Welcome to the heart and soul of Youthmakers Hub!
We’re a bold, energetic team of young professionals, each bringing a unique spark and specialized skills, from project management to strategic communication. United by purpose, we don’t just represent our organization’s values, we bring them to life with passion, creativity, and a drive for excellence that never stops evolving.
We are deeply committed to making a difference through empowerment, adaptability, collaboration, innovation, and inclusion & diversity. Let us introduce you to the inspiring individuals who make up our passionate and dedicated team.
Together, we are Youthmakers Hub!
Marilena Maragkou
Co-founder & COO
Marilena Maragkou holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration (MBA) and an MSc in International Marketing, and has built a strong career in the development and management of international projects. As a former Young Expert in the Education and Skills cluster of the AU-EU Youth Cooperation Hub, Marilena played a key role in creating, evaluating, and monitoring cross-continental projects. Her extensive background in Project Management spans over ten years, during which she has successfully overseen 30 projects in collaboration with numerous national and global institutions since 2013. In 2018, Marilena co-founded the WE AfriHug project, a pioneering initiative aimed at facilitating mobility between Africa and Europe. Her passion for building strategic partnerships and advancing global cooperation has been a driving force behind her success. Her work was recognized with the Best Digital Changemaker award at the 2024 ALL DIGITAL Awards, where she was honored for leveraging digital tools and technologies to empower citizens in navigating digital transformation. Marilena’s broad skill set includes team and project coordination, budgeting, training, event organization, facilitation, moderation, and stakeholder management, making her a highly valuable asset to any project team, particularly in international cooperation and project management.
Konstantinos Maragkos
Co-founder & CEO
Konstantinos Maragkos holds BA in Classics from the University of Athens, an Erasmus Mundus Joint MSc in Tourism Management from the Universities of Southern Denmark, Ljubljana, and Girona, and an Erasmus Mundus Joint MA in African studies from the Universities of Porto, Bayreuth, and Bordeaux-Montaigne, for which he was awarded with a full scholarship by the European Commission. He has collaborated with over ten universities across Europe and Africa, including the University of Vienna and the University of Cape Coast in Ghana. Konstantinos is passionate about establishing strategic partnerships, and he co-founded the WE AfriHug project in 2018 to facilitate mobility between Africa and Europe. Additionally, he has been nominated for the Forbes Under 30 list in Europe for 2019 in the education category and he has won the Best Erasmus Talent award for 2018 by the garagErasmus Foundation. Polyglott and driven by a deep commitment to intercultural dialogue, he brings exceptional expertise in networking, stakeholder engagement, public speaking, and strategic communications. Konstantinos' strengths include his positive and proactive attitude, strong work ethic, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities.
Somaya Machlouta
HR & Operations Manager
Somaya Machlouta holds a BA in Sociology from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and is currently completing her M.Sc. in Media and Refugee/Migration Flows, specializing in Cultural Mediation. She has developed expertise in policy research and discourse analysis through projects addressing refugee integration, gender equality, and climate change. She has completed internships at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) and UNHCR’s Durable Solutions Unit, and has conducted research with the National Centre for Social Research (EKKE). She has experience in intercultural dialogue through her work in educational and cultural centers in Athens and Budapest and her institutional coordination role in the Refugee and Migrant Integration Council. Committed to equality and human rights, she actively participates in initiatives promoting social inclusion through art, education, and cultural advocacy.
Silvia Diazzi
Communication & Dissemination Manager
Silvia Diazzi has a multidisciplinary education, including a BA in International Business Management, an MA in Sustainable Development Economics, and an Erasmus Mundus Master in African Studies. She brings to the team a set of diverse skills arising from her international professional experience. Her career encompasses roles as a Project Manager at the European Commission, a Communication and Dissemination specialist at an Italian consulting firm, and a Strategic Communication Developer in Greek and Czech SMEs. She has developed a solid international background by living and working in over 11 countries, including the USA, South Africa, Kenya, Portugal, and the Czech Republic. Silvia is known for her positive attitude, intercultural approach, and leadership skills.
Stefanos Papadosifos
Finance Manager
Stefanos Papadosifos is an experienced finance & program manager with a background in nonprofit work, financial coordination, and team leadership. Over the past years, he has successfully designed and implemented community-based programs across Greece, managing budgets, HR processes, and partnerships with local and international stakeholders. Stefanos has played a key role in project implementation, onboarding, and aligning cross-functional teams to deliver impact-driven projects. With a strong foundation in data tracking and organizational systems, he brings both strategic insight and practical execution to every role he undertakes. Stefanos is passionate about youth development, environmental action, and creating scalable, community-centered solutions.
Stefanos Nastos
Senior IT Manager
Stefanos Nastos holds an MSc in Information Security and Computer Forensics from the University of East London. With a background in the Internet industry, Stefanos has extensive experience as a supervisor. Additionally, he currently serves as a Greenlight Team Lead at Uber. As an entrepreneur, he owns a sole proprietorship that provides IT, Educational, and IT Consulting Services.
Stefanos Stagakis
Senior Communication Strategist
Stefanos Stagakis has an academic background in European Affairs and International Economics and has years of experience in International Marketing & Communication. Over the past few years, Stefanos has been working in non-formal education and EU-funded initiatives like Erasmus+ and Horizon 2020 in the role of Marketing Coordinator and in the field of Advertising as a Creative Project Manager. Having traveled in 15 European and African countries, he speaks multiple languages. As a Senior Communications Strategist at Youthmakers Hub, he is responsible for designing and implementing communication and dissemination strategies, organizing and planning events, as well as overseeing branding development and visibility actions, especially for large-scale EU-funded projects. He is passionate about creating a genuine impact through his work.
Peace Odili
Project Manager
Peace Odili is a Project Manager at Youthmakers Hub, managing the AU-EU Youth Voices Lab App and coordinating YMH’s expansion in Africa. She is a Nigerian-born attorney with over 11 years of extensive experience in leading tech projects, optimizing systems, and managing talents and stakeholders. She is committed to learning, serving, and building causes that foster inclusive growth, drive progressive reforms, and achieve sustainable outcomes. Peace is an ecosystem builder who has contributed to the growth of the Ondo State Entrepreneurship & Tech Ecosystem, served as Special Assistant to the Ondo State Governor on Innovations and Partnerships, mentored & empowered youths to be the next generation of African leaders and innovators whilst bridging the gap between opportunities and growth in underserved communities.
Labros Georgiou
Senior Digital Designer
Labros Georgiou holds a BA (Honours) in Applied Arts from Vakalo Art & Design College, specializing in Digital Design. As a Designer, he possesses a sharp eye for aesthetics and functionality, seamlessly blending creativity with technical precision. His expertise encompasses UI/UX design, branding, digital campaigns, and multimedia content creation, delivering visually compelling and user-focused designs. At Youthmakers Hub, he plays a pivotal role in developing innovative digital assets, enhancing project visibility, and aligning visual storytelling with strategic communication objectives. Driven by a passion for design excellence, he thrives in dynamic environments, transforming concepts into impactful visuals that engage audiences across diverse platforms.
Adedoyin Betiku
Graphic Designer
Adedoyin Betiku is a multidisciplinary graphic designer and communications strategist with over a decade of experience creating impactful visual identities and campaigns for international organizations, NGOs, and social enterprises. His work has supported partners such as UN Women, USAID, and the UK Government, reaching millions through digital, print, and advocacy platforms.
At Youthmakers Hub, Adedoyin brings his passion for storytelling, design, and social change to craft creative solutions that connect diverse audiences across Africa and Europe. He is especially committed to using design as a tool for youth empowerment, peacebuilding, and inclusive development. Outside of work, Adedoyin is an advocate for creative education and enjoys exploring the intersection of culture, design, and technology.
Julien Makalu
Software Developer Assistant
Julien Makalu comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo and is a Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering graduate from the University of West Attica in Greece. He has been awarded as a Role Model in education at the European Commission positive role Model. He considers himself an expression of solidarity because until now, he has met a lot of Solidarity actions for my benefit. He is also a volunteer interpreter at Greek hospitals supporting migrants. His dream is to contribute, as much as he can, to the procedure of peace and solidarity for our world.
Karima Minout
Communication and Dissemination Intern
Karima Minout holds a BA in Journalism in Spain, where she focused her studies on social issues, movements, and projects related to communities and social change. Passionate about social journalism, she enjoys exploring how media can highlight important causes and give visibility to diverse voices. She gained professional experience as an institutional journalist at the consortia of Valencia and Castellón, drafting press releases, editing content, managing social media, and designing prevention campaigns in emergency contexts. Combining creativity with organization, she is motivated to use her skills in journalism and communication to support projects that have a meaningful social impact.
Inés Sánchez
Project Manager Intern
Inés Sánchez
Project Manager Intern
Inés Sánchez is currently completing her BA in Economics from Complutense University of Madrid, where she specialises in Development Economics. A Spanish National Debate Champion and seasoned lecturer, Inés has honed strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills through years of competitive debating. Passionate about public policy, sustainability, and human rights, she is committed to addressing global challenges and contributing to sustainable growth in developing regions.
YMH Consultants
Our expert consultants at Youthmakers Hub are integral to our mission of fostering collaboration and positive social change. They bring specialized expertise to enhance strategies, facilitating impactful knowledge dissemination and effective networking between Europe and Africa.
Dimitris Maragkos
Expert Networking and Communications Consultant
Dimitris Maragkos holds a BA in Communication, Media, and Culture from Panteion University and an MA in International and European Studies from the University of Piraeus. He is a creative solution maker, problem solver, and driven Communications and Networking Specialist.
Over the last 20 years, Dimitris has collaborated with various organizations and companies in networking, communication, digital marketing, and disseminating European programs for education, training, culture, and research. His partnerships include notable organizations such as the European Commission Representation in Greece, the Institute of Communication and Computers Systems (ICCS) of the National and Technical University of Athens, the State Scholarships Foundation, the National Erasmus+ Agency, the National Documentation Centre, the National Observatory of Athens, Operational Unit Beyond, the National Europass Centre/National Organization for the Certification of Qualifications and Vocational Guidance (EOPPEP), the University of Piraeus, Department of International and European Studies, the Athens University of Economics and Business and the Harokopio University Career Offices, Conferre S.A., Balkans Beyond Borders NGO and many more.
Establishing trust and respect with connections and networking partners is his competitive edge. His commitment to inclusiveness and diversity delivers goals and targets, which he consistently produces.
Lina Valmas
Human Resources Strategy Consultant
Lina Valmas holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management. Her passion for people and introduction to the startup ecosystem have helped her become a seasoned HR professional who excels in navigating the dynamic challenges of high-growth environments. This unique blend of expertise in marketing and HR ensures the alignment of organizational goals with employee aspirations, fostering a culture of innovation and engagement.
Throughout her career, Lina has demonstrated the ability to attract, develop, and retain top talent, driving company success from the ground up. Their customer-facing role in talent intelligence has honed their skills in understanding market trends and workforce analytics, enabling them to make data-driven decisions that enhance employee experience and organizational performance. Lina is passionate about creating inclusive workplaces where diverse talents thrive and contribute to shared success.
Miguel Silva
Strategic Growth & Finance Consultant
Miguel Silva has more than 20 years’ experience as a consultant for programs and projects, funded by the European Commission, the World Bank and quite a few cooperation national agencies, in several African countries. He was the Team Leader of the team of consultants for the European Union's "Pro-GB" economic political and social development programme, centred on women and youth. Experienced in fields like economics, management, politics, education, WASH and capacity building, Miguel was also CEO at Engineers without Borders Portugal. Teaching History, Politics, IR and Development, he is a lecturer in Forward College - academic direction from the London School of Economics and Political Science - and Guest Lecturer at UCP (Portuguese Catholic University) since 2017 Previously he was, for 15 years, an Assistant Professor at FLUP (Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Porto) . Specialist in Contemporary History at Universidade Nova, Lisbon. MBA from UCP. Researcher at the IHC (Institute of Contemporary History at the Universidade Nova, Lisbon). At the Centre for African Studies of the University of Oporto (CEAUP), he was a board member from 2016 to 2022. He was, also, the editor of the CEAUP's scientific journal "Africana Studia" from 2006-2013".
Christos Tsinavos
IT Consultant
Christos Tsinavos is a Senior Software Engineer with 8 years of experience specializing in Java, particularly with the Spring Boot framework. He is adept at leveraging the latest technologies to deliver high-performance software solutions and excels in building robust applications. With comprehensive knowledge in Business Process Model and Notation (BPMN), Christos has successfully designed and implemented business processes that enhance efficiency and scalability. His expertise in various sectors, including finance and banking, has enabled him to drive projects from conception to deployment consistently. Christos's strong technical acumen is complemented by his ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment and timely delivery of complex software initiatives. He holds a degree in Computer Systems Engineering from the Department of Computer Systems Engineering at Piraeus University of Applied Sciences.
