the Centre for Greek and Arabic Literature and Culture (KELALP) at CulturePolis since its establishment. In 2021, she was honoured with the prestigious “Achievement Award” by the Sheikh Hamad International Organization, based in Qatar, in recognition of her overall contribution to literary translation and international understanding.

Question 6

Zeta Theodorou
Projects and Communications Officer

Answer

She studied Theatre in Athens at the Drama School of the New Hellenic Theatre and holds a BA in Media and Communications, specialising in Photography, from the Department of Cultural Studies at Goldsmiths, University of London. She has an interdisciplinary background in the arts and culture, with a focus on media and theatre, as well as experience in the production of creative projects from concept to implementation, combining creativity with organisational precision. With six years of experience in customer service, she has developed strong skills in communication, problem-solving, and building trusting relationships with audiences and collaborators. She has been working at CulturePolis since January 2016 as Projects and Communications Officer, while also overseeing the design and implementation of new initiatives, including GENESTIA and CorfuGen.

Question 7

Sofia Angeliki Panagoulia

Answer

She holds a university degree in Religious and Philosophical Studies and is currently pursuing an MA in Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean Studies, with a focus on Culture and International Relations. She has experience in administrative support and communications management, contributing to the effective day-to-day operation of organisations. At CulturePolis, she contributes as a Project Assistant.

Question 8

Imogen Golding-Douglass

Answer

Imogen Golding-Douglass is a Law student at Durham University and a Laidlaw Scholar, with a particular interest in human rights and European law. During her internship at CulturePolis, she actively contributed to the GENESTIA initiative, focusing on the research, preparation and submission of European project proposals, as well as the development of partnerships with international partners.

Question 9

Christina Kavadia

Answer

Christina Kavadia is a graduate of Islamic Studies at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, with an interest in intercultural dialogue and communication between different communities. She has experience in administrative support, tour guiding, volunteering, and the organisation of educational and cultural activities, while at CulturePolis she contributes to the organisation’s operations and activities.

Question 10

Stella Ladielli

Answer

Stella Ladielli is a graduate in Art History from the University of Groningen and holds an MA in Arts and Heritage: Policy, Management and Education from Maastricht University. She has experience in the research and documentation of artworks, exhibition and tour design, as well as cultural management and audience development, while at CulturePolis she contributes to the planning and development of activities and events.

GENESTIA

People & governance

Partners

Dr. Vasileios Laopodis
Founder & President, CulturePolis

Nikolaos Goumenakis
Partner, CulturePolis

Governing Bodies

Advisors

Collaborators

Maria-Louiza Laopodi
MSc, Management Advisor

Georgia Kanellopoulou
Environmental Engineer

Persa Koumoutsi
Writer and Arabic Literature Translator

Zeta Theodorou
Projects and Communications Officer

Volunteers / Trainees

Sofia Angeliki Panagoulia

Imogen Golding-Douglass

Christina Kavadia

Stella Ladielli

Newsletter

We’re here. Let’s talk!

GENESTIA

ABOUT

POLICIES

GENESTIA

People & governance

Partners

Dr. Vasileios Laopodis Founder & President, CulturePolis

Nikolaos GoumenakisPartner, CulturePolis

Governing Bodies

Advisors

Collaborators

Maria-Louiza Laopodi MSc, Management Advisor

Georgia Kanellopoulou Environmental Engineer

Persa Koumoutsi Writer and Arabic Literature Translator

Zeta Theodorou Projects and Communications Officer

Volunteers / Trainees

Sofia Angeliki Panagoulia

Imogen Golding-Douglass

Christina Kavadia

Stella Ladielli

Newsletter

Dr. Vasileios Laopodis
Founder & President, CulturePolis

Nikolaos Goumenakis
Partner, CulturePolis

Maria-Louiza Laopodi
MSc, Management Advisor

Georgia Kanellopoulou
Environmental Engineer

Persa Koumoutsi
Writer and Arabic Literature Translator

Zeta Theodorou
Projects and Communications Officer