Michael Spanos, Founder & Managing Director, Global Sustain.
Michael is the Founder and Managing Director of Global Sustain; an Expert Advisor to the European Commission on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); an AHC Group Senior Associate; and a member of the secretariat of the United Nations Global Compact Network and of the Advisory Board of the CEO Clubs in Greece.
Michael is a corporate executive with extensive hands-on entrepreneurial experience in sustainability, corporate responsibility, management consulting, investments, and business information, with exceptional communication and networking skills and a demonstrable track record in delivering sustainability and business development solutions. He is an accomplished project manager, accustomed to working in international and multicultural environments, with solid analytical and quantitative skills and strong synthesis and strategic thinking ability.
He is an expert in representing initiatives in high-profile settings and venues, with outstanding stakeholder engagement skills and the ability to build meaningful and long-lasting relationships with clients and partners.
Since 2006, Michael has served as the Managing Director of Global Sustain, providing leadership in sustainability strategy issues, corporate responsibility measurement, and reporting; supporting sustainability activities; assisting companies in improving sustainability performance and recognition through metrics/indices, awards, and initiatives; and serving as the critical linkfor the formation of external partnerships with NGOs/foundations, think tanks, institutions, governments, and other businesses to accomplish sustainability objectives. He is also engaged in organizing sustainability conferences and training events and offering practical guidance to companies on the implementation of responsible investment practices.
He presents at international events and produces international publications on responsible investments, sustainable leadership, innovation, globalization, and other sustainability issues. Michael collaborates with sustainability-driven international organizations such as the UN-backed Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI), the United Nations Global Compact, the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the European Commission & Parliament, the Academy for Business in Society (ABIS), the EFQM, and the CEO Clubs International.
In the past he has held senior positions in a venture capital firm and an investment firm engaging in business plans for private investments, company feasibility and valuation, business training, and project management. For five years, Michael also worked for the ICAP Group, the largest business information and consulting firm in Southeast Europe, as Senior Manager in risk management and regulatory compliance projects. Michael holds an MBA and a diploma in Production Engineering and Management, and he speaks English, French, and Greek.
Yannis Salavopoulos, Managing Director Global Sustain GmbH, Group Head International Affairs
Yannis Salavopoulos (MBA, MSc), is a Managing Director, Global Sustain GmbH & Group Head International Affairs. He also is a Visiting Lecturer for Public Affairs at SRH Berlin University and Senior Advisor for Public Affairs/Policy & Strategy for various companies. Yannis entered Global Sustain after a successful career in Economic Diplomacy, representing, for over a decade, Greece in Germany and earlier in United Arab Emirates. During the period of 2007-2014 he has served as First Embassy Secretary for Economic & Commercial Affairs at the Embassy of Greece in Berlin (Deputy Head of Economic Section).
Prior to Berlin, Yannis was in service as Third Embassy Secretary for Economic & Commercial Affairs at the Embassy of Greece in United Arab Emirates, (Dubai), being in charge at both posts for bilateral economic, trade, exports, investment relations, as well as for finance, energy, climate and sustainability policy issues.
Till recently (2014-2015) he was at Ministry for Foreign Affairs in Athens Expert & Desk Officer for the bilateral economic & trade relations of Greece to Germany, USA (TTIP too), Canada (CETA too), Austria, Switzerland, Sweden & Cyprus. Before entering the Diplomatic Corps of Economic Diplomats, he had worked as a Lawyer with expertise in corporate, commercial & EU Law, having a great experience on regulatory affairs.
Furthermore, Yannis was a Member of Athens Bar Association. He holds an Executive MBA in International Management (Anglian Ruskin University Cambridge + Berlin School of Economics & Law) & an Executive Master of Sciences in Law & Economics (ALBA Business School, Athens). Likewise, mr. Salavopoulos holds a Bachelor in Law from the Aristoteles University of Thessaloniki. He is a Senior Expert on Sustainability & Climate Policy & Strategy, Responsible Investing, Government / Public / Economic Affairs & Strategy and a Member at the Supervisory Board of the German European Business College (EBC Hochschule).
Last, mr. Salavopoulos was elected twice as President at the Club of Economic & Commercial Diplomats in Germany. He is Founder & President of Innovative Public Affairs Network & Think Tank, CAPITALS Business Circle and German International Bankers Forum member. Experienced diplomat and public speaker he regularly takes part at international conferences and workshops as a spokesperson and expert. He has written numerous press articles on sustainable finances and speaks & writes excellent German, English & Greek.
