Aims
Marine Biodiversity is on the decline and it has been for years, which means that unless significant environmental change happens, the problem will only worsen. This is why Thalassa Foundation made the preservation of Marine Biodiversity its absolute priority and the “heart” of its action, based on fundamental pillars such as the restoration and protection of marine ecosystems, environmental education and awareness, scientific research and environmental policy.
The Foundation seeks to protect and conserve marine resources which face a range of challenges mainly due to anthropogenic pressures, such as marine litter, pollution, over-fishing, and the deliberate killing of marine mammals. To this end, Thalassa Foundation:
- focuses on marine protected areas, developing actions, tools and methodologies for their optimal conservation and seeking their multiplication and effective institutional protection.
- fosters awareness, involvement, environmental commitment and ultimately action by local communities to preserve their natural heritage in the long term.
- exploits environmental education activities as a long-term and horizontal pillar of its strategy and initiatives.
- supports research initiatives that contribute to the understanding of environmental challenges and the causal link between them and the environment.
- It works closely with Civil Society, like-minded organisations, initiatives and, while lobbying the relevant institutions for the development of ambitious and coherent policies that protect marine ecosystems and promote sustainability.
Our Values
- Respect for the marine ecosystem.
- Harmonious coexistence of man with his natural environment.
- Commitment to achieving environmental objectives over time.
- Integrity and transparency.
Board of Directors
Konstantinos (Costas) Apodiakos – President
The President of Thalassa Foundation, Konstantinos Apodiakos, was born in 1956, in London. He holds a B.A. in Economics from Manchester University. Now retired, he ended his working career as the CEO of Victoria Steamship Company Ltd. London. As of 2004, and as result of his life and work being inextricably linked to the sea, Costas has been an active supporter of various environmental projects, more so regarding the protection of the Mediterranean Sea and believes that successful business can only be achieved when the natural environment and our basic human values are fully respected. Costas speaks Greek and English. Costas enjoys sailing, swimming, riding motor bikes and he is interested in history, astronomy and philosophy.
Vera Alexandropoulou – Vice President
Vera Alexandropoulou is a graduate of the Faculty of Law of the University of Athens with postgraduate studies at the University of Heidelberg and Harvard University. Vera has been a qualified Greek lawyer since 1998, UK Solicitor since 2004 and has obtained her Cyprus Bar registration in early 2017. Vera has worked for the Harvard Business School, for a New York based leading law firm, for one of the biggest UK law firms with international presence and for the Piraeus Port Authority. She established her own law firm in 2005 which combines a strong commercial and charity practice. Specialised in fund structures, shipping, energy and environmental law, Vera is also fluent in Greek, English, French, German and Spanish and speaks Chinese. She enjoys swimming, travelling and practising yoga.
Henri Hentsch – Member
Henri Hentsch was born in 1968 and he is a Swiss citizen. He is married and has four children. Henri is the founder and CEO of H. Hentsch Asset Management, established in 2010. He has sixteen years of experience in banking, including eight years with LODH, Geneva, as Senior Private Banker, six years with Merill Lynch Private Banking, London, as Relationship Manager and two years with NatWest Markets, London, as Fixed Income Sales. He also holds a SFA licence for the UK market. Henri studied at HEC Lausanne and has a Bachelor Degree in Finance and Banking. His successful career in the financial sector makes his being part of Thalassa Foundation all the more important, as funding for charity work has always been crucial. Henri speaks French, English, German and Norwegian. He enjoys ski, golf, sailing and fishing.
Stéphanie Hiltbrunner – Member
Α Swiss bilingual in French and English, is a CWMA holder and an examiner for the SAQ-CWMA certification.
After her graduation, she joined UBS in 1996 and worked in Geneva and London for 11 years as a wealth manager.
Having developed her UK and European network of clients, she moved back to Geneva in 2007 to join Lombard Odier as a Senior Vice President looking after her long-lasting high net worth clients.
She then joined Rothschild &Co as a Managing Director of their European Wealth Management team in Geneva. Her focus is on advising entrepreneurs, charities and family offices across Europe, the UK and Switzerland.
She sits on the board of several non-profitable Swiss foundations active locally and aboard in children education.
Stéphanie is a mother of two teenage boys and in her spare time she loves hiking in the mountains, spending time with her family and skiing.
She recently completed an executive program by the Columbia Business school in Corporate Governance.
Alliances/Synergies
NGOs-Foundations
Public entities
Associations
Companies
