Agenda

Elias Spirtounias

Executive Director, AmCham Greece

Elias Spirtounias, Executive Director, American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce After graduating from the School of Mathematics of the University of Athens, Elias Spirtounias completed his graduate studies at the School of Electrical Engineering (M.Sc. degree and pre-Ph.D. studies) at Boston University. During his residence in the United States, he participated as a Research Engineer in several research programs in co-operation with other organizations and companies such as NASA, MIT, UNH in the fields of analog and digital electronics, circuits design and applications.

Nikolaos Bakatselos

President, AmCham Greece

Emre Karter

Chair, AmCham Türkiye / CEO & Board Member, Citibank Türkiye

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Secretary General for International Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Chairman, Enterprise Greece

Dimitris Skalkos was born in Athens in 1971. He graduated from the Department of Political Science and International Studies of Panteion University and holds a master’s degree in International Relations from the University of Kent. Since 2004, he has been working for the Management Organization Unit of Development Programmes S.A. as an executive on the EU co-financed programs.

Mr Skalkos has served for several years as an adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Spatial Planning and Public Works, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Economy and Development. He has authored four books on political theory, economic reform and regional development and has published numerous research papers in academic journals. In the period 2019-2024, Mr Skalkos has served as General Secretary for Public Investments and Partnership Agreement at the Ministry of Development and Investments, a member of the Greek National Resilience and Recovery Plan Steering Committee, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Development Bank.

He is currently serving as the Secretary General for International Economic Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and as the Chairman of Enterprise Greece SA.

Gabriela Nistor

CEO, Salt Bank

With nearly 30 years of experience in banking, Gabriela Nistor has built a career out of turning industry challenges into growth opportunities. As Deputy CEO of Banca Transilvania (2013–2022), she led retail banking, private banking and BT network and spearheaded major initiatives — from launching the card business and call center operations, to leading BT’s retail digital transformation, launching BT Pay mobile platform. Gabriela isn’t just someone who asks “what if?” — she’s the kind of leader who makes it happen. In 2022, she took on a bold new mission: building Romania’s first 100% digital bank from the ground up. She stepped in as CEO of former Idea::Bank, rolled up her sleeves, and spent the next year turning that vision into reality. On April 4, 2024, she launched Salt Bank. Just one year later, Salt has already attracted over half a million clients, setting a new standard for what’s possible in modern banking.

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Chairman, Saracakis Group of Companies & Vice President, American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce

John joined the Saracakis Group of Companies in 1998 and has held various key responsibilities. In 2013, he was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors.

He is serving as Vice President of the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and Chair of its Public Affairs Committee since 2019, having been a member of the Board of Directors since 2007.

From 2013 to 2019, John was elected as Chairman of the Hellenic-Swedish Chamber of Commerce for two consecutive terms.

He holds a BSc in Business Administration from Babson College and is an alumnus of the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.

John is married and the father of two sons.

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Partner, Director of Management Advisory, Ameria Advisory

Letitia Pupazeanu

CEO, AmCham Romania

Anna Nersesyants

Executive Director, AmCham Armenia

Bekir Polat

Vice President at Investment Office of the Presidency of Türkiye

Bekir Polat is the Vice President in charge of Overseas Activities at the Presidential Investment Office of Türkiye. Prior to this role, he served as the Head of the Communications Department at the Investment Office after holding various positions. From 2007 to 2017, he worked as a Project Director, managing investment projects from Germany, Austria, Spain, India, Japan, and China as well as promotion activities in these markets. Between 2017 and 2020, Mr. Polat served as the Deputy Country Manager of a Japanese company in Türkiye.

Murat Harputlu

SEE International Director at UiPath

Murat Harputlu is the SEE International Director at UiPath, leading sales and business development activities across Southeast Europe. With over 22 years of experience in sales management within the IT and communications sector, he has supported organizations across various industries in their digital transformation journeys. Murat focuses on helping customers adopt new technologies in a practical and value-driven way. In his current role, he enables private and public sector clients to leverage automation and AI to improve operational efficiency and drive innovation. He holds a degree in Industrial Engineering and an MBA, and has completed executive programs on leadership and technology at IMD. Passionate about continuous learning and cross-cultural collaboration, Murat actively engages with regional teams and stakeholders to understand local needs and support sustainable business growth.

Damjan Manchevski 

Director of Strategic Accounts & General Manager for Balkans, MakSystem

Damjan Manchevski is a seasoned digital transformation expert and currently serves as Director of Strategic Accounts and General Manager for the Balkans at a global health-tech company focused on software solutions for blood, plasma, and cell therapy management. He brings extensive leadership experience from both the public and private sectors, having previously served as Minister responsible for information society, digital governance, and public administration. During his tenure, he led the development of key national platforms for e-services, digital identity, cybersecurity, and open data. He was also instrumental in organizing the first regional digital summit in cooperation with international partners. Today, he remains actively engaged in advancing the digital agenda through his advisory and board roles in business and technology-focused organizations. With a strong background in engineering and international policy, he is a recognized advocate for innovation, digital inclusion, and AI-driven growth in Southeast Europe.

Diana Gligorijevic

Co-Owner and CMO, TeleGroup 

Diana Gligorijević has built a successful career working with the United Nations and international companies in the aviation and telecommunications industries, including Bell Helicopters. She has woven her extensive experience and knowledge into the development of TeleGroup, which is now a leading IT solutions provider in the Western Balkans region and continues to expand its operations across Europe and the Middle East. She earned her Master’s degree in Sociolinguistics from Sorbonne University in France and an MBA in Marketing and Management from the University of Pennsylvania in the United States. Her vast knowledge and expertise have enabled her to build a successful team that sets trends and influences the industry’s overall development. Her proficiency in five languages and technical education from the College of Technology in London have allowed her to negotiate at the highest level with global technology leaders and secure optimal conditions for executing strategic projects in the Western Balkans. Engagement in corporate social responsibility and humanitarian work is an integral part of her activities and the corporate culture of TeleGroup. She is an active member of numerous business associations and chambers of commerce, as well as non-governmental organizations such as “Equal Opportunities,” “The First Women’s Club,” and “The Association of Business Women of Serbia.” Her long-standing contributions to the broader social community have been recognized and awarded multiple times. In 2024, Diana assumed leadership of TeleGroup Ljubljana, with the goal of strengthening the company’s presence in the Slovenian market and developing new business opportunities. With her extensive experience, strategic approach, and ability to recognize key market trends, Diana Gligorijević continues to contribute to the growth and innovation in the IT world, making TeleGroup an even stronger regional player.

Agenda

Head, Office in Greece, European Investment Bank Group (EIBG)

Marianna Nathanail is Head of the European Investment Bank Group (EIBG) Office in Greece, engaging actively with EU delegations, national, local, public, and private sector stakeholders, business associations and academia partners in Greece and Cyprus to promote the strategic orientations and priorities of the EIB, supporting sustainable investments, energy transition, climate adaptation, research, innovation, female entrepreneurship, social investments and skills. A professional with 25 years of service in the banking, finance, and legal sector.

Having joined the EIB in 2015, she worked at the EIB Headquarters in Luxembourg in Capital Markets and Risk Management positions, participating in horizontal EIB Group working groups for the development of Group policies on Market Conduct, Regulatory Compliance, Sustainable Finance and Corporate Governance.

Ivan Mihaylov

CEO, AmCham Bulgaria

Ivan Mihaylov is 42 years old, seasoned executive with over 15 years of experience in IT, telecommunications, and automotive businesses.

As of October 2022, Ivan was appointed as AmCham CEO and prior to that he is AmCham Board Member (2020-2022). He held a position of Country lead of Intellias Bulgaria – Ukrainian based software company. Before that he held a position of Country Manager – Bulgaria and Romania of Visteon Electronics (2014 – 2022) and Operations Manager of Johnson Controls Electronics Bulgaria (2012 – 2014) – both leading automotive US based companies in Detroit Michigan. His early career also includes IT management roles in telecommunication company GLOBUL (today known as Yettel) and before that Sofiyska voda (part of United Utilities, UK).

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Culture and Promotion Counsellor, Turkish Embassy in Athens

Dr. Veli Aydin is a seasoned expert in cultural promotion and tourism. He holds a Ph.D. from Ankara University and taught as a Professor of Modern History at Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University from 2011 to 2022. His research focuses on Balkan studies, economic history, and cultural history. Since 2022, he has served as the Culture and Promotion Counsellor at the Turkish Embassy in Athens, where he leads initiatives to promote Turkish tourism and culture in Greece.

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Vice President of Sales for Southern Europe at Turkish Airlines

Ömer Faruk Sönmez serves as Vice President of Sales for Southern Europe at Turkish Airlines, a role
he has held since September 2016. In this capacity, he leads efforts to elevate the airline’s commercial footprint across the region, fostering high-level engagement with industry stakeholders, corporate partners, and government entities to unlock strategic growth opportunities.

Ömer brings a wealth of experience, global perspective, and sound commercial judgment to the role. He holds a Bachelor’s degree from Macquarie University, a Master’s in International Studies from the
University of Sydney, and a Master’s in Aviation Management from the University of New South
Wales. Prior to his current position, he served as General Manager for Turkish Airlines in both
Stockholm and Sydney.

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Executive Advisor DBC diadikasia, f. Secretary-General, Greek Ministry of Tourism

George Tziallas is Tourism Expert and Executive Advisor at DBC diadikasia. He is a member of the expert group for EU Tourism (T4T) of the European Commission and has served as Secretary-General in the Greek Ministry of Tourism, and Regional Director at World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

He has 30 years of professional experience in Greece and abroad in local, regional and tourism development and planning, as well as in the management of large-scale technical assistance projects at national and EU level, and has worked in senior positions in top management consulting firms. 

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Investment Promotion Director for Energy, Environment and Services Sectors, Enterprise Greece, the national Investment and Trade Promotion Agency supervised by the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Since 2008 Nikos has worked with the Investment Promotion Directorate at EG in the Technology, Innovation, Logistics, Services, Environment and Energy sectors, having organized and participated in 100+ business missions abroad in key investment markets globally, promoting the broad range of investment opportunities that make Greece a unique investment destination. He has also been actively involved in the  facilitation of several implemented projects in these sectors.

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CEO, Energoinvest

CEO of Energoinvest and Engineer, Executive MBA, ex-MP.

Driving change, building partnerships, and growing a trusted EPC brand in global energy markets.

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Chairman, TEXAN

Apostolos Mourgos studied Economics, Marketing & Management at the Universities Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne, France, Rouen, France and Grenoble 2, France.

He has been dealing with the recycling sector for over 25 years, introducing the “recycling houses”, using ENVIPCO’S high-tech automated recycling machines, in Greece, Cyprus and other countries. Envipco (Environmental Products Corporation Inc.), a Connecticut based company in U.S.A., is a recognized leader in the development and operation of high-tech recycling systems for the recovery and recycling of used beverage containers (referred to as Reverse Vending Machines- RVMs). Known for its innovative American technology and market leadership, Envipco provides the best solutions for consumers participating in the recycling process and promoting an efficient reuse of the limited resources on the planet.

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Associate Director, EBRD

He has worked for EBRD since the opening of the Athens Resident Office in early 2016, mainly covering Energy and Infrastructure as well as Greek corporates.

Harris has previously worked for BNP Paribas (Corporate and Investment Banking), the UK’s Department for Trade and Industry and an international shipping company.  

He holds an MBA from INSEAD business school and an MSc from the London School of Economics.

Aslı Özelli

Executive Director, AmCham Türkiye

Aslı Özelli joined AmCham Türkiye in July 2018 as Executive Director. Before joining AmCham, Aslı was the Deputy Secretary General at DEIK (Foreign Economic Relations Board).

Aslı Özelli is elected as Member at Large to AmChams in Europe (ACE) Executive Committee for the terms 2022-2023 and 2024-2025. ACE is the AmCham Network covering 44 countries in Europe and Eurasia.

She also is nominated as a Million Women Mentorship Program Ambassador by U.S. Chamber, to support MWM’s goals between American companies in Turkey as part of STEM initiative.

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Director General Industries, Transport & Tourism, Black Sea Trade and Development Bank

Leonid Sidorenko has been heading the General Industries 1 Department of the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) since 2015. He leads project origination, negotiation, and structuring across five countries, including Greece, with a focus on manufacturing, transport, tourism, and real estate. His expertise spans corporate and project finance, co-financing, and unfunded risk participation. From 2012 to 2014, he served as Deputy Head of Infrastructure at Gazprombank JSC, overseeing infrastructure finance projects in Russia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan. Previously, he held senior roles at BSTDB from 2005 to 2012, focusing on oil, petrochemicals, and industrial sectors. Earlier in his career, he worked on consultancy assignments with the World Bank, including social asset planning in Kazakhstan. Leonid holds an MSc in Finance from London Business School, an MSc in Economics from LSE, and an MBA from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations.

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CEO, Enterprise Greece

Marinos Giannopoulos, CEO of Enterprise Greece, is an accomplished finance and academic expert with a Doctorate in Strategic Management. He studied economics at the University of Liverpool, earned a master’s in international business economics from City University London, and completed a PhD at Brunel University London. His dissertation explored the impact of asset divestitures on acquisition performance in Greece.

Mr. Giannopoulos has over a decade of experience in the banking sector in Greece and the UK, focusing on credit risk management in investment banking and portfolio consolidation across emerging Europe. He played a key role in supporting Greece’s National Recovery and Resilience Fund – Greece 2.0, collaborating with European and Greek government bodies.

From 2013 to 2019, he advised New Democracy’s Secretariat for International Relations & EU. He has published extensively in international journals and taught at Brunel University and the Hellenic Open University, specializing in Strategic Management and Business Economics.

Mila Nenova

Executive Director, Invest Bulgaria Agency

Mila Nenova was appointed executive director of the Bulgarian Investment Agency (BIA) on October 12, 2023.

Mila Nenova has a Master of Laws from the Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”. Since 2016, she has been the director of Confindustria Bulgaria – the association of Italian business in Bulgaria. She has experience in managing and creating bilateral economic ties and promoting Bulgaria as a good investment destination. She also has experience in the field of human resources management and industrial relations, as well as European projects.

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 Deputy CEO, Invest Cyprus

Lia Joan Riris is the Deputy CEO of Invest Cyprus, leading strategic efforts to attract foreign direct investment and position Cyprus as a globally competitive business hub. Working closely with the Government of Cyprus, she advances policy advocacy, investor facilitation, and the promotion of high-growth sectors.

With over 20 years of experience in economic diplomacy and international relations, Lia previously served as Head of International Relations and Economic Diplomacy at the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, where she led over 30 international business delegations—many headed by the President of Cyprus—and managed 42 bilateral and regional business associations. She holds degrees in International Relations and International Law and is a certified Economic Diplomacy Trainer by Clingendael Academy. Lia is recognized for her strategic insight, international engagement, and ability to navigate complex geopolitical environments. She actively contributes to business networks and boards, and is an advocate for innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth.

Elias Spirtounias

Executive Director, AmCham Greece

Elias Spirtounias, Executive Director, American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce After graduating from the School of Mathematics of the University of Athens, Elias Spirtounias completed his graduate studies at the School of Electrical Engineering (M.Sc. degree and pre-Ph.D. studies) at Boston University. During his residence in the United States, he participated as a Research Engineer in several research programs in co-operation with other organizations and companies such as NASA, MIT, UNH in the fields of analog and digital electronics, circuits design and applications.

Radoš Gazdić

Director, Development Agency, Serbia

Radoš Gazdić is born on 11th August 1978 in Belgrade. Graduated from the Faculty of Economics at the University of Belgrade, where also has finished his MA studies. His working experience includes seven years in the financial sector, foreign exchange, lending, and risk management with retail and corporate clients at two Serbian banks. After that, from 2007 to 2010 he was a Business Development Manager for East Adriatic Region markets at Volvo Group. Since 2010, he worked at National Agency for Regional Development (NARR) in the Sector for SME support, and from 2011. he became an investment advisor at the Serbia Investment and Export Promotion Agency (SIEPA). In April 2016, Gazdić was the director of the Department for strategic investments in Development Agency of Serbia (RAS). Moreover, in July 2017 was appointed as acting director of RAS. Since then he is the head of the Development Agency of Serbia. Speaks fluently English. Married and has a son Vuk.

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Senior Expert, Investment Advisory Department, UkraineInvest

Artur Fedotenko has joined UkraineInvest in 2025 as a Senior expert of Investment Advisory Department.

Based on international relations education background has gained extensive practical experience in the international trade & different type project development / coordination in various economy sectors of Ukraine, working both at international business representation in Ukraine and dispatched as a Ukrainian diplomat abroad (First secretary, Economic section).

Natalia Bejan

Director of Invest Moldova

Natalia Bejan is the Director of Invest Moldova Agency, the national institution under the Prime Minister office of the Republic of Moldova, mandated to promote strategic investment, exports, and the country’s image abroad. She brings a dynamic international background in finance, project management, consulting, and tech entrepreneurship. Natalia began her career delivering development projects in 15 countries across Europe and Asia for major financial institutions.

After more than a decade abroad, Natalia returned to Moldova and, starting in 2022, led the Startup Moldova Foundation, supporting the country’s emerging tech and innovation ecosystem. Since January 2024, she has been leading national efforts to position Moldova as a competitive, innovation-driven destination for global investors.

Dilshod Jurazoda

Director, State Investment Promotion Agency Tajinvest

Dilshod Jurazoda is the Director of the State Unitary Enterprise Tajinvest, operating under the State Committee on Investment and State Property Management of the Republic of Tajikistan. He plays a pivotal role in promoting the country’s investment potential and shaping a favorable environment for attracting foreign capital.Alongside his public service, Dilshod Jurazoda is a successful entrepreneur and investor. In 2015, he founded FIFTYFIVE GROUP, an investment and management company that today unites over 20 projects across sectors such as aviation, tourism, finance, insurance, food services, education, and technology. The company is actively expanding its international presence in Uzbekistan, Russia, China, and the UAE.He is also the founder of the G5 Business Forum and served as the Head of the State Business Incubator of Tajikistan from 2019 to 2024. Dilshod Jurazoda is widely recognized as a new-generation leader who combines strategic thinking, an innovative mindset, and a strong commitment to national development.

Uluk Kydyrbaev

Head of Secretariat, Investment Council, Kyrgyz Republic

Uluk Kydyrbaev is the head of the Investment Council Secretariat under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic, an independent public-private dialogue platform dedicated to improving the business environment and promoting investment. He has over 20 years of experience in private sector development and international cooperation and has led over 40 policy reform initiatives aimed at enhancing small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) growth, regional trade, and legal protection for investors. Mr. Kydyrbaev co-chairs the Kyrgyz Uzbek Business Council and serves on multiple national advisory bodies focused on sustainable development and anti-corruption efforts. An active member of the CAMCA network of CACI Fellows at Johns Hopkins University, he is a strong advocate for advancing trade connectivity, investment climate reforms, and regional integration across Central Asia.

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President, AmCham Moldova

Alexandru is a Director in PwC Moldova, having 20 years of professional experience.

Since 2004, he has been actively involved in development and implementation of public policies, including those relevant for European integration process of Moldova. His tasks during various positions in the Ministry of Economy and Government of Moldova included inter alia initiating, implementing and reporting results on various policies, having impact on investment climate (regulatory reform, SMEs development, fiscal and budgetary policies).

During his activity in PwC Moldova, since 2011, Alexandru was actively involved in projects designed to attract foreign investments in the Republic of Moldova, public policies development in various areas,
including in the position of programme lead for the UK Good Governance Managed Fund in Moldova, as well as drafting feasibility studies and participating in transformation programmes of foreign and local private clients, etc.

Alexandru is a the President of Amcham Moldova and former Board member of the European Business Association in Moldova. Alexandru has a bachelor degree in Psychosociology and a miniMBA diploma. He
is fluent in Romanian, English and Russian and has basic knowledge of French.

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Managing Partner, Bellamy Alden AI Consulting

Fahed Bizzari is the managing partner of Bellamy Alden AI Consulting, a Dubai-based firm that guides businesses towards AI-driven market leadership. Supported by over 20 years of entrepreneurship and consulting experience, he is a globally recognized expert in AI transformation and AI empowerment. Fahed has been deeply immersed in applying AI to business challenges since early 2022 and was recognised as being amongst the top 0.1% most active global AI users in 2023. He actively shares his insights on AI as an international speaker, author, facilitator, academic contributor and media guest.

Emmanouil Sigalas

Senior Vice President & Managing Director for Europe, Hill International

Manolis Sigalas is the Senior Vice President & Managing Director for Europe for Hill International. He joined Hill in London in 2005 and since then has led significant project management and advisory services appointments internationally. He held the position of Managing Director of Southern Europe since April of 2018 and led the region’s organic growth and evolution into a winning team and a profitable operational platform for Hill within Europe, and in 2023 was promoted to Senior Vice President & Managing Director for Europe. He currently oversees Hill’s operations in 18 countries in the region and leads pan-European growth initiatives that span the infrastructure, buildings, energy and technology sectors. He has a solid operational background in Hill offered services, including on Program & Project Management, Owner Engineer, Privatizations and Technical Advisory/Assistance programs. He holds the Degree of Civil Engineer from NTUA and a Master in Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Tankut Turnaoğlu

Founding Partner, TTC

With a career that spans over three decades at Procter & Gamble, Tankut Turnaoğlu’s journey has culminated in the role of Senior Vice President and General Manager for Türkiye, Caucasus, and Central Asia. Turnaoğlu’s mission is to drive strategic growth and sustainable practices within the region, leveraging his expertise in key account management and strategic marketing research.

As a board member of multiple organizations, including AmCham Türkiye as the Chair between 2019-2025, Turnaoğlu has honed his competencies in corporate citizenship and innovation. His team’s efforts have been instrumental in fostering a new work culture that resonates with today’s diverse workforce, underpinned by his belief in the transformative power of sport and entrepreneurship in building confident, forward-thinking communities in initiatives such as ” Yıldız Anneler/ Star Moms”.

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Vice President, Lineate

Giorgi Tsikolia is a seasoned executive with over 15 years of experience. He currently serves as the Vice President of Lineate, a U.S. technology company that has successfully developed custom software for two decades. He oversees multiple offices in three countries, driving the operations, growth, and expansion of Lineate’s business in the EMEA region.

Giorgi has built a successful career in public service and international relations for over a decade. During his tenure as Deputy Chief of Mission at the Georgian Embassy in the United States, he played a key role in advancing U.S.-Georgia relations and strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries. Before his career in diplomacy, Giorgi led several Georgian state agencies focused on attracting foreign investment, promoting trade, and creating job opportunities.

While at Lineate, Giorgi serves as a board member of AmCham Georgia and as Vice President of the America-Georgia Business Council, a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC. He frequently discusses economic development, investment, technology, and geopolitics at international forums.

He received his education from The Fletcher School of Global Affairs at Tufts University.

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Managing Partner, Eurasia – Istanbul, Turkey, N2Growth

Sevda Özsönmez is Managing Partner for Eurasia at N2Growth, based in Istanbul, where she leads executive search and leadership advisory services across Turkey and neighboring regions. With over 17 years of experience in the financial sector, she began her career in capital markets and later led market expansion at Azimut Portföy. From 2011 to 2019, she represented Erste Asset Management for Turkey and Greece, driving fund growth and engaging at the C-suite level. Transitioning into executive search, she has placed senior leaders and board members across industries, combining investor insight with strategic talent advisory. Sevda is a certified coach, accredited in Big Five and Five Lens assessments, and brings a global cultural lens to leadership development. She serves on the boards of the Financial Literacy and Inclusion Association (FODER), an AI and Technology Association, and the International Cooperation Platform. She holds a Master’s in International Finance and speaks at global business and leadership forums.

Dr. George Welton

Executive Director of AmCham Georgia

George Welton has been working for AmCham since 2011. He also works as a professional researcher and founded GeoWel Research in 2009. At AmCham he is responsible for day-to-day operational management and public advocacy work.

At the same time, his company conducts research for development banks like the World Bank, EBRD, Asian Development Bank and KfW as well as for development agencies like  USAID, EUAID, UK’s DfID, SDC, UNDP, UNICEF and charities like CARE and Mercy Corps. Through his company, he has conducted over 150 research projects in the region and has written extensively on issues including economics, business, corporate law and corporate governance, economic development, politics and geopolitics, education, health, poverty reduction and on every major sub-sector of the regional economies.

Dr Welton has a PhD in International Relations, a masters degree in International Political Economy and undergraduate degree in Economics and Philosophy. He is also a partially qualified ACCA.

Aslı Özelli

Executive Director, AmCham Türkiye

Aslı Özelli joined AmCham Türkiye in July 2018 as Executive Director. Before joining AmCham, Aslı was the Deputy Secretary General at DEIK (Foreign Economic Relations Board).

Aslı Özelli is elected as Member at Large to AmChams in Europe (ACE) Executive Committee for the terms 2022-2023 and 2024-2025. ACE is the AmCham Network covering 44 countries in Europe and Eurasia.

She also is nominated as a Million Women Mentorship Program Ambassador by U.S. Chamber, to support MWM’s goals between American companies in Turkey as part of STEM initiative.

Ivan Mihaylov

CEO, AmCham Bulgaria

Ivan Mihaylov is 42 years old, seasoned executive with over 15 years of experience in IT, telecommunications, and automotive businesses.

As of October 2022, Ivan was appointed as AmCham CEO and prior to that he is AmCham Board Member (2020-2022). He held a position of Country lead of Intellias Bulgaria – Ukrainian based software company. Before that he held a position of Country Manager – Bulgaria and Romania of Visteon Electronics (2014 – 2022) and Operations Manager of Johnson Controls Electronics Bulgaria (2012 – 2014) – both leading automotive US based companies in Detroit Michigan. His early career also includes IT management roles in telecommunication company GLOBUL (today known as Yettel) and before that Sofiyska voda (part of United Utilities, UK).

Elias Spirtounias

Executive Director, AmCham Greece

Elias Spirtounias, Executive Director, American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce After graduating from the School of Mathematics of the University of Athens, Elias Spirtounias completed his graduate studies at the School of Electrical Engineering (M.Sc. degree and pre-Ph.D. studies) at Boston University. During his residence in the United States, he participated as a Research Engineer in several research programs in co-operation with other organizations and companies such as NASA, MIT, UNH in the fields of analog and digital electronics, circuits design and applications.