NCFEM 2025 | FEMO Lab

George Doukidis (AUEB, LinkedIn) Title: Digital Leadership Challenges in Greek Enterprises Abstract: In this talk we will analyse the way that top management handles digital leadership in five dimensions: exploitation of information systems, utilisation of advanced technologies, organizational and technology readiness in major IT initiatives, business transformation projects, IT/IS investments. There is evidence in Greek enterprises that there are gaps in all five dimensions which relate to the difference that digital leaders have between their perception of what should be done and the reality of their approach/actions which is bellow expectations. There is definitely need to bridge this gap in order to have true digital leadership in organisations and a more strategic approach with digital technologies. Bio: Georgios Doukidis is Professor of eBusiness in the Department of Management Science and Technology, School of Business at the Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB). He holds an MSc in Operational Research and PhD in Artificial Intelligence from the London School of Economics (LSE) where he taught for nine years. He has also taught in various European Business Schools and was visiting Professor at INSEAD, Brunel University and LSE. At AUEB he is the founder and director for 30 years of ELTRUN -the largest eBusiness Research Center of all European Business Schools- where he managed more than 60 international projects with leading Universities and international companies. He was the first chairman of TANEO (the Greek New Economy Fund) and co-founder of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (ACEin) of AUEB that is considered as a European best practice in promoting and assisting new entrepreneurship in Universities. For over 30 years he has acted as advisor for electronic trade, innovation and entrepreneurship, digital transformation to the Greek Government, the European Commission and many companies and organizations in Greece and abroad. Currently he is independent board member of the Athens Stock Exchange and vice-chairman of the National Council for Research, Technology and Innovation.

Vasileios Gkountis (ADMIE / IPTO, LinkedIn) Title: Tackling the challenges of the energy transition Abstract: In this talk, we will discuss some of the challenges which the increased penetration of renewable production in the energy mix brings about, and the steps being taken to overcome them. Bio: Dr. Vasileios Gkountis is currently director of market management for IPTO. He holds a diploma in Electrical and Computer Engineering and a PhD degree from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. His professional interests are in energy market economics, design, operation, modelling and analysis. He has been active in energy markets for almost two decades, holding electricity economics expert positions in the Hellenic TSO (HTSO), the former Hellenic Market Operator (LAGIE), and a dutch utility (DELTA). He has also worked for Genscape, as the product manager of EPSI, a power market fundamental analysis platform and was director of strategy and business development for the Hellenic Energy Exchange.

Athanasios Katevatis (Alpha Bank) Title: Energy markets and banks Abstract: This presentation will focus on the following points:
1. CO2 Emissions: Presentation of Emissions Trading System (ETS) and major market participants. Hedging with exchange-traded Futures and/or over-the-counter Forward contracts.
2. Natural Gas and Electricity Market: Using over-the-counter Swap contracts, to immunize against energy cost volatility. Focus will be given in the Greek Electricity Spot Market (DAM index).
3. Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with Renewable Energy Projects: Main characteristics and the big challenges ahead for this innovative solution.
Bio: Athanasios Katevatis, Senior Derivatives Trader in Alpha Bank S.A. since 2023, has 17 years of experience in financial markets, with expertise in derivatives, stock valuation and the energy sector. He has also served in the physical Energy sector as analyst in Copelouzos Group and previously as an equity/financial analyst in Eurocorp. He holds all the certifications issued by the Hellenic Capital Market Commission (Analysis on Financial Instruments, Client Portfolio Management and Investment Advice on Securities and Derivatives). In addition, he is certified as a Market Maker in Stocks and Derivatives by the Athens Stock Exchange, as well as an Energy Trader from the Hellenic Energy Exchange. He holds a BSc in Economics from the Department of Economics of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and an MSc in Applied Economics and Finance from the Department of Economics of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

Stavros Manolopoulos (Metlen, LinkedIn) Title: Data-Driven Transformation in the Greek Energy Retail Market Abstract: The Greek energy retail market is undergoing a profound transformation, shaped by volatility, competition, and the accelerating transition to sustainable energy. In this context, data has become one of the most critical assets for energy suppliers — not only for operational efficiency, but also for informed decision-making and customer value creation. This talk will share insights from the practical experience of building and applying data analytics in the B2B segment of a major Greek energy provider. It will highlight how the effective use of data can support better forecasting, portfolio management, and strategic planning, while addressing the challenges of data quality, integration, and organizational adoption. Rather than focusing on technology itself, the discussion will emphasize how analytics can serve as a bridge between business understanding and actionable intelligence in today’s complex energy environment. Bio: Stavros Manolopoulos is the Data Analytics & Operations Manager at Protergia, one of Greece’s leading electricity and natural gas suppliers. He oversees three divisions — B2B Operations, Data Insights, and EU-Funded Programs — focusing on operational efficiency, data-driven decision support, and innovation through European research initiatives. He previously held managerial roles at Volterra SA and Cyta Hellas, and holds a BSc in Informatics and Telecommunications from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and an MBA from the Hellenic Open University. His work centers on applying data analytics and process optimization to strengthen business performance in the energy sector.

Liakos Papapoulos (LP Trading & Innovation Advisory, LinkedIn) Title:Ecosystem Thinking: Accelerating Innovation in the Financial Sector Abstract: In rapidly changing financial and technological landscapes, organizations are challenged to innovate faster, collaborate smarter, and create lasting value. This presentation explores how Ecosystem Thinking – structured collaboration between financial institutions, fintechs, academia, and public partners – can act as a catalyst for sustainable progress. By fostering trust, knowledge sharing, and internal ambassadors for change, this approach helps build the cultural and organizational foundations needed to experiment, learn, and adapt. The session offers practical insights into how financial organizations can move from isolated initiatives to connected innovation that strengthens both resilience and long-term value creation. Bio: Liakos Papapoulos advises organizations in the financial sector on innovation strategy, the effective use of data and AI, and treasury & trading. He also works on initiatives at the intersection of finance, data, and academia to accelerate innovation through the design of collaborative ecosystems. A former senior trader and portfolio manager at MN Investment Management, he spearheaded the development of data-driven trading & analytics capabilities in collaboration with MN’s Innovation Lab. He also played a leading role in developing the Academic Excellence Program to strengthen ties between the Dutch pension fund sector and academia in the field of quantitative research. Liakos holds an MSc in Macroeconomics from Erasmus University Rotterdam.

Stefanos Theodorakopoulos (TU Berlin, LinkedIn) Title: Mean-field games and applications in finance Abstract: First, we are going to introduce the notions of N-player games and Nash equilibria. Then, we shall discuss about the asymptotic derivation of mean-field games and mention the main versions of mean-field games. Finally, we will explain the differences between mean-field games and Control of McKean-Vlasov dynamics and see some of the applications of mean-field games in finance. Bio: Stefanos Theodorakopoulos is a postdoctoral researcher at Technische Universität Berlin in the group of Financial and Actuarial Mathematics headed by Prof. Peter K. Friz. Previously he received his PhD from the School of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences, National Technical University of Athens, under the supervision of Prof. Antonis Papapantoleon. He holds a Diploma of Applied Mathematical and Physical Sciences from the National Technical University of Athens, an M.Sc. in Applied Mathematical Sciences from the National Technical University of Athens and a Master of Advanced Study in Mathematical Sciences (M.A.St.) from the University of Warwick. His main research interests are stochastic analysis, rough paths, mean-field games and mathematical finance.

Dimitrios Toumpanis (Alpha Bank, LinkedIn) Title: Energy markets and banks Abstract: This presentation will focus on the following points:
1. CO2 Emissions: Presentation of Emissions Trading System (ETS) and major market participants. Hedging with exchange-traded Futures and/or over-the-counter Forward contracts.
2. Natural Gas and Electricity Market: Using over-the-counter Swap contracts, to immunize against energy cost volatility. Focus will be given in the Greek Electricity Spot Market (DAM index).
3. Corporate Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with Renewable Energy Projects: Main characteristics and the big challenges ahead for this innovative solution.
Bio: Dimitris Toumpanis, Manager in Trading and Treasury Sales business area in Alpha Bank S.A., has an 18 year experience in the Global Financial Markets, focusing both on the interbank trading market as well as the structuring and offering of tailor-made client solutions. His career has followed the evolution of the Derivatives Market in Greece, expanding across all asset classes (Foreign Exchange, Fixed Income, Equity, Commodities, Credit) and product types (Asset and Liability side). He holds a BSc in Accounting and Finance from the Athens University of Economics and Business and an MSc in Accounting and Finance from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

Konstantinos Zachariadis (QMU London, LinkedIn) Title: AI x Markets: Blessing or Curse? Abstract: Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming financial and energy markets, presenting both unprecedented opportunities and profound challenges. On one hand, AI offers a powerful toolkit for solving complex problems, from optimizing energy grids and pricing complex derivatives to designing efficient markets for new digital assets. This is the "blessing": AI as a tool for immense progress. On the other hand, the rise of autonomous AI agents participating directly in markets introduces novel strategic risks, including emergent collusion and unforeseen instabilities, creating a new "curse" for regulators and participants. This talk will explore this dichotomy, drawing on insights from game theory and market design. It argues that navigating the age of AI in markets is not a purely technological problem, but a fundamental design challenge: how do we architect the rules of the game to harness the blessings of AI while mitigating its curses? Bio: Kostas Zachariadis is a Professor of Financial Economics and Director of Research in the School of Economics and Finance, at Queen Mary University of London. He is also a Research Associate at the Financial Markets Group, the Hellenic Observatory, and the Systemic Risk Centre at the London School of Economics (LSE), where he was previously an Assistant Professor (UK Lecturer) in the Department of Finance. An engineer turned economist, his work sits at the intersection of market design, game theory, and governance. His research has been published in top Economics, Finance, and Engineering peer-reviewed journals and presented at leading conferences. He has taught extensively at LSE, QMUL, LBS and UCL on topics ranging from financial markets, corporate finance, and strategy, spanning undergraduate, postgraduate, executive, and bespoke programmes for private organisations. His current work explores how to design efficient markets for the modern economy—from financial derivatives to new digital assets like data and ML models—and studies the strategic challenges that arise when AI agents become dominant market participants. Kostas holds a PhD in Managerial Economics and Strategy from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He also earned an MSc in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from Northwestern and a five-year Diploma (equivalent to an integrated Master’s) in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece. He is a Fulbright Scholar, a recipient of the IEEE Life Members Graduate Study Fellowship, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA).

Ilias Zavitsanos (NCSR Demokritos, LinkedIn) Title: AI for Financial Risk: Use Cases, Data, and Challenges Abstract: The talk presents the research of the Document Intelligence Center of Excellence (DICE) at the Institute of Informatics & Telecommunications, NCSR “Demokritos,” on machine learning methods for financial decision support. DICE research has been supported by industrial partners, such as EY Global and Qualco. In this talk, we examine representative use cases, such as financial anomaly detection, bankruptcy risk forecasting, and misstatement identification, leveraging multimodal evidence from textual and tabular sources. We discuss methodological and operational challenges, including extreme class imbalance, label scarcity, and the reliability risks associated with generative models, and outline evaluation pipelines that reflect realistic deployment conditions. We put this work within the emerging paradigm of AI Factories, discussing how shared data governance, model registries, and HPC-enabled MLOps accelerate research and foster adoption of AI solutions in the domain. Bio: Dr. Ilias Zavitsanos works as a researcher at the Insitute of Informatics and Telecommunications, NCSR Demokritos. He is currently leading the DICE team, which focuses on developing AI methods for business data and documents, mainly in the financial domain. He has graduated from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Dpt. of Informatics and Telecommunications and he holds a Ph.D. on Ontology Learning and Evaluation from Texts, from the Dpt. of Information and Communication Systems Engineering at the University of the Aegean. Prior to his current position, he has worked as a research fellow at NCSR Demokritos and the University of the Aegean. He has also worked in the industry as a software engineer and data scientist, building business analytics tools, prediction, and machine learning models. He is a member of the Hellenic Artificial Intelligence Society and his research interests include machine learning, deep learning, topic models, text mining and information retrieval.

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