Eftychia Simcha studied Economics and Political Sciences at the University of Neuchâtel and Law at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland. She began her career as a corporate lawyer and later contributed to major historical documentation projects through her work with the Spielberg Foundation, collecting testimonies from Holocaust survivors. She has served for many years in leadership roles within educational and international humanitarian organizations, including the Lauder Jewish Community School of Athens, JDC Switzerland, and the International Council of Jewish Women at the United Nations in Geneva. Deeply committed to community support and youth empowerment, she plays a central role in coordinating the RiseUsUp initiative. Her work focuses on strengthening opportunities for young people through guidance, support, and international collaboration.

Augoustina Almyroudi is a lawyer specializing in company law, competition law, telecommunications, media, and technology regulation. She has extensive experience advising on mergers and acquisitions, regulatory compliance, investigations, and EU competition law matters in Greece. She also provides strategic legal guidance on licensing frameworks and regulatory requirements for communication and media organizations. Within RiseUsUp, she supports the program’s legal structure and assists participants with legal matters when needed. She is admitted to the Athens Bar, the Athens Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court of Greece.

Joanna Nahmias holds a double degree in Marketing and Management from Deree College Athens and a degree in German Language from the University of Kiel. She developed extensive experience in international trade through her family’s textile business, expanding operations into Asian markets and later co-founding a Greek luxury brand of natural body products. Alongside her professional activity, she has long been actively involved in the Jewish Community of Athens, supporting educational initiatives and international partnerships. She currently serves on the Board of the Jewish Community of Athens and contributes to its welfare initiatives. At RiseUsUp, she coordinates volunteering activities and supports communication with partners and participants.

Ida Forni studied Business Administration in Athens and worked for 35 years in a family business before dedicating her time fully to community service. She has been an active volunteer in the Jewish Community of Athens for more than 25 years, contributing extensively to social welfare initiatives. She currently serves as Chair of the Social Solidarity Committee and President of Benot Brit Athens. Through her role in RiseUsUp, she helps identify and support young participants in cooperation with the Community’s social services. Her long-standing commitment reflects her strong dedication to social responsibility and community care.

Elsa Pougakioti holds a degree in Social Work and a Master’s degree in School Psychology. She has worked for nearly two decades at the Jewish Community of Athens, where she currently serves as Supervisor of the Social Welfare Department. Her experience includes clinical social work, program development, and support services within community organizations and municipal social services. At RiseUsUp, she acts as the main link between participants and the team, ensuring continuous communication and support throughout their journey. Her work focuses on strengthening stability, trust, and long-term development for each participant.

Stephanie Nahmia studied Law at King’s College London and completed an LLM in International Banking and Finance Law at University College London. During her studies, she gained experience supporting legal initiatives related to education and antisemitism awareness through her internship with UK Lawyers for Israel. She has been actively involved in youth organizations within the Jewish Community from an early age and contributed to the organization of educational and community activities. She currently works in London while completing her professional legal training in finance law. At RiseUsUp, she supports connections with younger members of the community and youth engagement initiatives.

Maria E. Devletoglou is a psychotherapist and mental health counselor accredited by the European Association for Psychotherapy and a member of both the European Association for Counselling and the Hellenic Association for Counselling. She holds a BA in Sociology from The American College of Greece, an MA in Journalism from Syracuse University, and completed a four-year training in Existential Psychology at Gignesthai – the Hellenic Association for Existential Psychology. She runs a private practice and also volunteers her services at EPAPSY (Association for Regional Development and Mental Health). Her work focuses on humanistic approaches to psychotherapy, with particular interest in Emotion-Focused Therapy (EFT). Within the RiseUsUp program, she contributes psychological support that helps participants strengthen confidence, resilience, and personal development.

Mary Marketaki is a career counselor with more than 25 years of experience in multinational corporate environments, having held senior leadership roles in communications, public affairs, and corporate social responsibility at companies including Roche, Nestlé, and the NIKE group. Throughout her career, she developed a strong focus on people, talent development, and professional growth, supporting individuals through career transitions and personal development. Over the last decade, she has dedicated herself fully to career counseling, helping students and professionals identify their strengths, clarify their goals, and build meaningful career paths with confidence. She holds degrees in Education, Marketing and Communication, and Career Orientation and Placement, and is a certified Global Career Development Facilitator and psychometric tools practitioner. At RiseUsUp, she contributes her expertise in vocational guidance and mentoring, supporting participants in discovering their potential and shaping their future direction.

Katia Galina is an Education and Career Development Counselor and a Certified Global Career Development Facilitator (NBCC) with more than 30 years of experience in education and career guidance. She works with adolescents, parents, and adults during important educational and professional transitions, helping them make informed decisions aligned with their values, identity, and long-term aspirations. Over the past 15 years, she has collaborated with institutions and policy bodies in Greece and across Europe on initiatives related to career guidance, workforce mobility, digital skills, and educational planning. She holds a degree in Education from the University of Ioannina and an MBA, and has contributed extensively to academic research, educational policy, and international conferences. Through her work, she supports individuals in moving forward with greater clarity, confidence, and purpose in both their educational and professional journeys.