With great success and an exceptional response from the business community, ACEO held its 36th Leadership Conference, titled “The Art of Influence – Unlocking True Leadership,” which this year focused on one of the most relevant and widely discussed concepts of our time: Influence.

During the two-day conference—rich in reflection, ideas, and insights—and attended by more than 400 delegates, distinguished speakers from Greece and abroad highlighted the role of influence as an essential element of effective leadership in a constantly changing world.

The Chairman of the ACEO Board of Directors and CEO of Growthfund, Mr. Yiannis Papachristou, emphasized in his opening remarks ACEO’s role as a strategic pillar in shaping a new productive model for the country. He underlined that leadership is not exercised through directives, but through influence.

He stressed the importance of credibility and authentic connection between leaders and their teams, noting that an organization’s success depends not only on its financial performance but also on the social value it creates. As he characteristically stated:
“Influence is not just a timely topic; it is fundamental to Leadership. In a world that is rapidly changing, leaders must evolve—and so must the organizations we lead. Today, they are judged not only by their financial results but also by how they use their mission to create added value and positively influence society and its citizens.”

Internationally renowned professor and leadership expert Benjamin Laker highlighted the profound difference between power and influence, stressing that “influence is not power; it is inspiration.” He challenged the audience to consider whether their influence lasts even when they are not present. He noted that influence does not stem from one’s title or formal position but from the ability to inspire positive action— even from a distance. “Real influence is the one that continues to work after you have left the room,” he remarked.

A fascinating panel discussion followed, focusing on meaningful influence and Greek leadership experiences. Andreas Athanasopoulos, CEO of Olympia Group, Antigoni Lyberopoulou, CEO of the Hellenic Development Bank of Investments, Nikos Koumettis, President of Europe Operating Unit, The Coca-Cola Company; and Aristotelis Panteliadis, CEO of METRO S.A., shared strategies, challenges, and insights on how influence is cultivated in practice—from perseverance and thoughtful decision-making to managing radical ideas.

Julie Masters, influence expert and founder of Influence Nation, emphasized the connection between influence and authentic presence, noting that influence is built through consistency and actions—not through attempts to be liked. As she explained, impactful leadership is the result of ongoing personal development and accountability. “We are living in a new age of influence… It’s about who knows how to capture attention, turn it into engagement, and then into action.”

A special highlight was the speech delivered by Mr. Dimitris Daskalopoulos in The Statement of the Leader section, which is dedicated to leadership experiences and lessons shared by distinguished figures. Mr. Mr. Dimitris Daskalopoulos, founder of NEON and Chairman and founder of diaNEOsis, spoke about the lessons he learned throughout his career and discussed the relationship between Influence and Ethics, emphasizing: “Leadership is, above all, a moral stance toward life — confidence amid uncertainty and determination amid ambiguity.” He described the Leader as “an inspirer of capable people, who brings together vision, mission, and team.”

Focus, concentration, mindfulness: What threatens them? How do we strengthen them?

The second day of the conference focused on concentration, attention, and mindfulness.
Distinguished cardiac surgeon Dr. Theodoros Kofidis, Director of the International Cardiac Surgery Center of Greece/HYGEIA and Director of the 1st Cardiac Surgery Clinic, highlighted the culture of trust and shared purpose as the foundation of leadership in the medical field: “Leadership is not about hierarchy; it is about culture, trust, and common purpose.”

Clinical Psychologist – Child Psychologist Ms. Xenia Stefanopoulou underscored that “Concentration is a skill cultivated through awareness, intention, and supportive environments… Mindfulness is not a luxury—it is an essential tool for a meaningful life and work.”

Mr. Giorgos Geroulis, retired Air Force Lieutenant General, shared life lessons from his career in fighter jet cockpits: “In high-intensity situations, proper role allocation, composure, and communication save lives. Success is collective—and focus must be absolute.”

Mindset and Development Consultant, Mindfulness & Meditation Instructor, and Author Mr. Konstantinos Charantiniotis offered valuable advice on relaxation and mindfulness techniques. Actor–Director Mr. Vladimiros Kyriakidis shared artistic experiences, noting: “The art of focus, concentration, and mindfulness is the key to keeping interest alive—whether on stage or in life,” urging the audience to “live each moment with authenticity and presence.”

The conference concluded with remarks from Mr. Dimitris Papanikitopoulos, President of Linkage Greece and Chairman of the ACEO Leadership Conference 2025 Organizing Committee, who noted that the two days were rich in ideas and emotions.

The event came to a “melodic” close with a live performance by Panos Mouzourakis and his band, adding a warm and uplifting tone with beloved songs.

The conference was once again expertly moderated by Mr. Haridimos K. Tsoukas , Professor at the University of Cyprus & Warwick and Scientific Advisor to ACEO.

The 36th ACEO Leadership Conference reaffirmed its leading role in shaping the contemporary leadership discourse in Greece, highlighting not only what leadership means today, but—more importantly—how it is practiced with substance, ethics, and genuine influence.

The Saracakis Group of Companies actively supported the conference as the Gold Sponsor, confirming its consistent interest in leadership and development issues.
Giannis Saracakis, President of Saracakis Group and Vice President of the Hellenic-American Chamber of Commerce, addressed the audience from Washington, where he was attending the opening of the Chamber’s new office, noting:
“Today, Leadership is about the ability to inspire action through influence. As someone who believes in teamwork and collaboration, I see that influence in our era is built on relationships of trust.”

^{Sponsors of the 36th ACEO Leadership Conference:}

GOLD SPONSOR: Saracakis Group of Companies

MAIN SPONSOR DESIGNIA Insurance Brokers

SPONSORS: COSMOTE TELEKOM, G-Logic, Lux&Easy, Hilton Garden Inn, OTEAcademy, Protergia, Xerox

SUPPORTERS: AIG, AVIS, GEP, HELLAS EAP, Linkage, NESPRESSO PROFESSIONAL, N2Growth, UNISON, VANTAGE TOWERS, Athenian Brewery

MEDIA PARTNER: ANTENNA

COMMUNICATION SPONSORS: Oikonomikos Tachydromos, Workforce, Daily Fax, Marketing Week

CREATIVE & PR AGENCY: PUBLICOM

Under the auspices of: GROWTHFUND

See the highlights of the 36th Leadership Conference below.