Elizabeth Filippouli is a Greeksocial entrepreneur and philanthropist. She is the Founder and CEO of Global Thinkers Forum a global platform convening incumbent and future leaders to exchange ideas, knowledge and promote excellence and helping women and youth with knowledge and access to networks. In 2016 she was named among Oxford University’s Said Business School’s 42 top graduate entrepreneurs. Filippouli's background is in international media. She is affiliated with the boards of NewsXchange, the International News Safety Institute and the British Chamber of Commerce in Greece. She is on the Global Advisory Board of The Prince's Trust International, under The Prince of Wales.
Broadcasting
As a journalist, Filippouli was a presenter of flagship programs, such as: People & Power, Witness and Crossroads Europe for Al Jazeera English. For AJE she also produced a number of documentaries, such as: Greekgate and Italygate, investigating two espionage scandals of massive proportions which rocked the political systems in Italy and Greece. She also produced A King Without a Country, a documentary on the life of ex-King Constantine of Greece, and the factual series Crossroads Europe, a program analysing the fundamental changes happening in European societies. Between 1999-2005 she worked with CNN International for six years as a contributor, regularly reporting for CNN on Greek affairs and on breaking news in Greece. Filippouli started her career as a main news presenter for the Greek public television, ERT. She went on to work with Greek press and radio. She is the daughter of the well-known Greek journalist and screenwriter, Stamatis Filippoulis.
Global Thinking
Filippouli is an advocate of the importance of global thinking and values-based leadership. In 2012 Filippouli launched Global Thinkers Forum, a global platform incubated at Said Business School, that brings together innovative minds and creates discussions to promote knowledge exchange and new ideas in leadership and collaboration. With more than 10,000 names of CEOs, investors, academics and media representatives in its database, GTF enjoys a wide, diverse and influential network of global experts.The inaugural Global Thinkers Forum took place in 2012 under the patronage of Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan and it convened 300 CEOs, leaders, innovators, social entrepreneurs, investors and academics. In 2012 Global Thinkers Forum inaugurated the 'Global Thinkers Forum Awards for Excellence', to celebrate and salute the work of forward-thinking leaders with remarkable achievements. Workshops, roundtables and networking events are organised under the editorial umbrella of GTF in various cities around the world. The Global Thinkers Forum advisory board consists of world acclaimed thought leaders and decision makers such as John Alderdice, Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Muna AbuSulayman, Prince Pavlos of Greece, Elif Shafak, Femi Oke. Filippouli is a regular speaker at international conferences discussing leadership issues and global trends.
Mentoring Platform
In 2015 Filippouli and Global Thinkers Forum launched two international mentoring program, 'Telemachus' and 'Athena' under Global Thinkers Mentors. The programmes pair youth and women from all over the world with accomplished leaders. Young people and women are supported in their personal and professional development.
Athena40 Global Ranking
On International Women's Day 2018, Filippouli announced at UNESCO in Paris the launch of the world’s first global ranking of the top 40 most forward thinking women. Athena40 is also a call to action to companies and organizations to prove their accountability and support towards women.
Athena40 Global Conversation
Filippouli has created an organisation of global presence and reach, operating under the values of inclusion, cross cultural understanding and collaboration. On March 6, 2019 an audience of 500 influencers across six countries and four continents participated in a synchronised global conversation that had 45 speakers debating live just ahead of International Women’s’ Day, March 8th. The conversation was the first one in history of its kind. In London it was hosted by the Evening Standard and had BBC World’s Tim Willcox as global moderator. The 'Athena40 Global Conversation' focuses on the major challenges and opportunities for women and the relevant differences across cultures and regions.
Other Projects
Between 2001 and 2005, as a media and crisis management expert Filippouli has worked with international brands such as the National Lottery, Athens Olympic Games, Coca-Cola, TIM and NewsXchange. Filippouli is often invited as keynote speaker to talk about leadership, women's empowerment and access to global networks.
