The initiative of Economist John Papanikolaou – now the Honorary President of Komvos-Node– began seven years ago and led to the establishment of the NGO “Komvos-Node: Networks of Global Hellenism.” 

John Papanikolaou served as President of Komvos-Node’s Board of Directors during its challenging initial formation period. The new Board of Directors unanimously decided to award him the title of Honorary President. You can view the relevant excerpt from the official announcement of the new Board President, Professor Angelos Chaniotis, here. The announcement was made during Komvos-Node’s 1st Annual Conference, which took place on November 25, 2023, at Karatzas Megaron. 

Other Honorary Presidents of Komvos-Node include former President of the Hellenic Republic, Prokopios Pavlopoulos, and former Prime Minister, Lucas Papademos. 

John Papanikolaou is an economist. Since 2004, he has worked as an economic consultant both in Greece and internationally, specializing in strategic planning (development and implementation of strategy). He has also served on the boards of large companies and banks. 

He has been the General Director of the International Centre for Black Sea Studies, Deputy Governor of Greece at the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank, and a member of the first Governing Committee of the University of Thessaly. Prior to this, he worked in the government sector as Economic Advisor to Greek Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou, Chairman of the Council of Economic Experts of the Ministry of National Economy, and Special Advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He started his professional career as a Lecturer in Economics at the London School of Economics and Queen Mary College (London University). 

He graduated from the Department of Economics of the Law School of the University of Athens, first in his class with Honors (9&3/6). He later pursued further education at the London School of Economics (M.Sc.Econ with Distinction) and the London Graduate School for Business Studies (Senior Executive Program). He is also an Honorary Professor at the Kuban State University of Krasnodar, Russia, and an Honorary Doctor (Honoris Causa) at the Technical State University of Moldova.