Welcome to the heart and soul of Youthmakers Hub!
Our team comprises a vibrant group of youthful and dynamic individuals, each bringing their unique expertise to the table in diverse fields, including project management and communication. Together, we personify the very essence of our organization’s core values, infusing them with energy, innovation, and a deep commitment to excellence.
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.
Joana Demirani
Project & HR Manager
Joana Demirani holds a BA in International and European Studies from the University of Piraeus. Her curiosity for new cultures and perspectives led her to spend a semester at the Metropolitan University of Prague, enriching her academic and personal horizons. Thriving in an international environment, she interned at the Permanent Representation of Greece to the EU in Brussels, where she focused on environmental issues. Joana's dedication to education and human rights has propelled her to take on roles advocating for migration and practicing non-formal education methods. As a Project and HR Manager, she fosters structured, welcoming environments prioritizing results and balance. Joana firmly believes consistency, teamwork, and self-awareness are fundamental to cultivating a productive and successful workplace.
Georgianna Chondrou
Communication & Marketing Manager
Georgianna Chondrou holds a BA in Communication, Media, and Culture from Panteion University in Athens, with a keen focus on Advertising, PR, and consumer behavior. Presently, she spearheads various European projects, overseeing all communication aspects, both internally and externally. Her responsibilities encompass crafting brand identities, communication strategies, content creation, and nurturing relationships with stakeholders and partners. Georgianna's previous roles within cultural organizations involved managing social media, curating newsletters, and developing marketing content. Her dependable and detail-oriented approach ensures timely, budget-conscious delivery of high-quality work.
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 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.
Eleni Modou
Content Manager
Eleni Modou holds a Bachelor of Arts in Culture and Heritage Management from the Department of Communication, Media, and Culture at Panteion University in Athens, where she focused on communication and cultural institutions, as well as a Master of Arts in Digital Transformation, specializing in e-campaigning. Eleni has successfully led and executed various communication strategies and social media campaigns. She is responsible for crafting content, managing online platforms, analyzing performance metrics, and creating press materials tailored to the communication goals of European projects. Her strategic thinking, adaptability, and copywriting skills enable her to design and deliver effective communication strategies for diverse audiences. Based on her academic and professional background, Eleni is adept at handling multiple facets of digital communication efficiently and creatively.
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.
Romanos Iliadis
Graphic Designer & Videomaker
Romanos Iliadis is a Graphic Designer with six years of experience in creating UI/UX prototypes for web and mobile applications, websites, and diverse digital and print graphics. At Youthmakers Hub, he is committed to upholding design excellence, consistently delivering visual content for digital and print media, logos, and branding materials. Romanos actively engages in collaborative team meetings and provides valuable input and insightful thoughts. He adeptly produces visuals customized to project requirements, websites, applications, and social media platforms. Working closely with the communications team, he aligns visuals with organizational messaging and goals, showcasing dedication to elevate the brand identity through creative imagination and exacting design execution.
Labros Georgiou
Graphic 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.
Rachael Connor
Communication & Dissemination Intern
Rachael Connor is a recent Advertising & Public Relations graduate with experience in digital communication, content strategy, and social media management. At Youthmakers Hub, she supports EU-funded projects through storytelling, branding, and community engagement. Having earned her degree in Spain, completed an Erasmus exchange in the UK, and now working in Greece, Rachael brings a global outlook and cross-cultural adaptability to her work. She is passionate about using impactful communication to drive social change, blending creativity with strategy to amplify voices and inspire action.
Paula Bas Macián
Project Manager Intern
Paula Bas Macián plays a key role in supporting the team by managing and coordinating various projects. With a strong academic background, Paula is pursuing a master's degree in International Trade Law, further enhancing her expertise in global legal frameworks. Her interest in international trade and law complements her legal and economic translation studies and fuels her passion for youth empowerment. At Youthmakers Hub, Paula blends her academic knowledge with hands-on experience, contributing to impactful projects that address legal perspectives and social and global challenges.
Christos Tsinavos
Software Developer
Christos Tsinavos has studied at the Department of Engineering of Computer Science at the University of Applied Sciences of Athens. He has been working as a software developer for the last three years. He has many years of experience developing platforms and websites and is currently a Senior Software Engineer at PwC Greece. Some of his skills include Web Development, Data Analysis, Data Modeling, Front-end Development, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Software Design, Version Control, Java, JavaScript, and Object-Oriented Programming (OOP).
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.
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, History of Development, Development and Global Citizenship, he is an Assistant Professor at FLUP (Faculty of Arts and Humanities of the University of Porto) since 2012, and Guest Lecturer at UCP (Portuguese Catholic University) since 2017. 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.